Page 20 of So Right
Kelsey looked over at Gram, who was chatting with Crystal. “She is. I’m really glad she came to stay with me.”
“Is it a temporary thing?”
Kelsey still wasn’t really sure. They hadn’t talked about Gram’s long-term plans. Probably because Gram didn’t have any yet. “I think so.”
“Your apartment is only one bedroom, right? If this isn’t temporary, you should reconsider my loft—it has two bedrooms.”
“I misspoke. Itisa temporary thing. I just don’t know how temporary. Anyway, it’s fine. I like having her with me, even if it means sleeping on the couch.”
Alaina sidled up to them. “Did I hear you say you’re sleeping on the couch? Why?”
“Gram’s got the bedroom,” Kelsey said. “It’s all good. She’s just figuring out what she wants to do next.”
“Well, if she needs a place to stay for a bit, she could almost certainly stay with the Archers. They have a fantastic apartment out at their place—over the garage. Your grandma would be more than comfortable. I’ll ask them about it.”
Kelsey shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly intrude.”
“You wouldn’t be. It’s for your grandma. And she wouldn’t be intruding either. The Archerslovehelping people.” Alaina looked over at Gram. “Hey, Ruby, how’d you like to move into a furnished luxury apartment just outside Ribbon Ridge?”
Gram blinked at her, and Kelsey saw that she was interested. “Does such a thing exist?”
Alaina nodded. “Absolutely. Let me work out the details, but I bet you could be moved in this weekend.”
A smile curved Gram’s lips. “Oh my goodness, Ribbon Ridge is full of just the nicest people. But it’s only temporary. I suppose I have to get back to Washington at some point.”
“Why?” Brooke asked. “You could stay here. We all did.” She looked at Crystal. “Well, except her. She comes and goes like the wind.”
Crystal smirked. “Ha. Funny. I happen to work in LA.”
“But you don’t have to. In fact, your boss would love it if you spent more time here,” Alaina said sunnily before flashing her best friend a smile and then blowing her a kiss.
Crystal rolled her eyes.
“Now that I think about it, I guess I could do whatever I like,” Gram said. “I’ve earned it, right? Maybe I will stay here.” She looked over at Kelsey and winked. “Then I could be with my favorite girl.”
Warmth spread through Kelsey’s chest, and she hoped Gram decided to stay. How nice it would be to have family close by. Well, therightfamily. She shuddered to think of having her mother in the same town.
Darryl came back into the conference room and handed Alaina a list of archaeologists.
Her lips curved into her trademark thousand-watt smile. “Thanks, Darryl, we really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve got some work to do now, but stay as long as you like.” He nodded before leaving the room.
Crystal held her hand out. “I’ll call them.”
Alaina handed her the paper. “Thanks.”
“Let me talk to Luke Westcott first,” Kelsey said. “Now that we know where the structure was located, I want to make sure we won’t be disrupting any of their vines.” She tried to picture where the homestead would be in terms of the present layout and couldn’t really figure it out.
Crystal slipped the paper into her purse. “It may be that we need the archaeologist to come out and indicate where they need to work.”
“Good point,” Alaina said. She turned her head toward Kelsey. “But you’re right about talking to the Westcotts and Hayden first. Let us know what they say.”
“Sounds good.” Crystal put her purse over her shoulder. “I’ll make notes after I talk to each of them. Then we can decide as a group what to do next.”
Alaina grinned. “See how efficient she is?”
They left the room and then the building, saying their good-byes outside. As Kelsey walked with Gram to the car, her phone pinged in her purse. She pulled it out and saw that it was Luke again, asking if she’d gotten his earlier text.
