Читать книгу His Forever Love - Missy Tippens - Страница 10

Bill helped Granny in the front door of her house. She seemed worn out from the short trip home from the hospital, and leaned heavily on his arm.

“Help me into my chair. I think I’ll rest a bit.”

The sight of her recliner caused a pang in his gut. So many memories of sitting with her in that chair, her rocking him when he was young, then sharing the chair side-by-side, squeezed in together, when he thought he was too old for rocking.

He closed his eyes and let the familiar smells wash over him. Home. At least it was home as far as he could remember. Though he had memories of his mom and dad, they had always traveled extensively, so Granny had been the stability in his life.

Lindsay, who’d insisted on following them home, slipped in the front door, put a blanket over Granny’s lap, then pulled a TV tray in front of her. Once she’d turned on the television, she put the remote on the table. “Here you go. Have a nice nap.”

He motioned to her to join him in the kitchen. “You know, Lindsay, while I’m here, Granny won’t really need your help.”

“And how long do you plan to stay this time? Ten minutes?”

Obviously, she hadn’t forgiven him for leaving town after high school. Or maybe he was reading too much into her anger. Maybe she just thought she needed to protect Granny. “I know I’m not here often, but I do love my grandmother.”

“Where were you when she had the flu last winter or when someone tried to break into her house one night? I’m the one who helped her then. And I’m the one who was here to keep her from giving out her credit card number in a phone scam.”

She sounded hurt that he had tried to exclude her. “I’m sorry. I just thought you might enjoy a little time off.” Plus, I’m not sure I can be around you every day.

She slumped into a chair at the table. “No. I’m sorry for jumping down your throat. I’m worried about her and don’t want to be shut out while she’s recovering.”

“That’s fine. I’m sure I can use your help.”

“Thank you.” She stood and reached for the back door. “Well, I guess I need to go check out back. I think we left a mess of trash after her fall.”

While Lindsay was outside, the seriousness of Granny’s situation hit Bill. She’d been ill with the flu. And had had someone try to break in and someone else try to rip her off. She was old and vulnerable. Probably needed someone with her around the clock.

Maybe the fall would turn out to be for the good. It helped him face what he’d always known—at some point he and Granny would reverse roles, and he would become the caregiver.

The time had come for him to move Granny to live with him.

He took a deep breath. When he blew it out, he felt lighter, happier. It would be nice to have Granny nearby. Nice to have a family.

When Lindsay came in from tidying up the backyard, Bill blindsided her with the most ridiculous request. “Are you crazy?” she asked.

He stepped back as if she’d breathed fire on him. If only she could.

“I’m simply asking for your help,” he said.

“No. There’s your answer. I won’t help you tell your poor granny that she has to quit her new job, sell her beloved home, leave all her lifelong friends, and move up where it snows all the time.”

“It doesn’t snow all the time.”

Of course. Mr. Brain missed the point entirely. “Your grandmother does fine on her own. Whatever feebleness you thought you saw was due to her fall. She’s probably bruised, sore. And for your information, the flu and scam artists hang out in Boston, too.”

“So I’m assuming I can’t count on you to help me break the news?”

She gave him a look that said get a clue.

He turned and went toward the living room. Lindsay wanted to escape. She couldn’t stand having to witness what he was about to do. But maybe she and Granny could change his mind.

She followed him, but paused before entering, listening.

Bill mumbled soft words she couldn’t decipher.

Granny laughed. Cackled, actually. “I’m not getting feeble, son. I just took a fall. And look, I didn’t break. Well, except for the wrist.”

As Lindsay walked in, Bill said, “You’re getting to an age where you may need some help.”

“Lindsay gives me all the help I need. Which is mainly a ride around town. I’m not driving much anymore.”

Lindsay took her place beside Granny Bea. “She’s insisted on keeping her license and car, but I don’t let her drive. So don’t worry about that.”

“It’s for an emergency,” Granny Bea added.

