Page 190 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Most likely. But there will be nothing he can do about it. And he can’t send you packing without my permission,” hergrandmother said with obvious satisfaction. “I can take his bellowing.”

“I’m not sure I can.” Becca shuddered. “He was so angry with me tonight.”

“His bark is worse than his bite.” Gram pulled her down and kissed her quickly on the cheek. “Now get out of here before someone finds you. Look into the hall before you go out.” Her cheeks were flushed as though she was enjoying the secrecy.

Becca suppressed a smile. This was likely the most excitement her grandmother had experienced in years. She kissed her grandmother’s soft cheek then went to the door. She put her ear against it and listened. Nothing. Turning the knob silently, she poked her head out of the door and looked. The hall looked empty. She slipped through the door and closed it behind her as quietly as she could.

She sped down the hall toward her door, nearly reaching it before she saw a dark figure at the top of the stairs.

“I just knocked on your door.” Tate stepped out of the shadows. “What were you doing in Gram’s room?”

He’d seen her. Becca’s heart sank, and she fumbled for an answer. “Um, she has some work she wants me to do for her.”

Her cousin’s eyes widened. “What work could Gram have to do?”

“Accounting stuff, I guess. She wants me to help organize her a couple of hours a day.”

“I wonder what brought that on,” Tate said thoughtfully. “We’ve all been after her for years to do something about her affairs. Max has been in charge of her buying supplies and keeping an eye on her finances, but that’s been as far as it’s gone.”

“It shouldn’t take long to get her books in order,” Becca said.

“She probably thought now would be the time with a secretary in the house.” Tate smiled.

“Why were you looking for me?” Becca asked.

“I wanted to thank you.”

“For what?”

“Shayna has been lonely for female companionship. She really likes you, and it was good of you to befriend her.”

Becca’s heart warmed toward her cousin. In spite of his problem with alcohol, he must love his wife. “I like Shayna. I didn’t do it as a favor. I need a friend as well.”

Tate smiled, but there was sadness in his eyes. “I haven’t been the best husband.”

He stared at Becca, and she saw a hint of desperation in his gaze. “Is there anything I can do?” she asked him.

“You’re a praying woman,” he said. “You might think to ask God to help me get this demon off my back.”

“You could ask him yourself.”

Tate shook his head. “I used to go to church all the time, and me and God were on a first name basis. Then little by little I got caught up in other things. Now look at me.” He smiled wryly. “God has probably forgotten all about me.”

“I know that’s not true,” Becca said softly. “God still loves you, Tate. He has never stopped.”

Tate smiled. “You’d make a good preacher, Becca.”

She could see he wasn’t going to talk about it anymore. “I’ll pray for you, Tate.”

“You know, you remind me of someone. I’ve been trying to put my finger on it ever since you came, but I can’t seem to remember. Another benefit of drinking.” He lifted his beer in a silent toast. “It will come to me.”

As he walked away, Becca could only pray he never remembered. They’d been close as children. She was surprised it had taken him this long to realize she was familiar. Hopefully, the memories would elude him until she was free to reveal who she really was. She resolved to pray he’d turn his life around.

The next morningBecca approached the dining room with trepidation. She’d barely slept last night as she wondered what Max would say when Gram revealed her plan to him. A heavy cloud cover with accompanying drizzle dampened her mood even more.

The weather seemed to have affected everyone in the house. Becca stepped into the dining room and went to her place. Her grandmother greeted her with a smile, but the rest of the group barely grunted at her good morning. Even Molly seemed subdued.

Mrs. Jeffries brought in the platters of eggs and pancakes, and everyone passed the food with little discussion.

---