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She had the kind of drive and persistence he looked for when hiring people. She would have fit in perfectly back in Nashville.
The door swung open and an out-of-breath Nick stared up at him. “Can I ask the deputy to turn on the siren? Grandma said I had to ask you before I asked her, and she’s gonna leave.”
Grant shot a look toward the source of his admiration once again. She hadn’t gotten into her vehicle yet. “I thought you wanted to head to the park today.”
Nick’s head craned around to stare at the car. “What if I asked her real nice? It’ll only take a second.” He danced from one foot to the other. “I swear it’ll be fast.”
“And spook the animals? Bo wouldn’t be the only one to bite our heads off for that one.” He headed down the steps, gently pushing his son to the side. “Come on, let’s get going. It’s a beautiful day and we can get some lunch on the way there.”
Before Grant had the chance to shut the door, Charlotte’s voice called out to them. He turned, finding her headed their way with a casserole dish in one hand and a pie tin in the other.
“I’m so glad I caught you. I have some leftovers from the lunch I prepared for the wranglers, and I thought I’d share.”
Nick made a face and glanced up at his dad. The pleading in his face said it all. He wasn’t interested in home-cooked food when junk food was figuratively on the table.
Grant shrugged, muttering to his son, “We’ll get dinner on the way home. Go set the table, will you?”
True to his little-boy nature, Nick groaned. “But?—”
“Steak dinner and ice cream sundaes sound good to you?”
His eyes brightened and he darted into the RV.
Grant turned to Charlotte as she reached his side. “We’d love to have lunch with you. Thanks. I’ll get some coffee.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.” She brushed him off, pushing past him. “I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”
Something about her voice always seemed a little off, but he’d chalked it up to the country living. Charlotte was old fashioned, and she liked things a certain way. It didn’t matter if it was with her clothing choices or the way she led her life, she wanted everyone to care like she did.
“It’s no trouble.” Grant smiled, risking one more glance over his shoulder toward the officer but finding that she’d left. He followed his ex-mother-in-law inside and grabbed her a fresh cup of coffee. With his back turned, he listened to Nick chatting her ear off about the deputy and the car.
“That sounds exciting, but you know something? I don’t think I would have ever let you get in a police officer’s car. Your dad is a bit of a pushover.”
He flinched. Charlotte’s passive-aggressive words were just enough to not cross the line. Nick didn’t view them as putting his father down, at least not yet. Charlotte was highly opinionated, but she was also smitten with her grandson. And Nick adored her, so Grant tolerated everything else.
Turning around with the mug, he placed it in front of her. Before he could brush off what she’d said, Nick went and made it worse.
“He didn’t know. I snuck away.”
Charlotte’s head snapped up and she stared hard at Grant. “You let him sneak away?”
“It’s okay, Grandma. You said the police are nice. Dad was on the phone.”
Her voice was more strident than before. “He wasn’t paying attention,” she said flatly.
Grant offered her a chagrined smile, but it probably wasn’t enough to hide his defensive body language. He shouldn’t have to fight to tell his side of the story. And after learning about the issues with the custody arrangement, he didn’t think arguing with her would do him any favors.
“It was an honest mistake.”
“Mmhmm.” That was the only thing she said as she scooped up some of the shepherd’s pie she’d put together.
Every syllable of that one sound grated on his nerves. Her judgmental looks would be the least of his problems if she chose to fight him on this custody issue. So, he took his seat and scooped up a big bite of the casserole.
Nick continued to talk about the deputy, chattering on as if nothing was wrong. And why shouldn’t he? The innocence of youth was something he still had in spades.
Charlotte turned to him with a wide smile. “How would you like to have a sleepover at Nana’s tonight? Just like before your dad came to town.”
Grant stiffened. She should have asked him first. He was responsible for decisions about Nick. His frown deepened, and while his mouth was full of food, he couldn’t argue before Nick gave his response.
