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“It is,” Wyatt said. “And I know we can’t keep this from Gramps, but it worries me too.” He met Anita’s gaze. “Are we opening a can of worms by doing this?”
Carly rose from the table. “I vote we call Susan’s house again another night. Maybe she’ll answer. Maybe her daughter is protecting her for a reason that doesn’t matter anymore. Susan wrote to your grandpa, after all.”
Wyatt’s brows shot up. “Are you sure you’re only fourteen?”
She smiled. “Yep, and I’m starving. Let’s get dinner ready.”
“I’m in.” Wyatt rose from the table too, and as Carly headed into the kitchen, he turned to Anita. “What do you think? Should we continue down this path?”
She drew in a breath. “I agree with Carly. Your grandpa keeps talking about her. And maybe he broke her heart, but they can work through it, right? It’s never too late?”
Wyatt gave a thoughtful nod. “Right.” He peered at her. “Are you sure you want to keep helping me? I mean, you have a lot on your plate with talking to Carly later.”
“Honestly, this has helped her with a larger perspective on life.” She stood. “And as for the other...I have to trust that Carly will be able to handle her father.”
Wyatt’s gaze moved over her face. “If there’s anything I can help with, let me know.”
“Of course.”
He grasped her hand, his touch warm and gentle at the same time. “I mean it, Anita. I want to help. You’ve both helped me along this tricky road. I would have ignored it if not for Carly.”
She smiled, but mostly her stomach fluttered at the way he held her hand. It was short-lived, of course, because Carly was only a dozen feet away in the kitchen. “All right, I’ll let you know. Thanks for the offer.”
Wyatt stepped away from her, and they both headed into the kitchen.
“What can I do?” he asked.
“Cut these up.” Carly handed over a couple of peppers.
“Orange peppers?”
“They’re sweet,” Anita said. “Do you think you can handle an onion, too?”
“Bring it on.” Wyatt smiled. “I can’t promise not to cry, though.”
Once the meat and veggies were sizzling in the wok, Carly said, “I think we should tell your grandpa all about what Lila said. Then we’ll see what his answer is.”
Wyatt paused where he was setting napkins on the table. “You’re right. The more I think about it, the more curious I am. Don’t you think it’s odd that Susan would claim he broke her heart?”
“Or maybe Lila is just dramatic?” Carly offered. “Like some of my friends.”
“That’s a long time to hold on to a heartbreak, though,” Anita said.
Carly shrugged and sat down at the kitchen table. “Not so long. I mean, divorced couples hate each other for the rest of their lives.”
Anita stilled. “Where did you hear that?”
Carly looked up. “No one. It’s just what I observed. You hate Dad. And my friend Becky said that her parents have been divorced for five years, and they still hate each other.”
Anita wondered what Wyatt was thinking about all of this. “I don’t hate your father, Carly. I just hate that he disappeared on us.” Of course that could all change now. “Can we talk about this later? I don’t want to spoil our dinner.” Maybe putting off a teenager’s caustic remarks wasn’t the best parenting move, but she couldn’t keep up with the conversation with Wyatt here. There was too much to talk to Carly about, and it needed to be done in private.
“Anyone want some rice?” Anita scooped rice from the pan into a serving bowl.
“I do,” both Wyatt and Carly said.
The next half-hour was spent eating and chatting, with Anita steering the conversation to things like the school band and her newest art client. Wyatt even talked a little about his day at work.
All too soon, dinner was over. They all agreed to meet at the assisted living center the following night and talk to Mr. Davis. Wyatt gathered up his files and headed to the door, and Carly disappeared into her bedroom to call one of her new friends.
