stairs. There was room for one chair and that was it. She pasted on the customary smile. “Sorry I took so long. Are you ready to go?”
“Sure. Been ready an hour now,” he said, putting his hands on his knees and pushing himself to standing.
There were times she knew he didn’t mean what he said as criticism. It didn’t mean she didn’t take it that way.
Ten minutes later, they were on the road, and it seemed like no time at all and they’d arrived at the hospital. While he visited Gram, Laura sat in the family waiting room and nursed Rowan. Then she popped into Gram’s room to say hello, and left again to get a couple of sandwiches from the cafeteria, as well as some cranberry juice for Gram. The nurses were very good about letting Laura use the kitchen on the floor to make Gram’s favorite cold remedy—cranberry juice mixed half and half with boiling water. She always said it soothed her throat and cough and drove out the chill. Laura made a cup for Gram and a cup for herself, as she’d always liked it, too, and a cup of tea for Gramps.
By two o’clock, Laura reminded Gramps that they had to get back to Gibson, as she had an appointment at the lawyer’s office. So far Rowan had been contented, so Laura dropped Gramps at the diner and said she’d be back in half an hour to pick him up. The appointment at the lawyer’s office was brief. She’d wanted to check on Spence’s status. The idea of him being eligible for parole after what he’d done sent a cold chill down her spine and kept her up at night. With Spence having served nearly a year of his three-year sentence, Laura wanted to make sure she kept tabs on the situation.
Like when she really needed to start worrying. She could breathe easy for another few months anyway.
She found Gramps sitting in a booth with a cup of tea and a piece of half-eaten cherry pie in front of him. She’d taken Rowan out of the car seat and held her in her arms, and when she slid into the booth, she settled the baby on her knee, curled into the curve of her arm.
“That didn’t take long,” he commented. “I’m only half-through my pie.”
“Take your time,” she said, knowing Gramps was tired from being out all day. She was, too, but rushing him wouldn’t benefit either of them. Besides, the food here was better than what he got at home. Unfortunately.
He sipped his tea and took another bite of pie, and a waitress came over to see if Laura wanted anything.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
A hot bath, a glass of wine, and an hour of quiet, Laura thought, but she merely smiled. “A glass of chocolate milk, I guess,” she replied. She’d forsaken caffeine months ago, with the exception of her evening cup of tea. Since she’d never been fond of plain white milk, chocolate was her way of getting her calcium.
The waitress returned quickly with her milk and Laura took a long drink, enjoying the cool, sweet taste. She licked the froth from her top lip and settled more comfortably into the vinyl seat of the booth.
“Everything okay at the lawyer’s?” Gramps asked, looking up at her over his mug.
“Yes. Fine.”
“Don’t know why you need a lawyer anyway,” he grumbled. “They’re expensive.”
Didn’t she know it. And Gavin had helped her for free, because they were friends. His colleague was giving her a break because of Gavin, but it wasn’t free.
“It’s complicated,” she replied, drinking again. She put down her glass. “Nothing for you to worry about, though. Promise.” She smiled. Gramps was gruff, but she knew he worried and cared. He wasn’t a fan of her raising her baby alone, but he’d never said a word about Gavin, or the fact that he’d been married. It was as though they’d agreed to not mention it.
He put down his fork. “Laura, are you okay? Really? I’m old and I’m not good for much, but if you need help...”
She melted a bit, her frustration of the last week ebbing away. She touched his fingers with her free hand. “I’m fine, Gramps. I’ve made some mistakes, but I’m working on getting my life back on track.”
“You know how I feel about some of that,” he murmured, keeping his voice low. “But you’re a Jessup. And you’re made of strong stuff. You can do whatever you set your mind to.”
Except protect myself, she thought, hating the idea that she could feel so helpless, hating even more that she was scared. Still, the praise made her feel stronger. “Thank you, Gramps.”
“Humph,” he said, back to his gruff self. But she smiled a little to herself.
Laura didn’t notice anyone approaching the table until she heard the voice that sent shivers of pleasure rippling up her spine. “So, did you end up replacing the battery?”
She swallowed and looked up to find Tanner standing beside the booth, an easy grin on his face.
It would be easier if he weren’t so darn handsome. His dark hair was slightly mussed, his blue eyes twinkled down at her and his plaid shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing a small V of tanned skin.
She hoped she wasn’t blushing. “I did, yes. The guy from McNulty’s was kind enough to bring one out and put it in for me.”
Tanner frowned. “I would have done that, and saved you the labor cost.”
“Thanks, but it wasn’t that bad.” She glanced over at her grandfather. “Gramps, have you met Tanner Hudson? Tanner, this is my grandfather, Charlie.”
Tanner held out his hand. “Sir,” he said, giving a nod as they shook hands.
“Tanner’s the one who gave me a boost the other day,” Laura explained.
“Have a seat,” Gramps said. “Laura’s always so bent on doing everything herself, but I’m glad there are some people who are willing to lend a hand—even when she won’t admit she needs one.”
Laura gaped at him. Hadn’t he just said she could do anything? Of course. He still prescribed to the old school where certain things were “man’s work.” Auto repair clearly being one of them.
Tanner slid into the booth beside her, and she quickly scooched over so they weren’t pressed together. To her annoyance, he gave Gramps his winningest smile. “Happy to do it. Though from what I’ve seen, Laura’s pretty capable of handling herself.”
Gramps gave Tanner a long look, then a quick nod and calmly cut another bite of pie with the edge of his fork.
The waitress came over with a coffee and doughnut for Tanner, and he thanked her with a wink and a smile.
“You’re not working out at the ranch today?” Laura asked.
“I had to make a run in to the hardware store. I was going to grab a coffee to go, but I saw you and thought I’d see how you made out after the other day.” He shrugged. “At least the weather’s improved. Much more spring-like.”
He looked over at her half-empty glass. “Chocolate milk?”
She grinned. “What can I say? I’m a kid at heart.”
“Speaking of kids...” He peered around
