AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay, let me know.”
“So, you also know what it feels like to look over a grown man,” Coral jokes—bumping her shoulder against mine in a friendly way.
“Yeah,” I say with a little laugh. “But he deserves it. He raised me.”
“Really?” she asks. “That explains why you’re so close.”
“Yeah, I guess. So, listen,” the wind blows my hair in my face, and I have to push it away. “Dean told me all about his plan.”
She looks surprised. “He did?”
“Yeah. It’s nice to finally know the truth. It makes some of his odd behavior a little more understandable.”
“I see…” She’s looking at me with an unreadable expression. Was I right? Is there something else Dean isn’t telling me?
“So, yeah,” I press on. “I just wanted to let you know that the secret’s out there. I assume you know about it.”
“Well, of course. It’s my job to know things like that,” Coral says.
“Right.” I search her face for some kind of hint, but she’s totally composed.
“Okay, maybe you were right,” Grandpa Bob comes over and rests on a nearby wooden fence. “I could use a little rest.”
“Thank you. That makes me feel better.”
“I’ll let the young guy do most of the work,” Grandpa says, pointing toward Dean, who’s still bent over, clearing out the weeds. I have to admit, it’s a pretty nice view.
“Helloooo,” Coral says, bringing me back to the conversation at hand.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Where are my manners? Grandpa, this is Coral, Dean’s assistant.” I emphasize the last word so he gets the picture.
“Ah! Okay.” Grandpa gives me a knowing grin.
“And Coral, this is my handsome grandfather, Bob.”
They shake hands.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” he tells Coral, with a sweet smile. With that expression, it’s easy to believe his stories about being a lady’s man. Until he met my grandmother, that is.
“You as well,” Coral says. “So, how much are you thinking of selling for?
The question catches me off guard. Grandpa Bob and I look at each other in confusion.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Hey, Coral!” Dean calls out at the same time. “Do you want to give me a hand? You said you wanted to learn a little bit about owning a garden. And Bob’s is the best.” He has a bright smile on his face that looks a little forced.
“I never—”
“Just please come here,” he calls out again, cutting Coral off.
She pouts her bottom lip in protest but compiles and walks over.
“What the heck was that all about?” Grandpa asks.
“I truly have no idea.” I watch them talk to each other. “Dean just assured me they weren’t planning to take our house and land.”
“What?” I forgot he doesn’t know what’s been happening in the last hour. “Maybe the wires are crossed, and she’s mistaken?”
