Claire squirmed primly in her chair. “He was just being neighborly.”
“Yeah, sure,” Maxi said. “No matter how you slice it, I think there’s some heat in the kitchen.”
Jane sipped her coffee, enjoying Claire’s discomfort. It was hilarious that she was pretending her relationship with Rob was no big deal but couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. “I can’t blame you, Claire. Rob’s a nice guy, and the fact that he knows how to cook is just the icing on top.”
“Okay, guys. Stop!” Claire waved her hands, and they all burst out laughing.
Jane’s heart lifted. Her friends were happy and doing well. She’d been a bit worried about Maxi, but looking at her now, there was nothing to worry about. Surely that person she’d seen at the cottage with Sandee really hadn’t been James. It was all just her imagination.
Everyone was doing good… except her. Jane’s gaze dropped to her muffin, and she shoved another piece in her mouth, remembering how she’d used the deposit for the wedding to pay for the food delivery. If she canceled the wedding, she’d have to give the deposit back. Where would she get the money for that?
Hopefully, whatever Andie was up to would pan out. It was her only hope.
Chapter 22
The finances looked grim. Jane had tried jiggling this and moving that, but every way she looked at it, she came up short. The pinging of her phone with a text from Mike was a welcome distraction.
Can I pick up Cooper to visit Gramps?
Jane could use a break, so she messaged back suggesting she join them. She was due to visit her mother.
“Why don’t you come in and meet Gramps real quick?” Mike asked as they walked into the foyer of Tall Pines.
“Okay. I guess it would be nice to know some of the other residents.”
Mike led the way, and as they passed the locked door that led to the dementia wing, his face softened. “I’m sorry that your mom is in the dementia section. That must be hard. At least Gramps is still fairly sharp. He forgets stuff every once in a while and has trouble with self-care, but I’m grateful he’s not worse.”
Jane’s hand automatically felt for the comfort of Cooper’s head. “Thanks. It’s hard sometimes, but she can be lucid at times. I have to hang on to that. She seems to like it here, so that’s a relief.” Jane pushed away thoughts of how the money would run out in six months if she didn’t find a way to get Tides profitable.
When they got closer to Gramps’s room, Cooper sped up, running in ahead of them.
Mike and Jane got to the door in time to see his grandfather bent over, petting the dog, a look of pure joy on his face. Mike’s grandfather was a thin man with a wrinkled, weathered face and a full head of silvery hair.
“Have you been a good boy?” Gramps asked, happily accepting Cooper’s kisses. He glanced up at them. “Hi, Michael.” His gaze drifted to Jane. “Who is this?”
Jane stepped in and held out her hand. “Jane Miller.”
He put his hand in hers. It was worn and calloused but warm and friendly. “George Henderson.” His eyes drifted to Mike. “I see you finally found yourself someone suitable.”
“Oh no. We’re not…” Jane looked from George to Mike, not knowing what to say.
“Cooper is staying with Jane. And Jane’s mother is here in the dementia wing, so we decided to come together,” Mike said.
“Oh, I see.” George’s eyes twinkled, and he winked at Mike, as if not quite believing his explanation. Then he cocked his head to the side and looked at Jane. “Did you say your last name was Miller? Are you from Lobster Bay?”
Jane had kept her maiden name even when she’d been married. Though Miller was a common name, her family was well-known in Lobster Bay, and she was proud of it.
“Yes. My family has owned Tides, the inn on the beach, for generations.”
“Yes… yes. I knew your grandparents. Frank and Delta, right? Frank did me a big favor once. I’ll never forget that,” George said.
“That sounds like Gramps,” Jane said proudly. Her grandparents and her parents were all about helping people when they could. “Well, I’ll let you two visit.” She turned to Mike. “Should I meet you in the lobby?”
“Yeah. How does an hour sound?” Mike asked.
“Sounds good.” Jane took off back toward the dementia wing.
Mike was lucky his grandfather still had his memories, but she was lucky, too, because Addie still rememberedsometimes. Jane had seen that some of the other patients here were much, much worse, and she decided to be grateful for what she had.
