Giving Grace

By Jennifer Pierce

Nothing is more embarrassing than Grace Dixon's dog peeing on the new mailman. Except maybe when she thinks she's hit the handsome man with her SUV. When he's assigned to cover an injured co-worker's route, Evan McDonald assumes it will be like any other mail route he's done. But then he meets Grace Dixon, and he's thrust into total Christmas chaos. As Grace spreads the love of God and Christmas cheer to her community, she encourages Evan to join her. The two grow close as Evan learns about giving of not just possessions but of time and grace, setting him back on the path to God. Grace is a force to be reckoned with, though, and when she shows compassion in a situation that Evan disagrees with, he realizes he might not be the right man for her. Will Grace's lifestyle of giving overwhelm him, or can he muster some of that grace and compassion she so easily spreads?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anaiah Press
• Release date: Nov 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781954189881

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

ABARITONE VOICE SPILLED FROM the speakers, filling the room with dreams of a white Christmas somewhere. Grace sat cross legged on the living room floor, a box situated on a large piece of shiny red wrapping paper. A warm nose nuzzled underneath her elbow, and a white ball of fluff popped out with a whimper.

She petted the small Maltese on the head. Let me wrap this last present, and then I’ll take you out. Okay?

The dog studied her for a minute before backing out and trotting away.

Grace folded one edge of the paper over the box and secured it with tape. She spun the package and paper and grabbed the other side of the paper square, folded it over the box, and secured it to the first.

The doorbell rang, sending the dog on a mad dash to the front door, barking his head off. She stood and walked toward the barking dog and their visitor, her legs tingling from sitting so long. The dog bounced, yipping at a frenzy.

Bob, calm down. It’s probably just Ophelia, she told the dog as she opened the door, raising her arm to shield her eyes from the brightness caused by the sun shining on fresh white snow.

Nope, not Ophelia today, a man said in response.

Grace’s eyes adjusted, and she lowered her arm, taking in the person standing on her doorstep—a man she’d never seen before dressed in a post office issued uniform, right down to the rubber boots. He was about half a foot taller than her. She had to tilt her head slightly to see his face. Tufts of brown hair peeked out from under his toboggan.

Bob frantically sniffed the man’s boots. For a dog that was insistent she take him out to potty, he sure was focused on those boots. Then, the unthinkable happened. He raised a leg.

Bob, no! She rushed to bend over and shoo him away from the man, but she was too late. He’d already started.

The man looked down and took a quick step back, but not before his boots got a good shower. Bob took off running into the snow filled yard.

I’m so sorry. She looked at the man, embarrassed. Let me get something to rinse that off. She turned to go to the kitchen and grab a cup of water.

No need. I can rinse it off in the snow. He took a couple steps over to where the snow was piled the deepest, stuck a booted foot in, and gave it a shake. See? All clean.

Despite her embarrassment, she giggled before sticking her hand out. I’m Grace Dixon.

He shook her hand. I’m Evan McDonald.

Nice to meet you, Evan. I hope everything is okay with Ophelia. She didn’t tell me she was going to be out.

Actually, she fell and broke her hip last night. That’s why I’m here. He held out the small red package she’d wrapped for Ophelia and placed in the mailbox this morning. I wanted to give this back to you and let you know.

Oh dear, that poor woman. She took the package from him. Why don’t you come in and warm up? Can I get you some hot chocolate? She took a step back, inviting Evan into her home. Grace had often wondered when Ophelia would retire. She’d been a loyal post woman for thirty-five years. Hopefully, she’d have a full recovery from her injury.

I’m substituting for Ophelia. New to the route and all, I should probably get going to keep up with her schedule.

Come on. It won’t take but just a minute.

He thought about her offer for a split second, stomped his feet on the rug, and then stepped in past her.

Evan walked into the small, warm house. He should really be getting along on the route, but he had to admit, he was cold, and he needed the hot chocolate.

