She stared at Rayna as if she had two heads. “What on earth has gotten into you, Rayna? You never used to worry so much.”
“I don’t know. Aren’t we friends?” Her voice was distressed as she cut her eyes toward Steven.
“Sure we are. I didn’t mean anything by it. Thanks for caring.”
But secretly, Anne was baffled by her friend’s sudden excessive controlling behavior.
Tuesday
Gram called to take Anne to lunch on Tuesday. “Time for another emergency meeting.”
“Everything’s an emergency for you, Gram.”
“That’s because I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be alive. I’ve got to get things done as quickly as possible.”
She laughed. “Okay, what’s the emergency this time?”
“This time the emergency is you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, I’ve decided it’s time you married again.”
“But Gram, I’m fine alone. I’ve already had the love of my life—ten wonderful years. And I’ve been fine for fifteen years without anyone. You should understand. You’re just like me. You’re single and happy and independent.”
“I have Steven to take care of me. And who knows, I may not stay single for the rest of my life.”
“What?” Was Gram contemplating marriage at the age of ninety-five?
“But we’re here to talk about you. You’re always taking care of other people. You’re taking care of your dad and your girls. You have to take care of my Steven at work. And now you’re taking care of Henri even though he’s in France. Anyway, my point is you take care of everyone else, and there’s no one to take care of you.”
“I have my family—”
“Pish-posh. Your family doesn’t live here. And your girls are grown. They have their own lives. They’ll probably be married soon.”
“My dad is kind of a wanderer. He never lives in the same place very long. But he always comes when I need him.”
“But you need someone to take care of you every day. You need a husband. And I intend to find one for you.” Gram crossed her arms, and Anne knew she had a battle on her hands.
“Gram, I have plenty of people here who care about me. There’s George and May, Rayna and Antonio, Katie, Ellen, Sam, and you. And Mr. Hamilton has been very sweet to me as well.”
“And Steven?”
Her face and neck grew hot. “Yes, of course Mr. Gherring has been very helpful and encouraging.”
“You don’t need encouragement—you need a husband.”
“Gram, I don’t think you—”
“Don’t worry, dear. I’ll be very discreet.”
Anne sighed in defeat. “Fine, Gram. How about I just keep you informed if anything happens on that front?”
“That’ll be your part, and I’ll do mine.”
“And what was that you said about you not staying single? Are you planning to get married again?”
“It’s always a possibility,” she said evasively. “Or… maybe we’ll just live together in sin.”