Bill looked from Granny Bea to her, then back. “I’ve been thinking about this move off and on for a few years. At one time, I even checked out an adult day-care facility near my office. You would have activities during the day, then I would be home with you at night.”

“I have plenty of activities here. Lindsay and I coordinate trips for the seniors’ group at church. And we work three days a week at the community center—all those precious, needy kids, plus a few old codgers who are lonely and come to volunteer. They keep me young. I couldn’t give that up.”

“Well, looks like that’s two votes against one.” Lindsay held up two fingers on one hand and one finger on the other. “I guess Granny Bea will be staying here.”

Apparently, Bill didn’t appreciate her scorekeeping. He didn’t crack a smile, and she could practically see the cogs working in his mind.

He could think all he wanted. She wasn’t budging.

As Granny began to nod off, Bill walked through the house, noting the condition of each room. Carpet needed replacing. When they’d driven up, he’d noticed the roof was on its last leg.

They had a good bit of work ahead of them if they were going to sell the house. Not to mention the accumulation of belongings from over fifty years in the house.

Lindsay followed him through the rooms, watching his every move. “What are you doing?” she finally asked.

“I’m certain Granny will come around to the idea of moving in with me. I’m noting repairs that need to be done before putting the house on the market.”

“Your grandmother is fine. Give her time to recover before you make any drastic decisions.”

“It’s not just the fall. She’s vulnerable here all alone.”

“Just promise me you won’t make a knee-jerk decision.”

“I never do that.”

She nodded. She knew he took a scientific approach to life. At least he used to. “Well, I guess I’ll go throw something together for dinner.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can take over from here.”

“Cooking her meals is part of my job.”

Three times he’d hired someone to help Granny, and she’d fired every one of them. And now she’d hired Lindsay herself. “Okay. Well, let me know if you need any help.”

She eyed him warily. “You can cook?”

He smiled. “According to my coworkers, I’m a great cook. Granny taught me.”

“Hmm. I’ll holler if I need you.” She headed toward the kitchen with one quick glance over her shoulder. As if she didn’t trust him.

It was no wonder she didn’t trust him. Cooking. Or otherwise. He’d left town fifteen years ago without any warning.

But he’d been crazy about her. He’d been her lab partner and study partner for years, while silently wishing for more. Then during their senior year, despite the fact that she was dating Joey Peck, he’d decided it was time to tell her how he felt about her.

He’d resisted all along because he was such a joke at school. He was sure she wouldn’t even consider dating the school’s number-one geek. But as graduation approached, he sensed a new relationship forming. She seemed more confident, more sure of who she was and where she was going.

And maybe it had been wishful thinking, but he thought he’d detected a flash of attraction one night while they studied for finals side by side on Granny’s porch swing.

So he’d gone out and bought her an angel figurine for her collection. It had a plaque that said I Love You. His hands had shaken as he paid for it, then wrapped it up. He’d sent Granny and his brother to the movie that night, and invited Lindsay over. He waited in the swing with the wrapped gift.

She’d shown up squealing, flashing a microscopic diamond on her left ring finger. The thing seemed to wink at him when the stone caught the rays of the setting sun and flashed with each movement as she snatched up the gift, then tore off the wrapping paper.

When she first saw the angel, she froze in place.

He’d sat silently. In shock. Grieving. Mortified.

Then she’d smiled at him, but he could see the question in her eyes.

Because he couldn’t stand for her to know the truth, he told her she was the best friend a guy could ever have.

She’d shown relief, then had chatted about the wedding plans over dinner.

It was the longest night of his life.

The next day he loaded his car to the roof and informed Granny he was going to move to Boston early. He left and never looked back. He couldn’t bear to do otherwise.

He shook his head and himself back to the present. No, Lindsay probably shouldn’t trust him. He’d told her she was important to him then abandoned her. He’d taken the cowardly way out when he’d left town. And he’d felt terrible about not answering her phone call and letter. But he’d gone into self-protect mode. He’d had to.

