Page 61 of More Than a Hero
The older woman’s eyes widened slightly, a hint of amusement sparkling in their depths. Keeping one hand steady on her walker, she lifted the other in greeting. “Mr. Bolton! How lovely to meet you.”
Pete stepped forward, gently taking her hand in his and giving it a careful squeeze. “You can call me Pete, ma’am.”
“And you can call me Grammy Ellen,” she corrected with a firm nod. Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she added, “And just so you know, I’m a hugger.”
She shifted her weight slightly, arms lifting, and he didn’t hesitate—carefully wrapping his arms around her, more for balance at first, but then realizing how firm and full of warmth her embrace was.
“We’re here to take you to dinner, Grammy Ellen,” Angie said, her tone light.
The older woman nodded. “Your mother called. Said you were coming with your young man.” She arched a knowing brow, shifting her gaze back to Pete. “You introduced him as a friend.”
Angie let out a nervous laugh, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. “Well, I didn’t want to?—”
“I am dating your granddaughter,” Pete said without hesitation, his voice steady.
Grammy Ellen’s face broke into a delighted smile, and she clapped her hands together. “Lovely!”
Gripping the handles of her walker, she straightened. “Lead on. I’m ready.”
Pete met Angie’s gaze, catching the way her lips curved in quiet amusement as they turned to escort Grammy Ellen out the door.
They walked out of Grammy Ellen’s room, Angie pausing just long enough to pull the door shut behind them. The slow shuffle of their steps echoed lightly down the carpeted hallway as they made their way toward the front desk. The scent of fresh-baked cookies from the common area mingled with the soft sound of distant chatter, the atmosphere warm and familiar.
At the front desk, Angie signed her grandmother out as Pete stood by, watching the easy way she navigated this part of herlife—caring for her family, making sure everyone was accounted for, looking out for the people she loved.
The trio stepped outside, the warm evening air wrapping around them as they entered the parking lot. Angie glanced toward the far side of the lot. “I’ll drive around, Grammy Ellen,” she said before darting away toward her car.
Pete remained at Ellen’s side, shifting slightly on his feet as she turned to look up at him. Her bright eyes, filled with both kindness and quiet assessment, locked onto his.
“Are you taking good care of my Angie?”
The weight of the question wasn’t lost on him. There was no hostility in her voice, no harsh judgment—only deep, unwavering love for her granddaughter. This wasn’t a casual inquiry… it was a grandmother’s way of making sure the man standing beside her understood exactly what was at stake.
He held her gaze, his voice steady when he answered, “Yes, ma’am. I’m caring for her as best I can.”
Her lips stretched into another warm smile, her lined face crinkling with satisfaction. “Lovely,” she proclaimed again, her voice full of approval.
Pete exhaled slightly, relaxing just a fraction.
Angie pulled to a stop beside them a moment later, then she climbed out to help. Together, they assisted Grammy Ellen into the front seat, then Pete quickly folded the walker, his hands steady and sure as he tucked it into the back seat.
“I’ll follow you,” he told Angie, his voice low but sure.
She met his gaze and smiled, her expression warm and full of trust. A few moments later, they were back on the road.
Pete drove a few car lengths behind Angie, his fingers gripping the wheel tighter than usual. His thoughts drifted as he followed the familiar curves of the road, but this wasn’t just another drive.
What the hell am I doing?Family dinners weren’t something he’d ever had growing up. Grandparents weren’t a part of his childhood. Holiday gatherings usually consisted of him and Sally sitting at a rickety kitchen table, their drunk parents shouting in the background. There had never been warmth. Never been easy conversation or shared laughter over a meal.
Now, he was heading straight into something he didn’t quite understand. Something foreign. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his jaw tightening. But he knew deep down that Angie was offering him more than just a meal with her family tonight.
She was offering him a piece of her world. A glimpse into what family was supposed to look like. And if he was going to move forward with her and build something real, then this wouldn’t be the last family gathering.
It would be the first of many. His chest tightened, uncertainty gnawing at him. He just hoped to hell he didn’t screw it up.
As they drove through the neighborhood, Pete glanced to the side as they passed Angie’s duplex. She had mentioned that her parents lived just down the street, and she hadn’t been exaggerating. They barely passed two houses before Angie turned into a driveway.
He parked behind her, but before his nerves had a chance to settle, instinct took over. He jumped out of his truck, moving quickly to retrieve Ellen’s walker and offer her a steadying hand as she maneuvered out of the passenger seat.
