Free In Search of Grace by Kelly Ilebode

door. I t took us some time before we really got to know each other , but when we did…well , it was like ...” she hesitated trying to find the right words.  Wanting him so much to understand how she felt about Betsy and Hank.
                  “ It was like family ? ”
                  Surprised, she looked at him.  “Yes, that is it.  They were like family . ”
                  Alex became quiet as she watched Seth place the food on the wood table. She took in the thick white pillar candles resting on a gleaming silver tray , their bottoms immersed in course rock salt .  Mesmerized as the light from the candles reflection danced in the metal , she continued.
                  “I didn’t realize how much I needed them at the time.  I bought the house after my divorce . ” Seth’s eyebrow rose at her comment ing on her marriage , but she was so deep in her thoughts that she did not even notice his reaction.
                  “ I still felt like I was missing something even though I loved my home.  I was also going through a really horrible time because of….”  Alex stopped , realizing that she had almost spoken of her assault .  “ Anyways, w hen I met them, I felt complete.”  
                  Seth pulled out the chair motioning for Alex to sit down .  Picking up the black napkin he had placed on top of the square white dinner plate , she smiled.  “Y ou really didn’t have to do all of this just for me you know . ”
                  “I didn’t, I did it for me. ”  He leaned forward, while placing a hand on her shoulder , his voice lowing to a whisper .  “I think meals should be made special.  Food is for enjoyment , something to savor – definitely n ot to be rushed . ” 
                  Her breath caught in her throat.  She had the feeling he was not just talking about food .  Blushing, she smoothed the napkin on her lap nervously.   He was flirting with her.  She was not quite sure how to respond , so took another gulp from her wine.
                  They both became quiet as he served her and them himself.
                  “W hat are you thinking about , r abbit ?”
                  “Nothing . ”
                  “Tell me before those beautiful walls go back up.”
                  “I don’t have any walls.”
                  “ Really ?  Prove it.  T ell me where you grew up.  Are you from around here?”
                  “No, I grew up in Maine . ”
                  Now this piece of information did surprise him , and Seth leaned back in his seat while taking a sip of his wine. He felt the tiniest bit of change in the air.   Watching her from over the top of the glass as she savored her meal , he realized that he was entering the edges of the forbidden zone.  Here is whe re he needed to tread lightly.
                  “Does your family still live there?”
                  “I do not have any family. ”
                  “ Everyone has family , Alex . ”
                  “ I was a ward of the state . ”
                  “Ward of the state?  I don’t understand . ”
                  “You’re a cop , and you don’t know what a ward of the state is?”
                  “ Of course I know what that is, I am sorry, I just didn’t realize… ”
                  Alex dropped her fork on her plate, and quickly reached for her wine again, which had magically refilled itself at some point.   She frowned.  If she was not careful, she was going to be very drunk soon.
                  “Were they kind?”
                  “Who?”
                  “Your foster parents?  Were they kind to you?” 
                  “Some.  Some