Chapter 13 #3
Charlie Grandchamp worked the grill in the scorching heat as sweat rolled down his face and soaked his T-shirt. There’d been a time in his life when the heat and sweat would’ve annoyed him, but it took an awful lot to rile him these days.
He was free, in love with the most amazing woman, and they were surrounded by family and friends in their gorgeous new home.
Nothing could get him down today, not even the power failure that had them cooking everything they’d bought for the party and feeding people as they arrived, rather than all at once later as they’d planned.
The only thing he needed to make this day perfect was to see his daughter, Stephanie.
He hadn’t seen her in a week, since she and Grant left for LA to attend the premiere events for the film that was telling their story to the world.
He wanted to know if she’d decided to see it or not.
She’d been leaning toward not when she left, and he could surely understand that.
He wasn’t sure he wanted to see it either, although he was curious about how his son-in-law and the Quantum team had told their story in the film.
So he might see it for that reason alone.
Sarah’s daughter Cindy joined him at the grill, bringing a large platter. She had light brown hair and brown eyes and a warm smile that made Charlie feel welcome in her life. “Mom said to bring this to you.”
“Thank you. Thought you were working today.”
“I worked this morning.” She cut hair at the Curl Up and Dye salon in town. “I didn’t take any appointments this afternoon because I wanted to be here.”
“How’s Chloe doing?”
“Not so great from what I hear.”
Chloe Dennis, who owned the salon, had been dealing with a significant flare-up of her rheumatoid arthritis.
“I’m sure the heat isn’t helping,” Charlie said as he transferred steak and chicken from the grill to the platter.
“It’s not. She’s miserable, but Finn is with her and taking good care of her.”
“The poor girl. That’s an awful thing for someone so young to have to deal with.”
“It sure is. She’d been doing really well, so the setback has been devastating.”
“I hate to hear that. I’m sure she appreciates you covering for her at the salon.”
“I’m happy to do it. She’s been so good to me.”
“It seems that life on Gansett is agreeing with you.”
“It is. I love it here. Having my grandparents, my mom, Katie, Julia and Owen close by is the best. It’s been years since we all lived near each other, and now John and Jeff are here, too. It’s awesome.”
“I’m so glad to hear that, honey. Your mom is thrilled to have you all here.”
“It’s so nice to see her happy, Charlie. None of us have ever seen that before, and it means so much. You have no idea.”
He reached out to squeeze her shoulder. “I have some idea. One of the best parts of marrying your mom is getting seven more kids to love.”
“And we get a real father for the first time in our lives. Win-win.”
“Hey, what’s going on? Are you cheating on me, Charlie?”
He and Cindy laughed as he turned to find his daughter, Stephanie, coming toward him on the huge deck. “Don’t be jealous. There’s plenty of your old man to go around.”
Stephanie walked into his outstretched arms and hugged him tightly.
“Ack, I’m a sweaty mess,” he said.
“Don’t care.”
“Good to see you, kid.” She’d been gone only a week, but it’d felt like much longer. Now that they could see each other every day, any day without her felt wrong.
“You, too, Pops.”
He pulled back to take a closer look at her. “How’re you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you really?”
“Yep. I decided not to see the film.”
“That’s what I figured you’d do.”
“I read about it online this morning,” Cindy said. “People are saying it’s amazing.”
“That’s what I’ve heard, too,” Steph said.
“Everyone is going to want a piece of the dynamic duo behind the real-life story,” Cindy said.
Charlie had been afraid of that, but he’d kept his concerns to himself so as not to rain on Grant’s well-deserved parade. “Where’s your Hollywood husband?”
“Inside talking to Sarah and Adele.”
“He must be flying high.”
“He is. The premiere went really well, the early reviews are awesome, and there’s Oscar buzz for everyone involved.”
“Good for him. He worked his ass off for a long time.” When Charlie had first met Grant, he’d thought the guy might be too fancy and refined for his girl, but over time, he’d seen how devoted Grant was to her, and that was all Charlie needed to know.
She deserved someone who’d have her back no matter what.
“How’d he feel about you sitting out the premiere? ”
“He was totally fine with it. He gets it. He always has.”
“That’s so sweet,” Cindy said with a wistful sigh. “I hope I meet my Grant one of these days.”
“Oh, you will,” Stephanie said. “And if it happens like it did for us, it’ll be when you least expect it.”
“Any time now,” Cindy said, grinning. “I’m surrounded by happy couples everywhere I go while I wait for Gansett to work its magic on me.”
“You’ll get your turn,” Stephanie said. “I just know it.”