I drop the coins in my pocket. “Gracie and I are best friends… I’ve always loved her.”
Her eyes twinkle as she takes a seat at the kitchen table. “Mhm. Anyone who has ever come remotely near you two knows what kind of love it is. Including her, by the way. She just isn’t giving herself enough credit to accept that truth yet. It’ll all come together in time. Like her grandpoppy and me, you’re meant tobee. Pun intended.” She gestures to the chair beside her for me to sit and winks. “It’s only a matter of when.”
My face heats, and my heart rate picks up pace as I lower myself into the chair.Mae thinks that Gracie loves me, too?Then again, we’ve always said we loved each other, so maybe she’s confused.
Leaning forward, I place my elbows on the table. “Listen, Mae. I understand if you want to tell her I called you. I won’t make you lie to?—”
“No, honey,” she softly interrupts as she pats my hand. “She’s not quite ready to hear that from us yet.”
“Oh. Okay,” I mumble, sliding my hands off the table and slumping back into the chair. Looking at the floor, I consider my options, but nothing feels right. I trust Mae’s judgment.
My head snaps up. “I’ve been meaning to ask—are things, um, worked out with Gracie’s dad?”
Mae’s face hardens as she looks straight ahead. “He went to jail but got out on bail a few hours later.”
My mouth hangs open. “How? So, this isn’t over then? He’s coming back?”
She turns to face me, and it’s hard for me to avoid staring at the bruises surrounding her puffy eye. “It’s over, Daniel. I made a deal with her father not to testify at his trial in exchange for him eventually signing over custody to me. He agreed in under two minutes.” She leans forward, lowering her voice. “It’s not really above board, but I doubt the DA will hold me in contempt given the situation.”
“How did Gracie take that news?” No matter how terrible her dad was, having a parent give you up without a second thought must be a tough pill to swallow.
“She’ll have plenty to work through due to her father’s abuse. I’ll give her anything she needs—therapy, time, space. But you’ll be there to support her, too, right?”
“Of course. I’d do anything for her.” Clearing my throat, I ask nervously, “So, you’re staying, then? In Ohio?”
“Yes. Your Gracie,” she winks at me, knowing that’s what I’m really asking, “is staying. Given thathedoesn’t want to live here anymore, I hope to purchase the house. For lack of a better phrase, once the consequences of the state’s trial are over, he can ‘take the money and run.’ Walk away without a glance back. From my end, I hope he does.” Mae frowns before relaxing her face again. “It’ll be a long process, but my lawyers assured me we’d be safe.”
The calm that settles over me is maybe the best thing I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m almost woozy hearing that Gracie is staying, high on the fact that we won’t be separated. It’s dizzying, but with Mae right in front of me, I also think about what she’s giving up.
“And what about your bees?”
“Precious,” she mutters under her breath. “Not many people are interested in saving the bees. I miss them dearly, but they’llbe well cared for by a friend with a farm in Florida. I’m getting older now, so it wouldn’t have been long before I had to hang up my beekeeper hat anyway. Thank you for asking.”
“Sure, I know how important they are to you.”
She smiles. “In a lot of ways, Daniel, you remind me of a bee. You’re a hard worker, a complex problem solver, and fiercely protective of your queen.”
Knowing how much Mae loves her bees, the comparison lands like sweet, syrupy honey on my tongue.
She lets her compliment sink in before clapping her hands. “Now. I heard you’re on the football team. Do you throw the ball or catch it?”
Chapter 26
Grace
The first thing I see when I wake up is an award plaque with a picture of Danny catching a football. Still drowsy, my eyes flutter close again. I breathe in through my nose, picking up on the familiar scent of clean laundry and oranges. Sighing happily, I tilt my head toward it until my cheek settles on something warm. I yawn against soft fabric, relishing the comforting heat against my skin.
Slowly opening my eyes again, I quickly realize I’m nuzzled against Danny’s chest, resting sideways on his lap. His hands grip my thighs protectively, as if he’s afraid I’ll vanish while he sleeps. He’s completely passed out, softly snoring in a sitting position, his head bobbed against the back of the couch.
I’m warm and wrapped up in a blanket I didn’t put on myself, which means I must have fallen asleep first. The thought of Danny tucking me in causes an ache in my chest I’d prefer not to explore. I soak in this visual of us for a few minutes and think about the fact that this might be the last time I’ll see him like this, all soft and sleepy.
Then I feel his morning hard-on underneath my ass and rapidly discern it’sdefinitelytime for us to get up. Right now,actually, or else I’ll be compelled to wake him up forotherreasons.
I’m confident that when I shift off his lap, he’ll wake up.
I’m more confident that when I say “Danny” at a reasonable volume, he’ll wake up.
I am even more confident that when I get up and turn on the overhead lights, he’ll wake up.
