“I’m sorry.” Hazel pushed the soda away and shook her head. “You know what? I’m not. I’m not going to lie to you. I’m not even a little sorry. I believed things could work between the two of you and I pushed you to go to him. Daniel, you have to admit you had a much better time making the trip with Emily than you would have with me. We’re close but we both know I would have gotten on your nerves before we even reached the halfway point of the trip. By the time we got stuck in Colorado you’d have been plotting my death. Don’t even deny it.”
“Instead we were plotting revenge.” Daniel gave a light laugh as he looked down at Emily. “We did have a good trip, didn’t we?”
“We did.” Emily slid her hand under the back of his shirt, teasing her fingers along his lower back.
“Still you had no business messing with our lives.” He lifted his head to look at his sister.
Hazel nodded. “I’ll give you that. I should have kept out of it, but I wanted to see you both happy. Come on, how about I take you both out to a late breakfast before I head to town hall to oversee the decorations?”
“Another time.” Daniel glanced down at Emily, his fingers trailing along the curve of her arm. “Grandma called on my way over and I promised I’d come over for lunch.”
“She’s back?” Emily questioned.
“She came back from Florida two days ago.” Hazel explained. “Since the last time she got stuck here after a nasty blizzard, she doesn’t normally come back for the holidays. This year is different since Daniel is back home. I can’t believe we’ll be able to have Christmas together as a family. It’s been too long.”
“Em, will you come with me?” Daniel asked, his gaze still looked on hers.
Emily’s heart skipped a beat. Meeting the parents when dating someone was a big step. For him his grandmother was the closest he had. She’d met Mrs. Fitch numerous times, but this time was going to be a little different. “Okay, but then I need to stop by the school. Mr. Kline called me this morning to let me know the class assignments that were completed while I was away are in my mailbox waiting for me. I need to get them graded over Christmas break.”
“You work too much.” Hazel complained from near the kitchen where she stood. “You should spend the time together, not working. Grades don’t have to be in until after the break.”
“Don’t you think you’ve interfered enough?” Daniel questioned his sister, without taking his gaze from Emily. “We’ll stop by on our way home.”
Home. When he called the cabin, home, it tightened her stomach and made her feel light as air. She thought her secluded cabin in the woods was home before, but it wasn’t until Daniel stepped through the door that it actually felt like a home. It was a place she could see them spending the rest of their lives. He seemed to love it as much as she did and already they’d discussed a possible addition, giving them more space to eventually have a family of their own as well as open it to foster children.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Grandma’s Approval
Putting the truck in park outside of his grandmother’s home, memories rushed back to Daniel. It had been years since he’d been here, but it was still the same, down to the chipping paint on the pillars holding up the front porch. When he was growing up Grandma’s house was like his second home. He spent more time here than he did at his own home a few blocks away. The memories that flooded back to him as he took in the place was like taking a walk down memory lane. The house might look the same on the outside but there was something missing. No not something, someoneGrandpa. Five years had passed and still he expected to see the old man sitting on the front porch swing with a can of beer in hand.
“Daniel?” Emily’s hand slid over his thigh. “You okay?”
“Fine.” He reached down placing his hand over hers and entwined their fingers so that the back of her hand was nestled against his palm. “It’s been awhile since I’ve visited Grandma. I can’t believe everything is still the same.”
“How long has it been since you’ve visited? Don’t tell me you haven’t seen her in more than three years. Hazel said you haven’t been back to town since before I moved here.” With wide eyes and her mouth slightly open she stared at him, as if unable to believe what she was hearing.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Appalled.” He let out a light sigh before meeting her gaze again. “It was hard getting away. She normally came to see me. She loves the beach and it made sense. Every June I’d fly her down to see me instead of coming home. In the winter she’d always made reservations to make a pitstop in South Carolina before heading further south. She’d get a vacation and we could spend time together. I’m not that much of a horrible grandson not to see her in years.”
“Sorry.” Shifting her gaze away from him and out the window, he watched as she tried to withdraw from him.
“Em”
“No, it’s fine.” She cut him off before he could finish. “It’s nothing about you.”
“Then what? Tell me.”
“My parents were killed in a house fire when I was nine. I guess that’s why I believe you can’t waste a single moment. You never know when someone is going to be snatched from this life.” She reached up and wiped a tear that had fallen from her cheek. “I guess hearing you haven’t been here in years surprised me. I mean I knew it, but I hadn’t considered the possibility you hadn’t seen Mrs. Fitch in years. For a moment I thought about the missed moments I had with my parents and my heart broke for your grandmother.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Thankful for the bench seat he let go of her hand and lifted his arm. “Come here.” She scooted across the seat and into his embrace. “Grandma and I are close. Maybe closer than if I had never left. We talked on the phone a couple times a week and she’d visit at least twice a year. Yet, I understand what you mean about missed moments. After our parents died I realized life was short. I was already in the Marines and I knew Hazel was scared something would happen to me. Though at the time I hadn’t realized how terrified she was. But even after all of that it wasn’t until Grandpa died that I realized how much I was missing back here. I wanted to be here except with every visit it seemed to become harder. This place is too full of memories of him not to think about him everywhere I look. He played a bigger role in my life than even my father did. He was the man I respected and admired. He’s the reason I joined the Marines. That might have played a part in me staying away too.”