Now he was back in Magnolia and had already upset her. No wonder she looked at him askance.

Once he’d unpacked, Bill found Granny snoozing in her chair in front of the blaring TV. He turned the volume down, and as he did so, she stirred.

“Wh—what’s wrong?” she asked groggily.

He couldn’t help but laugh. She’d slept through the cacophony of the evening news, but woke when the room got quiet.

“It’s me, Granny.”

“Oh, Bill, honey, I’m so glad you’re still here.” She lurched forward a couple of times trying to stand, but couldn’t get out of her chair. He took her arm and helped pull her up, then hugged her, relishing the familiar fragrance of her hair and her face powder.

He held her away from him to get a good look. “How are your head and arm feeling?”

“Both fine. No pain at all.”

“Good. Lindsay’s making dinner. Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

“So, how many days a week does she come?”

“She stays with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the days we’re not working at the community center. Plus, she’s always checked on me on the weekends anyway.”

“I’m glad you’ve had someone to take care of you. But I think we really do need to talk about moving you to Boston.”

She looked around the room and appeared to retreat to her own world. A smile lit her face. “I won’t ever be ready to leave this place, son, even though I do realize sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do. Of course, it’s not time yet. I’ll let you know when it is.”

“I’m sorry, Granny. With the fall and all, and the fact that you’ve already needed Lindsay’s help, I think it may be time now.”

With eyebrows drawn together, she tilted her head back to look him in the eye. “Could you ever see yourself moving here to live?”

He’d like to spare her feelings, but had to be honest. “No. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You have your life, and I wouldn’t try to drag you back here if you didn’t want it.”

“You know it’s not that I wouldn’t want to be with you.”

“I know, dear. But I hate that you never felt at home in Magnolia.”

Granny had tried so hard to make them happy, but neither he nor Drake had ever adjusted very well after they’d come to live with her. “Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“Excuse me,” Lindsay said from the doorway. “Dinner is ready.”

“We’ll be right there, dear. Can you stay?”

“I can’t today.” She looked at Bill. “I usually cook for my dad and brother’s family.”

“Gregory?”

“Yes. He and his two children live across the street from Dad.”

“What about Richard?” Bill suspected Lindsay’s other brother no longer lived in Magnolia.

“He manages a hotel in Atlanta.”

“I’m sorry to hear about Gregory’s divorce.”

She snapped a dish towel and folded it somewhat violently. “It was a bad scene. She deserted them all. For a rich lawyer in Atlanta.”

“That girl was trouble from the start,” Granny said.

“What she did to those babies is criminal,” Lindsay said, her face red in anger. “I’ll go put the bread in the oven.” She left the room quickly.

Granny sighed. “Lindsay suffered terrible migraines through the whole ordeal. But Hunter and Chase have suffered the most. Not to mention poor Gregory.”

“Maybe he’ll find the right woman next time.” But how could he be sure? How could anyone be sure? “Shall we go eat?” he asked Granny, holding out his arm for her.

“I’d love to, kind sir.” She winked at him, and his heart swelled. It would be so nice to have her live with him. He’d missed her.

As Granny Bea and Bill walked into the kitchen, Lindsay flinched, thinking he would hit his head on the door frame. Luckily, the older house had taller ceilings. And it seemed he ducked out of habit even if he didn’t need to.

“How tall are you now, anyway?” she asked before she thought about it.

“Six-foot-six-and-a-half.”

“You weren’t that tall in high school.”

“No. I grew a few inches in college, and put on about fifty pounds over the years.”

She didn’t doubt it. He had been way too skinny in high school. And now he was…well…just right.

Refusing to think about how handsome he was, she set about putting the food on the table. “Y’all have a seat.”

“May I help?” he offered.

“No, it’s all ready.” In her experience, anytime a man tried to help in the kitchen, it ended in disaster.

