Page 64 of Charlie Takes a Chance

CHAPTER 26

Charlie

We lockthings up and walk Grandma back toward the bunkhouse. We pause as Max grabs her bags out of her old pickup truck and carries them inside for her.

“Well, aren’t you a gentleman,” Grandma says as she walks after him, her work boots leaving small prints in the snow next to Max’s big ones.

“Nah, I’m just a suck-up,” he says as he winks at her with a big smile on his face.

Grandma giggles and pats him on the arm. “At least you know what you are.”

Max swings the door open and lets us walk in first, then follows with the bags, telling Jim and Larry to stay outside.

“Do I smell a skunk?” Grandma asks.

“It’s the dogs,” I explain.

“Aha. Little rascals, are they?” She says as she walks over to one of the bags sitting on the couch, picks it up, and carries it to the kitchen. “Now, I wasn’t sure if you were eating properly or not, so I brought a few things.”

Max and I stand beside each other and watch in awe as she unloads old sour cream and yogurt containers and puts them inthe fridge. “Don’t get your hopes up. It’s all boring food. Some beef stew, homemade spaghetti sauce, and a few snacks.” She places an old bread bag on the counter.

My mouth begins to water. “Are those chocolate peanut clusters?”

“Of course. I know they’re your favorite.”

She pulls out another plastic container and passes it to Max. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made you some fudge.”

I watch as Max takes the container from her almost reverently. “Ma’am, are you single?”

Grandma laughs and slaps a hand on the counter. “I see where those dogs learned to be rascals. From their owner.”

Max grins and pries the lid off, popping two squares of fudge in his mouth. He moans as he chews it and I can’t seem to pull my gaze away from his jaw muscles.

Grandma slaps my hand. “Quit ogling him. Let a man enjoy his fudge.”

Max’s eyes fly open and meet mine with a sparkle. “Yeah, let a man have his fudge.”

I raise my eyebrows at him, hoping he can read my mind and the retribution I’m promising him.

Max’s phone rings and he walks over to the wood stove and answers the call as he sets a couple more logs on the fire.

I snag a peanut cluster out of the bag and give Grandma another hug. “I’ve missed you. Thanks for coming.”

She hugs me tight the way she always does. “I’ve missed you too, peanut. And I’m really glad to meet your boyfriend.”

I pull back, feeling guilty over the little misconception I’ve let her believe.

“He’s not, well. I don’t think he’s interested—” I cough as Grandma studies me intently. “That is to say, we’re not actually a thing.”

“I could taste what kind of toothpaste you used this morning; I’m pretty sure we’re a thing.” Max’s deep voice shoots through the center of my chest.

He was supposed to be busy on the phone.

I turn around and give him a tight smile. “Thank. You. Max. For saying that in front of my Grandma.”

He has the gall to raise his eyebrows and fold his arms as he looks at me.

“I think now is the perfect time to have it out.”

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