Magnolia stays in the doorway with Mary.
“If I were thirty years younger, I’d give you some competition with your fiancée,” Grandpa rasps out to me.
“More like sixty years younger.”
A small smirk appears on his tired face.
“I’d want to give you a fighting chance.” His retort is a reminder of his signature sharp wit.
I frantically chew the inside of my cheek. He’d be appalled if I suddenly burst into tears. Although I would love to see him shocked for once in his life. It isn’t right that I’m losing him so soon after finding him.
“Quit sniffling.”
My grandfather, ever the emotional philosopher.
“Tough. If I want to cry about my grandfather dying, I will.”
“Your fiancée did enough of that for both of you.” The fond tone creeps out as he gasps out the last few words.
He sucks in a labored breath and closes his eyes. “I like her. It does my heart good that she’ll be the one taking care of you.”
“I thought you didn’t like people who showed weakness.”
His eyes crack open. “I’ll make an exception for her.”
“You’re going soft.”
“Isn’t that what people do when they’re about to die?”
“Maybe they’re wrong. Maybe I should find a different doctor. Call another specialist.”
“My heart’s failing. Someone my age isn’t a candidate for a heart transplant. Just let me be. I can die a happy man now. I only wish I’d found you sooner. That I hadn’t let stubbornness get in the way. That I’d begged your father to forgive me right away…” The rasping breaths echo in the room. “I’ll be with him soon.”
I sink down onto the bed. “I need to take Magnolia home, but I’ll be back. You’re not allowed to go anywhere until I get back. Got it?”
He nods once.
I hate to leave, but I have a complete stranger at large in the house. I step into the hall and find her standing there, cheeks still flushed from crying. Mary walks into the room to stay with him.
“Hi,” Magnolia says.
I motion for her to follow me downstairs. I don’t want to risk us being overheard.
“Thank you,” I say as we reach the front entrance. “You put his mind at ease. Thanks for taking the time to talk with him.”
She swipes at her eyes with her fingertips. “He seems so lovely.”
Were we in the same room? My grandfather is many things, but lovely isn’t one of them.
“That’s nice of you to say. It was easy to see that he liked you.”
“I liked him too.” Her voice catches, and it’s easy to believe her.
“Thank you for that.”
“Would you mind—” she starts, then stops herself. “Never mind.”
“No, what is it?”
