Page 89 of The Cask

When he turned to look at me, I twisted my lips in a small smile. “We’ll figure it out. I got you.”

“This isn’t your mess to clean up.”

“Go get your list or whatever it is that you and Kim would use to plan stuff out. I’ll help you sort through what you need on the way to pick up my car.”

Gazing at me with utter adoration, he cupped my face with his hands. “What did I do to deserve this?”

“You put up a sign for fine wine,” I murmured just before he kissed me.

Epilogue

Lauren’s brown eyes were wide. “Grandma, did this really happen or are you trying to make me feel better?”

“It’s a true story that I’ve never shared with anyone.” I patted her knee.

Her face lit up and her eyes sparkled. “Really?”

“Really,” I assured her.

“Your secret is safe with me.”

I nodded. “I know, I know.”

“Wow. So did his business fall apart or did you really help him?” she wondered.

“Truthfully, he didn’t need much help. Once his new GM came in and learned the ins and outs, everything was fine. He just needed my encouragement. He needed to know that he had someone watching out for him as he took care of everything he had going on.” I patted her knee. “Men may not say it, but they want to feel safe and protected, too.”

She nodded slowly. “I never thought about it like that.”

“So, granddaughter, listen to me and listen carefully. Don’t beat yourself up. What you did was harsh, but it could’ve been worse. You could’ve plotted to ruin his career and relationships.”

She laughed. “True.”

“If he’s the man for you, apologize and bury it. If he isn’t, apologize and end things with him. But for your sake, apologize and move on—with or without him.”

She considered my words before nodding in agreement. “I think I’m going to break up with him.”

My smile widened. “Good.” Leaning closer to her, I added, “I never cared for the boy, personally.”

Lauren giggled. “Grandma!”

A knock at the door pulled our attention away from each other.

“Yes?” I called out.

The door pushed open and a little cherubic face appeared. “Grandma! Lauren! It’s time!”

“We’ll be right there.” I waved to him.

“Okay, I gotta go finish my game,” he said before he took off running.

Standing, I returned to the mirror to give myself a once-over. “You’ve come from a long line of people who believe in an eye for an eye. Our family motto is no one provokes me with impunity. It’s in our blood. If we’re provoked, we strike back hard enough that they don’t try it again. But we have to choose our battles carefully. We choose which ones deserve our full attention.” I turned to face her. “And we choose what we carry with us and what needs to be locked in a cellar for all of eternity.”

She hopped up and gave me a hug. “Thank you. That makes me feel so much better. I have a question though. Whatever happened to the man you plotted against?”

“I left him buried in the cellar.”

Her eyes turned to big, round saucers. “What?”