Falling Fast

“All right,” I agree, and she looks from me to Colton once more then back again.

“This is going to work out. I feel it in my gut. I’ll see you in the morning, Gia, and tell your grandma I said hi.” She smiles.

“I’ll tell her.” I smile back as she walks past me and into the office, closing the door behind her.

Grabbing my bag and clothes off the top of the bar, I carefully walk over the mat I tripped on earlier then out onto the main floor, avoiding looking at Colton as I go, since I apparently can’t control myself around him.

“See you around, Dimples,” he rumbles behind me.

My stomach flutters but I don’t turn around. I lift my hand and wave over my shoulder, hearing him laugh when I do.

As soon as I open the door, bright sunlight greets me, so I stop and dig through my bag for my sunglasses. After I find them at the bottom of my purse, I put them on and move to my Jeep, get in, start it up, and then head out of the parking lot for home.

As soon as I get to the house, I don’t go over to Nina and Ned’s place. I go inside Grandma’s and right for the shower so I can wash up. Once I’m out and dressed, I make my way across the yard and to Nina’s front door, knocking once.

She greets me with a smile as she opens the door. “How did the interview go?”

“It was good, really good. I start tomorrow.”

“Good, I knew Rose would look out for you.” She steps aside and lets me in.

“How’s Grandma been this morning?” I ask, following her into the living room.

“She’s been okay. She was talking a little about your mom earlier, asking how she’s been and why she hasn’t called her.”

“Really?” I ask, stopping at the edge of the living room, where grandma’s sitting and watching The Price is Right on TV.

“I think having you here has brought up some memories.” She shrugs.

“I want to make an appointment to see her doctor. Do you know when the last time was that she went?”

“It’s been a while now, maybe six months. She sees a lady in Chattanooga. I’ll get you her number.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.” She looks from me to Grandma. “I was just going to make her something to eat. Do you want to stay for lunch?”

“You don’t have to do that,” I say, feeling guilty. Nina and Ned have both done so much and the more they do the guiltier I feel for not being here sooner.

“Darlin’, I know I don’t have to.” She turns and heads for the kitchen. Just like Grandma’s, it’s small, but unlike Grandma’s, it’s updated and so clean you could probably eat off the floor. Even with me cleaning and scrubbing Grandma’s place every day, it still needs a lot of work, and by that I mean it needs to be gutted and remodeled from the ground up. “I think it’s a grilled cheese and tomato soup kind of day. What do you think?” she asks, opening a cupboard and pulling down two cans of tomato soup.

“That sounds delicious,” I agree. “Do you want me to help?”

“I got this. Go on; I know you want to spend time with her.” She smiles, nodding to the door.

“Thanks.” I leave her in the kitchen and head out to the living room, where Grandma is still watching the television.

“Hey, Grandma,” I greet as I enter the room so I don’t scare her. At my words, her eyes come to me, and I can see—just like always—she’s trying to figure out who I am and what I’m doing there. “Nina is making us lunch,” I say, getting closer. “Are you hungry?”

“A little.” She shrugs.

“Did you have a good morning?”

“Yeah,” she answers before looking at the TV again. Taking a seat next to her I chew the inside of my cheek so that I don’t cry. “Did you have a good day?”

Turning to look at her, I smile then pick up her hand. “Yeah, I got a job.”

“Really? Where at?”

“The Rusty Rose.”

“That’s wonderful, Gabriella. I’m so proud of you.” She squeezes my hand and tears fill my eyes.

“Thank you,” I get out through the pain in my throat. Leaning my head against her shoulder so she doesn’t see me cry, I sit with her, holding her hand and wishing I had the power to make her better.

CHAPTER 3

No Room For The Past

Colton

HEARING LOKI BARK, I look behind me just in time to watch Mom walk into the house.

“Good morning, honey,” she greets, giving Loki a quick scratch behind his ears before walking farther into the room.

Glancing from her to the door, I shake my head. “You know, if I get a woman, you’re gonna have to give me back my key, right?” I raise a brow and watch her drop the bags she brought in to the top of the counter, then turn to glare at me.