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“I think it's the safest approach until we know what we're dealing with.”

Joy's mother leaned forward. “What can we do between now and then?”

“Make sure they’ve been fed and watered before the call.”

Little Grandma chuckled. “Smart man.” She winked at Joy. “I told you he was a keeper.”

“Little Grandma, please,” Joy buried her face in her hands.

“What? I'm just saying what everybody else is thinking.”

I found Joy's shoulder and squeezed it gently. My woman was mortified.

“Mrs. Magill, I want you to know that Joy is my priority. Nothing's going to happen to her on my watch.”

Joy's mother smiled through her tears.

“I can see that. Thank you, Graham. For taking care of our girl.”

“It's my pleasure, ma'am.”

And it was. Taking care of Joy had become the most important thing in my world.

Little Grandma leaned forward again, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Now, Graham, tell me about your family. Are your people good stock?”

“Little Grandma!” Joy's voice cracked with embarrassment.

“What? A girl's got to know these things.”

I chuckled, the first genuinely relaxed sound I'd made since this conversation started. This woman was going to be the death of me.

“My father lives in Bangor, Maine. He’s retired Air Force, my mom passed while I was overseas.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, son.”

I nodded. It still hurt.

“Maine is a long way away. Do you like it in Tennessee?”

“I do.”

“Siblings?”

“No ma’am, but I’ve made some good friends here in Jasper Creek.”

“You have good sense in your friends. Loyalty too. I like that.”

Joy looked like she wanted to crawl under my table. “Nobody asked for your approval, Little Grandma,” she murmured.

“Child, I've been giving my approval whether it's asked for or not since before you were born. I'm not stopping now.”

Pattie laughed. “Mama's never met a situation she couldn't improve with her opinion.”

“And I've been right every time,” Little Grandma shot back. “This young man's got good sense, strong shoulders, and he clearly cares about our Joy. What more could we ask for?”

My face heated again, but I couldn't stop smiling. Joy's family was something else.