Chapter 10 #2
“I’ll never tell,” she insists, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m glad you’re here. Dinner’s about ready.”
“What did you make?” I ask, heading in her direction to take a peek.
“White chicken chili.”
My stomach growls with no shame. I haven’t even been here a week yet, and already my pants are getting a little snug. “Sounds like heaven,” I tell her, grabbing two bowls out of the cabinet and placing them on the counter.
“Grab the sour cream and taco cheese out of the fridge,” she tells me as she pulls a bag of tortilla strips from the pantry.
She scoops me a hearty bowl of her white chicken chili and hands it over before making her own bowl.
I add a bit of shredded taco cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a handful of the tortilla strips before taking my dinner to the bar.
Gram hasn’t sat at the dining room table since Gramps had his medical emergency, so I make sure to sit where I know she’ll be comfortable.
“I need a favor,” she says after taking her first bite.
“Shoot.” I’m trying not to inhale my food, but it’s damn good.
“There’s some stuff I’d like your help with moving. I know you’re busy with work—and your friend, Joy—but I’m hoping you can do something for me. It won’t take too long. I could ask Klint to do it, but he’s at the other house, and—”
“Say no more. I’d be happy to do whatever you need, Gram.”
She smiles softly, scooping up another bite.
“There’s some wood I’d like to have moved and sorted in the shed.
Some of it might be good yet, but I don’t know.
I want to get it all cleaned up before Gramps gets home and ensure there’s a clean walkway through the shop.
It’d be just my luck he’d trip over something in the way and break his dang hip. ”
I nod in understanding. “I can do that. How about tomorrow after I get back from visiting him?”
“There’s no rush, dear. It’s not like Gramps is coming home in the next day or two.”
“Still. I’ll get it done as quickly as I can.
Anything else in there you want me to do?
” I ask, trying to remember what’s in that old shed.
I recall it being there, a steel building just behind the garage, but I don’t really remember much about it.
It was always locked, and Gramps said it was his man cave.
He’d go in and tinker or do small projects when work wasn’t too busy.
Since he spent so much of his time tending to the farm, I’m not sure when he actually used that space.
“I don’t think so. I can go in and sweep and tidy up a bit.”
“I’ll do it,” I volunteer, even though I don’t know what I’m getting into.
I do know my Gramps keeps things pretty organized and clean.
The barn and outbuildings for the farm are in good working order, and the house has been well maintained.
I can’t see a big mess or a clusterfuck of crap in his shed.
“Thank you, Burk,” she replies with a gentle smile, reaching over and giving my hand a squeeze. “Gramps knows you’re coming tomorrow,” she states, and when I meet her gaze she adds, “He’s looking forward to your visit.”
I swallow hard and nod. “I am too.”
“Just don’t sneak him in those Christmas tree Little Debbie cakes he likes. They’re trying to watch his sugar and cholesterol and have told him to keep his snacking to a minimum.”
I snort a laugh. “I bet that’s going over well,” I deadpan, recalling how Gramps always liked his sweets.
He was a tall, lean man, but he had the sweetest tooth of anyone I’d known.
He always carried candies or chocolates in his coat pockets.
Gram would regularly have to check the pockets so they didn’t wind up in the washing machine.
“You know him.”
I nod, even though I’m not sure that’s true.
I knew him back when I was a kid, but even those memories have slowly started to fade over time.
I knew the man he was, not the man he is now, though, in my heart, something tells me those people are still one and the same.
“No worries there, Gram. I’d never sneak him in contraband. ”
She chuckles and takes another bite of her chili. “Good boy.”
“Why anyone would eat those things is beyond me, especially when you have a delicious bakery right here in town. If I were going to slip him something, it’d be the good stuff. Like one of her cinnamon rolls, caramel apple pie bites, or some gingerbread cookies.”
Gram just grins at me. “You like her, and I’m not talking about reconnecting the friendship you used to share.”
I clear my throat and decide to speak honestly. “I wouldn’t have kissed her if I didn’t.”
She nods, appreciating my response. “I’ve always liked that girl, and I’m not saying that because her dad works for us. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and works hard.”
“She does.”
“And she’s awfully pretty,” Gram adds, making me smile.
“That she is.”
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re enjoying your time here. I sure am loving having you.”
My heart gallops in my chest as I long for slivers of the childhood I left behind. “I love being here. I’m sorry I’ve stayed away so long.”
She waves off my apology. “The good news is you’re here now, and the door is always open, Burk. We’ll do better at visiting you in South Carolina too, but I hope you know you’re always welcome here.”
“I do,” I answer.
“Good. And Gramps is expecting you any time after ten. His physical therapy is at nine, and it takes about an hour. He’ll probably be pretty worn out, but he’s always up for visitors.”
“You’re not going?” I ask. I don’t know why the thought of being alone with him makes me a bit more nervous. Probably because it’s been so damn long since I’ve seen him, and the last time was when he and my dad were exchanging not-so-pleasant words with each other.
“Oh, I’ll drop by for my visit in the afternoon. I want to give you both time to catch up.”
I nod in reply, my throat thick. “I’m a bit nervous, Gram.”
“Don’t be, Burk. What happened back then wasn’t about you. It was simply two hardheaded men airing feelings they should have talked about long before. I’m sorry it happened. I’m even more sorry I didn’t do more to try to fix it.”
I give Gram a gentle smile and reach across the table for her hand, offering a squeeze. “We can’t change that. We can only move forward.”
She moves her hand to cover my own and pats it. “Absolutely. Now, let’s eat before it gets cold. Then, perhaps you have time to call that pretty girl of yours before she goes to bed.”
With a wink, she returns her focus on eating her dinner, and I do the same.
Only my mind is locked on a certain pretty girl. The one who consumes all my thoughts, day and night. The one I want to steal kisses from every chance I get.
The one who makes my heart feel happier than ever before.