Saving Grace Read Free

pitcher. “I didn’t
expect to live through that encounter. I think you probably saved
my life, and for that, I thank you.”
    He held up his hands, palms outward. “No
need. I’m just glad I was there to help. My name is Jack Chambers,
by the way. I’m the cove’s Game Warden.”
    She had to smile at that. “Looks like you
found more than you bargained for washed up on your beach last
night.”
    He smiled back, and she loved the way his
eyes crinkled up at the corners, as if he smiled a lot. He really
was the most handsome man.
    “You’ve got that right. And when you’re
feeling up to it, the Alpha would like to talk to you.” He stood
and gave her a small black remote control. That disarming smile of
his made her heart beat a little faster.
    “The remote is labelled pretty well, but ask
me if you need anything. The TV will pop up if you push that blue
button, and I’ve got a satellite on the roof, so lots of channels
to choose from. There’s also a selection of music and intercom
access if you want to find me. See the orange button?”
    He pointed it out, and she was impressed by
the level of technology in his otherwise rustic-looking home. She
hit the blue button, and a large black screen rose from inside the
opposite wall and turned on to a news channel.
    “I haven’t seen television in a long time.
Thank you. I’ll familiarize myself with what’s been going on
ashore.” Scenes of an explosion half a world away distracted her
while he stood.
    “If you’re okay, then I’ll be back in a bit.
Just hit the orange button if you want anything.”
    “Will do. Thank you, Jack,” she said,
watching a fiery crash on the television as he walked out.
     

Chapter Three

    Jack dialed John’s number as he walked out
into the main part of his home. The Alpha picked up on the first
ring.
    “Sitrep,” was John’s short greeting. All
Alpha. Always in charge. But Jack didn’t mind. John was a good
leader and had never steered any of them wrong.
    “She’s awake,” he told John. “Nice girl.
Currently watching TV in my guest room.”
    “Does she have any intel on the
leviathan?”
    “Not really. She said it was evil, but she
claims never to have seen anything like it before. I believe her.
She has no reason to withhold information.”
    “That you know of,” was John’s skeptical
answer.
    “Yeah, okay. You got me there. But you didn’t
see her injuries, John. She told me she didn’t expect to live
through the encounter, and if I hadn’t come along, I don’t think
she’d have made it ‘til morning. That thing sliced her up bad.”
    “I’ve got to make the rounds, but I’ll come
by later today. Keep her there.”
    “I don’t think she’ll be going anywhere
today, but if she wants to take her chances back in the ocean, I
can’t, in good conscience, keep her here against her will. I will
strongly suggest that she shouldn’t return to the water, but I
won’t hold her prisoner.” There were some things at which Jack drew
the line.
    “Understood,” John replied. He didn’t sound
happy about it, but Jack knew the Alpha really did understand the
need to give any magical creature its freedom. “I’ll see you in a
while.”
    Jack hung up and peeked in the door to find
Grace’s eyes closed. She was asleep again, poor gal. He figured she
needed the rest, so he slipped quietly away and headed toward the
kitchen. He’d prepare some food for when she woke again. Maybe
something salty. And liquidy. Soup was a good bet. He probably had
a can of the condensed stuff somewhere that he could start
with.
    He was just finishing making the soup when he
heard the pitter patter of bare feet on his hardwood floors. She
was up? He hadn’t thought she’d be out of bed before tomorrow, at
the earliest, but then again, what did he know about mermaids?
Maybe they healed faster than he’d guessed.
    Jack turned to find her standing uncertainly
in the archway to the kitchen.
    “I’m surprised you’re up. How do