Page 31 of Summer in Paradise Valley
‘Thanks.’
‘What for?’
‘Not telling me I’m talking garbage. Dad hates me saying that sort of thing.’
‘Only because he loves you so much and it kills him to see you hurting.’ He decided to take a risk. ‘It’s none of my business, but do you want to tell me why you got in trouble at school? That’s not like you.’
‘I’d had enough of Mitch Arnold’s digs about me being a loser. He said even my mom knew I was, and that’s why she went to live on the other side of the world.’ Theo angrily swiped a hand over his eyes. ‘He’s probably right.’
‘That’s garbage, Theo.’ Griff needed to phrase his reply carefully. ‘I’ve never met your mom, but from what your dad shared with me, she has problems that are nothing to do with you. Ashley struggled with being a mom and reckoned you’d be better off living with Deke. For what it’s worth, I reckon she was right.’ He didn’t add that might’ve been the only good thing she’d ever done for the poor kid.
Theo jerked away, shoving his hands in his pockets, and stared out at the garden. ‘You gonna show me what to do or not?’
‘Sure, let’s put you to work.’ Griff sensed he’d pushed enough for one day.
* * *
Lyndsey gazed proprietorially around the kitchen, more satisfied than she probably should be by the gleaming surfaces and sparkling floor. ‘See, Nora, how nice it all looks?’ She smiled at her niece, gurgling happily in her bouncy chair. ‘Is it time to go out?’
Their new daily habit was taking a walk after lunch. Her original goal was to give them both a dose of fresh air and herself a decent amount of exercise. Neither of which were really happening, thanks to the humid air and the stop-and-start nature of their outings.
‘Shall we go see your fan club?’ Most days, Harold and William ‘happened’ to be in their garden when they walked by, and Nora lapped up the attention they lavished on her, bestowing smiles like Queen Elizabeth the First on her favorites. They’d still never seen Tiffany, because she worked during the day. But their most unexpected new friend — although she doubted the woman would appreciate being described that way — was Ruth Mae Grey. After she warned Lyndsey off the other day, it seemed prudent to walk straight by the old woman’s house, but she hadn’t been able to ignore Miss Grey, stationed by an overgrown bush, close to the street, secateurs in hand. The first time, she stuck to a simple ‘Good morning,’ to start with, but when Ruth hovered there again the next day, Lyndsey stopped and they exchanged a few words.
Their conversations were never lengthy, but Miss Grey’s manner had thawed and Nora was always the beneficiary of a few fleeting smiles. She’d even pried a few stories out of the old lady about her childhood, growing up in Grey House as the adored daughter of one of the prominent families in the area. It’d been a narrow, privileged existence, and gave Lyndsey a glimpse into why Ruth Mae found it so hard to accept the changes she’d been forced to endure later in life. Lyndsey hoped she’d gather up the nerve to offer some help soon, even if it was only cutting the knee-high grass. So far her efforts to persuade either Becca or Theo to join them on their walks were a failure, but she’d discovered with her business clients that gentle persistence often wore people down. That wouldn’t happen today though, because her sister had gone off to the nearest supermarket and Theo was helping Griff in his garden.
Lyndsey gnawed at her lip. She missed Griff terribly.
Her phone buzzed from the table and Nicola’s name flashed on the screen. She barely had time to answer before her assistant launched into a tale of woe. Their most troublesome client was demanding another personal consultation with Lyndsey tonight. As luck would have it, Madelaine Stanwick wasn’t free until eight o’clock, which meant Lyndsey setting an alarm for two a.m. She reluctantly agreed, and was already dreading another night with little or no sleep.
Nora squawked and batted her hands in the air as if to say,Have you forgotten me?
‘Sorry, sweetheart.’ She absentmindedly gave her niece a toy giraffe to hold, her mind still on the business and wondering how much longer she could stretch herself this thin.
‘Hiya, I’m goin’ to have a shower.’ Theo burst in through the back door. His clothes, face and hands were filthy, but he was grinning like mad. ‘This guy’s a slave-driver.’
Lyndsey glanced over to see Griff lingering on the doorstep, clearly unsure of his welcome.
‘I thought Becca would appreciate hearing what a hard worker this kid is.’
The sound of his syrupy drawl again stirred her all over and she nervously brushed away an unruly curl from her face.
‘Come in. Please. Coffee?’
‘No, thanks, but a glass of cold lemonade would sure hit the spot, wouldn’t it, Theo?’
‘Yeah, but I’m going to clean up first.’ He flashed another smile her way. ‘Have we got any of Becca’s awesome coconut lime cookies left?’
Tears pricked her eyes. She wished her sister could’ve heard the rare praise. ‘I think so.’
‘Cool.’ He loped off, letting the door slam behind him.
‘Boys don’t do quiet.’ Griff chuckled. ‘It’s a good thing a certain little lady isn’t tryin’ to sleep.’ He crouched down in front of Nora. ‘How’re you doin’ today? Having fun with Aunt Lyndsey?’
‘We were just about to go on our walk.’ A quiet surge of pleasure ran through her at his surprise when she explained the full story.
‘William and Harold have always enjoyed fussing over her on the few occasions they’ve seen her, but Miss Grey? You’ve succeeded where the rest of us have failed. You’re somethin’ else, all right.’
Lyndsey found it hard to accept compliments and muttered something she hoped he’d take as thanks under her breath. ‘I’m working up to offering to help her in some way. She’s clearly struggling to even get around, and I’d love to convince her to give the rest of you a chance to prove you’re decent people.’
