“Mrs. Anderson? Oh goodness me. Please, young man, call me Gram. Now come here and give me a hug.” My eyebrows shoot sky high as I take in the scene of Gram wrapping her arms around Link. He’s almost a foot taller than her, but you can tell how much he appreciates the hug by how he leans into it, the flowers crinkling between them and surely crushing.
After she turns on her heel and heads into the house without another word, I link my arm through his and we follow her, not needing to be invited now that we passed inspection.
“See, I told you she picks up strays.” I lean into him so I can say it quietly while we cross the threshold.
“That’s okay. The hug was nice. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one like that.”
We stop in the foyer and remove our coats, hanging them on the coat tree. Link helps me out of mine while looking around the room with wide eyes.
“Wow, it’s beautiful in here.”
One shoulder lifts in a half shrug as I glance around the room. “It’s okay. Kind of small and cozy.”
“I love it. All the decorations? So festive.”
Looking around again, I see it in a slightly different light. To me, it just looks like Christmas and Hanukkah threw up in here, as Gram has decorations for both. But to somebody who doesn’t have family and maybe hasn’t celebrated in a few years, I can see how nice it’d be.
Gram returns with two clear cups of an off-white liquid that I immediately know to be eggnog that’s far too spiked. I’ve never really enjoyed the drink, so I’ll hold on to mine until an acceptable amount of time has passed, and then dump it down the drain.
“Here you are. Now, how did you two meet? Val, pumpkin, you didn’t tell me you were bringing a guest.” There’s a sharpness to her tone that I know is solely because she wanted to be better prepared with her questions and nothing at all to do with the fact that there’s an unannounced visitor in her house.
“Is it a problem? I can leave, if so.” Poor Link looks like he’s under a magnifying glass.
“Nonsense, young man. I’m just surprised, is all. Our Valerie here is notoriously single, so shock has made me forget my manners a touch.” My face burns a violent red at her comment.
“Gram.” The admonishment means nothing to her, and she dutifully ignores me, linking her arm with Lincoln’s and pulling him farther into the house.
“Oh, uh, these are for you.” He hands her the flowers which she lays in her other arm like a baby. “We actually met at a coffee shop, ma’am.”
“Now, young man, Lincoln, I believe Valerie said, please excuse me, my memory isn’t what it used to be. You stop with those platitudes and call me Gram. That’s my name these days. I’ll accept nothing less. You hear?”
“Yes, ma’—Gram.”
“Good.” She pats the hand that’s through her arm. I make sure to stay right on their heels so I can hear every word said. “A coffee shop, you say. Well, Valerie is certainly a frequent visitor. Pretty good chance to find her at one any day of the week. So maybe not too surprising for you two to find each other there.”
“Your granddaughter certainly captivated my attention from the first moment I saw her.” His eyes dash over to mine, and I find sincerity laced through the dark irises.
“She is a captivating young woman. I just wish she’d settle down before this old broad kicks the bucket.”
“Nonsense, Gram. You and I both know you’re going to outlive us all.” I come up on Link’s other side with a smile and take her free hand.
“Go be of assistance and introduce your fine gentleman here to the rest of the family.” She shoos us away before I can offer to help with anything in the kitchen.
“Sorry about that. She’s always been blunt.”
“She’s wonderful. Really.”
“Good, because the rest of the family, while not quite as critical, will ask a lot of questions. But first, thank you for coming with me.” When we lock eyes, something inside me stirs. Something deep down coming to life and making my breath halt.
“You’re welcome.”
I can’t tear my eyes from him as he starts walking toward the clatter, farther into the house, surely into the living room.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say I had a crush on Lincoln. But that’s crazy. I can’t have a crush on somebody I just met.
Can I?
Chapter 13
