Read Online In Search of Grace by Kelly Ilebode - Free Book Online Page B

door, he took a deep, shaky breath.
                  Finally h aving the courage to make her way to the back porch leading to the screen door , she could hear Santana playing “ Black Magic Woman ” o n the stereo. Interesting choice she thought.   Alex did not he ar movement in the kitchen as she knocked . At first, t hink ing he hadn’t heard her, she started to knock again when he suddenly appeared .
                  She smiled up at him .  
                  “ Hey you . ”
                  “Hey yourself . ” Seth opened the door wide for her to step in.  The delicious aroma that wafted through the air immediately assaulted her senses .   The smell of garlic, basil and cheese caus ed her stomach to growl in anticipation.
                  “I hope you like lasagna . ” Alex stared at him wide eyed .   Seth’s laughter was like a roar echoing though the house. Seth quickly kissed the tip of her nose as if he did it every day . “I can cook quite well you know rabbit , and do you have any idea how expressive your face is? ”
                  “I’m sorry . I am always getting you wrong. I guess I was not expecting a real home cooked meal.  It smells absolutely wonderful . ”   She watched as he walked to the counter to finish cutting vegetables for a salad.  His fingers confidently held the knife , cutting each piece perfectly .  She observed that he also chose to dress casually noting the faded jeans and black tee shirt . H er eyes took in the muscles rippling under his shirt.  The fabric stretching to reveal a toned stomach as he reached for some glasses high on the shelf .  She liked the way his clothes hugged his body.
                  Seth turned to her, catching her eyes lingering a little too long .   He liked the way her face flushed with color when she realized she had been caught . 
                  “Wine ?”   
                  Clearing her throat she nodded her head , pretending he hadn’t see n her checking him out , as she turned her gaze to the room . “Red please . ”
                  The décor was definitely different from when Betsy and Hank lived there.  No longer were the wa lls covered in garish Italian wall paper but instead were painted a Venetian gold . The moldings stripped of their heavy paint also had a new lighter stain . The old counters were gone; in their place were cool, smooth granite countertops . D ark wood planks replaced the linoleum on the floor.   It was beautiful, subtle and serene.   It was Seth.
                  Handing her the glass , s he took a sip.  “Hmm..that is good”
                  “Glad you like it . ” 
                  Alex felt his eyes on her as she surveyed the room.  “ So , do you approve of what I have done?”
                  “Yes, very much.”  Alex could feel her voice catch as she thought of Betsy and how much pride she took in her home.  
                  Seth saw the tears, came up to her and placed a gentle hand on her arm.  “It must be hard for you seeing changes in here.  You were close to the couple that lived here before?”
                  “Yes, I knew them very well.  But Betsy w ould like the changes also.   You did a great job. ” 
                  “Tell me about them , Alex . ”
                  “What do you want to know?”
                  “Anything.  Who they were, how you met…”
                  Alex leaned against the counter while taking a nother sip from her wine , watching him as he finished prepping the food , realizing she felt at ease around him.
                  “I loved them . ”  Her voice soften ing as she remember ed the pair . “They were perfect in my eyes , and they loved each other very much. I met them when I moved in next