Once she had everything on the table, Granny Bea reached for her hand. “Stay for a few minutes, dear. Sit and talk with us.”

She never could turn Granny Bea down. “Okay. For a minute.” Before she could sit in the chair next to Granny Bea, Bill jumped up and pulled it out for her.

She hesitated, then laughed. “Sorry. Growing up with two brothers makes me a little nervous when my chair is pulled out for me.”

He nodded. “Ah, the old yank-the-chair-out-from-under-you trick. I had that happen to me in school many times.”

She was sorry she had brought it up when she noticed the haunted look on his face. Kids in Magnolia had been awful to him.

He nicely pushed her chair in for her. “Thank you.” A small, gentlemanly gesture, but very nice for a woman who never had time for dating anymore.

“Can you ladies help me make a list of the repairs that need to be made around here? When I came in, I noticed the roof is in bad shape.”

Lindsay knew his interest wasn’t because he cared about the condition of the house. He was already moving on with his plan to sell it. “Nothing’s urgent. Maybe you can get the roof done on this visit and save the rest for another time.”

“The carpet in the bedrooms is shot,” Granny Bea said. “I’ve even had Lindsay take me to look at some samples, but couldn’t decide what to do.”

Granny Bea didn’t get it. She thought he was interested in helping her. Helping move her out the door was more like it.

Bill looked from one of them to the other. “We’ll have to get right on it. I’ll make some calls tomorrow.”

“He’s going to be here a few days, Lindsay,” Granny Bea said, then patted his hand. “You did say you can stay a few days, Bill?”

“Yes. But I need to check in with my office first.”

So they had a few days to change his mind. Once he saw Granny get back to normal, he would have to back down.

Lindsay ran her fingernail in a groove scratched into the table’s finish. “So, Dr. Wellington. I hear you’re teaching physics at the university. Very impressive.”

He waved off the compliment as if embarrassed. “Not nearly as glamorous as it sounds.”

“And doing research, too?”

“Yes, particle physics. We’ve been doing neutrino oscillation studies, and we’ve also begun work trying to come up with ways to detect dark matter. In fact, I’ve applied for a grant. I hope to hear something soon.”

“Good luck on the grant. Sounds interesting.”

“Yes, it’s—” His golden-brown eyes sparkled. “Never mind. I would tell you more, but you would probably want to go jump off a bridge. I have that effect on people.”

She smiled at his self-deprecating humor. The guy was truly sweet. She’d managed to forget that fact over the years. Her stomach fluttered, and she couldn’t pull her gaze away from his. She wanted to ask him what physical principle made him so hypnotic.

She jumped up from the table. “I would love to hear more later. But it’s time to pick up the boys.” She turned to Granny Bea. “I’ll stop by to see how you’re feeling in the morning.” She waved as she hurried out.

She and Granny needed a plan. And they needed it fast. Tomorrow morning, they could put their heads together and strategize. With the two of them together, Bill wouldn’t stand a chance.

The next morning, Lindsay rushed to move herself and her nephews out the door of Gregory’s house so she could stop at Granny Bea’s on the way to the center. Normally unflappable Lindsay was totally flapped. The boys always did that to her. At least until she got to the breaking point. Then the boys seemed to sense they were on her very last nerve and would back down.

She was within an inch of that point.

She jammed her hands on her hips. “If you don’t behave, I won’t take you to the movie this weekend.”

They continued to chase each other around the coffee table, but glanced her way as if testing the waters. They were nervous.

“One. Two…”

They darted to opposite ends of the couch to find their shoes.

“Two and a half…”

“I’m weady!” Chase jumped up with his shoes on the wrong feet. “I beat Hunter. I win!”

“No you didn’t. You got ’em backwards.” Hunter smirked at his little brother. “So I win.”

“…Three. Grab your book bags and head out the door right now.” Lindsay pointed.

