“Stop it,” she giggles. “I already said you look amazing. But for the record, I’m excited we’ll get to go dress shopping now.”
Her dark eyes, which remind me of my father’s, focus on my face as she lifts her chin into the air. “Just… promise me you’ll give this new soft life a chance, okay? It totally agrees with you, and I love seeing you so happy.”
“I will. I already have.”
She shakes her head. “No. Pinky-swear promise.” She holds her pinky up between us.
I smile and link my pinky with hers. “Pinky-swear promise, Bevvy. I’m choosing to slow down. I’m choosing George and a new life here, on this farm. I’ve stopped running. I hope you’ll come visit me every chance you can get.” I lean in and press my forehead to hers.
“I will.”
“Don’t get your hopes up for any homemade banana bread or crocheted doilies when you come. But I promise to learn how to make the good coffee.”
Bev laughs. “Atta girl.”
We’re quiet for a moment, our heads still pressed together, pinkies linked.
“You’re my best friend, Beverly. Your approval means the world to me.”
“Oh, I approve.”
I step back from her, my eyes scrolling her pretty features. I’m thrilled by her support.
“Seriously?”
She nods, her voice cracking in her response. “You and George were made for each other.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
George
I was the only one in the bedroom when my grandfather died.
It happened a few days after our celebration. His breathing turned shallow, and his skin appeared pale and mottled. One by one, everyone kissed his forehead or said a prayer by his bedside before they left the bedroom. Betty Lou, Miss Jenny, Nurse Gale, and even Madison left me alone to give me privacy so I could say my final goodbyes.
I remember a sure calmness washing over me. I wasn’t panicked or afraid. There was a powerful presence of pure love in the room.
I remember the hush and the stillness in the air as my mind played back happy memories. I told him I was blessed for spending the last thirty-five years with him, grateful he was and always would be my grandfather.
I held his hand and calmly whispered into the quietness near his ear. “Grandma Rosie is waiting for you, Pop. Remember how she always scoped things out for you? Like when Garcia’s first opened, she did a taste test on the tacos to make sure you'd like them. Or when she got that fancy cell phone with all the bells and whistles and learned how to look up weather forecasts and gardening tips on the Farmers’ Almanac app so she could teach you? She even showed me how to plan ahead for the best days to plant and fish.”
His eyes remained closed, but I knew somehow, someway, he could hear me. He was only breathing periodically now, with an intake of breath followed by no breath for several seconds. His hand was warm in mine, and I squeezed, knowing I didn’t have much time.
“Well, she’s been scoping out heaven for several years now. She’s going to have so much to show you. And I know it will knock your boots off.” I blinked back the tears streaming down my cheeks.
“I want you to go to her, Pop. You don’t need to stay here and worry about me anymore. I’ve got Madison and the whole town to back me up. I want you to know you did good. Real good.” I swiped my sleeve under my nose as I tried to keep it together.
“I’m a better man because of you, Pop. I promise I’m gonna be okay. I’m gonna keep the farm going for years to come. I’ll make you proud. You’ll see.”
I started to sob, my vision of him lying there on the bed watery and muted. “Please give Grandma Rosie a big hug from me, and tell her I love her.”
My voice cracked as I pressed on, determined to say what I needed to say. “I love you too, Pop. I’ll always,alwayslove you. And when the southern winds blow the scent of lavender across the fields, I’ll know that’s your sign you’re looking out for me. That’ll be our little secret. Okay?”
I pressed my lips to his hand. “Now, stop dilly-dallying and go to Grandma Rosie. It’s time.”
A few minutes later, I watched his chest rise and then witnessed his final exhale of breath. Long and slow.
And then… silence.
