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When I fingerspell G-R-I-N-N-Y, Ivy smiles wide and does the sign forgrinand thengrandma.
“Exactly,” I say.
I keep signing as I introduce Zac and Autumn to Grinny next.
“Such a stunning couple. Wow,” Grinny says, turning to smirk at me. “I’m warning you now, if you know what’s good for the both of you, don’t let my friend Peg see the two of you together. Her heart can’t take it.”
My laugh is so loud, it makes Scarlett jump and then she cracks up.
Ivy tugs on my sleeve as soon as I’m done signing. “Peg, who?”
“She’s my friend and she’ll think your daddy and uncle are as handsome as movie stars,” Grinny answers.
Ivy laughs when I finish signing what Grinny said. I look around and see Magnus and Pappy walking toward us, Pappy looking like a deer in the headlights. I’m about to ask him what’s up when a petite older lady pops up from behind him.
“Speak of the devil,” Grinny says. “Oh dear, brace yourselves. Peg is back from a cruise and feeling herself.”
Autumn and Scarlett exchange a look as they laugh.
“It’s about to get interesting,” Scarlett says.
“Pappy, come over here and meet Grinny,” I call, trying to save him and also wanting him to meet Scarlett’s grandmother.
He looks at me in relief and smiles warmly at Grinny, about to say something when he startles, a little yelp coming out of him. He turns and looks down at Peg, who is all innocence as she bats those eyelashes his way.
“Pardon me,” Peg says sweetly. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“Well, I assure you, my backside’s not where the fun’s at,” he says, eyes wide.
Peg giggles. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
Grinny pats my arm. “Looks like you and your brother might be safe from Peg after all. She usually goes for the younger men, but your grandpa seems to ring her bell just fine,” she says under her breath.
That sends me and Zac and Autumn into another round of laughter that I have a hard time recovering from.
Scarlett’s face is somewhere between horrified and like she’s trying not to laugh. “Grinny, I don’t think that means what you think it does,” she says quietly.
I put my fist over my mouth and try to rein in the laughter, while Grinny frowns slightly, glancing over at Scarlett.
“I’ll tell you later,” Scarlett mouths.
She presses her lips together and doesn’t dare look at me right now.
Pappy pries himself from Peg’s grasp and also keeps a lookout behind him as he steps forward, like he’s afraid to turn his back on her. This story is going to be told and retold for ages, Pappy getting hit on in a hobbit karaoke bar in Landmark. He lets out a long sigh of relief when he reaches me and Zac, holding out to grip my shoulder.
“Didn’t know we were gonna have to keep an eye on you tonight, Pappy,” I tease.
“Pleasekeep an eye on me,” he says under his breath.
He looks apprehensive now as he stands before Grinny.
She holds out her hand, smiling warmly, and he shakes it, his smile somewhat tentative.
“I’m Grinny Landmark,” she says. “You’ve got a fine family indeed.”
“Why, thank you,” he says, his shoulders relaxing instantly. “And this granddaughter of yours…she is really special.”
Scarlett’s eyes get a dreamy look when Pappy squeezes her hand and is about to say something when his eyes get wide again.
