Page 2 of Mine To Keep (Southern Wedding)

“You know, just because someone says I don’t want you to freak out doesn’t mean someone isn’t going to freak out,” I inform her, putting my hands on my hips, trying not to freak out.

“Okay, so I was talking to Olivia.” She mentions my grandmother who used to be a model, loves to decorate houses, and goes above and beyond for everyone. I must get about forty packages a month with stuff she buys for me because she thought about me. “Well, she asked to see the apartment you’re renting.” I close my eyes because I can only imagine where this is going. “And well, she might have…” I put my hands on my face, and my head falls back. “Perhaps called Levi and set up to have it arranged and ready for you.”

“Mom,” I moan, “I’m supposed to be moving into the apartment tonight. Like leaving here…” I point down at the grass. “And flying there and moving in.”

“Um, about that.” She holds up her hand, and I can only shake my head.

“No,” I say, not liking her expression right now.

“Your grandfather—” I hold up my hand. My grandfather is, well, there are no words for my grandfather. He is a tech guru. He owns one of the highest-rated security companies in the world, and, bottom line, he’s the biggest badass I’ve ever met in my life. He’s also overly protective of us all.

“Stop right there.” I point at her. “Don’t you dare say one more word.”

“Okay.” She rolls her lips. “He sort of had someone go out there to, I don’t know what you call it. He had a couple of alarms put in for your protection.”

“What? Why?” I swear I’m at the point where I’m pouting.

“You have to pick your battles, Grace,” my mother warns. “You already aren’t moving into a place he bought for you. Instead, living in a two-bedroom condo.”

“Because I’m one person, so having a five-bedroom penthouse is just plain dumb. And then people wonder why I never tell them anything,” I hiss. “And by people, I mean Grandma and Grandpa.”

“I can’t believe you’re leaving.” I know she’s trying to change the subject. “The house is going to be so empty without you.” She reaches for my hand.

I smile at her. “Charlie is planning on turning my room into a man cave.” I inform her of the plans my brother started to make the minute I told my parents I was moving out.

My mother throws her head back and laughs. “He did mention that he thinks we should knock down the wall between your rooms and make a huge en suite.”

I shake my head. “Well, I don’t think you have to ever worry about him moving out, like ever.” I smile.

We turn and start to walk back toward the barn. “It’s not going to be the same without you.”

“I know.” I look down at my feet. “I’m going to miss this too.” I look over my shoulder at everyone. “Even though I can’t do anything without someone knowing something.” We both laugh.

“I was wondering if you forgot about me.” I look over to see my father walking out of the barn. He’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt, his trusty old worn cowboy boots covered in dust and dirt.

“I’m not talking to you,” I say right away, and he stops mid-step.

“What did I do?” he asks, then looks over at my mother, who pretends to look around as if searching for something.

“Did you tell Grandpa Casey where I was going to live?” I ask.

“Um…” he says. I see it written on his face that he’s trying to think of something to say.

“I specifically said to you, ‘Please don’t tell anyone because I didn’t want to make a huge fuss about it.’”

“Gracie.” He uses my nickname he gave me when I was a baby. “He asked me where you were staying. What kind of father would I be if I didn’t know where his only daughter would be living? Besides, do you think you could have kept it from him?” His eyebrows rise as he waits for me to answer his question.

“The point is, I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this. I wanted to move into the place and make it my own. I wanted to move into the place and find out who my neighbors were, not be given a spreadsheet about them.”

“Did he send you his report?” he asks, shocked.

“There’s a report?” I shriek. Throwing my hands up in the air, I look over at my mother to see if she knows about this report, but I know right away she does when she avoids looking at me and instead looks down at her feet and then off to the side. Basically, she looks anywhere but at me.

“No.” My father covers his mistake. “Of course not.” He pffts out. “He wouldn’t do that.”

“Unbelievable.” I put my hands on my hips. “Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t tell you where I’m working.” He then glares at me. “Or else I’d be showing up to work, and surprise… my grandfather owns the company.”

“He’s only done that once.” My father holds up his hand. “And it was a good investment.”

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