Page 34 of When Wildflowers Bloom

He shakes her from whatever she’s been thinking. “Of course. Thank you, Birdie, I was just imagining how ridiculous I’m going to look with those gloves on.” She smiles, but I swear it’s either sad or forced, or both.

“Damn!” Bo’s cry makes both our heads turn to look at him. The former vase is now a mangled blob. “Another one bites the dust,” he says with a grin, standing up.

He washes his hands in the sink, dries them, and gives Veda a hug and peck on the cheek. “Love you, Gran, I’m off to work.” Then, lifting his chin toward me, “Walk me out, Birdie?”

It’s only once we’re outside that I realize I didn’t hesitate to follow him.

“You here to brag about your pottery skills?” I ask, hands on my hips and eyebrow raised.

“That was just a bonus.” He smiles, leans against his Jeep, and crosses his arms. “I just wanted to see you.”

“Liar,” I say, fidgeting with a button on my shirt, noticing for the first time he’s holding a Lincoln Log in his hand. “Looks like you came to get your toys.” I point at his hand.

He chuckles. “Ah, I did need this.” His small smile bleeds into a wide grin as he taps the Lincoln Log against my bicep. “But I meant it when I asked you, and Huck if he’s allowed, to come to dinner.”

All I can ask is, “Why?”

He turns toward the Jeep—doors off, of course—and steps up into the driver’s seat. “Because I likeThe Office, why else, Pam Beesly?”

I snort out a laugh.

“I’m serious, Bo.”

“Me too,” he says with a twitch of his lips that makes his toothpick bobble. “I’m helping you, remember? If you want to live, it means getting out and doing things. With people. Without lists.”

“Oh really? Because last time I checked, you’re the one making a list for me.”

He grins as he pulls the seatbelt across his chest. “I meant withoutyourlists.”

My eyes narrow. “Bo, I don’t need your help. Ilikelists.” God that sounds pathetic. “And I do things…I went hiking with you. And Huck and I eat new foods on Saturdays…” Again, pathetic.

He raises his eyebrows as if I’ve proven every point he’s been trying to make.

I sigh. “Fine. Maybe.”

“See, that’s not so bad.” His voice is teasing before turning serious. “But I’m also here to ask about Gran.”

My chin pulls back. “Veda? Why? Is something wrong?”

He shrugs. “She says no, but something seems…off. Different. I can’t explain it really. It isn’t just one thing—I don’t know.” He shakes his head, blowing out a slight breath. “I’m probably overly worried. It’s part of the reason I wanted to have someone here, to keep an eye on her because I can’t.”

I nod, considering what he’s asking.

“Obviously I’m here to keep an eye on her, Bo. And I’ll help however I can, but you need to know, if she has something goingon, that’s between her and her doctors and you. I can’t be involved if she doesn’t want me to be.”

Despite the seriousness of my tone, he laughs as he turns the key in the ignition. “Birdie, leave it to you to bring rules and regulations into this conversation.”

I roll my eyes, hands on my hips. “I’m serious, Bo.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He shifts the gear and the Jeep starts to slowly roll backward. “Let’s find something to mark off that list this week.”

Before I can respond, he lifts two fingers off the steering wheel at me in a wave before he drives away.

“My grandson likes you,” Veda says as soon as I walk through the door.

I scoff. “I donotthink so.”

“Do you know how many times he’s come over at eight in the morning to throw a vase on that wheel?” Her eyes narrow. “One! This morning!”

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