Page 51 of Deep Waters
“Still, I know this is disruptive.”
“Honestly, I could use a break from Vanessa and Gary. They mean well, but they treat me like I’m damned old.” She thumped her chest. “I still have a lot of life to live. I don’t believe in aging gracefully. I’m more like a fine cheese, full of character and slightly offensive.”
She said it with such pride, I could only smile. Zach came down the stairs in time to catch the last part.
“Onlyslightlyoffensive?”
Gran flapped a hand. “Give it up. You’re used to me.” She glanced at her grandson. “Now show an old woman to her room. Those kids wore me out.”
I stifled my chuckle. Watching Gran shift from pitiful old lady to ball-buster in a flash was a masterclass in manipulation. Ever the dutiful grandson, Zach grabbed her bag and showed her upstairs.
Supervising bedtime kept me busy for the next bit. Zach swooped in to read to Hana. Watching the little girl curl up next to him, face full of trust, left me with soft, squishy feelings where my ribcage used to be. The man was a menace to women young and old.
If you’d told me two months ago that I’d be living with Zach Fenwick, playing happy family, I would have referred you to the only therapist on island. But the whole thing felt surprisingly… right. If I’d never agreed to Simon’s plan, would this be us? Snuggled up in our house with our kids, getting ready for bed?
Part of me longed for that version of my life. The one where I said yes to Zach’s prom invite and no to Simon’s. But would we have really worked out if we’d started young? The last ten years gave me a chance to mature. Stand on my own. Zach had his own growing up to do, starting Harbor Brews. Younger me would have resented the time he put into his business. Now I could match his energy with my own plans for San Juan Marine Repair.
Zach slipped out of Hana’s room, closing the door softly. A sliver of light shone from beneath Tae’s door. I could hear Gran moving around in the guest room.
Zach extended his hand, palm up for mine. His dark gaze sparkled with something I couldn’t quite name as he said, “Ready?”
I held my breath, the moment stretching between us. I reached for him, our palms grazing as he gripped my hand, tightening the connection between us. Even that innocent touch had me anticipating the night ahead. Zach. All to myself.
The sound of shuffling feet was my only warning.
Gran’s eyes gleamed in the shadows. She’d changed into a long nightgown and pink bunny slippers.
“You kids can go to bed. Me and Thumper will wait up for any would-be burglars.” She patted the long black muzzle of the shotgun clutched in her arms.
“Gran, that better not be loaded,” Zach said, an edge in his voice. “We’ve got kids here.”
“Relax, Nervous Nelly. It’s mostly for intimidation.”
“Mostly?” I muttered, not reassured.
“I’ll handle this,” Zach said, squeezing my hand and releasing it. Part of me mourned our moment of togetherness, but I didn’t want his grandmother running around the house with a shotgun either.
Chapter 24 – Zach
“Gran. No Thumper.”
She grinned wickedly. “I thought this was why you invited me over?” She tapped her shotgun. “Protection.”
I huffed. I should have known nothing would be easy with Gran. She meant well. Most of the time.
“No, we need an adult presence in the house during the day. There’s no need to play Secret Service.”
“Regardless, Thumper and I have your back.” Her silver brows danced on her forehead. “Go enjoy your night.”
Fuck.
I’d miscalculated. On so many fronts. What seemed like a brilliant idea this afternoon now struck me as an awful one. I hadn’t just allowed evil, I’d welcomed it.
“Gran, please just go to bed.”
Her expression turned crafty. Clad in a violently colored caftan, her pink hair in a lop-sided mohawk and grasping a shotgun, she looked more intimidating than I would have guessed. Wiry and strong, she sent a clear message: I underestimated her at my peril.
“What’ll you give me?”
