Page 103 of The Art Of Starting Over

“But that says you’re my grandpa,” Maren pointed out.

Devorah bit her lower lip to keep from crying.

Lee shrugged. “Yeah, I guess it does. What do you think—are you okay with me calling you my granddaughter?”

Maren looked at Devy, who smiled at her daughter.

“Can I call you Grandpa?”

Lee smiled brightly. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Maren closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around Lee’s waist. When they parted, Darcy cleared her throat to get Maren’s attention.

“And what about me?” Darcy showed Maren her shirt, which was identical except for the switch from Grandpa to Grandma.

Maren beamed. “I’ve never had a grandma before.”

“Well,” Darcy said, as if out of breath. “I’ll have to make sure I’m the best grandma you ever had, then, won’t I?”

Maren nodded and fell into Darcy’s arms. Lee sat down and pulled all three into one giant hug while Devy looked on.

After their lovefest, Maren took off toward the field, where she ran right up to Conor. Dev set her chair up, set a blanket out for Cordelia to lie on, and collapsed with a sigh.

“You guys have no idea what this means to me,” she said to Lee and Darcy. “She’s really missing Crow.”

“Don’t think you’re getting off so easily,” Darcy said as she patted Devy’s hand.

“What do you mean?” she asked as she looked from her to Lee.

“A long time ago, I told Crow I’d always look out for his kids, and I intend to follow through. Sunday dinners start this week,” Lee said.

“And we’ll discuss the holidays later,” Darcy added.

Devorah opened her mouth to say something but closed it. She needed people around her who would help her thrive. Those people were the McKennas.

“Now tell me, what’s this ‘I never had a grandma’ crap?”

Devorah rolled her eyes. “Chad’s mother wouldn’t allow Maren to call her Grandma. It was the most asinine thing in the world. You and Lee have done more for her since we moved here than the Campbells have done her entire life.”

“Grandchildren are a gift,” Lee said. “They have no idea what they’re missing.”

Hayden walked toward them. Devy cupped her hand over her eyes and took him in. He was a tall drink of water, according to most of the women in town, and he only had eyes for Devorah and the patience of a saint.

She had all but put the brakes on where their relationship had been headed. Sure, they still went out on occasion, but it was nothing serious, and they each went home to their own places at the end of the night. There were times when she thought she was ready, but then something would spark a memory and she’d want nothing to do with romance.

Still, she hadn’t given up on falling in love with Hayden.

Hayden never pressured her and let her dictate their path. She wondered when he’d give up on her and was thankful each day that he hadn’t. Devorah liked him and wanted to be with him, but she worried about Maren.

He set his chair up next to hers, squatted to pet Cordelia, and sat down, stretching his long legs out in front of him. Dev watched him and then laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” Devorah said as she tried to hide her grin. Her eyes told a whole other story, though, as they went from him to the group of the opposing team’s mothers.

“I’m afraid to look.” Hayden grimaced.

“But then you’d miss the blatant gawking.”

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