When the dishes were cleared, Dorian and Nana took over the washing-up together, a sight that made Rune smile. Gramps beckoned her toward the back door.
"One of the mares foaled this morning," he said. "Want to see?"
They stepped out to the paddock, the air cool and sweet. Gramps stepped carefully as his arthritis made even a routine walk painful. Fred followed, snuffling at Rune's boots before wandering off to chase a leaf. The dogs sensed they had to be careful and always kept their distance so Grams did not trip up.
"You know," Gramps said after a while, "Fred was an aggressive little bugger when I got him from the shelter. When I saw him in the shelter her was mangy with patches of fur missing and half-starved. But look at him now."
Rune glanced at the dog, who was currently rolling on his back in the mud. "You're saying a good home works miracles?"
"Something like that." Gramps's eyes twinkled. "Even an old dog can learn to give love when he's treated right."
She grinned. "Are you comparing Dorian to a dog, Gramps?"
"Don't tell him,” he said, smiling.
Then his expression softened. "You know, my knees are shot. The waiting list's is nearly two years now. The NHS in Wales is on its knees here, you know how it is. And your grandma's carpal tunnel isn't much better."
Rune frowned. "I wish there was something I could do."
He hesitated, then said quietly, "You don't have to. It's been sorted. Monday, we're being driven down to London to see a specialist. Surgeries been lined up."
She blinked. "What? How-"
"Dorian arranged it."
Rune stared at him. "He-what?"
Gramps chuckled softly. "He likes us, sure. But don't fool yourself, lass. He's doing this for you."
Her throat suddenly felt full of tears and her heart full to overflowing
"He loves you," Gramps went on gently. "Even if he doesn't know how to say it properly. There's not much he wouldn't do to get you back. And if I am not wrong, you are not as reluctant as you were two weeks ago."
Rune turned toward the house, watching through the window as Dorian handed Nana a dish towel, head slightly bent, shouldersrelaxed in quiet conversation. It was such a simple thing, and somehow, it undid her completely.
Chapter thirty-nine
Chapter 39
The drive back was quiet for a while, the hum of the tyres filling the car. The afternoon light slanted through the windscreen, and Rune could still smell Nana's baking clinging to her hair and clothes. She glanced sideways at Dorian, who was focused on the scenery flashing by, his hands relaxed on the side rest.
"So," she began softly, "Gramps told me about the surgeries."
He didn't look surprised, but he hesitated for a moment, then nodded once.
"I was going to tell you," he said. "But I didn't want it to seem like I was trying to buy their affection."
"Dorian..."
He cut her off gently. "I like them, Rune. Waiting around for surgery like that and living in pain, it's not right.
This is nothing to me, really. If I can help, I want to."
She smiled faintly. "But itisbecause they're my grandparents."
He glanced at her, a small, rueful smile tugging at his mouth. "Of course it is. Don’t get me wrong, I like them. But make no mistake, you are the centre of my universe. There isn't much I wouldn't do for you."
Her chest felt like it would burst open with joy. That was a step up from an 'I love you'. She opened her mouth to speak, but he continued before she could. "Do you remember…ah, maybe you don't, because you were half asleep. Do you remember your granddad came to see me after the bone marrow donation?"
