“What?” I was stumped.
“The actual apology. The ‘I’m sorry’ part.” She shook her head while giving me a major eye roll. “You can talk around it all you want but it doesn’t count for anything unless you actually say the words.”
Like a ray of sunshine fought its way through the clouds, comprehension began to enlighten my brain. She wanted me to say the actual words. That was all. I faced her, reaching out to brush her hair behind her shoulder. “Zina . . .”
“Yes?” The word came out on a huffy sigh. Like she’d reached the end of her rope and just let go.
I took both of her hands in mine. She didn’t squeeze back, but she didn’t pull away, either. A good sign under the circumstances.
“Are you ready for this?” I licked my lips, suddenly a little unsure of how she might respond.
“I suppose so.” Her chin tucked down, close to her chest. The hair I’d pushed over her shoulder fell over her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” There. I’d said it. I’d apologized and the ground hadn’t shaken underneath me. A gaping hole hadn’t appeared in the floor and swallowed me up. I did a mental run-through of all my bodily systems. Everything seemed to be in check. Maybe life didn’t end when a guy had to say he was sorry.
“I accept your apology.” She glanced up at me, that hint of flirtatious sass creeping back into her smile. “And I’m sorry too. For exploiting your penguins and risking the wedding. I didn’t think it through.”
A sigh escaped my lungs. I didn’t realize how tense I’d been. Making up with Zina released a weight from my shoulders. It seemed easier to breathe. “About that burger . . .”
“Give me ten minutes to freshen up, and I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Deal.” I squeezed her hands before I let them go, then I headed downstairs to wait.
While I sat on the duvet, scrolling through the pictures I’d taken of the penguins that day, Gramps came through the front door with Herbie trotting behind him. “I thought you would have gone on that date by now.”
“Zina will be down in a minute. Thanks for the suggestion.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad to see the two of you have patched things up. It’s been getting pretty damn boring watching you mope around here like a lovesick pup.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t try to play games with me. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”
Yeah, like I wanted to toss her over my shoulder and rush her upstairs. Doubtful Gramps meant that kind of look. “Maybe we need to get your glasses checked.”
“I don’t need my glasses checked and I don’t need you telling me what to do. Have you talked to your sister about me moving back to the ranch yet?”
“I mentioned it.”
“And?” Gramps pressed.
“It didn’t go well. She said even if you move back out there, we’ll need a backup plan. You’ll have to have someone checking on you on a regular basis. Char’s got her hands full as it is and I’m not going to be sticking around.”
Gramps glared. “You didn’t say anything about that when we made our deal. I’m doing my part by helping out around here. I expect you to do yours.”
“I’m trying.” I hadn’t been to the family ranch in years, but if Char said it was too much for Gramps to handle on his own and too far outside town for her to be able to stop by and check on him on a regular basis, I believed her.
“Who put you in charge? You think because you’re younger, that gives you the right to decide what I do?” Gramps patted his leg, and Herbie nudged his nose into the old man’s hand. “My wife’s still there. That’s where I belong.”
I hadn’t heard Gramps talk like that before, especially not from the heart. I lowered my voice and reached out to put my hand on my grandfather’s arm. “I know you miss her.”
“You don’t know shit.” Gramps slapped my hand away. “Until you’ve given your heart, your soul, your whole self to the love of your life, don’t you try to talk to me about what you know about love.”
I looked up to see Zina standing on the bottom step. I hadn’t even seen her come down the stairs. My breath caught in my chest at the look on her face.
She glanced at Gramps, her brow wrinkled with concern. “Maybe we ought to stay in tonight. I can throw a salad together real quick, and?—”
“You two go have fun.” Gramps shook off his dark mood like a duck ruffling a little water off its feathers. “I’ll be fine. Sometimes this old man needs some quiet time to reflect on all the blessings he’s had in his life.”
