by Nana Malone
Amanda closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Might as well admit the truth to someone because she didn’t think she could keep this to herself any longer. “Steph, I think he’s the one.”
“The one what?” The line went silent and then Stephanie exclaimed, “You mean the one?”
Misery turned her stomach. “Yeah.”
“Holy smokes, Sis.” Silence filled the line again, broken only by the crackle of Stephanie moving around wherever she was. “Have you told him yet?”
“No, and I don’t think I can.”
“Look, I only have about five minutes before I have to run, so hurry up and spill. Why not?”
She pinched the place between her brows and tried not to panic. “Well, first I saw Mom and Dad making out in the backseat of the car—”
A gagging noise came over the line. “You’re not going to give me details, are you?”
“Next time we meet. Hey, why should I suffer alone?”
“Great. Just get to the good stuff, will you?”
“Then Dane gave me this Valentine note—”
“What did it say?”
“Be my Valentine Grinch Forever.”
“O-kay. Not exactly romantic, is he?”
Romantic? He’d accused her of being the least romantic person he knew. And yet— “But he gets me, Steph. He showed up at the door almost naked and gave me coffee.”
“Wait, let’s go back to the naked part. I hear you guys have snow. Did he have boots on?”
She knew her sister. She’d rather hear about the sex than discuss the emotions. Amanda wrapped up the story in a breathless rush. “No. I went to his house, and then he came to help me decorate the wedding car and before I could stop myself, I tried to get him naked in Mom’s car.”
“So did you? Get him naked?”
“No. And now he’s avoiding me and I think I’ve ruined our friendship, and now I don’t know what to do.”
A breath of air blew through the phone. “So it was all one sided.”
She recalled the way he’d kissed her, as though he’d wanted to inhale her. “No, I don’t think so.”
“So he tried to get you naked too?”
Amanda thought of his hot mouth on her nipple. “Oh yeah.”
“Was it good?”
“The best I’ve ever had.”
“Right, like you’ve had a lot of experience.” Another voice came through the line and Stephanie said, “Hold on a sec.”
Up the street, Amanda saw Dane come out his front door and head for his truck. When he saw her standing on the edge of the sidewalk, he paused, one hand on the door handle, the other in his pocket. Her body reacted in a rush of heat and breathless joy.
What would it be like to make love with him? Would she ever get the opportunity to find out?
After a moment, he took his hand off the door handle and headed her way.
Panic bubbled up inside of her. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Steph, are you there? He’s coming this way.”
“Yes, I’m back. So is he worth a repeat? Maybe another rejection?”
She didn’t hesitate for even a second. “Not if it means losing my best friend.”
“Then there’s your answer, Sis.” Stephanie swore into the phone. “I really have to go. Give Grandma and Mom and Dad a hug from me. Tell them I’ll see them all tomorrow.”
And then the line went dead. Amanda slipped the phone into her coat pocket and watched Dane approach.
Guilt hit her square in the gut.
Stephanie was right. What had she been thinking? Her seduction attempt had pushed him away. The smartest thing she could do was keep her hands to herself, then immediately after the wedding, return to the city.
There was a huge difference between lust and love, she reasoned. She loved Dane like a friend, but she lusted after him like a lover. Lust could be controlled, but love—
He reached her, his hands in his jacket pockets, his face void of expression. “Your Grinchness. Still talking to me?”
The tightness in her stomach eased and the pinching sensation between her brows went away. “Always.”
“So what are you doing standing out here in the cold? I thought you were catching a ride to the restaurant with Mr. and Mrs. G.”
“They disappeared. I was going to go out to the garage to see if the car was gone, then thought better of it.” She pulled a face which at least got a chuckle out of him. “Then my sister called and with the icy sidewalk, I didn’t want to get distracted and fall.”
He glanced down at the sidewalk, then raised his gaze to her face. “We can take my truck, or if you want to walk, I’ll walk with you.”