The front door opened and his grandmother stepped onto the porch. Her brown hair had been cut short since the last time he saw her. Now it framed her face giving her a younger look. Her green eyes focused on him, watching intently as she tried to determine what was happening in the truck.
“Looks like we’ve been spotted.” He pressed his lips to Emily’s forehead. “If you’re still up for this, we should go.”
“You make her sound like I’m going up against the firing squad. Mrs. Fitch is a sweetheart.” She pulled back from his embrace and grabbed her purse.
“Just be ready, she’s no doubt going to throw questions at us about my intentions. Now that I’m home, she’s determined to see me settle down.” He grabbed the handle and pulled open door. “Hopefully when lunch is over you still think so highly of her.”
He stepped out and came around the truck as his grandmother watched from the porch, her gaze seemed to be shifting between him and Emily. He had no doubt Hazel had already told his mother all about them, giving her plenty of time to come up with enough questions to get them through lunch and beyond.
“Hi, Grandma.” He called coming around to Emily’s side of the truck and wrapping his arm around her waist. “I know we’re a little early, but I wanted you to meet”
“Emily Sharp. We’ve already met.” Mrs. Fitch stepped forward wrapping her grandson in a quick hug before doing the same to Emily. “It’s lovely you could join us. Please come in.”
“Thank you for having me, Mrs. Fitch.” Emily followed Mrs.
Fitch into the house, Daniel on her heels.
“Now dear, surely you can call me Grandma, or at least Margaret. From what I hear you’re as good as one of the family already.”
Emily glanced over her shoulder to Daniel, her eyebrow raised in question.
“Grandma.” Daniel slipped his arm around Emily’s waist, pulling her back against his side.
“Don’t take that tone with me young man. You might have kept me in the dark, but Hazel has been kind enough to let me know what you’ve been up to.” Margaret strolled passed the living room and headed straight for the kitchen. “Why don’t you two join me in the kitchen while I finish preparing lunch?”
“One of the family?” Emily stopped and leaned closer so only Daniel could hear her.
“If I have my way, yes.” He squeezed her tight against him. “I thought we kind of discussed that. I mean, not in specific terms but our future.”
“But how did she know?”
“Hazel thinks everything is going to work out perfectly. You know my sister. She counts her chickens before they hatch. While we don’t need to make any commitments today, I don’t think it’s worth fighting Grandma on it. She’s even more stubborn than Hazel. Pick your battles.” With his arm around her waist he guided her toward the kitchen.
“How was your trip back? Hazel mentioned you taking a detour in Colorado for a couple days.” Margaret glanced over her shoulder at Emily. “I hope it was somewhere nice and romantic.”
“We were actually snowbound.” Emily quickly stated, as if trying to prove her wrong. “It was just luck that we found a hotel with room for us. Otherwise I’m not sure what we’d have done.”
“I know my grandson. He’d have made sure you guys were safe.” Margaret grabbed a tomato from the edge of the sink and placed it on the cutting board. “He’s resourceful. Remember the time your sister cut her arm on a sharp boulder when you were playing out in the woods at Bill Henry’s house? You were a half mile from the house and she was bleeding bad. You ripped your favorite shirt into pieces, tying one above the wound to slow down the bleeding, and wrapping the rest around the wound to keep it from getting dirt in it. You saved her life.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” He leaned against the counter, watching her work.
“Don’t be so modest. Doctor Mason even said she wouldn’t have made it back to the house if you hadn’t used the tourniquet to slow the bleeding.”
“Mrs. Fitch, can I help you with lunch?” Emily asked, obviously sensing his discomfort with the current conversation.
“No dear. I’m only putting the finish touches on the salad. The chicken is in the oven and once that’s done, we’re ready to eat.” She tossed the cut tomato into the salad bowl and turned back to them. “I’m sorry I didn’t know he was bringing you for lunch until this morning. I had planned to have you over for a nice dinner later this week. Something to really welcome you to the family. After all I owe you a lot.”
“Mrs. Fitch”
“Now, I overlooked it the first time, but I want no more of this Mrs. Fitch.” She grabbed the dishtowel and wiped her hands. “You brought my grandson home. He’s settling down back in Blessing because of you. You’re family whether my grandson has put a ring on your finger yet or not.”
“I…uh…”
“Grandma, you’re making Emily uncomfortable.”
“She’s family now, that’s what we do.” Margaret shook her head. “You think this is bad wait until I get everyone together to welcome you home properly.”
“No.” He straightened from where he was leaning against the counter. “I don’t want that. Let me get settled here and I promise when you get back from Florida I’ll help you put on a family barbecue or something, but don’t make it about me. You know I don’t like that.”
“Fine, we’ll do it to welcome Emily to the family.” With a grin Margaret hooked the towel on the stove handle.
“We’re not…I mean…” She pulled back from his embrace to look at him. “Daniel?”
