Page 29 of You, with a View

I expect him to make some derisive remark, but after the initial surprise, his face softens into something like understanding. “I see.”

“And so am I.” Paul smiles over at me. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

“I’m sorry,what?”

Ah, there’s the reaction I was expecting. Theo’s expression twists with disbelief as he stands to his full, distressingly attractive height.

Paul squares his shoulders. “We didn’t get a chance to discuss it, since you walked in right as I told Noelle, but I’d like to join her.”

Theo looks at me, eyes flashing, like this is somehow my doing. I hold up my hands. “I haven’t even had a chance to process this. Turn your angry eyes elsewhere.”

“Are you or are you not trying to drag my granddad on a multiday, multistop trip down memory lane?”

I cross my arms, glaring up at him. “I’m not dragginganyone. I told Paul I needed to borrow the map to go on this trip, and right before you burst in here like the Hulk, he said he wanted to join me. I would love his company”—I smile at Paul so he knows I’m accepting his request before turning my murder eyes back on Theo—“but I’m not forcing anyone into anything. I’m doing this for myself. If Paul wants to join me, that’s his prerogative.”

Theo’s mouth twitches.

I point at him. “Donotsmile, I’m being authoritative right now.”

“Uh-huh. Don’t quit your day job, Shepard,” he says.

Thomas chokes on his water, and I shoot him a look while Sadie elbows him in the side. But Theo’s not paying attention anyway; he’s facing off with Paul, his arms crossing over his chest.

“Why do you want to do this?” he asks. “Is this about Kathleen? Is this some wish fulfillment thing?”

Paul shakes his head. “Kat and I had our closure. I’d like to be there for Noelle if she has questions or needs support. In fact, I’d love to tell her the whole story as we go.” He reaches over to take my hand, and I have to work extraordinarily hard not to burst into tears. The thought of doing all of this at once is an overwhelmingmix of joy and grief. Across the table, Thomas sends me a quiet, understanding look.

Theo doesn’t miss my struggle with emotions, but then again, he doesn’t miss much.

Paul’s voice dips as he continues, “And I’ve been kicking around one house or another since Vera died, Teddy. I’d like to get back out into the world, even if it’s just for...” He trails off expectantly.

“Two weeks,” I supply.

“Two weeks. I need this as much as Noelle does.” He levels his grandson with a look. “And, I suspect, as much as you do, too. Travel’s always done you good.”

My heart leaps into my throat as Theo scoffs. Across the table, Thomas and Sadie are staring between the three of us, eyes wide. Sadie’s go even wider when they meet mine, as Paul’s implication takes root.

He wantsTheoto come on this trip, too? I resist the urge to scream out “NO.”

“I can’t leave,” Theo says into the bloated silence.

“Why not?” Paul asks. It’s the most confrontational I’ve ever heard him.

“Because I—you know why.” Theo gestures to him with a wild flick of his wrist. “And you shouldn’t go, either. You’re not thirty anymore.”

Paul waves him off. “I’m healthy as a horse and you know it. Maybe I’m slower than I used to be, but I can still get around just fine. I walk three miles every day, and my father lived to be 104. If I called my physician right now, he’d say go.” He tosses up his hands. “Hell, he’d probably ask to come along, too. There’s great golf along the way.”

Theo sighs deeply, running the hand not clutching his phone through his hair. His fingers grip the ends, a frustrated move.

“Well, I can’t talk you out of it,” he says finally.

“You’re right,” Paul says. He turns to me. “Are you sure it’s all right with you? I understand if you want to go solo.”

Theo frowns. “It’s not all that safe, Shep.”

“Thank you, I already got that lecture from my mom, and it doesn’t matter anyway. Paul and I are going on this adventure together.”

Theo scrubs at his jaw, his eyes closing briefly. “Yeah, that makes me feel so much better. I—”

---