Read Online Healing Grace by Elizabeth Courtright - Free Book Online

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    “Not so fast,” the striking colonel murmured. His eyes, a deep chestnut shade, flickered in the dim light. “Let me help you.”
    He’d taken his glove off and was holding his hand out, not forcing her to take it, not grabbing, just patiently waiting for her to be ready. Never had Constance felt anything so calming as that simple gesture. She’d never seen anything quite as intriguing as those long fingers waiting for hers, either. Their eyes met again as Constance settled her hand into his open palm. The warmth of him surrounded not just her fingers. It buzzed up her arm, through her torso and into her head. She felt that miniscule touch all the way to her toes.
    “Do you think you can stand?” he asked, his tone deep and resonant. “You don’t feel faint any longer?”
    Constance could only shake her head. Her voice was caught somewhere inside her throat. And then she could have sworn somehow he lifted her up. She barely felt herself rise, yet a moment later she was on her feet. The next thing she knew the colonel’s hold loosened, and like feathers, his fingers trickled away.
    “Miss Pruitt,” Daniel said, eyes popping, “you screamed.”
    “Did I?” she squeaked.
    “Yes,” Emily confirmed. “What on earth scared you so badly?”
    The colonel turned to Emily and murmured, “I believe it was me.”
    No! It wasn’t you! It couldn’t have been you! Constance wanted to shout, but she couldn’t say anything.
    “You don’t have to be afraid of Uncle Eddy,” Daniel offered. “I know he’s big, but he’s real nice. He wouldn’t ever hurt nobody.”
    With that, the sweet boy reached over and took her hand, as if he knew how bereft and cold her limb had become without Uncle Eddy’s hold. If this was indeed ‘the Etienne’ Emily had teased her about, he wasn’t Daniel’s uncle. He was Julien Grace’s brother. He was Jules’s uncle, not Daniel’s.
    Those were the inane thoughts in Constance’s mind when Emily said, “Constance, let me introduce Etienne. Colonel Etienne Grace, this is Constance Pruitt, Daniel’s schoolteacher, and a close friend. Etienne, we didn’t expect you until later tonight.”
    “Our train arrived earlier than scheduled.” Etienne grinned. The sudden lines in his cheeks and creases beside his eyes were as mesmerizing to Constance as his touch had been. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, Miss Pruitt,” he said softly.
    “It’s really Missus Pruitt, Uncle Eddy,” Daniel said. “Miss Pruitt’s married.”
    “ Was married,” Emily cut in, throwing a glare at her son. “Constance’s husband died several years ago.”
    “My apologies, ma’am.” Graciously Etienne Grace inclined his head.
    “Thank you,” Constance stammered. “And, and I…I’m sorry.” All this fuss—and Emily’s pointed correction of her marital status—was humiliating enough. Constance couldn’t believe she’d fainted. Over a hallucination, of all things! She’d never fainted in her life. More than anything she wanted to get Izzy and ride off, away from the prying eyes.
    Her wishes, however, were not to be. Right then Trent burst into the barn, bellowing, “Em! Emmy!”
    He came to such a screeching halt Julien almost careened into him. As it was, young Jules, who was behind them, barreled into his father. Apparently when Constance fainted, young Jules had run to the house for help. Julien had to catch his son by the shoulders and plop him on his feet.
    “Em? What’s going on? What happened? We heard the scream.” Trent was breathing heavily.
    So was Julien, making it obvious they’d just run all the way from the house. Not too far behind them, Constance saw Jessica and Lucy, surrounded by the rest of the little ones, rushing across the lawn as well.
    “It wasn’t Aunt Emily, Uncle Trent. I told you already. It was the teacher lady.” Jules pushed through the adults until he was front and center, and pointing one decisive index finger. “ She’s the one who