Chapter 33
Magnolia
I should be happy. Nash admitted there’s something between us. Would I like it better if we had a label? Yes. I don’t like this in-limbo feeling. But as my wise mother likes to remind me, you can’t force people to feel what you want them too.
I had hoped that the more time we spent together since that phenomenal kiss would help him feel comfortable enough to tell me what he’s feeling.
But ever since we got back from Pine Ridge, I’ve watched Nash tense up—from dealing with an anonymous complaint to the county about a code violation on the building to fielding phone calls from aunts and uncles.
Watching him step back into the family drama has been like watching someone drain the joy from him.
I sit on the couch, next to Alexander, in the formal living room. Nash had to leave to handle a disturbance at the office.
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, I would 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’t as 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.”
He sputters, but I continue talking over him. “Anyway, if you are going to leave it to Nash, you should make your will ironclad. Something diabolical, to the point where if someone tries to coerce Nash into giving it to them, it automatically gets donated to charity or something like that.”
I keep blazing a trail since I’ve already dug myself into this hole. “I’ve spent some time talking with Natalie. And I’m glad to hear that you changed your ways, so just make sure you keep it up. Your grandson loves you.”
Alexander sighs. “He’s a good boy. A near replica of his father. I wasted eight years being angry his father wouldn’t go into business with me.”
I shrug. “My mom inherited some money from my grandma, and all her siblings fought like crazy over it. It was completely ridiculous. I kept thinking that the whole process could have been avoided if she’d just written a will.”
Alexander looks at me thoughtfully. “And what do you get out of this?”
“The knowledge that Nash will get to live a happy life. Hopefully, I won’t lie awake, worrying about him.”
“You love him, don’t you?” Alexander leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees.
“I’ll admit to nothing.” Because now that I know Alexander better, I know he would use it and twist it to his benefit.
“You do; I can tell,” he says smugly as he moves his pipe to the other side of his mouth.
I hold out my hand, but instead of passing me the pipe that I planned to put out, he pulls an unlit cigar from the drawer.
“I’m not sharing this pipe, but you can have this.”
At this point, I have to assume he’s somebody’s fairy godmother with the ability to pull things out of thin air.
I stare down at the cigar, then take it from him and hold out a hand for the lighter.
“I do love him. And that is going to stay between you and me.” I light the cigar and take a slow puff from it.
My dad gave me my first cigar, and now I get him a box every Christmas.
“Why? Why not tell him?”
I snort. “That man has had enough people grasping at him. He’s scared to trust his feelings.
And I won’t spend my life with someone who second-guesses my love for them.
I don’t want him to look at me with suspicion.
I’ve already made it clear that I’m interested.
He even reciprocated. He even wanted to explore what there was between us.
But when we came back here, he reverted to wanting to protect me from the stress.
I think it’s because he’s scared I’ll choose the money over him. ”
“Aha. The ex-fiancée really did a number on him then. I knew she wasn’t good for him.”
“Exactly. He was really thrown for a loop with that one. And he’s busy trying to protect you and not let you see the vultures circling in your own house.”
We smoke in silence for a few minutes, and then Alexander speaks up. “It’s time I took care of this mess I created.”
“Amen,” I say.