Page 3 of Amazing Grace

“I’m bi. I had a boyfriend for a while, but he was a real jackass. I mean, he never got physical with me when we fought, but he was verbally abusive. And we fought alot. And I bet that’s way too much information for a first date.” Her next smile was sheepish, and her cheeks pinked up.

“What’s in the past is in the past. I’ll bet most of us come with baggage. I know I do. I’ve had my share of scary exes. Mylast one Air-tagged me without my knowledge so she could track me.”

“Now, that’s a little creepy.”

“You said it. When I found the Air-tag I wanted to make her eat it, but instead, I took a hammer to it and ended the relationship. She was none too pleased.” Grace could laugh about it now, but at the time, it had been scary. The humiliation she felt at being tracked without her permission or knowledge infuriated her. She never wanted to feel that angry again.

“Well, here’s to better days and newfound friends,” Molly said, holding up her glass.

“And maybe more than just friends,” Grace added, clinking their glasses together. “I’d like to see you again.”

“I’d like that, too.” Molly gave her a wide grin, her blue eyes sparkling.

Molly had a dimple on her right cheek that deepened when she smiled, and Grace thought she was just adorable. Combined with those pretty blue eyes they made a part of Grace deep inside tingle. Grinning herself, she reluctantly called for the check.

As Grace walked Molly to her car, she said, “Maybe you’d like to meet me tomorrow morning at the maze? It’s finished, but I need to walk it before it opens on Saturday.”

“Oh, I’d love it. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. What time?”

“Nine is early enough if you can make it. We can walk the maze, then go catch breakfast.”

“It’s my day off. I’ll be there.”

They said goodnight, and feeling better than she had all day — which was saying something since she always felt elated when the maze was up and ready — Grace drove to the room she’d rented in a grand Victorian owned by Zoe Callahan and her wife, Emily. The place was stellar, and she felt lucky tohave scored a room there. The Callahans only rented out three bedrooms during October in a sort of pseudo bed and breakfast, but they let her have one of them for part of September too, knowing she needed to be there on weekends to watch the progress of the maze.

They owned a second, smaller Victorian in town, one that was converted into an all-things Halloween store called the Pumpkin Patch. It was supposedly haunted, which was both delightful and a little weird.

The only thing that freaked her out a little was the store’s mascot, a mangy black stuffed animal that could only be described as an evil monkey cat. She shivered. Those yellow eyes seemed to follow her whenever she went into the store.

But Zoe and Emily were both dear and made her feel quite at home. She let herself into the house, careful to lock the door behind her.

Although Summit Springs was a safe little town, there had been a few incidents that required locking doors at night. Sad, but true.

“How’s the maze going?” Zoe asked as Grace walked toward the stairs leading up to her room.

“It’s done! I have to walk it tomorrow, but it should be ready to open on Saturday.” Grace couldn’t help grinning.

“You look like the cat that ate the canary. Spill. What’s going on?” Emily demanded.

Grace paused and shot them a small smile that held a secret. “I may or may not have a date for the walkthrough.”

“A date? Who is it? Somebody we know?” Zoe bobbed up and down in excitement.

“Maybe. I don’t know. Her name is Molly Sunshine, and she works at the Whitewater as a server.”

“Short girl, a little plump, dimple? Adorable as a kitten?” Emily asked.

“That’s her.” Grace tried hard not to grin widely, or act like a middle schooler about to go on her first real date.

“She’s adorbs,” Zoe said. “Sweet girl, too, from what I remember. Gave us great service when we were in there last.”

“Well, I’m beat, and I have an early day tomorrow. Have a good night, girls.” Grace said, effectively ending the good-natured inquisition.

She climbed the stairs and went into her room. Undressing quickly, she opted out of a shower and slipped into bed, already half-asleep. By the time she got herself settled, she was snoring softly and dreaming of a certain short, dimpled server.

Chapter 2

Grace was up with the sun the next morning, and she knew her rising before the alarm had nothing to do with the light shining behind the curtains, and everything to do with excitement. She couldn’t decide whether she was jazzed more about the maze or her seeing Molly again, and finally decided it was both.