The Falling of Love by Marisa Oldham Read Free Book Online Page A

his hand.
    Grace lowers her head, embarrassed.
    “You really are, baby. Don’t be shy.”
    “I’m not sure the colors are right.”
    “Gracie, it looks exactly the same as what I’m looking at,” he says, as he points toward the lake. “You’re an incredible artist. Not only can you paint, but I’ve seen your drawings too. My girlfriend is a master!”
    “Don’t be silly,” she says, flattered by all of his compliments.
    “If you sucked, I’d tell you. Trust me. I’m not one to boost someone’s ego just to make them feel better. If you have talent I’m not going to shut up about it, and you have talent. Real talent.”
    “Thank you.” She bows her head and smiles. “I’ve always loved art. I love the feeling I get when I’m creating something. It’s so relaxing.” She laughs. “As long as it’s not a super frustrating project. You have real talent, too, Ian.”
    “I know.” He laughs.
    His honesty shocks her. “Modest much?”
    “Not really. I know I can sing. There’s nothing wrong with me saying that. You need to have more confidence in yourself. It will only make you a much better artist. I can’t wait to see what you do once you’re in college and taking serious art classes. Not these crap, stick figure drawing classes at Lincoln.”
    “Hey, Mr. Martin teaches those classes. He’s my favorite teacher. You should see his clay work.”
    Ian shrugs. “Yeah, I guess he’s cool and all, but, Grace, just think of the possibilities that college will offer you.”
    Grace’s stomach spins with excitement. The enthusiasm in Ian’s voice makes her even more motivated about her future.

 
 
 
    That night Ian holds Grace tightly while they lie in their tent together. Talking about her parents’ death with Ian is emotionally difficult. She rarely opens up to anyone about how devastating it was to lose them.
    “They loved sailing,” Grace says, with tremendous sadness in her voice. “Their boat capsized and well, they both drowned.”
    Ian only shakes his head, not knowing how to respond.
    “It was for sure the hardest thing I have ever been through,” she says, as a tear falls down her cheek.
    Ian wipes her tear away, kisses her on the forehead, and pulls her tightly against his body.
    “I’m so sorry, baby. I can’t imagine how terrible that must have been,” he says softly, his voice filled with empathy.
    She is comforted in his arms. Usually she does not like to talk about the details of her parents’ death. There is something about Ian that pulls every emotion from her. She longs to share her entire life and all her secrets with him. Grace finishes telling the story of how she lost her parents. She is terribly upset from recalling such a horrible time in her life. He kisses her head again and softly caresses her arm.
    “I’ve only lost my Grandparents,” he says, softly. “I’m so sorry that you had to go through such a horrible thing. I wish I would’ve known you then so that I could’ve been there for you.”
    She sniffs, buries her head into his chest, and smiles up at him. “They were phenomenal parents. It was so hard to lose them, but I’m so lucky to have James and Michelle.”
    Ian squeezes Grace tightly and leans in to kiss her.
    “And you have no other family members left, right?”
    “None that we talk to. I’m sure there are some out there somewhere, but we don’t know them. Both my mother and father were only children, and all my grandparents had passed away before my parents did. All I have is James and Michelle,” Grace whispers, feeling grateful for the love and support of her siblings.
    “You have me now, too, Gracie,” Ian whispers.
    They spend the rest of their night kissing each other until they drift off to sleep.

Chapter 4

 
    Grace walks in her front door and into her empty home, sad that the weekend has already come to an end. Michelle is out with one of her friends and James has been gone since Friday. She leaves the door open for