AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wonder what?”
“What twists and turns take a woman like Gram from Woodstock and Janis Joplin to this.” She gestured at the town as they drove through. “To Westridge, Vermont. To starting a business, going to yoga class and book club meetings. To being not just content but happy, satisfied.
“Anyway, we were having a really good time.”
“I noticed.” He’d give her grief about not having the phone with her later.
“You didn’t have to come with Jake, but I’m glad you did. And I hope my ladies do have an early night, and don’t worry about all this too much.”
“You saw that video. And you had it right. He’s lost his edge.”
“My mother was right, too. He’s crazy. You could see the crazy. He’d buried the crazy in Maryland, Miles. I never saw it. No one did. He played darts and trivia, and bought rounds, talked gaming with Sam. No one saw the crazy.”
“Now he can’t hide it anymore.” After he pulled into his driveway, Miles turned to her. “That’s going to make him easier to catch.”
“I hope so. I’m buzzed enough to whine I want it over. I just want it over.”
“I’m not buzzed, and I want it over. And that wasn’t whining. I’ll tell you when you’re whining.”
That made her smile. “You would.”
He got out of the car, came around as she got out her side. And from in the house, Howl howled.
Inside, he greeted Miles with a mild stare, a quick wag. Then greeted Morgan with a rush of adoration.
“Maybe it’s the way you smell,” Miles considered. “It’s pretty appealing.”
“Well, thanks. Who’s a good boy? Did you have fun today? I bet you did. Did your big brother give you some of that pulled pork?”
“I’m not his brother. I’m his landlord.”
“Don’t pay any attention to him. Let’s go up to the attic. Won’t that be fun?”
“Let’s wait on that. I want to talk to you.”
She straightened up and, he noted, made her face absolutely blank. “All right.”
“We should sit down.”
With the dog all but pasted to the side of her leg, she went with him, took a chair.
“I was going to do this a different way. I hadn’t figured out the wayyet, but different than this. But I figure you being slightly impaired gives me a distinct advantage. And why are you sitting there like you’re waiting outside the principal’s office?”
“I’m not. Just say it. I’ll deal with it.”
“Fine. I’m in love with you.”
Her face stayed blank even when she blinked. “What? What?”
“You heard me, but I’ll say it again for clarity. I’m in love with you.”
“I have to sit down.”
“You are sitting down.”
“I have to stand up.” She stood, then immediately sat again. “I’m dizzy. It’s not the drinking. Miles—”
“Just be quiet.” Impatience wrapped around the words. “You talked all the way over here, so be quiet. I’m not done.”
