“You found it?” he asked.
“Yes, slung to the side of the front door. It sloshed around a bit, but it’s still edible.” She gestured to the table with a smirk on her face.
Too bad he couldn’t enjoy the meal with her. Unfortunately, Granny’s food fiasco only strengthened his resolve that she needed to live with him to be safe.
They ate a nice meal, but beneath the pleasant chatter lay what he knew they needed to discuss. When they had a lull in the conversation, he said, “Granny, we need to talk about the kitchen incident.”
“It was a simple mistake,” Lindsay said. “An accident that could happen to anyone.”
He wanted to ask her if she’d ever left something cooking on high then walked next door, but it would be hurtful to Granny. “I know accidents happen, but this could have turned out tragically. What if Granny had gone to take a nap? What if we hadn’t arrived when we did?”
“It’s the first time it’s ever happened,” Granny said. “I am more forgetful these days, but I’m not usually that bad. I put the beans on and wouldn’t have forgotten, but Sandra called and needed two eggs for a recipe.”
“And I bet you got sidetracked talking,” Lindsay said. “Could happen to anyone.”
“Yes. It won’t happen again. I promise I’ll turn burners off before leaving the house again.”
He wouldn’t push, but he would go ahead and make a call to the adult day-care center near the university. He hated to move Granny against her wishes. But maybe she’d come around soon.
“I see your brain working,” Lindsay said. She speared him with an intense look. “Don’t make any rash decisions. You’ll see that she’s fine here in Magnolia.”
He wouldn’t accomplish anything with Lindsay interfering. She would only keep Granny stirred up. “Lindsay, this is between Granny and me. I think maybe you need to leave.”
She jerked back as if he’d slapped her. Then hurt flashed across her face. “Oh. Well.” She stood and jerkily put her lunch trash in the bag. She smiled at Granny, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Lindsay…” He didn’t know what to say.
Granny patted her hand. “He didn’t mean it, dear. Sit back down.”
“No. I should go. I—” Her voice wobbled. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at church, Granny Bea.” She hurried into the house.
He’d hurt her. He hadn’t wanted to, but it was his responsibility to protect Granny.
No matter what it took.
Lindsay made it to the front of the house, seeking refuge in her car. She was determined not to cry until she closed herself inside.
Her car wasn’t there. What on earth?
It’s at Donna Rae’s house. Bill had picked her up.
She would have to walk to Dad’s, then have him drive her to Donna Rae’s.
How could Bill have asked her to leave? How dare he imply that she didn’t know what was good for Granny Bea?
She stormed out of the driveway, walking toward her dad’s house. She was too angry to face Bill at the moment. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow. Sunday. Church. Oh, brother. Bill would probably show up there and she would have to face him in front of everyone in her family.
She would have to prepare so she wouldn’t spout off something she’d regret. And she’d also have to come up with a new plan. Apparently, showing him Granny in action wasn’t going to work.
Chapter Four
The next morning, Bill sat on the front porch swing with a cup of coffee, enjoying the cool, fresh air. His legs were so long, it was nearly impossible to actually swing, so he simply pushed back and forth with his feet flat on the ground.
He set the cup aside to send a text message to one of his graduate assistants. Granny had actually fallen at an opportune time as far as classes went. The students had a weeklong reading period before finals. His assistants could field any questions from them. But the research was another thing. They were at a pretty critical point, and he needed to be there.
The roofers would be out on Monday. The carpet installed on Thursday. Maybe that would be enough improvement to put the house on the market. They could pack the necessities for Granny to move over the weekend. Then they could get everything else once the house sold.
The screen door opened. Granny stuck her head out. “You better get moving, son.”
“For what?”
“Church services.”
“I’ll take you whenever you’re ready.”
“But you’re not dressed for church.”
No. He hadn’t attended in ages. Not since moving away. Not since he’d had Granny around to force him to go. “I won’t be going today.”
“So, you still haven’t let go of the past?” She came all the way outside and sat beside him on the swing.
“You know I can’t really put it in words, Granny. I just don’t think God cares about us like you think He does. How could He, if He let my parents die on the way back from doing His work?”
“I won’t pester you. But I wish you’d go with me. I think you’d enjoy visiting with everyone.”
Granny hadn’t seen how the youth group kids used to tease him. How he’d never felt a part of their clique. Other than Pastor Eddie, there really wasn’t anyone he’d like to see again. “I’ll drive you when you’re ready.”
She patted his hand. “Okay. I’ll be out soon.”
True to her word, she came through the door about ten minutes later. He drove her to the little church he’d grown up in. He pulled up out front, helped her out, then hoping he didn’t run into anyone, he walked her to the front door of the sanctuary.
Once she walked in, he hurried to the car, and he sat there a few minutes, watching couples and families walk inside together. A few elderly singles, as well. No one seemed to notice him. It was like being on the outside looking in all over again.
Moving to Boston and staying there had been a good decision. He would be glad to return home. With Granny.
As soon as possible.
As he turned to look over his shoulder to pull away, he spotted Lindsay’s car turning into the parking lot.
Lindsay’s car. He’d last seen it at Donna Rae’s house.
Oh, no. He’d totally forgotten to take her back there after lunch yesterday. Now he felt even worse. Not only had he asked her to leave Granny’s house, but he’d also left her stranded with no way to get home.
When it was time to pick up Granny, Bill pulled out front once again. He slouched in the seat as folks began to drift through the door, shaking hands with the pastor. He hated that he’d sunk so low as to skulk outside the church building. He sure hoped Granny would hurry and hop in so they could go back to the house.
As the stream of people slowed to a trickle, she finally stepped outside to greet Pastor Eddie. Bill climbed out to open her door, planning to wave to the man if he saw him. While Bill stood with the passenger door open, Granny motioned to someone to follow her. The next thing he knew, Lindsay and a crowd followed Granny down the steps.
It had to be the Jones family. He recognized Lindsay’s dad, Harry, though he had aged a good deal. Gregory looked pretty much the same. Gregory waved.
Too late. Bill couldn’t