Page 10 of Promise Me This Christmas
“That may be true.”She went to give Chet a hug, snuggling her face up against his strong chest.“Thank you for talking me off the cliff.”
“That was a pretty short cliff.”Having washed Robin’s hands and face, he started tossing the little boy into the air, causing masses of chortles and giggles.
Amy watched with some trepidation.“I know he loves that, but you might end up with second-hand spaghetti on your face if you’re not careful.”
“Noted.”Chet gave Robin one last toss then asked, “How about stories?And a bath?”
“Ba ba,” Robin said, nodding his head vigorously.Their little boy loved his baths.
“I’ll clean up here and join you shortly.”Amy opened the door for them and watched her husband and son head for their third-floor apartment.Before Robin was born, Chet had been so worried about being a good father—he’d had a terrible role model for his own.But being a good dad came naturally to him, something that had surprised him, but not Amy.She knew she’d married one of the good ones.
*
Larkin’s grandmother wasso excited about their upcoming dinner that she insisted on wearing her nicest sweater and the Dior scarf she’d splurged on when she and Gramps had gone on a European tour.
“Help me with my lipstick, sweetie.I don’t want to be one of those old women who color outside the lines.”
“You’ve always colored outside the lines in life,” Larkin teased.She caught a whiff of peppermint and rose scent as she gently shaded some rose color onto her grandmother’s lips.
“That was your grandfather, not me.Did you know that after their big renovation, Wade and I used to go to the Graff every year for our anniversary?”
“I didn’t know that.”When she’d left Montana, the renovations on the historic Graff Hotel had been so new she hadn’t yet seen them.She was curious to see how they’d turned out.But that didn’t make up for her dismay at having to spend the evening with Carson.At least, with her grandmother along, he couldn’t turn their conversation to the uncomfortable subjects she wanted to avoid.
“You look nice, sweetie.But maybe you want to borrow my lipstick?”
In honor of the Graff, Larkin was wearing a long skirt and short cashmere sweater and her hair still looked great after the blow-out she’d had two days ago, but she hadn’t bothered wearing makeup.She did not want to give the impression of trying to impress.
“I’ll put on a little lip gloss.”She pulled the tube from her purse and applied a light coat.“How’s that?”
“Very pretty.And right on time.”
Larkin helped her grandmother on with her coat, then positioned the walker to make it easy for her to stand.Carson had volunteered to drive, which had been thoughtful.The Graff was only four blocks away, but much too far for her grandmother to manage, especially with all that new snow on the sidewalks.
He was waiting in the foyer, looking far too good for Larkin’s peace of mind in a dinner jacket over a dark blue shirt the same color as his eyes.She could tell he appreciated her appearance too.She’d known him far too long to mistake that gleam in his eyes.Fortunately, he focused his attention on her grandmother.
“All ready for our big night?That’s a beautiful scarf, Ethel.”
“I bought it in Paris,” she said proudly.
“We’ll be hitting the Graff in style.Your carriage awaits, ladies.All warmed up and pulled as close to the sidewalk as I could get.”
Larkin was surprised when he led them to a small-sized SUV.“You don’t drive a truck?”
“I do.But I thought your grandmother would have an easier time getting in and out of this.It’s Amy’s,” he added.
The three-story brick Graff Hotel took up almost an entire block and was by far the most impressive building in Marietta.In the dark it was hard to see details, but the sparkling Christmas lights lent an air of magic to the place.Carson opted for valet parking so he could help her grandmother out of the vehicle and set up her walker in the correct position.A doorman opened the glass doors for them, and Larkin’s first glimpse of the grand foyer elicited a gasp.
“Oh, wow!”The regal space with its columns, wood-paneled walls, and marble flooring was dominated by a massive two-story fir tree, glittering with lights and festive ornaments.Adding to the sensory banquet was the sound of a string quartet playing “Good King Wenceslas,” and the delicious aroma of fine food wafting from the dining room.
“This is really something,” Carson agreed.
“I feel like I’m in a big fancy city,” her grandmother said, eyes wide, taking it all in.
Slowly they made their way to the dining room where they were seated in a quiet corner, ideal for her grandmother who didn’t like to wear her hearing aids when she was in a busy space like a restaurant with lots of different noises competing for her attention.
Carson suggested they order champagne, which caused Larkin some amusement.He’d obviously acquired a layer of sophistication since their high school days.Back then his alcoholic drink of choice, when they could score some, was always beer.
Larkin waited until they’d enjoyed their main course and were waiting for dessert before bringing up the unpleasant subject of her grandmother’s home renovations.