They weren’t bad boys. They just needed a little firmness for a change. Her poor brother still couldn’t get a handle on that fact. He was trying to make up for their mother deserting them. At four and five years old, all they knew was that they wanted someone to love them. Gregory loved them like crazy, but sometimes didn’t know how to show it. He owned his own business and worked all the time to provide for his family.

She grabbed her purse and locked the door behind them. “Okay. March. To the car. I’ll drop you at day care and your daddy will pick you up.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ll barely make it to Granny Bea’s on time.”

“I hate day care. Ith for babies,” Chase said with his chubby four-year-old cheeks causing a slight lisp.

“You are a baby. So shut up,” his brother said.

As Lindsay buckled them into their booster seats, she pointed at Hunter. “We don’t say ‘shut up’ in this family. And if you aren’t nice to each other—”

“You won’t take us to the movie,” Hunter finished for her. “We know.”

The little sweethearts folded their hands in their laps and settled.

When they arrived at the Jolly-time Day Care Center, she hurried them inside and gave them a quick kiss.

Chase grabbed tightly around her neck and wouldn’t let go. “I wuv you, Aunt Windsay.”

She hugged him back, enjoying the smell of baby shampoo and little boy. “I love you, too, baby.” He wiggled out of her clutches and ran off.

A pang of regret gave her heart a squeeze. Though she was usually content in her singlehood, there were times when she wished more than anything that she had a husband and kids of her own. But apparently, that wasn’t in God’s plan.

She was fine on her own, though. Plus, the boys needed her.

When she arrived at Granny Bea’s house, she was relieved to find her sitting on the front porch swing. Time for a quick private talk.

“Good morning, Granny Bea.”

“Mornin’, dear. Have a seat and swing a bit.”

“We need to form a plan,” she whispered as she dropped into the swing, then looked around for evidence of Bill’s presence.

“He’s in the kitchen cooking breakfast,” Granny Bea whispered back. “Why are we talking so quietly?”

“So he won’t hear us figuring out how to get him to let you stay here.”

“Aha. Well, I think I can get him to cooperate. Or else I’ll turn him over my knee.” She laughed.

Granny Bea didn’t understand how serious Bill was. “He seems determined, so we have to fight. Plan A is we show him how involved you are at the community center.”

“I think you’re right. And we also show him how well you and I do together.”

Lindsay sat up straighter, excited that this might actually work. “Yeah. We’re a team. Then maybe he won’t worry that you’re alone.”

“I’ll drag him to every activity at the center so he’ll see how important my position is.”

Lindsay nodded. “See if you can manage coming in for a while today, if you feel up to it.”

“I feel perfectly fine. And the doctor didn’t say I had to limit my activity.”

“Okay. We have a plan.” She held out her hand to Granny Bea to shake on it. With the cast, they had to shake fingers.

Bill walked outside as they did so. “What’s going on?”

“I just dropped by to check on Granny Bea.” Lindsay hopped up. “I’m heading to the center now.”

“How about some biscuits and bacon first?”

Mmm. Biscuits were her favorite, and she hadn’t had time to eat while feeding Hunter and Chase. “Thanks, but I don’t have time.”

“They’re world-famous biscuits. Well, Boston-famous anyway.”

Lindsay raised an eyebrow.

“Campus-famous? I’m serious, though. They’re the best, even if I do say so myself.”

“Maybe another time.” She waved as she walked toward her car, her stomach growling.

Bill probably had the mistaken notion that Granny Bea sat around her house all the time waiting for his visits, that she had no life of her own beyond him and Drake. He pictured her wasting away on her own—lonely, decrepit. Maybe if he saw evidence of Granny’s vitality, he would get beyond his limited imaginings.

Maybe if Mr. Kennedy pursued Granny Bea more than ever, Bill would realize she had a life of her own. Besides, Mr. Kennedy was only seventy-four years old. A youngster who could take care of her if she ever needed help.

