She laughs. “No magic here. I simply pay attention.”
That’s somehow worse.
I shift in my chair, and my gaze drifts toward the yard. The others have started trickling out, and Cabe is standing near the trucks, talking to Micah and Royce.
A knot forms in my stomach.
Grandma follows my gaze. “I hope poor Jovie is feeling better.”
I bring my eyes back to her. “Feeling better?”
“Yes. Cabe said she was feeling poorly today and that’s why she didn’t join us for supper.”
Ah, so that’s the cover she used. The truth is, she’s hiding. Just like I’m trying to.
Grandma pats her lap thoughtfully. “I packed her a plate. Thought maybe you’d take it over to her for me.”
My eyes narrow. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
Her hand settles gently on my forearm. “Sometimes, things that look like bad ideas in the beginning turn out to be our greatest blessings.”
“It’s just a plate of food,” I say.
She gives me a look. One of those grandmotherly looks—the kind that makes a grown man feel twelve years old.
“It’s showing care.”
I stare out toward the mountains. “What if you aren’t supposed to care?” The question slips out before I can stop it.
“Oh, sweetheart, we don’t always get to choose.”
I swallow.
Because that’s exactly the problem.
Grandma squeezes my arm. “Our hearts can be tricky devils. Life would be much easier if they listened to reason.”
A humorless laugh escapes me. “Ain’t that the truth?”
She studies me for a long moment.
Then she says quietly, “Your grandfather was the worst decision I ever made.”
I blink. “What?”
She laughs. “Oh, he was handsome and stubborn and absolutely impossible. I did everything in my power to avoid him.”
Across the yard, Earl looks up, as if he somehow senses he’s being discussed.
Grandma smiles fondly. “My mother hated him. Thought he was reckless.”
I chuckle. “No shit?”
“He was. He absolutely was.”
I grin despite myself.
She nods toward Earl. “She was so angry at me for choosing him. We didn’t speak for over a year.”
