Hide Yourself Away by Mary Jane Clark Read Free Book Online Page A

while yet. But if Frank won his case, if Lucy went to live with him, Grace wouldn’t even have that time. Weekend visits and a couple of weeks in the summer or at Christmas vacation weren’t going to cut it. With the back of her hand, Grace wiped the tears that were forming at the corners of her eyes.
    “Ah, Mom, don’t cry. I’ll be fine.”
    “I know you will, sweetheart, I know you will.” Grace kissed the top of her daughter’s head, inhaling the sweet, familiar scent of shampoo. “I’m being ridiculous.”
    The train was slowing down. Grace lifted her suitcase down from the overhead storage compartment.
    “Now, you have the money I gave you? And the cell phone? And you know Daddy’s number, right?”
    Lucy nodded, pleased. She had been begging for a cell phone. Her mother was lending her hers for this trip. It was a start, at least. “Yeah, I’ve got it, Mom.”
    “Maybe you’ll get a little something to bring back for Grandpa?”
    “Yep. Dad says we’re going to do some sightseeing while I’m there. I’ll find something nice for Grandpa.”
    “Good girl.”
    The car had stopped moving. It was time to get off.
    “All right, Luce. Have a great time. Daddy will be right there waiting for you at the station.”
    “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m fine.”
    “I know you are, Lucy. Bye-bye, sweetheart. I love you.”
    “I love you, too, Mom.” Lucy stood from her seat and wrapped her arms around her mother, hugging Grace tightly.
    She was still a child after all, thought Grace, as she stepped down to the platform in front of the shingled railroad station. Lucy was still her little girl, and Frank couldn’t take her away.
    But should she be giving Frank this ammunition? Should she be pursuing this dream of hers, traveling for her career at a time like this?
    As she flagged down a taxi, Grace knew she was at one of life’s crossroads. She could give up the internship, choose something to do that was less demanding, more predictable. Something with which Frank couldn’t find fault. Or she could go ahead, and not allow Frank to dictate what her professional life would be.
    By the time the car reached the mammoth span of the Newport Bridge, Grace knew what she had to do. She stared out at the pleasure boats dotting the deep blue Narragansett Bay, certain that she had to go forward, she had to be true to herself. In the end, that was the role model she wanted her daughter to see.

  CHAPTER  
13
    The taxi turned into the semicircular driveway at the entrance to the Hotel Viking. Guests sunned themselves in the white wooden rocking chairs on the porch that lined the front of the large, brick, colonial-style structure. In her research, Grace had read that the classic hotel was built in the 1920s to accommodate some of the out-of-town guests of the mansion owners. Grace imagined the well-heeled visitors arriving for their stay in Newport. She smiled in appreciation at the pink and purple petunias, golden hibiscus, and cheerful daisies waving from the window boxes and planters.
    The lobby rang of white-paneled grace, with original chandeliers and woodwork. A wonderful brass mail chute stood guard beside the elevators. Grace went directly to the front desk to check in.
    The uniformed reception clerk pulled a slip of white paper from the mail slot assigned to Grace’s room. “You have a message waiting, Ms. Callahan.”
    Grace read the note, a bit disappointed that now shecouldn’t go to see her room and freshen up. B.J. wanted her to come directly to the news work space. “Which way to the Bellevue Ballroom?” she asked.
    “To your left, around the corner.” The clerk pointed.
    “Thank you.” Grace nodded, beginning to pull her suitcase along with her.
    “Ms. Callahan, someone will be happy to take your bag up to your room if you like.”
    “That would be great. Thanks.”
    Grace caught her breath as she entered the ballroom. It had been transformed from an opulent spot for business meetings, society