Page 14 of Hold the Line

“Connell, tell Phoebe where you’re taking me next,” my grandmother ordered.

Granddad flashed me a conspiratorial wink. “She has me taking her to Croatia. Can you believe that?”

“I’ve heard it’s beautiful,” I replied, unsurprised they were planning another trip.

A stone’s throw from eighty, they were as lively as people half their age. My grandmother had never been content to stay put, and Grandad would follow her anywhere just to make her happy.

So they traveled a few times a year, always coming back tan and hearty.

“Sure it is. I know because I’ve been made to watch not one but two documentaries on the place.” Grandad made a show of grumpiness, but no one bought it. “What’s the point of going now that I’ve already seen everything?”

My grandmother hmphed. “Making your wife happy—that’s the point.”

His mouth curved at the corners, and he waggled his white eyebrows. “That’s right. The point is to make my lovely Lily happy.”

I squeezed his arm. “What a good husband you are.”

“You’ll love it, and you’ll love me for making you go,” my grandmother said breezily. “Take note, Phoebe. Don’t settle for a man who wouldn’t follow you to the ends of the earth. The right one will, sweetheart. Gladly.”

I arched an eyebrow. “As if I have time foranyman.”

“When the right one comes along, you’ll find the time,” she assured me.

If she’d known about the string of terrible dates I’d gone on recently, she probably wouldn’t have been encouraging me. There were a lot of men out there who were either emotionally unavailable or just plain strange. I’d put a pause on dating for the time being. Maybe I’d try again when it wasn’t so damn cold out. Sundress weather made me want to go out dancing or to a concert in the park. Until then, I was hibernating.

Joy’s Elbow Room was a Sugar Brush institution—unchanged for decades and beloved for it. Neon beer signs, dart boards, an ancient jukebox, the best greasy food in town. We settled at a table in the center, my grandmother’s choice. She liked to people-watch and hold court. She’d grown up in a family of politicians and had made her own career in politics. Schmoozing was second nature to her.

When our waitress, Alice, came by, my grandmother patted her arm. “Royal blue is your color, darling.”

Alice blushed and tugged at her sweater. “Thank you. Is anyone else joining you?”

“Just us chickens!” Grandad boomed, his voice carrying like a roll of thunder. It’d always been that way.

Alice, the poor thing, flinched slightly. She’d been working at Joy’s for a couple years and had yet to come out of her shell. I’d always wondered why she worked here when she had a full-time job as a librarian, but I’d never pried. I didn’t think she’d appreciate it if I’d tried. I just assumed her salary wasn’t large, so she supplemented it by waitressing.

My grandmother gasped. “We should have invited Caleb. With Shelby having Jesse this week, he won’t cook for himself.”

Alice swayed toward the table. “He was in last night.”

I bit back a smile. Alice was so lovely, and Caleb was oblivious. Even if she threw herself at him, which she wouldn’t, he’d probably just steady her and tell her to be careful. I didn’t know a lot about his personal life since he was deeply private, but I’d never known him to date or be in a serious relationship. He was all about work, family and, most of all, his son.

Grandad chuckled. “Caleb would never turn down a meal at Joy’s.”

Alice shifted back and forth on her feet. “Well…are you ready to order?”

We took mercy on her and placed our orders. She scribbled them on her notepad and scurried off. Once we were alone again, my grandmother pinned me with a stern look.

“You’ll be pleased to know I hired someone this afternoon,” I said, cutting her off before she could start. “I won’t be alone anymore.”

Grandad covered my hand with his. “We’re annoying because we care about you, darlin’. The idea that you had to chase away some…somemongrelwho wouldn’t take no for an answer makes me sick.”

I sighed softly. “I know. And I’m grateful.”

Grandmother tsked. “When I think about what could have happened…”

“Believe me, I agree.” My gaze flitted between them. “I’m not so proud I won’t admit it scared me. That’s why I took action, making changes that will hopefully prevent something like that from happening again.”

“Good,” Grandmother stated, resolute. “I’m proud of you for being honest about your fear and doing something about it. It’s not easy to admit you need help, but it’s smart. And, my darling, you’ve always been so very smart.”

---