Page 70 of Loved By Tandy

David glances at his siblings, then asks, “Where will you live after you move?”

“I haven’t figured that out yet.” I sit down at the table. “Thank you, Patsy, for getting all the food laid out. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Then we all sit down to a tense and awkward lunch. Our family dinners are usually full of laughter, but not today.

And it’s sad because I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months.

CHAPTER 29

TANDY

Rose volunteered to keep my cats until my house is finished, and I had to bite my tongue not to tell Dallas that he absolutely has to marry this girl. She’s adorable. Plus, she likes cats.

I’m living in the second story of my house until the flooring downstairs is done. It’s manageable but not ideal. But we don’t always get what we want.

Matthew has been here every day this week, directing crews, making sure the buildings get finished. He’s polite, but we haven’t said much to each other.

I’ve stayed out of his way because this is hard for both of us. It’s beyond kind that he’s even still helping me.

Zach pulls up in front, and I make my way down the stairs. This is an unexpected visit, but there is little doubt the reason for it.

I glance into the kitchen as I walk outside. They’ve started laying the flooring.

“I’m stepping outside. Will I be able to go back upstairs?”

Derek stands and stretches. “You’re good until I get to that part by the door. Then you won’t be able to walk on it for twenty-four hours. Are you sure you want to stay upstairs?”

“I’ll be fine. I have a mini fridge up there. I won’t starve.” I step outside and wave to Zach. “What brings you here?”

“Gosh, I wonder what reason I would have to drive over and talk to you?” He flashes a half-smile that makes him look like Matthew.

“I’d invite you in, but they’re laying flooring.”

“The place looks great.”

“Your granddad gets the credit for that. He’s been wonderful.” I sit on the top step.

Zach drops down beside me. “I’m worried about him, Tandy. When he’s not here, he’s packing. But he hardly speaks to anyone. We get one-word answers. Has he talked to you about where he’s planning to move?”

I hate hearing that Matthew’s upset. “He hasn’t. We’ve only talked about ranch stuff.”

Zach runs his fingers through his hair. “And forgive me for butting in where I might not be wanted, but sometimes when family members throw a fit about two people falling in love, they’re wrong. Very wrong. My aunt is the only one who has the slightest issue with Granddad getting married again. And considering that she barely visits, it seems a bit hypocritical to expect him to stay lonely so that she can have this fantasy image of what love looks like. I loved my grandma. I miss her, and I know without a doubt that she’d want Granddad to be happy. She wouldn’t care that y’all dated in high school.”

“I appreciate what you’re saying.”

Another truck pulls up, and Eli hops out. “Hey, Zach. I didn’t know you were here. Hi, Miss Tandy. I came to chat with you.”

“Y’all are just one surprise after another.” I scoot closer to Zach so that Eli has room to sit. “What’s up?”

Eli adjusts his cowboy hat. “I don’t like seeing Granddad upset. Maybe if you talked to him rather than just deciding onyour own, you could figure something out. Communication and all that.”

“The two of you drove out here to give me relationship advice?”

Eli nods.

And Zach says, “Pretty much. I almost walked away from a relationship with Haley because of her brother.”

I turn to Eli. “And I suppose you have a personal example you want to share.”

---