Haunted by a childhood trauma that leaves her orphaned, eleven-year-old Grace finds herself on the doorstep of the Duncans, her new adoptive family, broken and unable to speak. Catapulted from a bustling New York City life, she must find a way to call the rural town of Sade, Iowa her new home. Twins Eisav and Jacob Duncan immediately take a liking to Grace, wanting to erase the dark shadows etched on her perfect features.
As the twins vie for her affection, it becomes clear which one makes her smile.
Grace never has a choice for falling in love.
What starts as a way to coax his adopted sister to speak and smile, blossoms into the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.
In this small town it shouldn’t be a crime to fall in love . . .
Isaac Duncan warns his son to stay away from the forbidden fruit. Eisav never listens.
Now an intricate web of lies and secrets stand in the way of Eisav winning back the only woman he has ever loved.
In a place where yesterday’s promises were broken, Eisav must learn what it truly means to love and cherish . . .
But is he too late?
Eisav rode up on his bike, clearly out of breath, and immediately acknowledged Gracie’s defensive stance. His brother had placed his hand on her shoulder as Eisav was riding up, and he wanted an explanation before he knocked his lights out. Eisav had never been known to rein in his temper so without waiting for a response, he threw his bike abruptly to the ground and stomped over to Grace and Jacob.
“What’s going on?” He furrowed his dark brows while his voice barked, shooting Jacob an icy glare. Grace turned her head down to the pavement and kicked at some small rocks nervously. With no response from Jacob or Grace, he took a few more steps closing the distance between himself and his twin. “Don’t ever touch her again,” he snapped. It was a simple ‘Grace was his period’ kind of statement.
“That’s a little presumptuous of you, Brother, don’t you think?” A slow, sly smile curved on Jacobs lips. Eisav was used to Jacob’s goading. He had a hot switch and his brother loved pushing it.
“Don’t goad me, Brother. What the hell are you two doing out here this late at night anyway?” Eisav asked through ragged breaths. It was taking everything in him not to floor Jacob right now. If it weren’t for Grace’s close proximity, he would clock his brother for sure. His gaze drifted to Grace while he waited for a response, only she refused to look him in the eye. He knew something was terribly wrong.
“That’s none of your business,” Jacob responded coolly, clenching his jaw. “Who gave you the right to be territorial over Grace anyway? She’s a member of the family. I have every right to spend time with her.”
“Don’t push me, Brother.” Eisav lifted a finger close to his brother’s face. He was taller and built stronger.
Jacob didn’t back away from the warning. “What are you going to do, Eisav? Hit me? Father will come out here, and we know who’ll get into trouble,” Jacob chided with a condescending tone.
Grace wrapped her arms around her waist. Eisav knew that she hated to see them fight.
“Fuck you, Jacob. If I ever see you touch Grace again … I’ll destroy you myself,” Eisav warned with brutal honesty in his words.
Grace stood quietly off to the side.
Jacob lifted his palms in the air in surrender but then spread his fingers and twiddled them, showing he was not scared of Eisav. “I will not give into your primitive ways tonight. At least not in front of Grace. The girl simply deserves better,” Jacob said, gazing at Grace briefly with a soft smile before walking away. His smirk told Eisav that he felt like he had won this round. “Have a good evening, Grace,” Jacob muttered before pulling the door to the house open and disappearing inside.
Grace remained rooted in her spot. She was clearly expecting an explanation from Eisav. It irked him that she wouldn’t look at him. At thirteen, her auburn hair had grown thick and long in slight waves. She was tall and slender, her skin a pale, milky color, her eyes resembling the forest at night. He sensed the tumult in her glare and a sudden wave of nausea washed over him when he figured out why she wouldn’t look at him. He knew it was only a matter of time before she figured out where he had been running off. His demeanor softened. He felt terrible, even ashamed, but he was also a fifteen-year-old boy with raging hormones. Grace was simply not ready for certain things. She was too young, too pure. If he were being honest with himself, then he would have admitted the real reason he left most evenings was because he wanted something he couldn’t have.
Instead, he chose to fill his nights lip-locked with slutty girls whose names he couldn’t remember by morning. It seemed easier than spending valuable time with Grace while they sat next to each other, talking, playing cards, and singing in such close proximity that he just had to lean forward and take a taste of what he assumed would be the sweetest lips ever. There was only so much resolve he had, and so he worked out his frustrations during the week while spending weekends enjoying her company. He thought it was a win-win situation … until now.
