Page 26 of Falling for your Fake Boyfriend

“I think so. Lucas—my husband, Lucas,” she added with a starry-eyed look, “liked to collect first editions. Most of them were boring, lengthy tomes that I couldn’t be bothered to read.” She patted the book on the arm of the chair. “Nora Roberts. I think I’ve read this one before, but I’m still enjoying it.”

“You must be Hazel, Luke’s grandmother?” I pointed to the chair across the way.

She nodded and waved her hand. “Please.”

I sat down.

She crossed her slightly gnarled fingers on her lap. “Is it serious?”

I was taken aback by her question. I hadn’t really considered that I’d end up in a one-on-one with Luke’s beloved grandmother. I couldn’t lie to a grandmother, especially not one who already seemed nicer and more welcoming than everyone else.

“It’s all right. Rachel let me in on the secret. If my daughter-in-law would just allow Luke to find his own way in the world, they’d both be happier. He might even visit more often.” A sadness swept over her.

“You miss him, don’t you?” I asked.

“My son and his wife had little time for the children when they were growing up. The children helped fill the void, the hole in my heart, after losing Lucas. And I helped fill a void for them, too.”

I sat forward with both a smile and a tight throat. “Me, too. I mean, obviously I’m not filling a void for Luke. You’ve already figured that out, and I’m glad, because there is no way I could have lied to you. But cutting this ridiculously long, rambling speech short, my grandmother, Nonna, stepped in to fill a void, too. My mom died when my sisters and I were very young, and my dad traveled for work.” I rested back. It was the first time I felt relaxed in the house (other than the bubble bath). “It was so hard losing our mom. She was nothing short of perfect. But Nonna, she knew how to soothe the hurt and anger and loss we were feeling just by being there. And we were each so different, we handled our grief differently. Somehow, Nonna knew how to meet each of our unique needs.”

“She sounds wonderful. Is she still alive?”

I shook my head. “No, we lost her after my youngest sister graduated high school.” I sat forward with interest. “Please tell me about young Luke. What was he like?”

Her face lit up at this new topic. “He was my little prince. Oh, not that he wasn’t occasionally ornery or getting in trouble. He got kicked out of two boarding schools. The first time he got caught drinking beers with his friends behind the gymnasium, and the second time, well, that time he made me proud. The beer, not so much.”

A beaming smile lifted her entire face. No funny stretched lips or elevated eyebrows, just natural soft wrinkles and laugh lines, all the things that gave a person character.

“You were proud that he got kicked out of school?” I prodded.

“There was this horrible teacher, Mr. Edmonds. I’d had a few terse words with him during the children’s time at the school. He was harsh, and it was so apparent that he hated kids. I think he pursued a career in teaching just so he could be cruel to them. Edmonds was berating a boy about spelling too many words wrong in his essay. Called him an idiot in front of the whole class, and the boy was bawling by the time Edmonds was finished. So, Luke got up, marched straight up to the teacher, looked him dead in the eye and told him ‘There’s only one idiot in this class and it’s you.’”

I clapped once. “Bravo, Luke. Wish I’d been there to see that.”

“Me, too. Of course, Maggie had a meltdown when Luke got expelled. It was one of those ridiculously stuffy schools that took knowing someone, a large donation and good connections to get into. I don’t know why. I personally found the place lacking in many ways. Luke was relieved. They were out of good options for his school, other than sending him to an English boarding school. He ended up attending public school, and he was much happier.” Hazel laughed. “The stinker. I think he got kicked out on purpose. But most of the time, he was loving and laughing and caring, always caring.”

“I haven’t known him long, but I get a sense that his humanness, as my grandmother used to call it, runs deep and wide. Well, I suppose I’ll start making my way back to the dining room. I want to make a good impression. May I act as your escort?” I held out my arm for her.

“You go ahead. Since my daughter-in-law couldn’t be bothered to let me know dinner had been delayed, I think I’ll take my dinner in my room. I’m rather tired.” She laughed softly. “The weekend has just started, and I’m already up to here with it.” She tapped her forehead.

“It’s been wonderful talking to you.”

“You, too, Isla.”

I headed toward the door.

“I’m rather sorry this is all a ruse,” she said.

I looked back at her.

“I think you’d be good for my Luke. He’s great with business, knows exactly what he wants and what his priorities are. But when it comes to love, he’s been adrift for years. Enjoy the dinner, and don’t let my daughter-in-law ruin the meal. Gretchen is a wonderful chef.”

I patted my stomach. “Looking forward to the food. The conversation? Not so much. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Isla.”

I stepped out of the library and took a deep breath to brace myself for the dinner. I was sure the best part of my day and probably the entire weekend had just taken place behind me in the library.

ChapterTwelve

---