Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“How do you know my grandson?” she asked.
“We’re on the same tennis team at our club, and we are both attorneys.” His voice was crisper than usual, polite but not warm. I couldn’t believe how much he’d changed in the days we spent together.
“That’s nice, would you like some refreshments?”
“No, thank you,” we both said.
“Grandmother, I’d like to show Jay the grounds once we’ve put our things in our rooms.”
“Don’t worry about your things. I’ll have someone take them up. I think your grandfather is out in his workshop, at least I suppose he is since I’ve not seen him in sometime. Dinner will be at 6:30.”
“We’ll be back and freshened up by then,” I said.
Once we were far enough away from the house that my grandmother wouldn’t hear, I looked at Jay. “So, is this what you expected?”
He shuddered. “She’s terrifying.”
“I told you.”
“I thought you were exaggerating.”
Was there any chance this could work? “She’s obviously a whole lot different than your Gran.”
“Yeah. I can’t even imagine what was it like to grow up here.”
“My grandparents love me. I know that even if they don’t always know how to show it, and obviously I didn’t want for anything.”
“But was she always so…distant?”
“Maybe not at first, not right after I lost my parents, but for the most part, yes. Once you get to know her, you’ll understand when she’s trying to care, but I don’t think anyone ever showed her much affection.”
“Including your grandfather?”
“I think by the time they married she was already so much herself that he didn’t really know how to. He cares for her.” I sighed. “Their relationship is hard to explain.”
After we’d walked for a few moments, I saw that the lights were on in Grandad’s shed. “Jay, I know you were eager to see me wandering in the woods, but I’d like to introduce you to my grandfather. The dogs are likely in the shop with him.”
“That sounds great. Maybe petting some dogs would help me calm down after meeting your grandmother.”
25
JAY
When Ford said his grandfather had a woodworking shop, I’d envisioned a shed with some tools like one of my neighbors had growing up. I should have known better. His shop was more on the scale of something a small- to medium-sized company would own. The outbuilding was bigger than most people’s houses, and if there was a tool to use in woodworking, I was sure he had it.
I braced myself for another intimidating encounter, but Senator Wainwright looked up and gave me and Ford a genuine smile. Ford hugged him, then the older man turned toward me.
“Granddad, this is Jasper,” Ford said. “He’s going to be staying with us for a few days.”
“Yes, I understand you’ve gotten into a bit of trouble.”
“I’m afraid so, sir. I took on a client who is apparently working for some unsavory individuals, but I wasn’t informed of that until I was already on their radar.” I looked at Ford, and he had the decency to look contrite.
“We didn’t expect things to escalate like this,” Ford said.
Senator Wainwright shook his head. “You never do.”
“Is Ford always a lot of trouble?” I asked.
His granddad laughed. “It’s the quiet ones. You have a watch out for them.”
I realized then that two German Shepherds were sitting obediently by his work bench.
“You’ve got some beautiful dogs, sir.”
He beamed. “Thank you. This is Butch and Bandit. He turned to the dogs and whistled. “Boys, come meet our guest.”
They trotted over and sniffed at my shoes. “May I pet them?”
“Sure, they’re as gentle as can be, unless they think someone’s threatening me. They can already tell you’re alright.”
I was thankful to at least be approved by the dogs. They did seem to take to me immediately, rubbing against me and loving when I scratched their ears. When Ford’s grandfather offered me a seat, they lay beside my chair.
“They really do like you,” he said before turning to Ford. “You’ve picked another good one.”
I tensed, and Ford glanced my way. “Grandad’s dogs have always loved Miles, Carter, and Worth.”
So his grandad believed I was just a friend. That was for the best. “What are you working on, sir?”
Ford gave me a look that said he wished I hadn’t asked, but I wanted at least one of Ford’s grandparents to like me.
His grandfather explained in great detail about the miniature cabin he was building, showing me all the tools he was using. Ford was obviously bored. He wandered around the edges of the shop checking out projects he probably hadn’t seen yet. There were a number of bird houses, and Ford pointed out a few bat houses as well. I hadn’t even known that was a thing.
“You encourage bats to be here?” I asked.
“Of course. They eat the mosquitos and other pests. They are very useful.”
An alarm rang on the older man’s phone. “That’s to let me know the glue should be dry by now, and I can move on to the next step.” He glanced at his watch. “I better hurry if I’m going to be on time for dinner.”