connects the kitchen with the dining room, and I heard the squeak the
hinges make. I knew someone was rushing toward me.
I could feel him coming. I turned and started to scream, but I don't
know if I made a sound or not.'
'That's when you were struck, wasn't it? ' 'I don't remember being
hit. I just remember turning, and then you were leaning over me,
Daniel, and I was outside . . . in the grass. If Jessica hadn't found
me and dragged me out, I would have died in the fire.
'I'm your witness, ' she whispered once again. 'I don't want them to
hurt Jessica or Rebecca. They're innocent.' Daniel couldn't resist
touching her. He reached out to wipe away a tear from her cheek.
'You're also innocent, Grace.' They stared into one another's eyes for
a long minute. Daniel was overwhelmed with the desire to keep her
safe. He had failed with his wife and his daughter because he hadn't
been there to protect them. He decided then and there that he wouldn't
let Grace out of his sight.
Any one who tried to harm her would have to go through him first.
'Daniel, are you all right? ' 'Yeah, I am.'
'You look terribly . .
. angry.'
'I don't want anything to happen to you, Grace.' He was gripping her
shoulders, his hold fierce, protective. He was hurting her, but she
knew if she told him so, he'd feel terrible. She gently pulled his
hands away and held on to them. 'Nothing's going to happen to me.'
'I'm going to protect you.'
'Yes, you are, ' she agreed.
'And I must protect Jessica and Caleb.' He raised an eyebrow. 'Why?
' he asked.
'She risked her life for me, ' she answered.
'What about Rebecca? Do you feel responsible for her too? ' 'In a
sense I do. She's been so kind and thoughtful.' He put his arm around
her shoulders. 'Come on. I'm taking you home, Miss Winthrop.
No, that isn't right, ' he teased. 'It's Lady Winthrop, isn't it? '
'No, Daniel, it's Grace. Just plain old Grace.'
