Page 28 of Summer Love

When I arrived, Elena met me at the door in frayed jean shorts and an olive-green tank top with bare feet.

"I thought you were working today," I said as I stepped inside, smelling bacon cooking.

"I can change, but I thought we could have breakfast first."

"You made breakfast for me?" I asked, taking in Grams at the kitchen table and the bacon sizzling in a pan on the stove.

Elena moved to the stove. "It's nothing fancy. Just bacon and eggs and fruit."

My stomach rumbled, even though I'd already eaten oatmeal. "Breakfast would be great."

Elena smiled, and her whole face lit up. If she were mine, I'd spend a lifetime trying to keep that smile on her face. The revelation came so suddenly; I felt momentarily short of breath.

This wasn't a typical workday. I didn't have a deadline to meet, other than a personal desire to make Grams happy, so I could afford to take some time to eat breakfast with them.

I approached Grams, who was sipping her tea. "Morning."

"Aren't you a sight this early in the morning?" Grams said.

I sat across from her, and Elena placed an overflowing plate of eggs, bacon, and fruit in front of me. "Coffee or OJ?"

"Coffee would be great." I'd need caffeine to ensure my resistance levels were high. These two had a unique ability to charm me.

"Is there anything special you wanted to add to your porch? Now's your chance to do something different or add something on," I asked Grams between bites.

Elena sat next to me, sipping her coffee.

Grams thought for a moment, and then said, "I think I want it exactly like it always was."

Elena covered her grandmother's hand with her own. "It's going to be perfect."

She pursed her lips. "It gets hot. I might like to have a fan out there."

"What about a mister?" I asked them.

Elena frowned. "Aren't those expensive?"

I grinned playfully. "You have a contractor in your pocket. Don't worry about it. I can get everything at cost, and I'm not charging for labor."

"That doesn't seem right though. We should pay you for your time," Elena said.

"Now, Elena, if the nice young man wants to give his time to help a little old lady out, who are you to say he can't?" Grams said cheekily.

I chuckled at her blatant manipulation.

Elena sighed. "Grams, we can't take advantage of his generosity. Besides, I'm sure he has other things to do on his weekends."

"I'm free except for this irritating journalist who's been following me around. Maybe this will help me shake her loose?"

"Hey," Elena said in mock indignation over the rim of her coffee.

Then I addressed Grams. "I have plenty of time to create whatever backyard oasis you want."

"In that case, I'd love some kind of water feature. My friend Mabel has one and said it's absolutely divine. Now, I don't meditate like she does, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it."

I grinned. "I know the perfect thing for you. My brother Cooper does some stonework, and he makes waterfalls."

"Hudson, that's too much."

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