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I took in the light colored and basic prints on the walls as we walked down the hall.
Hazel slipped her arm through mine. “It’s not much, but it’s what we could afford and the care is good here.” I made a note to look into this place. If it didn’t pass muster I’d be sure to strongly suggest we move Amie to another place. Quality care, not money, should be Hazel’s concern and I could help with that.
I remembered how hard it had been for her to decide to move her grandmother into assisted living. She was having trouble getting around the house and Hazel couldn’t physically help as much as she needed.
We turned one final corner before entering a room on the right. There were tables set up around the room with a few residents working on various art projects.
“Gran!” Hazel called out and ran to her. They hugged each other tight. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, sweet girl.” She kissed the top of Hazel’s head. I loved seeing the easy affection between them. Amie’s eyes met mine. “I see you brought a friend.”
Hazel gave her a hesitant smile. “I did.”
I cleared my throat, needing to clarify our status. “More like her boyfriend.”
Amie let go of Hazel and gave me a curt nod and extended her hand. “I’ve been expecting you, Jareth Vizier. You need to pass muster if you think you can keep seeing my granddaughter.”
I’d faced down opponents in the boardroom and on the streets yet none of them created the fission of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach as I shook Gran’s hand.
CHAPTER 27
Hazel
Jiminy Cricket! Gran was going rogue. “What are you doing?” I asked her.
With a sly twinkle in her eye, she gently pushed me to sit in the chair next to her. “It’s time for us to have a heart to heart.” She pointed to the seat on the other side of her.
Jareth flashed Gran a smile. One that would’ve charmed anyone else, but not her. She had a consummate liar and cheat for a son and could spot them a mile away.
“We brought your presents.” I shook the bag I’d been holding.
“Hush, Hazel. It’s been my job for the last twenty years to keep you safe and I’ll continue to do so for as long as I live.” Tears pricked my eyes. Gran made it her mission to be the best mother and father to me. And she’d done an amazing job. She didn’t have to keep me, or give up the life she’d built for herself after raising my dad, but she did and for that I’d do as she asked. And be forever grateful.
And I was curious to see what Jareth’s answers would be to her questions.
Jareth sat in the required seat, back straight, eyes directly meeting Gran’s. “Amie, it’s nice to see you again.”
“I’ll decide if I feel the same once we’re done here,” Gran retorted, keeping the upper hand.
Sweat beaded my brow. I wanted so badly for the two of them to get along. The abundance of hope I’d walked through the door with took a nosedive. Gran already sounded like she wasn’t thrilled with my relationship with Jareth.
“What do you love most about my Hazel?”
I about swallowed my tongue when she said the “L” word. Jareth and I were not at that stage just yet. She was going to scare him off.
“She is everything I’m not.” Jareth glanced at me. “She brings sunshine not just to my day but everyone who interacts with her. Hazel is kind and thoughtful and most of all, she calls me on my shit.”
Gran frowned at Jareth’s use of swearing.
“I’m sorry. Stuff,” Jareth said, immediately recognizing what she was silently saying. I was shocked to see him acquiesce to my grandmother’s desire for no swearing.
“Why, after all this time, have you decided to pursue her?”
Shut the front door! I wondered how close to the truth he’d get.
“How do you know I didn’t pursue him?” I muttered under my breath.
Clearly, I wasn’t quiet enough, Gran raised an eyebrow. She’d known about my unrequited crush. The only way Jareth and I’d have gotten together was if he’d made the first move.
