Page 72 of Zachary

“Why didn’t you listen?” he asks quietly. “And why continue to deny the validity of the resort? Surely you don’t still think it’s a bad idea?”

“I never thought it was a bad idea,” she admits, and I make a choking sound.

“Thenwhy?” I spit. “Whydid you shut me down? Why insist on not supporting us? Why did Ronan have to blackmail you?” That last comes out on a half sob, and Ronan’s grip on my hand tightens.

For a long time, she says nothing. Then she glances away and sighs before meeting my gaze squarely. “I panicked.”

What?

“You were so excited and passionate about this idea that would bring more visitors here, and I panicked.”

Ronan nods. “You’re unsure about opening Hortplatz to outsiders.”

Grandmother shakes her head. “No, that must happen. It was remiss of me not to see that decades ago.”

I exchange a glance with Ronan. Okay, so if not that…?

“You were afraid the influx of people would show Zac what he was missing and he’d want to leave?” Ronan guesses, but Grandmother shakes her head again.

“The opposite.”

Maybe she really has suffered a blow to the head.

“I don’t understand,” I croak. “Grandmother…”

“Asher and Micah are so happy now. I saw them both newly in love and settled and happy with their lives, and I was thrilled. Nobody believes it of me, but what I’ve always wanted most is for my family to be safe and happy.”

“I believe it,” I manage.

“So do I,” Ronan adds. “That’s why we were all so shocked about the ski resort.”

Grandmother nods. “Your cousins falling in love was afluke. That the perfect partners for them should happen to come to Hortplatz… the odds are ridiculous. I wanted that same happiness for you, but I knew you’d be resistant to me matchmaking, and the chances of you meeting someone here were so small, Zac. I was trying to think of a way to get you out of the village for a while. I thought perhaps the museum would help—that you’d meet academics who’d traveled the world and hear their stories and want to see those places.”

I could argue that I have seen a lot of places—I’ve lived in various countries while studying multiple times over the centuries. Done fieldwork in a lot of different places; met a lot of people. But I don’t want to interrupt. I’ve never heard her speak so openly before.

“And then you came and told me you had this idea for a ski resort, and I panicked. A project like that would keep you here, make you happy, and I wanted… I didn’t want you to be unhappy, but I wanted you to need to stretch your wings. I knew you’d never go as long as you thought you were needed here. Of all my grandchildren, you’re the most like me.”

“What? No, that’s Gideon,” I exclaim, startled.

She snorts. “Gideon has my temperament. Our little murder baby,” she murmurs, sounding almost fond. “But Gideon left, Zac. Gideon will always care about our family and community, and he’ll always do his part, but he also knows his boundaries and enforces them. You, on the other hand… you’re like me. You’ll keep giving and worrying for as long as you’re needed. And we’ll always be needed.”

I’m pretty sure she just called me a pushover, but she also included herself in that category, so I can’t be mad.

“So you tried to shut down the project because you wanted Zac to do something for himself instead of for the village,” Ronan concludes.

“Yes. The ski resort is an excellent idea. It will make an enormous difference here, and I’m so proud of you—all of you. But I wanted you to have a similar experience to me in my youth. I spent over a hundred years away from our community, living with others and learning new things and falling in love. Your grandfather was the best thing that ever happened in my life. He challenged me, loved me, and stood by my side in every fight. The thought that you might not be able to have the opportunity to find that terrified me.” She takes a deep breath. “And then your dragon blackmailed me.”

“His name is Ronan.” After everything he’s been through to establish his identity, I’m not letting anyone take that from him.

“I know. Ronan blackmailed me because he wanted you to have your dream. It… gave me hope. I thought if you two were together, maybe you’d leave with him.”

Ronan shakes his head. “I’m not leaving.”

“So I’ve heard. But Zac’s setting boundaries now. His presentation to the village council about needing a team to support him as the village grows was a positive sign for me. He let Asher shout at me.” She looks at me, and a tiny smile curls her lips. “You snapped at me. These weeks you’ve been with Ronan and planning for your resort have changed you.”

“There were easier ways to get me to find a life, Grandmother. Not volunteering me for every job that came up would have been one of them.”

“Perhaps. I kept waiting for you to say no and leave, but you never did. I know I played a part in all this—I knew I could depend on you, and so I asked too much when I should have known better. I apologize for that, Zac.”

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