“Grandma…” Nodding he turned to his grandmother. “I love Emily and I intend to spend the rest of my life with her. At least that is as long as she’ll have me, but we’re not at that step yet. Give it time. Don’t go rushing us down the aisle yet and hold off on big family get togethers for now. Let us figure out everything first.”
“I don’t know why you’re bashful. You should be showing her off to the world. You kids these days.” Margaret turned to the coffee pot and refreshed her mug. “Anyone else? Or there’s soda and fresh iced tea in the fridge.”
“You’ve got to try Grandma’s iced tea. She sets the picture in her window to sun brew it and then adds a bit of honey.” Daniel nodded toward the cabinet. “Glasses still in the same place?”
“Sure are.” Margaret stepped back to give him access to the cabinet next to the sink. “While he’s busy getting drinks why don’t we go into the living room and chat?” Without waiting for an answer Margaret grabbed her mug of coffee and leads the way into the living room.
“I’ll be right behind you.” He whispered to Emily as he pulled the pitcher of ice tea from the fridge. “Don’t let her nudge you into committing to anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“You mean like the wedding she’s already planning for us?” Emily reached out and placed her hand on his chest. “You’re going to owe me big time for this.”
“Don’t I know it.” He slid his free arm around her waist, drawing her closer, as his mouth came down to kiss her.
“I remember the days when your grandfather and I couldn’t keep our hands to ourselves. Stealing moments every chance we got.” Margaret sat on the single chair next to the sofa, watching them. “Come on, Emily, a little girl chat never killed a soul.”
“I might be the first. I’ll go down in history.” She teased, backing away from Daniel.
“Oh dear, you know me. I’m not that bad.” Margaret sat her mug on the coffee table. “So, Hazel filled me in on some of the details, but maybe you want to fill in the rest?”
“Um…” Joining Margaret in the living room Emily sat down on the sofa.
“Why don’t you tell her that conniving sister of mine tricked you into coming to South Carolina without even telling me? What do you think of your precious granddaughter now?” Daniel called from the kitchen.
“Haven’t you outgrown tattling on your sister by now?” Margaret shook her head. “Even if she did, it worked out.”
“You knew?” The surprise clear in Emily’s voice.
“After the fact.” Margaret nodded. “Some people need an extra push and I hate to tell you this, but Daniel is stubborn.”
The glasses clinked against the kitchen counter as Daniel doubled over with laughter. He was stubborn? That was a good one. His eyes watered with amusement and when he turned his head toward his mother, he was overcome with laughter again.
“I wonder where he gets it from.” Emily glanced back at Daniel. “What do you think Daniel? Where do you get your attitude from?”
His gaze locked onto hers, and he could see amusement dancing in her eyes. “I don’t know. Couldn’t be my grandma.”
“You’re right, it isn’t. You get it from your grandfather, just like your father did. It’s the Fitch family curse, every male is as stubborn as a bull.” Margaret didn’t even crack a smile as she said it.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Emily turned to the other woman.
“My husband passed away before you came to town, but he was a stubborn man. You could show him undeniable proof and he still wouldn’t believe you if he didn’t want to. He was inflexible.” She glanced up at the pictures on the mantel. “Still he was an amazing man. One that I see in Daniel and one with beliefs that I hope Daniel will pass on to his children. Onto my great grandchildren.”
Now composed Daniel grabbed the glass off the counter and strolled into the living room. “Both Dad and Granddad drilled their beliefs into me but they’re not the stubborn one in this family. Grand
ma that’s always been you. You and Hazel are impossible when you put your mind to something.”
“That’s why you men should just give in to us. We know what’s best.” Margaret patted Emily’s hand. “Hazel knew you two would be perfect together and she was right. That’s more than enough proof. Don’t you think?”
“I…” Emily took the glass from Daniel as he sat down next to her on the sofa. “Hazel’s heart was in the right place, but her actions while well intended were a bit…let’s say over the top. Sending me to South Carolina to drive cross country with Daniel could have been a disaster. Don’t get me wrong I’m thankful for the opportunity to make the trip with him, it was an adventure well worth having. Still it should have been our decision.”
“I wanted Emily to make the trip with me, but plans had been set months before she came into my life. I couldn’t back out on Hazel.” Daniel added.
“What matters is that you’re here now.” Margaret took a spin of her coffee before looking at her son. “I shouldn’t take sides between my grandchildren but on this I am. I’m happy Hazel gave you the push you needed. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time and you’re coming back to Blessing. It’s like a dream come true. So, Daniel what are your plans now?”
“I’ve worked it out so I can start my new job after the new year. It will give me time to get settled and spend the holidays with my family.”
“Living arrangements? I still have the bedroom here if you’d like to use it.” Looking away from him, Margaret shifted in the chair, clearly uneasy.
“Thanks Grandma, but that’s taken care of.” There was something about the way his grandmother shifted that made him suspect she didn’t want him staying there. Weird. Maybe I’m overreacting. Hoping he misread the situation he sat his iced tea on the coffee table and turned his attention back to the conversation. “I’m staying with Emily.”
Touch of Home (Blessing Montana Book 2) Page 13
