Page 12 of So Right
His dark gray brows shot up his forehead. “She can’t come in to the Archers’ flagship pub and not try some beer.”
Kelsey had to agree with that.
Gram set her empty glass on the bar. “There you are, dear. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten me.” Her teasing smile said she didn’t think that at all.
“I’m ready if you are.” The way things were going between Gram and George, Kelsey could see Gram wanting to stay a bit longer.
“Oh, I’m ready. It was a long drive from Chehalis. There was an accident on the I-5 bridge.”
That had to have added at least an hour to her trip. “Sorry to hear that. I’ll make you some cocoa when we get to the apartment.” Kelsey had fond memories of Gram making her hot cocoa with fluffy marshmallows. Now she could return the favor. Except she was pretty sure she only had envelopes of cocoa with those tiny marshmallows that were anything but fluffy. Not quite the same thing.
Gram chuckled. “Sounds good.” She hopped off her barstool, proving that age was just a number, and flashed George a smile. “I will see you around, Mr. Wilson.”
“I’ll look forward to it, Ruby. And since we’re first-naming here, you’d better call me George. Or Lummox. That works too.”
Everyone laughed, and Kelsey led Gram from the pub. Once outside, she turned her head to look at her grandmother in wonder. “I’ve never seen you flirt before.”
“That’s because Grandpa was always around.” He’d died only about two and a half years ago. They’d had a warm, loving marriage, but this was a different side of Gram. “Although I think we flirted. Didn’t we?”
“Yes, but that was to be expected—you were Gram and Grandpa! My apartment is there.” She pointed to the building across the street and gestured for them to cross, but stopped short at the curb. “Wait, where are you parked?”
“In the lot behind the pub,” she said. “I’ll need to move it to your parking lot or wherever it is you keep your car. Do you really live there?” Her gaze went back to the old building that Kelsey called home.
“Yes, and, uh, the parking is a problem. My apartment doesn’t have a lot or a garage.” She actually paid the auto shop four blocks away to keep her car in their lot.
The wrinkles in Gram’s brow formed deeper crevices as she frowned. “I see. I suppose I should’ve let you know I was coming. I just got a bee in my bonnet, I guess. Well, where can I park for tonight? Tomorrow, I should probably head back to Chehalis.”
Kelsey hated the resigned tone in Gram’s voice, and she wasn’t going to let her suffer with Mom and Todd. “Nonsense. You can stay as long as you like.” She might change her mind once she saw Kelsey’s apartment, but it was still probably better than Mom and Todd’s house. “I’m just going to dash back inside and tell George about your car. You can leave it there overnight. We’ll figure something else out tomorrow.”
“I’ll need my bags too,” Gram called after her. “I left them in my car.”
A few minutes later, with Gram’s luggage in tow, they crossed the street and Kelsey unlocked the door to the stairs leading up to her apartment. She insisted that Gram go on up with just her small bag, and Kelsey would manage the two larger ones in separate trips. Gram went first, and Kelsey followed, dragging the rolling suitcase up the rickety stairs.
“One of your lights is out here,” Gram said as she neared the top. There were three lights in the stairwell, and the middle one had needed replacement for going on two months. Kelsey’s landlord was incredibly nonresponsive. But he sure cashed her rent checks on time.
“I know. The landlord said he’d fix it soon.”
Gram made a soft grunt as she walked to the door to the apartment and waited for Kelsey.
Kelsey pulled out her key and gave Gram a bracing look. “It’s not much, okay?”
Gram nodded, her features determined. “I’m sure it’s very nice.”
Ha, not even close.
Kelsey opened the door and pushed it wide so Gram could precede her. She trailed her inside, pulling Gram’s case. She didn’t wait to see or hear Gram’s reaction. “I’ll just run down and get the other one.”
After parking the second suitcase in her small living room, Kelsey shut the door and bolted the lock. “Home sweet home.”
Gram’s eyes were wide as she turned to look at Kelsey. “There’s nothing ‘sweet’ about this, honey. What on earth are you doing living here?”
“Um, it’s all I can afford?”
“I had no idea! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m not poor, you know.”
Yes, she knew. Just as she knew Gram wasn’t wealthy either. She lived a comfortable but modest life, and she deserved to enjoy her life savings, not subsidize her granddaughter.
“There’s nothing to tell, Gram,” Kelsey said, trying not to sound defensive. It wasn’tthatbad after all. And it was a sure sight better than her previous situation, even if she had been living in a nice house in one of the newer neighborhoods outside McMinnville, which was about fifteen minutes from Ribbon Ridge. “I’m comfortable and safe, and for now, it works.”