Lindsay practically rubbed her hands together in delight. She would speak to Granny Bea’s suitor as soon as he arrived to volunteer that day. And he would be there. He hadn’t missed a day since Granny Bea began working.

“Bill, honey, I need a ride to work today.”

His grandmother hadn’t been home from the hospital for a full twenty-four hours. “You should be recovering, Granny.”

“My doctor didn’t place any limitations on me, and other than the bother of the cast, I feel perfectly normal.”

What could he do? Perhaps call on her maternal instincts? “How about staying home to visit with me today?”

“You’re right. I don’t want to miss the chance to visit with you. So you’re coming with me.” She grabbed her purse and headed out the front door. “Come on, son. I’m already late.”

So much for spending the morning making phone calls about the house. He patted his pocket to make sure he had his cell phone. He could make calls from the community center.

As they drove toward the town square, he caught Granny staring at him. “What?”

“It’s so nice to have you here. I’m tickled that everyone at the center will get to meet you. You’ll be a good role model for the little ones.”

“I still can’t believe you’re working there. How old are the kids?”

“Age three and up.”

“Do Gregory’s boys come?”

“No, they’re in full-time day care. The three-and four-year-olds only come in the mornings. In the afternoons, we have the after-school children. And senior citizens from the church come in the morning to socialize and to serve as volunteers to help with the children.”

He couldn’t believe his Granny hadn’t mentioned this. “Did you get started with the church group?”

“I’m actually the one who started the senior volunteer program. And I’ve applied for a grant to help fund a lunch program for the preschoolers.”

As he pulled into a parking place, he gaped at his grandmother. “You’re kidding.”

“Maybe I should be offended,” she said with a smile.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m truly impressed.”

“Maybe we’ll both receive our grants.” She patted his cheek. “Now come help me out of the car.”

He hurried around to open her door and give her a hand. Then she led the way inside. This new Granny was such a surprise. A nice surprise. Maybe he had Lindsay to thank for Granny’s newfound happiness and fulfillment.

As soon as they walked in, a dapperly dressed elderly gentleman hurried over to them. “Bea! Oh, Bea, are you okay? I heard you broke your wrist.” His face flamed red all the way to the top of his balding head.

She shooed at him as if he were a bothersome fly. “I’m perfectly fine, Mr. Kennedy.” Then she brushed past him.

Bill choked back a chuckle. The poor guy. Reminded him of how he felt his freshman year of high school whenever he had tried to make conversation with Lindsay. He’d followed her around like a lost puppy dog waiting for her to notice him, and when she had, he’d invariably made dumb, nonsensical comments.

The woman herself was leaning over a child at a small table, pointing to something the child was drawing with a crayon. Her deep red hair that used to hang all the way down her back now swung just below her chin, curving toward her face. She pushed it behind her ear as she smiled at the child.

He inhaled deeply to try to catch his breath. How could she still affect him so? Maybe he and Mr. Kennedy had a bit more in common than he first thought.

He turned to the man, who seemed engrossed in Granny’s every move. “Hi, Mr. Kennedy. I’m Bill Wellington, Bea’s grandson.”

“Oh, Bea talks about you all the time. You and your brother. I’m glad to finally meet you.”

“She insisted on working today, even after being in the hospital yesterday.”

“Stubborn woman. Believe me, I know.”

Bill swiped his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing at the frustration in the man’s voice. Then a sobering thought hit him. He would be taking Granny away from a man who obviously had a crush on her.

At least Granny didn’t seem to care for Mr. Kennedy.

“Bill, come meet the children,” Granny called from a low table across the room.

She introduced him to each child sitting around the table. One little boy seemed especially attached to Granny. He clung to her leg as she handed out papers.

“And this is Dylan. He’s my helper today.”

“I got to sign her cast,” Dylan told him proudly.

“Oh, let me see.” Bill checked out his scribbled name in purple marker. “Nice job.”

Granny ruffled the boy’s hair. “Dylan, why don’t you sit down and work the puzzle with the rest of the children.”

