“Gram,” he growled. “Stop being so difficult. Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Nothing is going on.”
“You’ve given Amanda Wright a small fortune.”
“That is absolutely not true. I invested in her business. There is a big difference.”
He took a sip of tea, and then another. Women were maddening. His grandmother the most maddening of all.
“Why would you do that?” he asked when he was certain his voice was pleasant.
“Because I believe in her. She’s a smart young woman and this town needs her. She’s good for Marietta, and I’m lucky to be her business partner.”
He nearly choked on his tea. “Her business partner?”
“She has great ideas and I want her to make them happen.”
It was so much worse than he thought. Amanda had never mentioned that his grandmother was her business partner either. There was no reason for him to have felt guilty investigating her. His only regret was that he hadn’t checked her out more thoroughly. “Gram, your guesthouse is completely ready. It’s all brand-new, and it’s gorgeous. You’d love it. Please come live with me in Austin—”
“Austin?”
“Yes, Austin. It’s where I live.”
“I thought you were in San Jose. Isn’t that where Silicon Valley is?”
“I moved to Texas two years ago, Gram. That’s why I’ve been sending you books and magazines about Texas, and why I gave you that subscription to Austin Monthly for Christmas, so you’d get to know the city and surrounding area—”
“You’re the one that sent me the magazine? I thought it was one of those credit card companies.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because you get points with some cards, and if you don’t use them, they give you a choice of magazines.”
Tyler’s brow furrowed. He honestly didn’t know what to make of this conversation. Had he stayed away too long? Been too immersed in his work? Dear God, his grandmother wasn’t going senile, was she?
She reached over and patted his arm. “Don’t look so anxious. I just thought you were still in California.” She gave him a quizzical glance. “Your mom is still there, isn’t she? Because I could have sworn I got a Christmas card from her with a Los Gatos address.”
“She’s still in Los Gatos.”
“So why did you move?”
“I sold my company to a Texas corporation and they wanted me to stay on as the head of Justice Games.”
“Have you asked your mom to move?”
“No, because she’s remarried, and you know that. I’m sure you got the same Christmas card of them in Florence that I did.” And just saying the words felt like touching a bruise.
He was glad his mother was finally happy, just sorry it had taken her so long to find contentment. And yet they still never discussed Coby, and it had been more than fourteen years since his brother had died.
“She looks happy.”
“She is,” he said huskily.
Gram must have understood because she suddenly reached over and took his hand. “It’s a good thing,” she said firmly. “Your mother lost her oldest son, and then your father, and I’m glad she’s found someone who can love her and give her life meaning.”
Your mother lost her oldest son…
Coby.
He held her cool, dry fingers, her skin so soft in his. “Do you ever think about Coby?”
“Every day. I say a prayer for all my beautiful boys every day. Your grandfather, your father, and Coby. And then I say a prayer for you, thanking God I have you. And now you’re here. What fun. Aren’t I the luckiest?”
He, who didn’t cry, or feel, felt as if she’d mashed his heart. “Oh, Gram, I hate that you’re alone.”
“Only I’m not. I’m not lonely, either. My life is wonderful and full. I’m blessed, truly.” She released his hand and reached for the teapot and topped off their cups. “And I’m going to introduce you to my friends, starting with Amanda, tonight.”
Chapter Three
Even on vibrate, Mandy’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing and dancing around on the wooden shelf of her station. She knew who kept calling, too. She’d checked the phone the first three times. Bette clearly had something up her sleeve.
Finally on a break, Mandy listened to the voice messages accumulating.
Mandy, my grandson arrived early! He surprised me this afternoon. Please join us for dinner. Call me back, sweetheart, and let me know.
Mandy, can you join us for dinner? I’m thinking six o’clock. Where should we go for Tyler’s first night here?
Mandy, I was going to make a reservation
but wanted to be sure you could join us first…
Biting back a sigh, Amanda returned Bette’s call. “Sorry, Bette, I’ve had back-to-back appointments. It turned out to be a very busy day.”
“Does that mean you’re too tired to join Tyler and me for dinner? I hope not. Would it help if I promised that it wouldn’t be a late night?”
“Don’t you want to have a night where you two can just catch up?”
“Oh, we’ve had all afternoon, and we’ve made lovely plans for the week, but I want him to meet my friends, and I’ve told him all about you—”
“Oh, I wish you hadn’t,” Mandy said under her breath.
“Why not?”
“Because he won’t understand why we’re friends. He’ll think I’m too young, or a bad influence, or something.”
“He’s my grandson, not my father.”
Mandy laughed softly. She’d always enjoyed Bette’s feisty sense of humor. “Just don’t have too high of expectations, Bette. He might not like me.”
“How can you say that? He’ll take one look at you and fall in love—”
“I can assure you that is not going to happen.”
“You never know.”
“No, I do know. And you promised you weren’t going to be doing any matchmaking.”
“I’m not, Amanda, but I do think you two will hit it off. At least, I hope so, because I need your help. I need you to help him understand why Marietta is so special, and why you love Marietta just as much as I do.”
“Oh, Bette.”
“Just a couple days this week? Obviously not when you’re working, but maybe one evening after work, and maybe Saturday or Sunday?”
“I work Saturdays.”
“Then Sunday?”
“I’m not sure what I’ve planned,” Amanda said, reluctant to commit to anything with regard to Tyler.
“But we’re on for dinner tonight?”
Amanda sighed, knowing she’d already lost. She’d never been able to say no to Bette. “What time?”