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34

RACHEL

On Wednesday morning, I push open my office door with a coffee in one hand and a report in the other. Something moves behind my desk, and I jump hard enough to send coffee splashing through the lid.

Grandma rises from my chair. A gold scarf holds back her white hair, and her skin is tanned from weeks in Spain. Her suitcase stands beside the bookcase, the airline tag still looped around the handle.

She smiles, and the last of my fright disappears.

I set down my coffee and report, then hurry around the desk. Grandma hugs me hard, kisses both my cheeks, and holds my face between her hands.

“There’s my girl,” she says softly. “I’ve missed you.”

“What are you doing here? You weren’t due back until tomorrow.”

“I changed my flight.”

“Why?”

“The vote is Friday.”

“Rhonda says it’s settled.”

“I know.” Grandma squeezes my hands. “I didn’t want you sitting here worrying on your own.”

Her grip lingers, and I understand. She’s the one who’s worried. She came home because she needed me close, but I don’t make her admit it.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

She releases me and picks up the report from my desk, already turning her attention back to the hotel. “Any disasters while I was gone?”

“Several small ones. They’re all sorted.”

“Of course they are.” She sets down the report. “I knew the Hartwell was safe with you. Your granddad would be proud.”

The words make me proud. They also make me think of Eric’s mug hidden in my bottom drawer and his toothbrush beside mine at home.

“Whatever happens on Friday, we’ll deal with it together,” Grandma says.

“It won’t pass.”

“No,” she agrees. “It won’t.”

Her voice is firm, but worry remains in her face. There are shadows beneath her eyes from the overnight flight, and for once, she looks every one of her years.

“Why don’t you go home and get some sleep?”

“I’m not tired.”

“You’ve been traveling all night.”

“I slept on the plane.”

“You never sleep on planes.”

Grandma opens her mouth to argue, but I take her hands again.

“Chloe and I will come over tonight. We’ll bring dinner, and you can tell us everything about Spain.”