Page 44 of Merry Little Sugar Rush
“She’s a good egg.”
“She is,” I agree.
“Well, enjoy your time with her.”
I can’t help but smile. “I will.”
“All right, well get out of here. I’m sure you have better things to do than hang with me all day,” he insists, shifting in his chair as best he can, considering his right-side weakness.
“Gram should be here shortly,” I reply, just as the door pushes open.
“I’m here now,” she announces, stepping into the room and giving us both a wide grin. She walks over to set her purse on the bed before bending down and giving Gramps a kiss. “Have you been behaving?” she asks, a knowing glint in her eyes.
“Of course I have!” he insists, his eyes betraying us when he glances toward his nightstand.
Gram catches the movement of his eyes and walks over to open the drawer. Slowly, she turns and pins me with a stern look.
“Get out of my stuff, woman!” Gramps teases, feigning outrage.
“Hey, you told me not to bring him those nasty Christmas tree cakes. I didn’t,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest and standing my ground.
Gramps gasps. “Nasty?”
“I never said nasty, even though they’re not great, Dale,” Gram replies, shutting the drawer and shaking her head. “I suppose if you’re going to cheat, it should be with goodies from The Sweet Escape.”
“I was supporting a local entrepreneur,” I add, fighting a smile.
Gram waves off my comment. “Oh, please. You were just necking with the owner.”
Gramps’ eyes widen with delight. “Necking? You’ve been necking?”
“All right, I’m out of here,” I state, walking over and placing a kiss on Gram’s cheek. “I’ll see you back at the house.”
“Drive safe, Burk,” she replies, giving me a hug.
“I will.”
Turning to my grandpa, I reach out my left hand. He reaches with his and tugs, wrapping his good arm around my neck for a hug. His right one moves at a much slower rate, and eventually I feel that hand touch my arm. He gives it a squeeze, but it’s still incredibly weak. “Come back soon,” he whispers, and I’m man enough to admit, I get a little choked up.
“I will. Promise.”
He smiles a crooked smile and releases me. “Next time, I want to hear more about your time with Joy.”
I roll my eyes. “Isn’t anything private around here?”
He just barks out a laugh. “Not in this town, it isn’t.”
I wave goodbye to both my grandparents and exit the room, feeling much lighter than I have in a very long time. Reconnecting with my grandparents has been one of the greatest parts of this trip back to Colorado. Doing the same with Joy is also at the top of the list.
Being here feels good, and the thought of heading back to the opposite side of country causes a lump to form in my throatand the knot to tighten in my chest. I like it here. Just like I did growing up. So what now?
Well, now, I’m going to push those thoughts out of my head and do what I came here to do. I’ll help my family with the tree farm business during peak season, spending as much time with Joy as I can on the side. What comes next can wait until, well, later.
Tonight, I’m going to go back to the farm and take care of Gramps’ shed. I can’t wait to see what he’s been hiding inside that building.
Holy mistletoe!
I wasn’t expecting this.