There was something there. She knew it by the way he held out one hand to her as though he had all of the time in the world to wait for her. She put her hand in his. Warmth skittered up her arm, infused her body, and then he tucked her hand into his pocket and held on.
“Stay close. I don’t want you to fall.”
Silence drifted between them. They inched over the ice together, with him solid and steady beside her, until they reached dry cement again. And still he kept hold of her. She peered up at his serious profile. “I’m sorry about this morning. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
His gaze slid toward her, and she saw a moment of heat in his eyes before he blinked it away. “You didn’t. You — uh — surprised me, that’s all. I didn’t expect it, not after all these years.”
“Have I ever told you that you remind me of my Dad?”
He winced. “Way to stroke a guy’s ego.”
“It’s a good thing, really,” she reassured him. “He’s patient and understanding and usually lets Mom have her way.”
“You mean, he spoils her.” He faced forward again. “Is that what you want? A man who spoils you?”
“Good heavens no. But the patience and understanding is...” She stared at his profile, unable to put her feelings into words, and when he finally turned to look at her again, his gaze dropped to her mouth.
“Seductive,” he finished for her, as though he could read her mind. With a clench of his jaw, he faced forward again.
Her heart thudded once, twice, and expanded in her chest.
Beside her, Dane fell silent and she wondered if her sister had been right. Had he had a crush on her all those years ago? Had she been too blind to see what was right in front of her?
They hit another icy patch on the sidewalk and his hold on her hand tightened. “Hang on so you don’t fall.”
“Thanks.” She smiled up at him. Yes, friends forever. But could she control her desire and just be his friend when she wanted so much more? “So what have you been up to since this morning?”
“Grandpa wanted to make sure his clothes were ready for tomorrow. How about you?”
“Grandma spent the afternoon fussing with everything in her closet except her wedding dress. I can’t believe how nervous she is.” The sole of her boot slipped against the ice and as Dane grabbed her by the arm to steady her, they ended up face to face.
She caught her breath.
Just like when she’d set eyes on him yesterday morning, he looked tall and broad and strong.
There were times over the years when she had cursed him, and times when she had loved him, but through it all their friendship had remained. No matter what happened after today, she knew he’d always be her friend.
Her heart skipped a beat, only to do double time in her chest. She focused on keeping the moment light. “Just can’t keep your hands off me, can you?”
He looked down at her, his brows drawn together in a frown. “If making love to you means I’ll lose your friendship, then I’d just as soon keep my hands to myself.”
With a shrug and a smile, she turned back to the sidewalk and pretended her heart wasn’t breaking into a million pieces. “We kissed. It was nice, but that’s the end of it.”
Thankfully, it took most of their concentration to maneuver over the ice, and they walked the r
emainder of the distance in silence. Once they reached the restaurant, Dane took her coat and went to hang it up.
Grandpa appeared beside her, his face almost red with his glower. “Now she’s just rubbing Morty in my nose.”
Amanda followed his gaze to where Grandma and Morty were seated, the urn set on the middle of the table like a centerpiece.
“She doesn’t even know you’re here,” she whispered as she headed across the restaurant toward the elderly couple.
“She’s making a fool of herself over that bastard Morty.”
“Quit calling him a bastard,” she hissed. “He had a mother and father, just like you.”
He turned his glower on her. “Are you switching sides, bumpkin?”
“I’m not on anyone’s side, but isn’t it time you let go? Grandma is trying to move on. You should, too.”
As Dane caught up to her, Grandpa poofed out, then reappeared on the chair beside her grandma.
“I don’t see your parents here yet.”
Amanda focused on ignoring the deep rumble of Dane’s voice in her ear and the way her insides reacted with pleasure. “Guess I should’ve checked the garage after all. They better not be using Mom’s car and messing up the decorations.”
