Saving Grace Read Online Free PDF

remember warmth, where people smiled and had you over for Sunday dinner.  She never saw any of that here.  It was almost like a duty to attend each week, with none of the fellowship she remembered.
    Grace cleared her mind as the Priest released them of their duties.  She quickly stood to break free, but Lilah grabbed her hand before she could step away.
    “Would you be a dear?  And help me up?”  She smiled, but the steel behind her eyes still showed. 
    Grace could feel how upset her grandmother was.  She had yet to say anything to her about her trip, but knew it wouldn’t be too far off into the future before she received an earful.
    “Yes, grandmother.”  Grace smiled warmly and helped her up. 
    Lilah lifted one hand to reach for Grace, and held her hat in place with the other.  Andrew ushered them both to the aisle but motioned for Lilah to move out first.  He gently pulled Grace to his side.
    “Don’t let her get to you, dear.  She’s on a tear about the story that hit the paper.”  Andrew lovingly leaned down and kissed Grace’s cheek.
    Her face lit up.  She loved her grandfather so.
    “I knew that going in, grandfather.  But she needs to know I have my own life, and I have a right to be friends with whomever I want.  I am almost twenty-one now … not a baby,” Grace said firmly, and squeezed her grandfather’s hand.  “I’ll see you later?”  She asked trying to break free while the rest of the crowd flowed out the door.  
    Andrew nodded.  He would never forgive himself for not having a relationship with his daughter, Elizabeth, and tried to make it up by being there for his Grace.
    After Elizabeth ran off and got married, Lilah forbid any contact with his daughter to which he obliged.  The news of her death about broke him.  Then when Anne left for college, never to return … he vowed to never make that mistake again. 
    In recent years, with Grace, he did what he could to build a relationship.  He’d shut down for so many years after his daughter’s death, that he didn’t get that chance with Anne.  He knew he had to be a better parent for his late daughter’s sake … and a better grandparent before it was too late.
    Andrew smiled as Grace tried to slip away unnoticed, but Lilah quietly and firmly caught her by the arm.
    “Are you going to join us for brunch?”  Lilah smiled. 
    Grace felt her firm grip upon her forearm.  It was time to face the music.  Grace lovingly patted her grandmother’s hand.
    “I’d love to.  Let me go home and change.”  She leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.  It was genuine affection, but Grace knew her grandmother appreciated it for a bigger reason.  Affection was nice but keeping up appearances of a happy family was better.
    “Good.  I’ll see you in an hour.”  Lilah said, as Andrew stepped in to join them. 
     
                  A little over an hour later, Grace pulled the door quietly behind her and stepped into the Aundine’s kitchen.  Sophia, their cook and care taker, smiled from ear to ear.
                  “Ah, Ms. Grace.”  Sophia opened her arms.  “I don’t see you very often anymore since you moved into your own house.  Since you’re off doing your own thing - it’s been quiet here.”
                  Grace relaxed into her embrace.  Her arms were like soft pillows. 
    “Your hugs are always the best, Sophia.”  She pulled away to give her a once over.  “Are you getting enough rest?”
    Sophia had been with the family since before the girls moved in with the Aundine's.  She was forty-five then, and had to be at least sixty-five now.  Her grandmother still ran Sophia ragged, expecting her to cook and clean their home.
                  “I’ll get enough rest soon enough as soon as your grand-parents leave to go back to their home in New York.”  Sophia looked to her calendar and chuckled.  She had the date circled.
    “You coming for