Page 16 of And Then Came You

“Same as always. Hectic and chaotic with some seriously questionable fashion choices. But thanks for asking.”

“I want to know. It’s about you.”

That’s the truth. My Granddad couldn’t give a rat’s ass about fashion. His idea of style is a flannel tucked into some dungarees, but he takes an interest because it’s my world.

If he only knew how little I cared about the world in which I exist. But I say nothing, because you don’t bite the hand that feeds you. That, and people aren’t paying me to have an opinion. They’re paying me to pout for the camera, giving a countless number of women fodder for their alone time.

“Enough about my work. What did you plant, Pops?”

“A row of saplings. Apple trees. Jonamac variety, great for eating.”

The man is dogged about running this farm single handedly, but his health is failing. I hate that he pushes himself so hard. To hear him tell it, he doesn’t know any other way. “You should hire someone to do the planting.”

“I enjoy having my hands in the dirt. Besides, I had help.”

“You finally hired someone?”

“No. She wouldn’t take any money.”

My eyes widen. “She?”

“Your friend paid me a visit.”

“My friend?” What the hell is he talking about?

“Ah, she’s my friend, too. Ms. Lexi.”

“She came to visit?”

“Yes. Three times. She packed a picnic lunch, and we found a spot by the old elms. We talked and talked about the old days. The ones she doesn’t remember, the ones I can’t forget.”

“How did these visits come about?” I haven’t spoken to Lexi since the convention, although her wit and sarcasm have crossed my mind on more than one occasion. But now, my back is up regarding her motives.

“She called me, just like I asked. After a few chats, and many mentions of the farm, I invited her to visit. She seemed lonely. So was I. We had a wonderful time. Your mother loves her.”

“Mom has met her, too?”

My grandfather shakes his head, chuckling. “We all ate together and had so many laughs. It felt good to laugh. Better to remember the days that time forgot.” He taps his chin, peering at me. “Have you spoken to Lexi recently?”

“Not since the convention. Why? Did she mention me?”

“No, she didn’t. I mean, you came up in conversation.”

Here we go. To think, I thought the woman was above board. “How so?”

“I told her about our fishing trip when you were a child, how you fell ass over teakettles from the boat.”

“Great. Thanks for sharing that one.” I run my tongue along my lip ring, releasing a sigh. “But nothing beyond that? She didn’t inquire when I’d be here again?”

“She never mentioned it. Sam, if you miss her, why don’t you call her? That’s how it used to work, you know.”

“How what used to work? There’s nothing happening between Lexi and me. We’re friends. Barely friends, at that.”

“Your loss, then. She’s a great friend to me, and I’m better for having her in my life.” My Granddad chuckles, sending me a knowing wink. “Finally, a woman immune to your charms.”

I laugh, but his barb stings, particularly since he used the same term I’ve used for Lexi since we met. Immune. She’s immune to me. “She’s not my type.”

“She wouldn’t be. She’s a lady.”

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