Page 136 of From Best Friend to Bride
She shook her head and slowly closed her eyes, as if even that miniscule movement was exhausting. “Happier than ever. My Lala is so loved.”
Ah.
That’s what she wants.
“Yeah, she is.” I brought Nana’s hand to my face and rested my cheek against it, my heart squeezing unbearably. “And she has no idea, Nana.”
Her lips twitched into the most serene smile. “Tell me.”
“Ah… Fine.” I tilted my head back and looked up at the ceiling. “Don’t tell Granny, all right? I’ll never live it down. She warned us everything would change, but I really didn’t think I’d fall in love with her.”
Her smile grew a little wider as her expression transitioned into something more peaceful.
“She drives me crazy, you know that? We argue loads now, and she keeps pushing all my buttons to try and get her own way. When that doesn’t work, she gives me those stupid little puppy eyes and calls me ‘Freddie’ in that cute little voice of hers, and I fold like a house of cards.” I lowered my chin to my chest and cradled Nana’s hand between mine. “What else can I do, though? I’m in love with her, Nana. I just want to give her everything.”
Nana turned her face towards me, and her lips formed two words: “Thank you.”
I kissed the back of her thin hand. “Don’t worry about her, okay? Don’t worry about any of your girls. They’ll be fine. I’llmake sure of it. Especially your Lala. I’ll do whatever it takes to look after her for the rest of my life.”
Softly, her fingers twitched against mine, briefly tightening before relaxing. Her breathing evened out, but even as Nana fell asleep, her smile didn’t drop a bit.
And I knew.
That was the last conversation we would ever have.
28
DELILAH
Four Months Later
“No, Spice, you can’t eat the blanket.” I grabbed the knitted blanket and shoved it out of the miniature cow’s reach before she could eat it.
That would be the third one this week.
“There are only so many snackies Granny will forgive,” I explained, grabbing her brush. “Just let me brush you nicely, okay?”
Spice let out a huffy little ‘moo,’ and I ran the brush down her back before she could run off. I scooped her back into my lap and continued our grooming session. Within a few minutes, she was making a weird little humming noise, one that sounded weirdly like a cat’s purr.
I would never get used to a cow purring, no matter how many times Granny told me it was normal.
“Esmerelda!” Granny said, rushing into the living room.
A golden-brown flash crossed my line of vision.
“What the—” I paused. “How does that dog move so quickly?”
“I don’t know,” Granny grumbled. “But she’s bloody teleporting. I can’t keep up with her, Deli. I’m too old for this.”
“There are treats in the coffee table drawer.” I turned my attention back to brushing my cow’s hair.
That really was a sentence I never thought would be relevant to me.
“Oh, hello, Spice,” Granny said. “Are you eating my blankets again?”
“I saved it just in time.”
“Hmm.” She looked at Spice. “Do you think dog training methods will work on a cow?”
