‘I was banned.’ One of Lyndsey’s smiles broke through. ‘We do have roasted broccoli, though. I need something green, even if no one else does.’
‘I’m not allergic to green stuff.’ Griff scooped a heaping spoon of the broccoli she offered on his plate. ‘My vegetable garden’s shapin’ up to be pretty good this season. I don’t give it all away, either. I eat a bunch myself.’
‘Glad to hear it.’ She hesitated. ‘I’d like your opinion about something . . . and maybe your help.’
‘You can have both. Willingly.’
‘Don’t be too hasty. You might regret the offer when you hear what it’s about,’ she said with a husky laugh, leaning in closer. Her arm pressed against his, and he couldn’t avoid breathing in her warm scent. ‘I met poor Ruth Mae Grey this afternoon when I took Nora out for a walk and that woman needs our help.’
‘She actually spoke to you?’
‘Yes. It started by her telling me off for staring at that incredible bird bath. The one that looks like it belongs in the grounds of an English stately home.’
‘You’re spot-on about where it came from. Deke told me it was imported from some fancy estate, and used to be a fixture at the front of Grey House. It was the one thing Miss Grey insisted wasn’t sold with the property.’
‘That explains it.’ Lyndsey’s smile widened. ‘I’m afraid she went on to verbally tear all of you apart.’
‘I can imagine.’ He hated to put a dent in her generous nature, but needed to inject a dose of realism. ‘You’ve got a kind heart, but there’s no way Miss Grey will accept help from any of us. We’ve all tried at different times and been snubbed. She wouldn’t give me the time of day the one occasion I said hi to her.’
Lyndsey gave a subtle nod towards her sister. ‘Becca thinks I’m crazy, and maybe I am. I don’t usually . . .’ She looked distinctly embarrassed.
‘Get involved? Hey, it’s what folk do for neighbors, friends, family. The world would be a better place if we all stuck out our necks a bit.’ Recklessly he covered her left hand that rested on the table with his own. Griff’s heart raced when instead of pulling it away, she hooked one of her fingers through his.
‘So, are you in, or am I on my own here?’
‘What do you think? Yeah, we’ll have a go.’ He didn’t think for one minute they’d be successful, but couldn’t resist anything that dangled the possibility of spending more time with Lyndsey in front of him. ‘We’ll try killing her with kindness.’
‘I wasn’t suggesting we murder Miss Grey.’
‘I sure hope not.’ He roared with laughter, setting her off too. Far too late he realized they’d become the focus of everyone’s attention. Deke and Becca were exchanging smug smiles and Theo had stopped shoveling food in his mouth to throw them a puzzled look. Even Nora’s little head bobbed in their direction.
Griff let go of her hand and dived into his juicy steak with a smile on his face.
Chapter Five
‘This kills you, doesn’t it?’ Becca rummaged through a dresser drawer overflowing with tiny baby clothes.
‘Would you mind humoring me by answering one question?’ Deke had only been gone for a couple of days, but Lyndsey missed him as a buffer between her and her sister. After almost a week of existing in the mayhem of Becca’s house, she’d already come close to ripping out every hair on her head.
Every room in the sprawling five-bedroom house was bursting at the seams, the dark oak floors hadn’t been cleaned in forever and the only word to describe the neutral cream-and-white color scheme was grubby. It struck her as a shame, because the bones of the building were stunning. Deke had done an exceptional job with its renovation and the original parts of Grey House blended seamlessly with the modern upgrades and extension. It was the little touches that most appealed to Lyndsey. The arched top to an elaborate doorway. A single dramatic tall window overlooking the gently curved staircase. The exquisitely carved crown mouldings. None of those things could truly be appreciated in the state it was now.
‘How would it be to have a little time each day for yourself?’ Lyndsey asked.
‘That’s a stupid thing to ask any frazzled new mother.’ She flopped down cross-legged on the floor and started tugging clothes out of another drawer. ‘I suppose you’ll claim tidying all this lot up would be equivalent to waving a magic wand and having a fairy godmother appear?’
‘I wouldn’t quite put it that way, but—’
‘But nothing.’ Becca pulled out a scrap of pink and waved the miniature onesie in the air with a triumphant fist punch. ‘Found it.’ She angled Lyndsey a hard stare. ‘You promised Mum and me you wouldn’t nag. If I want your professional help, I’ll ask for it.’
If Lyndsey claimed she was raising the subject out of concern for her sister, she’d be laughed out of the room, but she was genuinely worried. Yesterday, Becca grudgingly admitted she bit Deke’s head off the night before he left when he suggested finding someone to clean the house and take care of the endless amounts of washing. It sounded a brilliant idea to Lyndsey, but her sister was notoriously stubborn. This was a woman who abandoned her career as an up-and-coming designer with a major London fashion house six weeks after meeting and falling in love with the charismatic Deke at a post-concert party. She followed him to America, and three months later, they returned to Cornwall for their hastily arranged wedding. Before the ink was dry on the marriage license, she fell pregnant.
‘Okay, but at least let me help out more, though. It’s what I came for, after all. I’m not much of a cook, but I’m perfectly capable of clearing up after meals and I know how to work a washing machine.’ She crossed her fingers out of sight while the wheels turned in her sister’s head.
‘I suppose that would be okay, but don’t look too satisfied,’ she warned, ‘you are absolutely not doing your thing on my whole house.’ Becca glanced at her phone and groaned. ‘I’ll be late picking up Theo if I don’t get a move on. You’ll be okay with Nora?’
‘Of course. Off you go.’ Her heart sunk. So far she’d been lucky and Nora had napped every time her sister was doing the school run, but it must be only a matter of time before her niece caught her out.
‘If she gives you any trouble, call on the cavalry from next door.’ Becca winked. ‘I’m sure the yummy Griff would be happy to lend a hand.’
