Curious, I said, “I wasn’t aware that my aunt talked to your grandfather.”
Shrugging, he said, “Honestly, I didn’t know either. Do you mind if I come in?”
“Oh.” I nodded and stepped aside. “Sure.” He stepped over the threshold into the foyer. And,damn, he was tall. And solid. And he smelled good. I hurried to the living room and pretended to straighten up, with Mehki on my heels. “Sit down, baby,” I told my protector. Turning to Cooper, I gestured toward the large sofa. “Have a seat.” I sat on the smaller sofa. Once again, Mehki was right next to me.
“When did Ms. Fox die?” Cooper asked.
“Yesterday,” I replied. “She went peacefully.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he repeated. “My grandfather died very recently, too.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”
“Are you from Rosewood Heights?”
I shook my head. “No, I live in Charleston. I’m just here to get everything ready for Aunt Lou’s…” I rubbed my ear. “…her memorial. I’m also the executor of her estate so I have to take care of her business.”
“Okay, so youarethe person I need to talk to then?”
“Why would you need to talkme? If this is about money she owed your family, I’m going to have to—”
“My grandfather requested that I restore,” he glanced around the room, “this house.”
“What?” I stood and paced the room. “Why wouldyourgrandfather askyouto restorethishouse formyAunt Lou?”
Cooper stood, too. “I don’t know.” He hunched one shoulder. “But it was one of his final wishes.”
I stared at the far wall. The painting currently hanging there had always been there. It was of Aunt Lou in a field of grass. I loved the portrait because she was smiling, carefree. There was a light in her eyes, one that I had never seen up close. Ever. I’d often imagined that the painting was commissioned by a man—someone who’d made her happy once, someone who’d made her feel loved.
Aunt Lou had married twice, but never had children of her own. Her first husband died before I was born and she divorced her second husband right before she turned sixty. She’d confessed to me that she hadn’t wanted to go into her twilight years tethered to “that old fool”. In hindsight, I didn’t think she’d loved either of those men.
Although she was a loner, she’d often had us visit for a few weeks in the summer. I always had a good time with her. We’d developed a special bond, one that she didn’t have with my mother. Aunt Lou had been there for every big event of my life—recitals, sports tournaments, graduations, and my wedding. And she’d dropped everything to come stay with me after my husband’s death, to help with Mehki.
“Mrs. Crawford?”
I blinked, shaking myself from my thoughts. “I’m sorry. You were saying something?”
“Maybe I should come back tomorrow? You obviously have a lot you’re dealing with. We can talk about this another time.”
He was right. I needed to investigate. I needed time to figure out what all of this meant. There was obviously a story here, but I had no clue where to start. “Good idea,” I agreed. “I have a lot to get done around here before tomorrow. And my son is hungry.”
“Very hungry,” Mehki corrected.
I smiled. “Got it.”
Mehki approached Cooper. “Sir?”
Cooper looked down at my son. “Yes?”
“Can you fix a sink?” Mehki asked. “Water sprayed everywhere and Mommie cussed a lot when she got wet. Wehaveto clean up a little around here before we can leave. It’s important.”
Cutie Prescott met my gaze and grinned. “I think I can help with that.”
“Really?” I asked. “Well, I won’t stop you.”
He followed Mehki and me into the kitchen, and it didn’t take long for him to get to work. Half an hour later, he’d fix the faucet using tools he just so happened to have in his car. When he was finished, he tested it out by washing his hands.
I handed him the last towel.Now, I need to go to Target to get more supplies.“Here you go. No paper towels or napkins.”
