Page 83 of Flirting with the CEO

Zoey gave me an exasperated look. I had to tone this down or everyone would turn against me.

"I'll bring them from the kitchen if you tell me where they are," Zoey offered.

"I'll come with you," I said.

Grandmother nodded. "Good, you do that. Colton knows his way around the kitchen."

"How come?" she asked me.

Once we were out of my grandparents' earshot, I said, "My grandmother used to cook these elaborate dinners, and my brothers and I would clean up afterward. At some point, after Grandfather had a health scare, she agreed to hire a cleaning service. Maybe I can convince her again."

"I don't know your family that well, but I think you might be pushing it."

I started to laugh. "You've read them well, although I do have to say, both of them are surprisingly impatient today."

The corners of her mouth turned down. "I think it's normal. They're probably both on edge."

The scones were done but still inside the warm oven. We took them out, put them all on a plate, and brought them to the living room.

"So, when are the rest of your grandkids coming?" Zoey asked, sitting next to my grandmother, who lit up at the question.

"The rest of the boys are coming today and tomorrow. I don't know why you all insisted on coming separately. I'm perfectly capable of talking to everyone at once."

"Yes, but too much noise and hustle and bustle can induce headaches, remember?" Grandfather said. He sounded genuinely concerned. Could be the humor he’d shown us earlier had simply been to cover up the fact that he was worried. Damn it, why didn't I see through it?

"I remember," my grandmother said, but she didn't fight him further, which was a sign that she agreed with him.

"Do you plan on maybe going on a vacation or something?" Zoey asked. "Some fresh air would do you good, but I don't know what your restrictions are on traveling."

"The doctor actually mentioned that it wouldn't be a bad idea,” Grandfather said.

“I was toying with the idea of asking Jake if he'd mind us going to Martha's Vineyard,” Grandmother added. “But in a few months. I’m not up for it right now.”

"He's got a vacation apartment or something there?" Zoey asked.

"He's got a beautiful house. It's quiet, and the journey isn't very difficult," I replied, already liking the idea. When she was at home, Grandmother seemed possessed by the need to do something. Maybe a getaway would relax her.

"I'm sure Jake wouldn't have anything against it," I said. "I must say, Grandmother, I'm proud of you. You're taking this more seriously than I thought."

"Of course. I want to get better fast. If not, who's going to matchmake the rest of your brothers?"

Zoey gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry. That was such an inappropriate reaction. I was just..."

"Shocked?" I finished for her.

"Yeah."

Grandmother waved her hand. "These youngsters don't know what’s good for them. They'll see things differently once they're my age. Looking back, you'll be able to realize that having someone to share the joys and sorrows is the most beautiful part of life."

Before I met Zoey, I would have discarded Grandmother's affirmation as nostalgic and wishful thinking. I wouldn't have taken her seriously. Yet now, I knew 100 percent that she was right. I couldn’t imagine my life without Zoey in it.

"Jeannie, not even a health scare can keep you away from matchmaking." Zoey sounded a bit nervous.

"Oh, honey, it's what keeps me going. Sometimes in the morning, I get up and think, 'Well, Jeannie, you've now lived almost a century. What's going to be different about today?' Then I realize I still have four grandsons to matchmake, and I get to work.”

"Jeannie, honestly," Grandfather said.

"There's no use berating her," I informed him.

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