His Forever Love

“Aha. Well, I think I can get him to cooperate. Or else I’ll turn him over my knee.” She laughed.

Granny Bea didn’t understand how serious Bill was. “He seems determined, so we have to fight. Plan A is we show him how involved you are at the community center.”

“I think you’re right. And we also show him how well you and I do together.”

Lindsay sat up straighter, excited that this might actually work. “Yeah. We’re a team. Then maybe he won’t worry that you’re alone.”

“I’ll drag him to every activity at the center so he’ll see how important my position is.”

Lindsay nodded. “See if you can manage coming in for a while today, if you feel up to it.”

“I feel perfectly fine. And the doctor didn’t say I had to limit my activity.”

“Okay. We have a plan.” She held out her hand to Granny Bea to shake on it. With the cast, they had to shake fingers.

Bill walked outside as they did so. “What’s going on?”

“I just dropped by to check on Granny Bea.” Lindsay hopped up. “I’m heading to the center now.”

“How about some biscuits and bacon first?”

Mmm. Biscuits were her favorite, and she hadn’t had time to eat while feeding Hunter and Chase. “Thanks, but I don’t have time.”

“They’re world-famous biscuits. Well, Boston-famous anyway.”

Lindsay raised an eyebrow.

“Campus-famous? I’m serious, though. They’re the best, even if I do say so myself.”

“Maybe another time.” She waved as she walked toward her car, her stomach growling.

Bill probably had the mistaken notion that Granny Bea sat around her house all the time waiting for his visits, that she had no life of her own beyond him and Drake. He pictured her wasting away on her own—lonely, decrepit. Maybe if he saw evidence of Granny’s vitality, he would get beyond his limited imaginings.

Maybe if Mr. Kennedy pursued Granny Bea more than ever, Bill would realize she had a life of her own. Besides, Mr. Kennedy was only seventy-four years old. A youngster who could take care of her if she ever needed help.

Lindsay practically rubbed her hands together in delight. She would speak to Granny Bea’s suitor as soon as he arrived to volunteer that day. And he would be there. He hadn’t missed a day since Granny Bea began working.

“Bill, honey, I need a ride to work today.”

His grandmother hadn’t been home from the hospital for a full twenty-four hours. “You should be recovering, Granny.”

“My doctor didn’t place any limitations on me, and other than the bother of the cast, I feel perfectly normal.”

What could he do? Perhaps call on her maternal instincts? “How about staying home to visit with me today?”

“You’re right. I don’t want to miss the chance to visit with you. So you’re coming with me.” She grabbed her purse and headed out the front door. “Come on, son. I’m already late.”

So much for spending the morning making phone calls about the house. He patted his pocket to make sure he had his cell phone. He could make calls from the community center.

As they drove toward the town square, he caught Granny staring at him. “What?”

“It’s so nice to have you here. I’m tickled that everyone at the center will get to meet you. You’ll be a good role model for the little ones.”

“I still can’t believe you’re working there. How old are the kids?”

“Age three and up.”

“Do Gregory’s boys come?”

“No, they’re in full-time day care. The three-and four-year-olds only come in the mornings. In the afternoons, we have the after-school children. And senior citizens from the church come in the morning to socialize and to serve as volunteers to help with the children.”

He couldn’t believe his Granny hadn’t mentioned this. “Did you get started with the church group?”

“I’m actually the one who started the senior volunteer program. And I’ve applied for a grant to help fund a lunch program for the preschoolers.”

As he pulled into a parking place, he gaped at his grandmother. “You’re kidding.”

“Maybe I should be offended,” she said with a smile.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m truly impressed.”

“Maybe we’ll both receive our grants.” She patted his cheek. “Now come help me out of the car.”

He hurried around to open her door and give her a hand. Then she led the way inside. This new Granny was such a surprise. A nice surprise. Maybe he had Lindsay to thank for Granny’s newfound happiness and fulfillment.

As soon as they walked in, a dapperly dressed elderly gentleman hurried over to them. “Bea! Oh, Bea, are you okay? I heard you broke your wrist.” His face flamed red all the way to the top of his balding head.

She shooed at him as if he were a bothersome fly. “I’m perfectly fine, Mr. Kennedy.” Then she brushed past him.

Bill choked back a chuckle. The poor guy. Reminded him of how he felt his freshman year of high school whenever he had tried to make conversation with Lindsay. He’d followed her around like a lost puppy dog waiting for her to notice him, and when she had, he’d invariably made dumb, nonsensical comments.

The woman herself was leaning over a child at a small table, pointing to something the child was drawing with a crayon. Her deep red hair that used to hang all the way down her back now swung just below her chin, curving toward her face. She pushed it behind her ear as she smiled at the child.

He inhaled deeply to try to catch his breath. How could she still affect him so? Maybe he and Mr. Kennedy had a bit more in common than he first thought.

He turned to the man, who seemed engrossed in Granny’s every move. “Hi, Mr. Kennedy. I’m Bill Wellington, Bea’s grandson.”

“Oh, Bea talks about you all the time. You and your brother. I’m glad to finally meet you.”

“She insisted on working today, even after being in the hospital yesterday.”

“Stubborn woman. Believe me, I know.”

Bill swiped his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing at the frustration in the man’s voice. Then a sobering thought hit him. He would be taking Granny away from a man who obviously had a crush on her.

At least Granny didn’t seem to care for Mr. Kennedy.

“Bill, come meet the children,” Granny called from a low table across the room.