He laughed, which relieved some of the tension inside of her, and he took her elbow to guide her the rest of the way to the table. Amanda stopped beside her Grandma, leaned forward to wrap her arms around the older woman’s narrow shoulders, and kissed her on the cheek. “Steph phoned and said hi. Asked me to give you a kiss and a hug.”
“Where is your sister? Why isn’t she here yet?”
“She promised she’d be here in time for the wedding.”
The restaurant door flew open, letting in a blast of cold air. Amanda sat down in a chair across from her grandma and watched as her parents rushed in. Her mom’s cheeks were flushed from the cold, her eyes bright, her coat buttoned up crooked.
Dane nudged her in the back and whispered in her ear, “One guess as to where your parents have been.”
Amanda slid a glance toward Dane and saw the laughter in his eyes. “If you want to talk about their sex life, I’m leaving.”
Her mom hurried toward the table. “I’m so sorry we’re late.”
“We had a flat tire,” her dad explained.
Dane pushed to his feet and went to hold out the chair beside Grandma. “Here, Mrs. G. Sit down and catch your breath.”
She stopped beside him and reached up to pat him on the cheek. “You’re going to make some lucky mother a wonderful son-in-law. Too bad it won’t be me.”
And with that, she gave Amanda a disappointed look, then sat down, pulled the scarf off her head, and gave Grandma a peck on the cheek. It was clear by the flat hair on the back of her head that she’d been laying on her back since the rehearsal.
Dane returned to the chair beside Amanda, sat down and nudged her on the back again. “Did you hear that?”
“How could I miss it?” While her parents fussed with their coats and scarves, Amanda turned Dane’s attention toward the engaged couple. “Something’s not right.”
He leaned closer, his shoulder touching hers. “How can you tell?”
The elderly couple looked stiff and unnatural. Amanda placed her forearms on the table and addressed them. “Is everything okay?”
Her grandma folded her arms across her chest and grunted.
Morty pointed at the urn on the table. “I insisted Elvira leave that thing at home tomorrow, but she refuses.”
Grandma sent him a look she only used when she was mad.
Dora leaned forward. “Elvira, surely you don’t want Dad at your wedding.”
“For fifty-one years, he was my husband.”
Morty tossed a crumpled wad of tissue at the urn. “He’s dead. You should get over it.”
Amanda exchanged a concerned look with Dane.
Her dad took the seat next to her mom. “Ma, what’s this about?”
“My rights as a widow. I want George at the wedding.”
Grandpa popped up in the middle of the table, his head and shoulders sticking out above the urn. “That’s right, Elvira. You tell Morty how it’s going to be. Don’t you let him stomp all over you.”
Morty grimaced and rubbed his shoulder. “What about my rights as the groom? I refuse to live out the rest of my life in the shadow of George’s memory.”
Silence swelled around the occupants of the table. Amanda studied Grandma’s stony expression, Morty’s annoyance. When she’d arrived yesterday morning, her grandma had been radiant, in love, ready to marry the man who’d been in and out of her life since they were children.
Now, because Gramps couldn’t let go, her grandma might be alone and lonely for the rest of her days.
She sat forward and reached for the urn. Her dad tapped her on the arm, halting her mid-reach.
“Don’t touch that urn, young lady. Your grandma has rights and Morty should respect them.”
Her mom snorted and shifted her chair away from her husband. “Don’t you dare listen to your father. As a matter of fact, Tom, you can sleep on the couch tonight. Morty has a point. Elvira needs to let go. There shouldn’t be three people in a marriage.”
Grandma pushed to her feet, hands fisted at her sides, and faced her fiancee. “You’ve never understood me, Morty Weatherby, not like my George. The wedding is off. If I never set eyes on you again, I’ll be the happiest woman alive.”
Grandpa George cackled with delight. “Fricking Morty. Your mother was a whore and your father was a bastard.”
Amanda shot to her feet and grabbed the urn before her grandma could get hold of it, which thankfully made her gloating grandpa disappear. Setting it down on the table in front of her, she kept one hand firmly on top of the marble box so no one could steal it back.
