Page 17 of Perfect Harmony

Gideon glanced at his watch. It was onlyeight, but he’d led her straight to his bedroom and she hadn’t protested. Forgettingthat she had no desire to sit with Gideon and make small talk, she was stupidlyanxious to give this a try. Sheknewit wouldn’t work, that day a monthago was a freak occurrence, just her brain finally waving the white flag, but thatdidn’t stop her fromhopingit would work.

“If you need anything in the night, just…”

“Just what?” she said.

A dull flush covered his cheeks and he headedfor the door. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

She waited until the door closed beforestripping off her clothes and pulling Gideon’s shirt over her head. It smelledlike laundry soap, but she fancied she could smell a hint of Gideon in it. Shehurried over to his bed, dropping her cell phone on the nightstand beforeclimbing into bed and curling up on her side. She pulled the sheet and quilt toher chin. She sank her head into the pillow, buried her face in it, and breatheddeeply. The pillowdidsmell like him, and she sighed happily andclosed her eyes.

God, Gideon’s bed was so comfortable. Themattress wasn’t too soft or too firm, his pillow was the perfect density, thesheets were soft, and the quilt was nice and heavy. She inhaled into his pillowagain, letting Gideon’s scent fill her lungs.

She would ask him where he bought hismattress and his pillow. Maybe even the sheets. Maybe if she could recreateGideon’s bed in her room, she’d actually sleep. Maybe there was a chance thatshe wouldn’t go insane from lack of sleep.

Shh, Gracie. Go to sleep.

She yawned. Her eyelids were incredibly heavy,and the headache had retreated enough to ignore. Her body was liquid, sinkinginto the perfect mattress. She hoped she fell asleep soon. She was so damntired.

Sleep now, Gracie.

She smiled as she drifted, the buzzing ofher brain fading until it was a quiet hum. Yes, sleep. Sleep was good. Shewould sleep and when she woke, Gideon would be there, and she would tell himhow much she loved him. How happy and safe and content he made her.

She burrowed deeper into the bed and slept.

* * *

She was dreaming about a day already past.A dream tinged with both sorrow and joy. Sorrow because it was one of theworst days of Gideon’s life. Joy because it became one of the best of hers.She watched with both grief and anticipation as her dream self approachedGideon.

“Gideon?” She touched his shoulder as hestared out the window into the darkness. Back then, she hadn’t been afraid totouch him, hadn’t needed to worry that it would push them even further apart.

“How is she?”

“She’s sleeping.” She stood next to himand rested her hand on his back. “She’s exhausted. It’s been a long day forher.”

“Burying your parents takes a lot out of aperson.” His voice was hollow and coloured with such heartbreaking grief thatit took her breath away.

“Honey, look at me,” she said.

He continued to stare into the darkness.“Kira isn’t doing well, Grace. I’ve never seen her so lost, so… fragile.”

“It will take time to heal,” Grace said.“You’ve been through a terrible tragedy and it takes time to recover.”

“What if she doesn’t?” His face was grave inthe dim light of the lamp. “What if she gets worse?”

“If that happens, we’ll help her,” Gracesaid.

“I’m too far away. I should never havemoved to New Cassel. I should never have left her or them.”

“Honey,” she reached up and cupped hisface, turning his head with gentle pressure until he was looking at her, “youneeded to live your life. Your parents were so happy for you and the life youwere building. Don’t second guess the decisions you’ve made.”

“I didn’t come home enough.” His voice washoarse, his eyes rimmed with red. “I was so busy working that I didn’t comehome. Mom was always asking me to come home on the weekends and I rarely did.I disappointed her.”

“You didn’t.” She squeezed his jaw. “Sheand your dad were so proud of you, honey. They talked about you all the time.Your dad told everyone he met about his son the police officer. About how youwere going to be the youngest officer in the force to make detective. Abouthow he always knew you were something special.”

His face crumpled and tears flowed down hischeeks. “I miss him so much, Gracie. I don’t know what to do without him. I’mlost without him.”

“I know, honey.” She pulled him into her embrace,and he buried his hot face against her neck and wrapped his arms around herwaist. She rubbed his back and kissed his broad shoulder through his t-shirtas he cried into her throat, his big body shaking.

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