“I’ll walk you to the door.”
I nodded, tightened my hand in Brownie’s fur and then Bear’s. I’d miss these two. Which was ridiculous, after less than two days. Then again, it was nothing compared to how much I’d miss him.
I opened the door and slid out, then started up the front walk, which had been shoveled. Hm. Interesting. Had she paid someone? On Christmas Day? That was impressive.
Slowly, and not just because of the massive shoes on my feet, I went up the steps and put my hand on the doorknob. He caught up to me and, for a few seconds, I just stared at him.Kiss me. Stay with me. Don’t go back home tonight. Take me with you.
My chest hurt and my sinuses stung. Rather than look at him another second—and risk letting it all pour out—I turned the knob, stepped inside and—
Froze for a good five seconds, barely comprehending what I was seeing. It wasn’t until Micah’s hand landed on my shoulder and tugged me back out that I snapped out of it and slammed the door shut.
“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhmy God.”
“Guess Granny’s doing just fine without you.” Was he laughing?
I forced my eyes back open. There wasn’t a hint of humor on his face. “That was awful, Micah. I need to wash my brain.”
From inside came the sound of scuffling. Gran and Gus struggling to get their clothes back on, no doubt. Holy shit. I needed a drink or something. Right now.
“Christa? Oh, God. I’m so sorry honey,” she yelled loud enough to be heard through the door. When it didn’t immediately open, I leaned in.
“Everybody okay in there?”
“Yep. Just grand.” Gran laughed. “I can’t open the door, though. I’m…I’m not ready to see that look on your face again.”
Micah grabbed my hand and squeezed it. His face was bright red with suppressed laughter.
I squeezed him back and managed a smile. Okay. So, my grandmother was getting some. This wasn’t a bad thing. I was only sorry that I’d had to see it. And that I’d almost lost my life to a heart attack.
I thumped my chest, wondering if I’d ever breathe normally again.
“Gonna open the door now.”
“That’s a good idea.” I stepped back, assuming Micah would let go of my hand. He didn’t.
Gran looked remarkably put together, considering the parts of her body that had been exposed just minutes before. Behind her, Gus, new neighbor and, apparently more than friend, stood looking stiff and formal. They were flushed, which I couldn’t entirely assume was due to embarrassment, given how acrobatic their movements had been.
Oh, God. I closed my eyes and opened them again with a forced smile.
“I’m ah…sorry to bust in on you guys.”
“No. Nope. Our fault.” Gran backed into the room, opened the door wider to invite us in. “Let us never mention it again. Didn’t happen.”
“Good plan,” Micah said.
“Are you Micah?” Gran’s eyes looked from his face to mine, down to our joined hands and back up again.
“Yes, ma’am.”
All the tension and strained humor in the atmosphere morphed in a flash when Gran stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Micah, and burst into tears.
Oh.Oh.
He stood awkwardly for a few seconds before hugging her back.
“Thank you for saving my grandbaby’s life, Micah. For giving me the best Christmas gift I could ask for.”
When she finally pulled away, Gus the neighbor, whose last name I didn’t know, but who’d been intimate as hell with my grandma, shook Micah's hand.
