Page 62 of Perfectly Grumpy

She turns away from me to make the bed. “Mom was dying, and that was the only thing I could deal with. Any more change felt like too much. So Bart—who was constantly annoyed that I was spending all my time with my mother—decided for both of us right after the reunion. Honestly, it was the best thing that could have happened. I didn’t realize he was dragging me down so much until he left.”

I watch as Lauren straightens the pillows and folds up my sleeping bag. Classic Lauren—always finding something to do rather than sit with uncomfortable feelings.

“Lauren, you didn’t deserve that, not when you were dealing with so much. And youshouldhave spent every last moment with your mother.”

She looks up at me, and even from across the cabin, I can seeher eyes gloss over with tears. “Well, I’ve learned from my mistakes with men.” She folds her blanket next, laying it across the bed neatly. “And I didn’t mean to drop all of that on you this morning. You don’t need an early-morning confessional before you’ve had coffee.”

I walk over to her and put my hands on her shoulders gently. “Never apologize for sharing something about your mom. I know what it’s like to lose someone. It sucks to carry it all by yourself.”

She looks at me, and her brow crinkles a little. We might be different people, but grief is universal. And when you find someone else that gets it, it’s a gift.

Annie gives a little yip from her cage, reminding us she needs a walk. “You want me to take her with me?” I ask Lauren.

She shakes her head. “No, I’ll do it. You get coffee.”

I step out of the cabin, inhaling the crisp morning air, and make my way back to the lodge. When I arrive, Camden and Kaylie are already at the breakfast table along with the other cousins, while the adults search for cereal bowls and clean up spilled granola. The smell of fresh-brewed coffee is a warm welcome as I sift through the random mug collection in the cabinet.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Granny intercepts me with a curious smile.

Something about her tone makes me feel like she knows something. Or maybe it’s my own guilt clawing at me. “My sleep was fine.”

“You’re staying at the cabin in the woods?” She studies me like she has all the secrets of the universe.

I choose a mug with a giant smiley face on it for Lauren and fill it to the brim. “That is correct. And for what it’s worth, you should be a spy.”

“I would make an excellent one, wouldn’t I?” She beams. “All those episodes ofMurder, She Wroteare finally paying off.” She looks around. “Where’s Lauren?”

“Uh, she could be sleeping.”

“Still?” Granny says, raising her brows. “Maybe I should ask Patty when I see her.”

The last thing Lauren needs is Patty spilling the beans. It wouldn’t take much for Granny to figure out that Lauren ended up with me.

“I’ll find out,” I volunteer. “I was going to bring Lauren some coffee anyway.”

“Oh, isn’t that sweet.” She tweaks my arm like I’m six.

“Well, you know how Lauren can be without coffee,” I say with a chuckle.

“Oh, I know. Maybe I should go with you—just to surprise her.”

“Well, that’s not necessary,” I stammer, realizing we’re in dangerous territory now. Granny absolutely cannot accompany me to the cabin. She’ll see there’s only one bed and naturally assume things. “I think Lauren would appreciate not seeing anyone until she’s had coffee. She’s rather sensitive about that.”

“Lauren, sensitive?” She cackles. “That girl is steel. She didn’t even cry at her mother’s funeral.”

I stare at Granny for a beat, taking this in. Lauren didn’t show emotion at her mother’s funeral? How is that possible when her eyes teared up just talking about her mom at the cabin?

“Granny!” Kaylie cries, running up to her. “Camden spilled his juice. And now he’s licking it off the floor.”

“Oh, dear,” Granny says, making a beeline toward the table, leaving me enough time to text Lauren. I probably have a few minutes at best to warn her that I won’t be coming back to the cabin. Not with Granny playing spy.

Me

Granny is looking for you.

Lauren

You didn’t tip her off, did you?

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