It was time for some tough love. If her parents’ wouldn’t do it, if everyone got mad at her, she could live with it. But she couldn’t live with Grandma’s unhappiness.
“I’m sorry, Grandma, but Mr. Weatherby is right. He shouldn’t have to feel like he’s in competition with a dead man.” Knowing full well there were fireworks ahead, but relieved she wouldn’t have to stare at the ghostly figure of her grandpa anymore, she continued. “Mr. Weatherby loves you and you love him. It’s time to let Grandpa go.”
As Grandma approached, her focus intent on the urn, Grandpa stuck his head and shoulders through the middle of the table, and gave Amanda a death stare. “Morty was so ugly, his parents had to tie a pork chop around his neck so the dog would play with him.”
Grandpa turned his attention on his nemesis. “Morty has to take Viagra to get it up. Morty is so slow, he thinks he’s first. Morty is so—”
Morty rubbed his arm again, a pained expression on his face, and toppled onto the floor.
* * * * *
Chapter Seven
The ambulance arrived in record time and the emergency personnel stabilized Morty before whisking him away. Amanda grabbed the urn from the table and along with everyone else, piled into her dad’s car for the short ride to the hospital.
In the waiting room, she tried to pass the urn to her grandma, but Elvira pushed it away and plopped down on a chair. Surprised, Amanda stood back and clasped the urn to her chest.
Grandpa George appeared beside her. “Bumpkin?”
She shook her head, and when he fell silent, she turned her attention back to her grandma.
Gone was the radiant glow the elderly woman had worn earlier. Now she looked old and frail and scared. “I don’t understand. Morty just had a checkup. The old fool said his health was better than the average fifty-year-old.”
Dora sank down on the chair beside her mother-in-law and put one arm around her narrow shoulders. “He’ll be okay, Elvira. Isn’t that right, Tom?”
Tom slid onto the chair on the other side and linked hands with his wife around his mother’s shoulders. “Morty is strong, Ma. Have faith.”
Dane crouched down in f
ront of Elvira and took both her hands in his. “Grandpa loves you and he won’t go without a fight.”
Grandma cupped his face between her hands and her tear-filled eyes gazed at him with earnest. “You’re right. Your grandfather wouldn’t want me to give up hope. Would you do me a favor, Dane?”
“Anything.”
“When he wakes up, I’d like his room to be filled with red roses and heart shaped balloons. Could you arrange that for me?”
“You bet.” He leaned forward and kissed the top of each of her frail hands before he pushed to his feet and faced Amanda. His mouth was set in a taut, unsmiling line and as he passed her, he quietly said, “If there’s any news, come get me.”
He pulled his cell out of his jacket pocket and wandered to the window, where he spoke quietly into the phone.
Grandpa George floated up and down, an aggrieved expression tugging at his face. “Tell her, bumpkin. Morty isn’t coming to the other side, not yet.”
Elvira pressed her face into her hands and burst into tears.
Grandpa gave Amanda a shove and she stumbled forward, nearly dropping the urn. “He’s going to live, bumpkin. Tell your grandma I said the wily old bastard is going to live many more years to make her life — and mine — miserable.”
Over Grandma’s bowed head, Amanda’s mom and dad were staring at each other, their gazes filled with a mixture of love and regret. Without a single word uttered between them, they’d forgiven each other for the little tiff in the restaurant.
“Tell her, bumpkin, about how you can see me. Tell her I still love her. I’m so sorry I took her love for granted.” Grandpa gave her another shove. She gasped and staggered forward another few inches, drawing her grandma’s attention.
“Amanda, what’s wrong with you, girl?”
“Nothing, Grandma.”
Grandpa glided to her side and poked her in the back. “While you’re at it, you should tell Morty’s grandson how you feel about him.”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t.”
“Don’t be afraid to use the L word. People need to know when they’re loved.”
