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Well, she couldn’t argue with that. So she settled on the couch and waited with him.
“He’s a fine man,” Pops said. “Very handy. Do you think he can come back next weekend? While you were both out on your walk, I thought of a few other things that need fixing around here. My old bones might break if I try.”
Steph leaned forward and frowned. “Don’t you dare ask him anything. I’ll fix whatever’s needed. I just need a little time.”
He looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “I’ve heard that excuse before, and you’re working too hard as it is. And those maintenance companies want to rob people blind.”
“I’ll have a free afternoon Wednesday, so you can give me your list, and I’ll get started.”
“That’s when you fraternize with your friends—get all dolled up and go somewhere.”
It was true, but she could skip a week, because there was no way she’d allow her grandpa to hit up Cal to do more house projects for them. “I’ll see my friends later, so forget you ever thought of Cal helping out. He lives an hour away—”
“Who lives an hour away?” Cal said, his voice nearly making her jump.
She hadn’t heard him come inside. Had he oiled the door hinges or something?
Pops grinned, and Steph didn’t like that grin one bit.
“Oh, we were just talking about you behind your back.” Pops chuckled. “My granddaughter here thinks she’s Wonder Woman and can work a full-time job, take care of my sorry self, and do projects around the house to spec.”
“Pops …” Steph said in as nonchalant a voice as possible, although she hoped he would take a hint.
Cal handed over the phone, and she wished they could have a private moment so she could get the update about Brandy and Lydia. But Pops rose out of his recliner.
“I’ll walk you out, son,” he said. “Need to stretch my legs before I miss my curfew.”
Steph rose from the couch, too. She didn’t really like the idea of him walking around in the dark, even if it was just to Cal’s car.
“I’ll be fine,” Pops said before she could protest. “You can spy on us from the porch if you’re so worried.”
Apparently her grandpa was a mind reader.
“I’ll watch him,” Cal said.
She tried to read his eyes, his expression, and see any hints of what might have transpired with Lydia Kane. Well, she’d probably have to wait until he left and then call Brandy.
“Thanks for dinner,” Cal said, his deep voice reaching across the room.
She nodded. “Thank you for all your help—it was above and beyond.”
Pops had the front door open and was heading out.
Cal met him at the door, his eyes still on Steph. “It was no trouble,” he said, right as Pops grasped his arm.
“I should probably hold on to you,” Pops said. “These stairs can be tricky.”
Cal threw a parting glance at Steph. One full of humor, and something else. Hope?
Hope for what? She was hoping that their tentative plans for next weekend would become a reality. And she hoped that Pops wouldn’t make any requests that would make Cal feel obligated in other ways.
Steph stepped out onto the porch and watched the two men walk to the curb. Pops seemed intent on talking to Cal alone, and Steph could only guess what it meant. When the two men parted, she waved to Cal, who lifted his hand in goodbye.
By the time Pops carefully made it back to the house, Cal had driven off.
“What was that all about?” Steph asked him as she closed and locked the front door.
“Never you mind.” Pops walked toward the hallway and disappeared, leaving her standing in the middle of the room.
