She barely nodded. “I knew Mom needed help with Dad ... I just didn’t expect this.”
“She didn’t either.”
Suddenly Jewel remembered something. “I’m not sure how to ask you this,” she began carefully, “but my dad said some bad things about you. And Mom told me he’s got some kind of grudge against you. But Dad acts like you were responsible for Mom’s injury. In fact, he seems certain of it.”
“I know.” Miguel leaned back in his chair. “He got it into his head that I did something to your mom. That I hurt her. But I didn’t. I replayed the whole incident in my head on my way home, trying to figure out what made him think that.”
“You mean, besides the fact he’s got dementia? Did you come up with an explanation?”
“Maybe. Here’s what happened. Your mom called me after she fell and hit her head. She sounded a little incoherent, so I rushed right over. Your dad didn’t seem to be around when I got there. She was in the kitchen, and it looked like she’d tripped over a hoe, which seemed odd. When I helped her out to my truck, I had the hoe in one hand. I tossed it down when I saw your dad, but he might’ve got it into his head that I’d clobbered your mom with it.”
“It sounds crazy, but crazy makes sense with Dad.”
Miguel sadly shook his head. “Your dad already thinks I stole his land and his tractor. Now he thinks I injured his wife. I’m sure glad your mom got rid of the guns or I’d be seriously worried for my and my family’s safety.”
“I’m so sorry about that. I hope your family’s not too scared of him.”
He smiled crookedly. “It’s not all that bad. Although I do worry about my mom sometimes. She can get worked up. But my daughter just takes it in stride. That’s Anna for you. She’s a real rock.”
“How old is Anna?”
“Just turned fourteen.”
“Fourteen and she’s a rock? Wow, my daughter Cooper’s thirteen and anything but. I’m having parental envy.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard some horror stories about girls their age. It can get ugly.”
“That’s for sure. I’ve been at serious odds with Cooper for a while, but today was the worst. She wore me out. I was really looking forward to seeing Mom. And now this.” Jewel set down her coffee. “I can’t imagine the hissy fit Cooper will throw when she learns we’ll be playing nursemaid to both her grandparents now. There’ll be no living with her.”
“Don’t feel too bad. I’ve heard most teen girls grow out of this stuff. I’m just really lucky Anna skipped all that. Don’t know what I’d do without her.”
Jewel was pea green with envy now. This guy had it all. He wasn’t single parenting. He had a wife and live-in grandma to help. No wonder Anna was perfect. “I hope Anna’s mom knows how lucky she is.”
“She did.” He spun his Styrofoam cup on the table. “Beth passed away several years ago. Cancer.”
Jewel pursed her lips as her jealousy melted away. “Oh dear. I’m so sorry. You lost your dad and your wife.”
“Yeah. Life sure has its ups and downs.”
“So it’s just you and your mom and daughter now?” she asked, feeling nosy. What was it to her if he had a new wife or more children?
He nodded. “We’ve been through a lot, but we get along okay.” He looked intently at her. “I think you will too. Just give yourself time ... and grace.”
“Grace?”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Or on your daughter.”
“Or my dad?”
He firmly nodded. “Most definitely.”
“Sounds like you’ve been pretty gracious to him, Miguel. Mom has told me how rough Dad’s been on you. I’m sorry.”
“That’s life. I just wish there was a way to mend things withhim. The problem is the troubles are in his mind, so it’s a real challenge to navigate.”
“Believe me, after a couple hours with him, I know.” She heard her phone ping with a text and looked to see it was from Cooper. She read it and smiled. “Well, a bit of good news. My daughter turned off the roast before it turned to toast, and unless she’s pulling a fast one, she’s still at the farm.”
“You thought she’d go someplace else?”
