“Lucy makes the best breakfasts, Grandma,” Miles informs her as he pours coffee into three different mugs.
I reach over and snag theStud Muffinmug before he can.
“Thank you, baby,” I tell him with an evil grin.
He gives me a deadpan look as he grabs one of the two floral mugs and passes it to Goldie.
“How did you get so lucky, Miles? You mean to tell me she makes you breakfast before she goes to work?”
“Oh, no, not every day,” I tell her. “He’s not that lucky.”
Goldie laughs and walks around to sit down at the bar.
“Here, let me add some coffee creamer to that,” Miles says as he takes the full mug from my hands.
I’d give him sass, but the Canadian bacon is done frying, and it’s time to plate breakfast. Once I have the plates put together, Miles hands me coffee with creamer. In the tiny mug. I knew it.
He winks at me, then leans into the act like he’s going to kiss my cheek. Instead, he whispers, “What would a newlywed do?”
“Kick your ass,” I whisper back.
He pulls back and laughs loudly at that.
We sit down at the counter with Goldie and talk about the day’s plans.
Apparently, Goldie plans on leaving before we do because she has some shopping to do before she drives home over the pass. I worry about her driving on a narrow highway in the dark. The deer are no joke around here.
I learned last night that she and Felix, Miles’s grandpa, live between Sisters and Bend, and it sounds as though they have a beautiful place there. She somehow wrung a promise out of me that I would come visit.
“I wish I could stay several more days, but I really have to get going,” she tells me after we finish breakfast and she’s standing at the door while Miles loads her bag into the car. She doesn’t travel lightly.
“It was so great to meet you, though,” I tell her, and I mean every word of it.
She’s fun. I hope I get to be her when I grow up.
Miles climbs the porch and stands next to me.
“I’ll see you two at the camping trip!” Goldie says as she gives each of us a hug and a kiss. “I’m so glad I got to spend time with you. And thank you for that wonderful breakfast.” She sighs loudly, then hugs me again. “I’m just so glad he foundyou.”
She turns to leave, and Miles drapes an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side while we wave to her.
I wait for Goldie to climb into the car before I ask Miles, “Do you suppose it’s possible to die from guilt?”
“We’re about to find out. Feels like she just stabbed us both,” Miles mutters.
TWENTY-SIX
Lucy
TWO WEEKS LATER
My phone rings as I turn off the highway and head in the direction of home.
“What do you want?” I tease as I answer my sister’s call.
“You’re coming to Margaret’s tonight, right?”
“Oh my gosh, I forgot about that!”
