Maddy’s face grew warm under Gram’s scrutiny. “Connor’s a very special man. I’ve grown quite fond of him.”
“Well, he’s got good taste in women, I’ll tell you that. And a finer boy you won’t find.” Gram clasped her age-spotted hands in her lap. “But I thought you were seeing a boy at that fancy restaurant where you work—Nick, is it?”
Maddy gave a wan smile. “That didn’t exactly work out. He didn’t turn out to be the man I thought he was.”
“He’s a turd,” Emma said vehemently.
“Emma!” Maddy said as the girls laughed.
“Well, he is,” Emma said. “He cheated on her, Gram. She’s lucky to be rid of him.”
“Oh dear. I’m so sorry, honey, but it sounds as though your sister’s right.” Gram aimed an eager look at Maddy, all but rubbing her hands together. “Now on to the good stuff—you and Connor. Don’t you leave out a single thing.”
Maddy laughed. “We’ve only had one date, Gram. There’s not a whole lot to tell just yet.”
“That’s only half the story,” Emma said. “He’s been over here helping on the house nearly every night. And last night I happened to glance out back, and there was some serious kissing going on out there.”
Maddy gasped. “Emma!”
“Well, there was. I wasn’t spying, but goodness gracious!” Emma fanned her face.
“He’s a good kisser, is he, Maddy?” Gram said. “You know, a man who kisses well is also good in the sack.”
“Gram!” All three sisters giggled uncomfortably.
“Well, that’s what I hear anyway. Best thing about getting old, girls, is you can say whatever you darn well please. I’m quite liking it.” She nailed Maddy with an eager look. “Now... are you falling in love with Connor, dear? He’s a widower, you know. Been sad as a puppy dog from the day I met him. But I’ll bet you’ve put the twinkle right back in his eyes.”
Maddy laughed. She’d forgotten how full of vim and vinegar her grandma was. And yes, she was definitely falling for Connor. She had all the signs: her heart beat faster when she was with him, she got a little flutter in her belly when a text came from him, and she longed to be with him. But she preferred to keep her emotions private, at least for now.
“It’s too early to say,” Maddy said. “But he seems like a real sweetheart.”
“I’m sure he’ll be over tonight,” Nora said. “You can see them in action, Gram.”
“Wonderful!” Gram leaned toward Maddy. “Did you notice his arms? Those muscles! I’ve never seen such fine arms.”
“Gram!” Emma laughed. “You’re not supposed to notice such things.”
“And whyever not? I have eyes in my head, don’t I? These days girls are always going on about six-pack abs, but I’ve always been an arm girl myself—and hands! Good hands are highly underrated, I think.”
The girls exchanged grins. It was so good to have Gram back home.
“Did Grandpa have nice arms, Gram?” Nora asked.
Their grandma’s smile dimmed a bit. She took a sip of her tea, the ice clinking as she drained it. “Oh, he did, honey. He surely did. Now, would anyone like more tea? I’m so parched from all that dry airplane air.”
Chapter 30
The girls showed Gram around the house, and she oohed and aahed over the newly painted walls, the freshly cleaned draperies, and the spotless attic.
“Why, I’d forgotten there was a wood floor up here. It must’ve taken you days to go through all that junk.”
“It wasn’t all junk,” Nora said. “We have a couple boxes of things we thought you’d like to keep.”
“We never knew you used to model bathing suits,” Emma said.
Gram waved her words away. “Just for a local clothing company. Oh my, those were the days. They let me keep those suits—that’s how I was paid for modeling.”
“You were gorgeous,” Maddy said as they made their way down from the attic. “I’ll bet you had all the boys swooning.”
