“I’m not surprised. It’s their kind of thing.”
“And I’m really sad I can’t stay.” He pulled up to her folks’ cabin. “Listen, I don’t think this pound cake idea will work the way I hoped. Between my book and Irving Quick, the gang will want to have a potluck tonight at Rowdy Roost. I can feel it coming.”
“Then no dinner at your house?”
“I doubt it. That doesn’t mean we won’t eventually have time alone. I’m determined to find a way. But you still need a pound cake.” He got out his phone. “What if I call and see if she’d have time now?”
“Okay, but I’d have no way to get… oh, wait. Kieran and Sara are at Lucky’s. That might work, depending on timing.”
“If not, someone else can run you home. I can check with?—”
“You know what? Don’t worry about it. If Granny doesn’t mind having me around, I’m happy to spend the day with her. Go ahead and call.”
He turned on his phone, which greeted him with a rapid set of pings.
She blinked. “Texts?”
“And even more voicemails. I turned it off so we could drive over here in peace.” He tapped the screen and waited as Granny’s phone rang. “That’s weird. Why isn’t she answering?”
“In the shower?”
“She likes to shower before dinner.” When the voicemail came on, he frowned and disconnected. “No point in leaving a message. She won’t find it.” He tapped the phone again. Still no answer. “We’re outta here.” Throwing the truck in reverse, he backed quickly around and hit the gas going down the lane to the ranch road.
He drove even faster once he made the turn, spraying snow, his jaw set. With his attention glued to the road ahead, he quietly unbuckled his seat belt.
Her gut clenched. “I’m sure she’s fine.” She wasn’t sure at all. It was a dumb thing to say, but she couldn’t come up with anything better. Granny wasfine. She’d been in great shape last night at dinner, right?
Of course she’d worked all day on that dinner. She’d excused herself early, which Lani had taken as part of the scheme. What if she’d pushed too hard making that dinner? What if?—
Rance skidded on the turn onto his road, came out of it quickly and shot forward. Slamming on the brakes when they reached the cabin, he rammed the gearshift into park and flung open his door. “Sit still. Let me see?—”
“The hell with that!” She unbuckled and scrambled out.
He was already on the porch, calling for Granny as he wrenched open the front door and barreled inside.
Lani charged after him. Did he know CPR? If not, could she do it? She’d taken a class once, but she hadn’t practiced. What were the steps?
Racing past the open door, she found Rance smothering Granny in a hug and rocking back and forth while they both laughed. He was swearing and Granny’sfeck, feck, fecklikely qualified as swearing in Ireland.
She was okay. Lani’s breath whooshed out. Thank God. Rance’s manuscript lay upside down on the floor, pages splayedout. Obviously Granny had been reading it. Had she been so engrossed she hadn’t heard the phone?
Peeking out from Rance’s tight embrace, Granny spotted her. “Oh, luv, tis scarlet I am, scarin’ ya so! Now if ya will excuse me, I’ll go put in m’ears.”
Oh. Lani swallowed a laugh as she met Rance’s long-suffering gaze. “Well, if we needed any more proof that she’s deaf….”
“I did not. And I just aged at least ten years. See any gray in my hair? I’ll bet I have gray hairs, now.”
“Tis back I am.” Granny bustled in, all smiles.
Rance turned to her. “We need to make some rules.”
“Ya want me to wear my hearin’ aids when yer out and about?”
“Yes, please.”
“I didna expect ya to call.”
“I didn’t expect to call, either, but I thought you put your hearing aids in first thing in the morning.”
