Read Online By Grace Alone (The Death Dealer Book 2) by Katie Roman - Free Book Online

you mean.” The only thing Thom and Marcus cared about was that she continued to follow their instructions. She wriggled free of his grasp. “I thought we were supposed to be friends.” She thought about spitting on his shoes, but decided that was too undignified for her. She stormed off instead.
    ~*~*~
    She blew into the Angel like a hurricane, prepared to sweep any who got in her way into the very eye of the storm. No one raised a finger to stop her from going into the stables. If she had taken a minute to look around, she’d see that everyone avoided eye contact and whispered about her. She might have stopped her fury long enough to puzzle as to why she didn’t get the usual, “Little Gracie is all up in arms. Best hide the breakables.” If she’d stopped for even a moment, she might not have gone into the stables.
    She intended to work in the stables for Mayhew today, as the hard labor always served to clear away some of her anger. But it seemed she wouldn’t have the chance to be rid of her foul mood. Jack waited for her.
    He was dressed in dirt-stained trousers and a blood-stained white shirt. His beard hadn’t been trimmed in some time and he’d let his brown hair grow out; hanging down past his ears now. Grace gritted her teeth, ready to slap him if he got too close.
    “Thom told me to stay away.”
    “How long were you in Glenbard before he told you that?”
    Jack lowered his head in shame. “About three days.” His admission didn’t surprise Grace. He could have been in the city for a month and never come to see her. He was only there now because he got caught.
    “Get out of here,” she snapped.
    “Grace, I know what you’re doing and –”
    He wasn’t going to leave, not until he’d harassed her about the Death Dealer business. She didn’t have to listen, though. If Jack didn’t want to leave, she would. Grace turned on her heel and went back into the common room of the tavern. This time she was intensely aware of the talk buzzing about her. She marched into the kitchen.
    Jim and Jeremiah looked at her, waiting for the storm to hit.
    “Any trays need taking out?” She needed something to do. Anything, really.
    “No, but the empty rooms could use a good deal of cleaning,” Jim responded quickly. “There’s dust everywhere and it’d do to chase the mice away. If there ain’t a guest inside, give it a good going over.”
    Jim walked Grace out of the kitchen and saw Jack hovering by the stable door, looking ashamed. His head was down, his shoulders slumped, his usual pride evaporated. It was a new look for him and he was clearly uncomfortable. “Go on upstairs, Gracie. I’ll see to the ruffian.”
    Grace could hear Jim yelling profanities at Jack from her place in one of the bedrooms upstairs. The tavern keeper had often been insufferable since Jack left, but he always meant well. Grace was grateful for him now.
    ~*~*~
    It was the hottest part of the day before Grace stopped her cleaning for a meal. She’d opened all the shutters to air out the empty rooms, but with no breeze it didn’t do much. The back of her dress was drenched in sweat. She used her apron to wipe away the moisture on her forehead and saw the fabric smeared a dingy brown when she pulled it away from her face. The dust clung to her brow and wiping it away only left dirty streaks on her skin.
    Sighing, she headed back to the common room where only about five patrons were hanging around. For once, no one paid much mind to Grace. She wandered into the kitchen to find Jeremiah alone, cutting up apples and cheese. She took a slice of freshly cut apple and popped it into her mouth.
    “May as well take the rest of this one, then.” Jeremiah finished cutting up the apple and handed the plate to Grace. There were a few pieces of golden white cheese as well.
    “Where’s Jim and Rosemary?”
    “Rosemary’s down at the market and Jim is in the stables being questioned by the ever-vigilant Sergeant Moore.” The cook put