Page 6 of A Taste of Grace

Uncle Keith hugged me tightly, nearly lifting me off the ground as he rocked back and forth to greet me with the most beautiful bouquet of pink fringed tulips I’d ever seen.

“I’m so proud of you, Grace.”

“I’m proud of myself, too.” I entered Uncle Keith’s car and buckled up, ready for the four-hour drive back to my parents’ home.

I looked up to the sunny sky and smiled, noting an angled beam of light that ascended directly from heaven. I took it as a sign that my parents were looking down on me and were pleased. They wouldn’t want me to go back to a dark place I might not escape.

Thank you, Father, for giving me a sound mind.

“I’d love for you to move to one of my empty properties in Farmerton. Rent free, of course.” Uncle Keith threw his idea out as we crossed the Alabama state line two hours after leaving Whetworth.

“I don’t do small towns anymore,” I spoke the words as respectfully as I could, given Uncle Keith’s ongoing kindness toward me.

He turned the air down and shot me a disbelieving look.

“What you talkin’ about? Once a country girl, always a country girl,” he teased.

“No sir, Unc, I’m done with peanut farms and tractor trailers. If there’s not an airport within a fifteen-minute drive, I don’t want it.”

Despite my protest, I couldn’t deny that the tall pine trees outside the passenger window were beautiful, reminding me of my childhood and the innocence I left behind. The South waspretty and peaceful with its mild winters. Most of the year, I could wear flowing sundresses and the open-toed sandals I loved so much.

“Come on now. Farmerton’s one of the fastest-growing cities in South Georgia. We need smart women like you building our community. One of the biggest megachurches in the area is there too—Haven of Hope and Blessings.”

“I’ve heard of that place.”

“Folks are moving in like bees to a honeycomb. You could meet Mr. Right there.” Uncle Keith’s voice trailed off as I stared out the window.

Since I shared my parents’ dreams with him, he didn’t hesitate to hint at the possibility of my “settling down with someone who could take care of me like a woman should be cared for.” Those were his words, not mine.

I shook my head.

“I’m doing just fine keepin’ in touch with my DC friends. We do virtual happy hours and quarterly girls’ trips. It’s hard to make new friends after forty anyway.” I plopped my hands in my lap and sighed, slightly discouraged that I’d have to start my life over no matter where I lived.

“Grace…” Uncle Keith hesitated and kept his eyes straight ahead, alerting me that he was trying to filter his words so they didn’t come across too harshly. “Don’t start off with that isolation mess. We may have started our relationship late, but I want to be close to you now that you’re back in my life.”

I smiled, appreciative of my uncle’s protective nature.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Tell you what. Talk to my friend, Nita, about Farmerton. She knows everybody and can get you connected real fast. Dr. Westmoreland said you need good people in your life so you don’t get sick again. I’m just trying to help.” He spoke the words softly as if he didn’t want to hurt my feelings.

Uncle Keith’s puppy dog eyes melted my heart. He had gone above and beyond for me since Mama’s death. The least I could do was hear him out.

“You’re right about the possibility of something new.”

He tapped the steering wheel with his fingertips in sync to the old school R&B music playing in the background and grinned from ear to ear.

“Pat raised me when Mama died, so I’ve got to do this for you. I can’t say I love Pat if I don’t help take care of you in your time of need.”

I beamed as I processed what my uncle told me. He was a lot more emotional than I thought. I closed my eyes briefly and counted to three, absorbing the positivity and compliments from Uncle Keith.

His kindness is real. Embrace it.

I opened my eyes and smiled.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, so I’ll consider your offer. How would this work?”

“For the next year, I’ll give you space and grace to heal in my favorite rental condo. It’s secluded but close enough for you to go to the store and grab a cup of coffee in town if you want. The utilities are on autopay, so you’ll only be responsible for your personal needs.”

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