Stealing Grace by Shelby Fallon Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t care. Her mind was racing as she sat crossed legged. She contemplated the situation, still not quite reality to her mind. She wondered what her life could be like if she stayed this way. Her living in his house, cooking his food, sleeping in his bed without him.
    As she headed to bed later, she glanced in the hall mirror. She could see the circular poof and bruise on her cheek outlined in pink and filled in with yellow and a light purple.
    When it was time for bed, she again wondered about the arrangement, even though he’d said he wouldn’t come to her, but felt comfort when she saw him pull the blanket out from behind the couch again.
    She cried incredibly hard but slept better that night.
    And cried even harder, aching, but slept better the next night.
    And the next, she cried and sobbed so loud into her pillow that it hurt in her chest and bones but slept the best she had so far.
    That night, while Elena was having a nightmare, Alex ran in and shook her awake. Elena woke up swatting at him because this time when she opened her eyes, there was a real face above her.
    He restrained her easily, his hands on her arms, and spoke softly.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to make sure you were ok. You were screaming.”
    “I’m sorry,” she said embarrassed at him having to come wake her up like that.
    “No, it’s fine.” He pushed her hair back from her face and looked at her closely. “I just wanted to check on you. Are you alright? Need a glass of water or something?” he said and still held her arm in his hand to steady her. She shook her head no and he released her. “Ok. Let me know if you need anything.” He hesitated. “I’m right in the next room. Nothing’s going to happen to you, ok? You’re safe with me, I promise. Good night.”
    That was the last night she had of tears and bad dreams.

    When she awoke to the sunlight that morning she couldn’t believe she’d been there a week already let alone three weeks. She no longer cried when she went to sleep. For a while there it seemed to get worse instead of better but eventually, she just couldn’t cry anymore. And then there was no reason to. What’s done was done and the situation could be so much worse.
    She put on the same clothes she’s arrived there in. Alex had promised to go shopping today to get her something else to wear. She had three outfits to her name and two of them swallowed up her petite frame completely.
    He kept his promise and they left the house for the first time, headed to a shop downtown. She felt strange about him buying her clothes but he assured her it was perfectly alright and acceptable. She purchased a couple pairs of jeans, one casual dress, few blouses, a pajama set, underwear and a pair of running shoes.
    On the way home he explained it was time for him to go back to work soon. Most of the men owned their own business close to home and took their wives with them as secretaries. She was fine with that. She was going stir crazy in that house all day.

    * * *

    The next few days were normal, well, normal for them. She cooked meals and cleaned up afterwards with some light housework in between. He read, made calls, did paperwork and then watched old movies at night. She thought to herself, this wouldn’t be so bad had it been a real marriage. This was the kind of life she had looked forward to one day, but not like this.
    She would try, as she took her own advice that she’d given Amy. She would try to be a good wife regardless. They had actually gotten along quite well. Not much real conversation but an idle chat here or there. At least there was no tension, well not really.
    She still didn’t know who this man was, just that he had saved her life and she was stuck with him, for better or worse.

    * * *

    Alex’s office was actually pleasant, welcomed even, just for her to get out of the house. Alex was a county permit and contracting negotiator, notary and neighborhood tax preparer.