“Not sure that liquid soap stuff would work nearly so well as a good old-fashioned bar of soap, but I’m not beyond giving it the old college try,” his grandmother said.
Knowing she was threatening to punish him for lying, Andrew sighed and gave in. “I like Morgan, Grandma. A lot. Greyson, too. I wanted us to be friends. But you saw his entry in the coloring contest. He wants a father. Any involvement I have with them will just get in the way of him ever having that.”
Grandma Ruby frowned. “Why would you think that?”
Because even though she’d recognized from the beginning that he wasn’t right for her, Morgan had feelings for him. And they’d just deepen if he let things continue on. So the more he stayed away from her, the better for everyone involved.
“I’m not what they need. They deserve someone who can give them what they deserve long term.”
His grandmother placed her hand over his and gave it a squeeze. “You’re positive that’s not you?”
“One hundred percent. I fight fires, Grandma. They’ve already lost love once.” The pain in Morgan’s voice when she’d been talking to Sophie and Sarah at the Christmas party pierced him anew. “The last thing they need is to get more attached to me when I...”
“When you what?” Her gaze bore into him and a new quivery wave of emotions hit him.
Here it was. His moment to tell his grandmother about what his future held.
“When I want to fight wildland fires.”
His grandmother’s eyes widened with surprise. “As in, forest fires?”
“Yes. That’s the job I want,” he admitted. A heavy weight lifted off his shoulders at giving his dream voice to his grandmother. “Ever since I volunteered during the big fire in East Tennessee a few years ago, wildland firefighting has called to me. I want to smokejump.”
It was rare that Andrew surprised his grandmother, but her expression now was one of complete shock.
“Goodness, child, why haven’t you said anything before now?” Her hazel eyes bore into him. “Better yet, if that’s what you want to be doing, why aren’t you?”
Wasn’t that essentially what Greyson had once asked him? His answer was the same.
“Life isn’t that simple, Grandma.”
“Life is as simple or complicated as you make it,” she countered as she gave his hand another squeeze. “Your future is your responsibility, Andrew. Whether or not you pursue it is up to you. If being a smokejumper is what you want, you’re the only person standing in the way of you doing that.” She gave him a sharp look as she added, “Your grandfather and I would certainly never stand in your way.”
Not intentionally.
“I promised you I’d always be here for you and Grandpa,” he reminded her, surprised at his admission. Maybe there had been some truth serum laced into the goodies she’d brought over for him to sample. If Rosie’s grandmother’s cinnamon bread made men fall in love, then it sure wouldn’t surprise him for his grandma to be able to whip up a confess-all confection.
Grandma Ruby gasped. “Please don’t tell me you’ve been holding back from following your heart because of your grandfather and me?”
“That’s not what I said,” Andrew hedged, choosing his words carefully. He hadn’t meant to put guilt on her face and wanted it gone. She had nothing to feel guilty for. She was amazing, and so was Grandpa. He was the one who kept messing everything up, including this conversation. “You and Grandpa are my heart. I love you and will keep my promise because I want to. There’s no choice to be made as long as you need me.”
His grandma stared at him, love shining in her eyes as she slowly shook her head. “I’m not sure whether to hug you or box your ears.”
“If it’s up for debate, I pick the hug.”
“Silly boy.” Leaning over to him, she wrapped him in a hug, kissed his cheek, and thankfully left his ears alone. “Your grandfather and I love having you around, but we never want to hold you back from living your dream.”
“You’re not,” he countered. “I choose to stay here because its where I need to be.”
“Oh, Andrew.” Love shined in her eyes. “You’re such a joy and I’d miss you terribly, but I want you to follow your dream. Always.” She paused, gave him a questioning look. “Unless perhaps, there’s another reason you want to stay in Pine Hill.”
“You mean Morgan,” he guessed. “She and Greyson are wonderful, but I stand by what I’ve said all along. I’m not interested in a serious relationship.” Even if he reconsidered, how could he ever risk putting her and Greyson through such loss again? He couldn’t. “Nor is she interested in dating me, casually or otherwise. And don’t go saying I’m assuming that. I overheard her telling Sarah and Sophie that she’d never date me.”
She shook her head again. “How any sane woman could not want to date you is beyond me.”
Andrew snorted. “Spoken as a completely unbiased grandmother, of course.”
“Of course.” She smiled at him. “But biased or not, you’re a jewel and don’t you ever forget it. I’m sure that deep down, Morgan recognizes that.”
