Page 72 of The Two Last Moments

Then Lark’s eyes slide over to Nina, both women smirking. “So you know about us, huh? That didn’t take long.”

“Can’t get anything past me. Not that it was hard to guess. Danny needs to work on his poker face. But I like the two of you together.”

“Thank goodness for that,” Lark says.

Nina relaxes against her pillows. “Was it your romantic trip to Solvang that brought this on? Waffles and windmills to get the blood going?”

Lark’s blush deepens as she laughs. But I see the worry that her eyes betray. She’s thinking of what we learned yesterday.

I promised her she could decide when to tell Nina the truth. Now, Lark is looking at me for reassurance. She wants to double-check that I’m okay with this. Not because she needs my permission, but because she wants to know we’re on the same page. We’re in this together.

I nod.

“Something’s up,” Nina says, glancing between us. “Out with it.”

“Don’t be mad,” Lark says to Nina.

“That’s a terrible way to start a conversation,” my grandmother replies.

“You’re right. Let me start over. So last week, Danny and I saw some emails on your iPad. About Travis.“

Fault lines appear around Nina’s mouth. White-hot fury glows in her eyes. She knows exactly which emails we’re talking about.

“It was my fault,” I say. “I read them and showed Lark.” If she’s going to be mad at someone, I’d much rather it’s me.

“Of course you looked. Because you can’t mind your own damn business when it comes to me, can you, Daniel Bradley? This is one time that I wish you’d stayedout of it.”

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Nina turns her scowl on me. “Andyou,Lark. I can believe my grandson getting nosy, but you?”

“I thought I was helping. We both did.”

“I’m sure. But my email inbox has got nothing to do with either of you.” Nina crosses her arms like that’s the end of the discussion, and she sets her jaw.

She’s a stubborn lady, but I’ve never seen her this furious and defiant.

No, that’s not it, I realize. Nina’s gone pale, and her clenched jaw hides a tremor. She’safraid. That’s something I understand too well. I hate seeing Nina this way.

I walk over to Danny and rest my hand on his lower back. “Could you grab us some breakfast? And give me and Nina a couple minutes to talk?”

“If you think you can defuse this,” he murmurs, “I’m happy to do whatever you say.” Danny kisses my temple and leaves the room.

“Snooping in my email wasn’t enough? You’re both conspiring against me now?”

I return to Nina’s bedside. I take her hand, and she grasps mine lightly. She’s got such inner strength, this lady, even when her illness makes things harder on her.

“Why didn’t you tell Danny about the emails?”

Her jaw is set. She doesn’t respond.

“You’ve done so much for me,” I say. “I wanted to do something to help you. But I should’ve told you right away, and I’m sorry about that.”

Nina sighs. “Lucky for you, I’ve never been very good at staying mad.” Her gaze drags toward the family photos on the walls, though Travis isn’t in any of them. “I didn’t tell Danny because he would’ve insisted I have nothing to do with Travis or anyone associated with him.”

“Are you so sure about that?” I ask quietly.

Danny knows I might have a connection to Travis, but he swears it doesn’t matter. I’m doing my best to believe him. Why would he be upset with Nina for wanting to see her son? If anything, she’s far more blameless than me.

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