“Eric and Jo are opening the Oak Hill restaurant tomorrow,” I said.
His gaze was level. Steady. “I heard that.”
“Yes, well, it’s dinner. For friends and family?”
“Abby said. I told her I don’t go out much.”
My little courage failed. “I understand. I just thought... I was just wondering if you might like to come anyway. As a friend. With me,” I added in case that wasn’t clear. As if that would make a difference.
“With you.”
I thought... Was he smiling, behind the beard? I nodded, my heart surging in my chest.
“I reckon I could do that,” he said, and thank you, yes, that was definitely a smile. “That’d be real nice.”
CHAPTER 20
Amy
The dining room at Oak Hill was full of guests, the tables loaded with drinks and flowers. My arrangements looked amazing, if I did say so myself. Outside, the terrace twinkled with lanterns and fairy lights, pale against the rays of the evening sun. The family was all seated together at two long tables. Mom, next to Robbie in the high chair, with Dad across. Meg and John with the twins between them. Alec, on the other side of Beth.
Tonight was Jo’s show, Jo and Eric’s. I had to admit, I was feeling kind of proud of her. Of them. Of our family.
“It’s a shame your grandfather couldn’t be here tonight,” Aunt Phee said.
Trey pulled out her chair, and my insides gave a slow, warm squeeze. He was one of us. Always. But there was a special glow to the night because he was here with me.
“I tried to talk him into it,” he said. “He claims he’s not good company yet.”
Phee sniffed, settling Polly on her lap. “Doesn’t want to be seen using a walker. James always did have too much pride.”
Nan bustled by with a tray full of plated salads, her pink hair a cheerful contrast to her all-black server’s outfit.
“Need help?” Alec asked.
“As if.” She pocketed a spoon off the floor. Handed a clean one to Robbie. Flashed them both a smile. “But I’ll be cut loose by eleven. If you want to hang out.”
And maybe she wouldn’t leave him hanging, I thought. Maybe he wouldn’t break her heart. Maybe some young loves were meant to be. To last. I glanced at Trey, waiting for him to take the empty place between Beth and me. But before he sat down, Dan wedged in.
I arranged my face in a smile. “Hey, Farm Boy. You here with Mom?”
“With me,” Beth said, blushing.
“Oh. Okay.” I scooted my chair over, making room, hoping it wasn’t obvious Dan was messing with the seating arrangements. “Trey, grab a chair.”
“I can’t stay.”
“You... Why not?”
“I’m spending the evening with Granddad.”
I searched his face. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. But his aide gets off at four, and Miss Dee has to go to her daughter’s. Something with one of the kids, she said. So it’s just me and the old man tonight.”
Some of the shine rubbed off the evening. “Were you going to tell me?”
“I didn’t want to bother you. I figured I’d slip out.”