Time to come in! Grace whistled out the front door to where the Maltese was sniffing a bush at the edge of the sidewalk. He came running. Taking slow steps over the threshold, the dog started sniffing wildly again.

Nuh-uh, buddy. Not this time. Evan backed up a bit.

Bob. Go lie down. Grace pointed to a small dog bed by her loveseat. Surprisingly, he listened. I’m sorry again about him, uh, you know. Her face tinged pink.

It’s okay. That’s why we wear rubber boots. He winked, hoping it would calm her embarrassment. Your dog’s name is Bob?

Yes. I got him when he was a puppy. He was so excited all the time that’s all he did. He bobbed. So, Bob stuck. She turned and walked through the living room and toward what he assumed would be the kitchen. Follow me.

He followed behind, taking in his surroundings as he did. The living room looked like someone had thrown up Christmas. Neat stacks of Christmas presents were situated around an old, worn-out Christmas tree. It made up for the lack of branches with ornaments. The piles of presents continued along the wall, across some sort of small table, and even filled a chair positioned by the window.

A bark tore his attention away from the organized Christmas chaos. Bob was giving him the stink eye from his little bed.

The feeling’s mutual, Bob. He continued into the kitchen.

Grace was bustling in front of one of those one cup coffee makers. He watched as she pushed a small plastic cup in and closed a lid. She put a red and green disposable cup under the spout and pushed a button. It should only take about two minutes. Let me go put this up. She held out the gift he had found in the mailbox.

She walked past him and into the living room. Did he smell cinnamon as she passed? He was out of his mind. The Christmas explosion in her house must be getting to him.

Here. She stepped back into the kitchen and handed him a green package with a red bow. Merry Christmas. Her blue eyes brightened with her smile.

Oh, I can’t take this. He tried to hand it back to her, but she shook her head.

Yes, you can. Don’t try to argue with me. I’ll win. Just ask Ophelia.

The coffee machine gurgled and spewed, indicating it had finished his hot chocolate. Grace grabbed the cup, put a lid on it, and handed it to him.

Thank you. He took a sip and scalded his tongue. Whoa, that’s hot.

That’s why they call it hot chocolate. She laughed.

True.

How is Ophelia? I’d like to visit her and take her the gift. She leaned her hip against the kitchen cabinet.

The last I heard, she was doing well, and her surgery was scheduled for this afternoon. He took a smaller sip of his drink and studied her. She had blonde hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Anytime she moved her head, her hair would swing. She was wearing comfortable looking jeans and a T-shirt with a snowman on the front.

That’s good. I guess I’ll wait until tomorrow. Thanks again for bringing her package back to me.

Not a problem. Thanks for the hot chocolate and letting me thaw a bit, but I need to get this mail delivered.

Stay warm, and enjoy your gift. She smiled brightly before leading the way to the front door.

CHAPTER 2

AFTER FINISHING HIS ROUTE QUICKER than he’d expected, Evan started his car. The package from Grace had been on his mind all day, so he set about opening it as the motor warmed. He inspected it first. The seams of the paper had been folded perfectly. The cut edges were straight with no wrinkles, tears, or other defects in the wrapping. Grace had spent a great deal of time and expertise in wrapping this package. Were all the packages in her living room wrapped to these exact standards?

He slid a finger under one edge and gently coerced the tape from its position. Ripping something so beautiful didn’t feel right. Turning the box, he did the same to the other side and finally the bottom. He removed the paper, revealing a simple white gift box. He opened the box and cleared away the tissue paper. A variety of surprises lay before him.

On top was a pair of thick work gloves, not the cheap kind found at a dollar store, but ones that would keep hands warm and protected while working hard. A gift card to the local coffee shop wrapped in a holiday envelope was nestled with small bags of snacks, candy, popcorn, a little bottle of antibacterial gel, and chap stick. But what was underneath all the goodies surprised him the most.

A black Bible lay nestled in tissue paper. Not a small New Testament only version. But a larger, complete Bible. He thumbed through it. It