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Unlike with Cameron, Carter laughed at this comment.
"Isabella, may I introduce you to my Grandma Ruth. Such a statement could only come from her." Carter leaned down to his grandmother and planted a kiss on her wrinkled cheek.
The grandmother.
She might look harmless, but in the end... she was the one on whom my success hinged. I had to convince her that I was indeed Carter's fiancée. Because she decided who would get the inheritance.
Cameron.
Or Cameron and Carter.
I laughed as well. "I take that remark as a compliment." Then I turned to Carter's grandmother. "It's also a pleasure to finally meet you. Carter has told me a lot about you."
"A lot?" asked Grandma Ruth.
"Well, maybe not a lot, but certainly some," I replied. Grandma Ruth seemed to be a tough nut to crack. I had to be careful. I couldn't just drop empty phrases here - Grandma Ruth would take them seriously and put me through the wringer.
"I wouldn't have expected Carter to choose a woman with wit and spirit," Grandma Ruth repeated, looking at me in surprise.
"Now it's my turn to ask: How do you know I have wit and spirit? You've only just met me. And knowing Carter, he probably hasn't told you much about me," I retorted.
Grandma Ruth now examined me approvingly. "You've just proven that you have wit and spirit with your answer, my dear. And that you know my grandson quite well, too."
"Yeah, yeah, you women who think you know men," Carter now chimed in. "May I ask why you didn't think I was capable of finding a witty woman?"
"I didn't say find, my dear. It was more about wanting. I would have thought you'd pick a quieter specimen. A bit like Hanny."
Hanny.
Now I remembered. That was the bride's name.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cameron now protested. "Don't you like my wife? Haven't we done everything in the last few weeks to make your life as comfortable as possible?"
"Of course, my dear." Grandma Ruth seemed unfazed. "I didn't say there was anything wrong with Hanny. She's just a completely different type of person than Isabella."
"It sounds like you'd prefer Isabella." Cameron wasn't so easily placated.
"She'll be good for Carter. I think Isabella will bring a breath of fresh air to our family. Some unconventional views." Grandma Ruth nodded at me.
"And Hanny won't do that?" Cameron persisted.
"Hanny will bring constancy to our family. She wants to preserve, not renew." Grandma Ruth seemed to have scrutinized Cameron's bride quite thoroughly as well. She was clearly the head of the family. Earlier, when Carter and I had arrived, I had also met Carter's parents. They had greeted me politely and looked at me with interest, but hadn't further commented on their son's choice. However, they were also quite busy with wedding preparations. Perhaps there would be an opportunity to speak with them in more detail later.
Isabella! What are you thinking? You're here to play a role in front of Carter's family! Not to get to know them and secure a place in their hearts forever. You should appear credible and make an effort, but you don't need to take the initiative. Hold back!
"Cameron, look away!" Another female voice sounded behind us. "Or step aside for a moment. I need Grandma Ruth's advice on the bridal bouquet. Hanny accidentally sat on it." Carter's mother was standing behind Carter and Cameron. Catherine.
"You two go away. This is women's business." Grandma Ruth energetically waved her silver cane in the air and directed Cameron and Carter to the other end of the property. "You'd better check if everything's ready at the buffet. Later it's all about the food anyway."
I giggled quietly.
I liked Grandma Ruth at least as much as she liked me.
SHE definitely had wit and spirit and had managed to preserve it in this certainly not easy family.
"What is it, Catherine?" Grandma Ruth now asked.
Carter's mother held out a rather crushed and slightly tattered bridal bouquet. "Hanny is finally dressed and just wanted to sit down for a moment. Unfortunately, she forgot that she had put the bridal bouquet on the chair in front of the dressing table. I wanted to warn her in time, but it was already too late..." Carter's mother looked desperate. "I immediately called the florist, but of course no one's there today. No one answered the phone."