She rubbed her hands together with glee. “I freakin’knewshe’d be perfect for you. Knew it the first time I saw you two together.”
He groaned, secretly pleased she had enough energy to gloat. “Yeah, yeah. What else?”
“I want you to pack my copy ofThe Catcher in the Rye.It’s in my nightstand. It was Hank’s favorite, and I like to read a page every night before bed. And bring me my picture frame too.”
“Which one?” She had a bunch of pictures of her husband in the living room. He’d never been in her bedroom, though, so he wanted to make sure he got it right.
She studied him with an expression he couldn’t read. “It’s the one with me and Hank. And Hank Jr.”
Shocked, because he hadn’t realized she’d had a kid—she’d never mentioned it—he nodded.
“Never told you about him, did I?”
“No.”
Her voice softened, and she said, “Hank Jr. was my heart, you know. I lost a part of that when he died after Vietnam.” She watched Smith with a steady gaze. “He was a Marine too. Proud as a peacock because of it.” Her eyes watered. “Now don’t you think I’m getting soft. But if something happens to me, I want you to have his purple heart. Hank, my husband, he’d want that too. You understand sacrifice, and not too many people do nowadays.”
Smith nodded, too taken aback to do otherwise.
“It was pure dumb luck I slipped and hurt my hip. I know that. But a body’s got to be prepared. I have a will all made out so my family will get what little I have left to give.”
He forced himself to remain lighthearted, while inside he rejected any notion of Tilly leaving him. “Yeah, whatever, Midas.”
She grinned and wiped an eye. “But you need to know if something happens to me, you always have a home.”
He frowned. “I know that. I can always find another place to live, Tilly. I’m not broke or anything, even though you seem to think I am.”
“I mean a home at Emerald Estates, jackass. It wouldn’t be the same without you there taking care of everybody.”
He huffed. “I just do what you pay me to.”
“Really?” She arched a brow. “Because I saw you tying Regina’s shoes in the hall so she could keep up with her big brother. I know you out and out threatened Janet’s ex with violence if he lays a hand on her. And that you keep an eye on the building. Haven’t had a problem with burglars or druggies since you came on board.”
He didn’t like her looking at him like he was a nice guy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re all about family, no matter how much you try to act like you don’t give a shit.” She smiled, and that sweet expression on her face freaked him out.
“You’re not dying or anything are you?”
She laughed so hard she choked.
He handed her a glass of water, and she swallowed it down before sighing. “Ah, that’s better. I needed that laugh. No, I’m not dying right this minute. Unless I have an aneurism because you made me laugh so hard. What I’m trying to tell you is that I love you, dumbass. And I want you to know you’re like a son to me. And I don’t say that lightly…and I won’t say it again.”
He looked away until he could look back at her with dry eyes.
She reached for him, her skin papery-thin, her grip weak, but she held on when he took her small hand in his. “You’re a good boy, Smith Ramsey. Margaret Ramsey was one crappy piece of work. I told her that then, and I’d tell her that now if she had the balls to show her face. You remember that.”
Her words meant everything. He couldn’t speak, so he nodded to show he’d heard.
She tugged her hand back, and he let her go. “That girl out there thinks the world of you, so you do her right. And for fuck’s sake, get her out of that crappy efficiency and moved in with you. Mrs. Fine’s place needs a complete rehaul.”
He grinned with relief, glad to be done with all the emotional drama. “Yeah. I know. But I’m trying to be stealthy about it. I gave her my key, and she almost fainted. So, I’m wooing her.”
“Woo faster,” Tilly snapped. “Now get out so I can get some sleep.”
He was at the door when he had to turn around. He saw her lying in that bed, looking frail and old and ornery, as usual. He couldn’t not say it. “I love you too.”
He turned and left before she made a big deal of it and hurried to find Erin so he could get away from all the uncomfortable emotions sweltering inside.
