“But we haven’t finished dinner, let alone had dessert. Tonight it’s cherries jubilee or fudge cake. You don’t want to miss that. Can we talk later?”
“I’d rather do it now.”
“Go ahead, Caroline,” Malcom said. “Blake and I will hold off finishing our food and wait for you here.”
“Please, not until after dessert,” Gran insisted. “I’d like to finish the meal first.”
What was the big deal? At the pleading expression on her face, Vi relented. “All right, if that’s what you want.”
She tasted the dessert, which was good, but having lost her appetite, she mostly pushed it around the plate. Shortly after the server whisked the food away and delivered the after-dinner coffee, Gran and Malcom shared another look and a nod.
“We have something to tell you,” he said.
Unable to imagine what it could be, Vi leaned toward them while Blake muttered something unintelligible.
“We’ve decided to get married,” Malcom announced.
Vi gaped at her grandmother, and Blake choked on his coffee.
“What the hell?”Blake said none too softly as he dipped his napkin in his water glass and dabbed at the coffee splotch on his shirt. Was the man out of his mind? “Let me get this straight—you’ve known each other three short weeks and you want to get married? You can’t do that.”
“We can and will. We don’t need your approval.” Stubborn man that he was, Grandpop narrow-eyed him and folded his arms across his chest.
“No, no, just no,” Vi said, backing up Blake.
Caroline’s tightened jaw let him know she was stubborn, too. “This is a good thing,” she told Vi. “I’ve been widowed since your Gramps died. It’s been a lonely existence. Still, I never expected to fall in love again. Now I have. Once you come to terms with our decision, I hope you’ll approve.”
“With or without it, we’ll marry.” Grandpop uncrossed his arms and clasped Caroline’s hand. “You’re the love of my life.”
Bull. “Grandma was the love of your life,” Blake corrected.
“My current life. Grandma passed three years ago. She’d want me to find love again, and I have.” He lifted Caroline’s hand to his lips.
Blake shared a look with Vi that was every bit as anti the half-brained idea. “This is so unlike you, Grandpop. Have you seen a doctor lately? Do you think you had a stroke?”
“Don’t insult me, boy,” he chastised in a voice Blake hadn’t heard since his teen years. “I’m seventy-eight years old, and I know what I want.”
“You and I need to talk. Now,” Blake argued in no uncertain terms.
“Fine, fine.” Grandpop heaved a sigh and rose. “I’ll see you at bridge later, Caroline.”
“Us, too,” Vi said. She and her grandma headed off somewhere.
Blake and his grandpa went straight to the library, a large room that resembled a booklover’s den with shelves of books. By day it was busy, but in the evening few people used the room. For now, they had it to themselves. They sat down in comfortable armchairs made for settling in with a good book. Blake went straight to the point. “I questioned you about seeing a doctor because what you’re doing isn’t like you. I’m concerned.”
“This is exactly like me, so put your worries away. I know what I want, and I feel great about my decision. Haven’t been this happy in a long time.”
His bright eyes twinkled, confirming the words. He appeared to be relaxed and supremely confident about his decision. Blake felt the opposite. He didn’t care for this new side of his grandfather and didn’t trust it, not when things were moving so fast. No one in his right mind decided to get married after knowing someone for a mere three weeks. “That’s nice. You’re aware that Washington is a community property state.”
“Of course. I’ve lived here all my life.” Grandpop squinted at him. “You’re afraid she’ll inherit my money instead of you and your sister. Is that what this is about? Well, rest easy. Robertson Wolfe has been my attorney for forty years. When I die, you and your sister will make out very nicely.”
“So you’ve said.” Before Caroline, but things had changed. Then again, Blake and his sister were doing well without relyingon the man. Yes, he’d financed the first bike shop, but Blake had repaid what he’d borrowed and was doing fine on his own now. “It’s your money, not ours. Still, I think you should slow down and take your time. If you and Caroline are truly meant for each other, waiting awhile won’t hurt. If after time passes and you’re sure, that’s great. But if you get married and your feelings change, things can get ugly.” Caroline seemed nice enough, but his grandpa barely knew her. Blake didn’t want her going after his fortune.
“I’m not naïve, Blake. Robertson’s drawing up a prenup now.”
Grandpop had thought of everything, which was reassuring. “I’m sure Mom would like to know about this. Have you been in touch with her?”
“You and I both know that ashram doesn’t take kindly to contacts from outsiders. It’s part of the deal there. But if she gets hold of me, which we both know is doubtful, I’ll tell her. Why, have you heard from her?”
