We’d planned on telling Alexander the truth now that we’re back, but he kept interrupting every time Nash tried to say something. I promised Nash that if I got a chance, Iwould tell Alexander everything. Dr. Charles gave Nash the approval that it would be okay.
And since it’s only the two of us in the room at the moment? This is my chance.
“I’m not engaged to Nash.”
Alexander turns the next page in his book.
I clear my throat and say it again. “Nash and I are not actually engaged.”
He slowly looks up at me, adjusts his glasses, and says, “I know.” Then turns back to his book.
I sit, completely aghast at this revelation. “You know?”
He slowly closes the book and looks at me. “I’ve known since the first night I met you.”
I don’t have any words. Because how do I say anything that makes this less ridiculous?
“You think I wouldn’t thoroughly research my grandson’s fiancée? Even though I never met Jane, I knew what she looked like, and I even saw some of her talking videos on that social media platform. I did my research on her, which was why when you came to sit by my bed that night, I knew you weren’t her.”
“But you didn’t say anything!”
“Why would I? I liked you. I thought you’d be a wonderful addition to the family. You seemed to keep Nash on his toes, and he needs that. He needs somebody to keep him fun; otherwise, he runs the risk of becoming too much like his cantankerous old grandfather.”
I clutch my hands together and tuck my legs underneath me. “But we lied.”
“I’m not as hard of hearing as you young people seem to think. I overheard you saying you were worried about my health taking a turn for the worse if you told the truth. All of your sneaky conversations in the hallways weren’tas quiet as you thought. But that’s all right; I happen to like being fussed over. And as I said, I think you’re good for Nash. So, are you engaged for real now?”
“No…We’re dating, I guess you could say.”
“That’s good news, then. Everything’s as it should be.”
He cracks open the book again.
“You can’t leave it to Nash,” I blurt out.
“What?” Grandpa glares at me, annoyed that I’m interrupting his reading time.
“I mean, you can’t force Nash into running the business. He’s so much like his dad. You should see how at peace he was out at the ranch. He was relaxed, tired, and happy.”
“And you think I should leave him nothing?”
“I think Nash needs protection. And he needs protection against money-grabbing women in the future.”
Because if he’s going to back out of our relationship right when it starts, there will eventually be someone who falls madly in love with him, and I want him to have a chance at happiness.
Grandpa sets the book on his lap and reaches for the drawer in the side table, removing his pipe and a bag of tobacco. He proceeds to fill the pipe before he lights it.
“Are you wanting my money, then? Because I’d hate to think I misjudged you.”
“Listen, you old goat. If I wanted the money, I’d marry you and get that inheritance sooner.” I wave a hand through the air.
“Aha! I knew you were too friendly with me. It’s my youthful countenance. You can’t take your eyes off it.”
“You’ve caught me,” I admit as I roll my eyes. “Now, obviously, Nash is one of the few people who loves you despite your fatal flaw of being rich.”
“You consider that a flaw?” he asks, incredulous.
“Of course. It means you’re greedy. You should work on that.”