“Okay, Granny Bea.” He slid into a small wooden chair and began to connect the dots on the page. His tongue hung out of the corner of his mouth as he concentrated.

Granny beamed at Bill. “This is what I look forward to three days a week.”

Lindsay approached. “Granny Bea, now that the kids are busy, could you go ahead and start the bingo game for our adults?”

“Sure thing. Be back in a jiffy.” She hurried to the other side of the room, full of more energy than ever before.

“How long do the little ones stay?” he asked Lindsay.

“We feed them lunch, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches donated from our church right now. But your grandmother has applied for a federal grant for funding for a fuller meal.”

“She mentioned that. When do the older kids get here?”

“After school, around three o’clock. We feed them a snack, help with homework, then play educational games.”

“And the center is open three days a week?”

She reached over to pick up a crayon Dylan had dropped, then patted him on the back. “So far. We hope to move to five days a week in the next year or so. It was a small program we started as a ministry at the church one day a week, but we’re working with the county to get it fully funded. They’re already providing the building.”

“Impressive.”

“Your granny has had a lot to do with the success of the program. We really need her.” She stared at him as if in challenge. She appeared very determined.

So was he. “I understand.”

Granny walked up. “So, Bill, what do you think of our little community center?”

“It’s amazing what you’ve all done. Kudos to both of you.”

“Bea?” Mr. Kennedy tapped her on the shoulder.

She huffed as if irritated. “Yes?”

“Would you go out to dinner with me this evening?”

Granny slapped a hand to her chest. “Why, Mr. Kennedy, you can’t fraternize with the staff.”

“I didn’t ask you to fraternize. I only asked you to dinner.”

Obviously flustered, she sputtered, “I can’t do anything tonight. I have company.”

“Well, that’s the problem. I hear Bill may be moving you up to Boston, and I can’t bear to see you go.” He tugged on his bow tie, which left it slightly crooked.

Bill arched his brows at Lindsay. Seemed she’d been talking to Granny’s…not-quite-boyfriend.

“That’s none of your concern, sir.” Granny marched away and sat on a small chair at the table with the children.

A dejected Mr. Kennedy left the center.

“Nice try, Lindsay.”

“What do you mean?”

“If moving Granny to Boston is best for her, then that’s what I need to do. You can’t try to sway my decision by manipulating a poor old man who has a crush on her.”

She made no comment, but her face reddened. With her creamy, clear complexion, even the slightest blush had always sent streaks of red along her cheeks and down her neck. If the embarrassment or nervousness continued, she’d end up with hives on her neck and chest.

Never mind her scheming. He had work to do. “I’m going back to Granny’s to make some calls. You know, if Granny’s well enough to work, then she won’t need you helping her as much while I’m here. Why don’t you take tomorrow off?”

“I don’t mind coming—we have our routine, you know.”

“Enjoy a paid day off. Granny and I could use some time together.”

She frowned. “But she doesn’t pay me for weekends. I like to visit.”

That made it a little more difficult to keep her away. And truly, it wasn’t as if he didn’t want her around. He just didn’t want her meddling. “No, I insist you take a break from the extra responsibility. Rest. Get caught up at home.”

“Okay. I can take a hint.”

His own face burned, probably as red as hers. “What time this afternoon should I come back to pick up Granny?”

“I can bring her home when we leave at six.”

“She works the whole day?”

“It’s only three days a week. And she gets a break between one and three o’clock.”

“Does she go home to rest?”

“No, she usually hangs out here with me.”

“Helping you work?”

“You know, you should probably talk to your grandmother about her work schedule. I need to get back to the kids.” She walked away in a huff.

Of course, he had been somewhat accusatory. But he needed to make sure Lindsay wasn’t overworking Granny.

Past experience told him Lindsay wouldn’t do that. But he couldn’t let ancient memories sway decisions he needed to make in the present.