Page 60 of Structure of Love

“Your memory for people must be very good.”

“Well, that was one of the few times I’ve had to design something like that, and I had to research codes first to make sure it stayed in compliance. Plus they were both so sweet, always fetching us water or lemonade as we were building it. Sticks in the memory.”

“That does sound like her.” Grandma was pleased he remembered, I could tell.

Gage loaded up a plate, we all did, and his first bite of chicken made him groan.

“She’s a good cook,” I said, like he’d articulated an actual compliment. “It’s part of the reason why I’m always glad to see her.”

Gage looked at her and said earnestly, “If your grandson won’t have me, I’ll marry you, okay?”

She patted his arm, charmed already. “Done and done.”

“Hey, don’t count me out of the running yet,” I rebuked mildly, totally laughing on the inside. “I can cook too!”

Gage paused with a biscuit halfway to his mouth. “Cook like she does?”

“Well, yeah. She’s the one who taught me how to cook.”

Gage’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “In that case, I’ll seduce you later.”

Grandma giggled, happy we were comfortable enough to flirt in front of her, judging by her wicked smile. She’d always wanted this for me. I’d admit, a handsome man comfortable enough to openly be with me fulfilled the stuff of daydreams.

Just wait until I made him my chicken pot pie. He’d have me on my back before I could blink.

We teased each other all through lunch, then cleaned up and went back to painting. Well, I went back to painting, as I still had to finish cutting in. Doing all the trim work was always so much slower than rolling the walls. Gage ended up sitting on the bed with Grandma beside him. She really was taken with him, wasn’t she?

They chattered happily as I continued to paint, and I kept an eye on them, but Gage seemed to enjoy their conversation. I hoped and prayed we’d make it as a couple. Any man who could charm my grandmother and enjoy her company was a keeper for sure.

Only when I’d made it around the room and needed a break did I stop and sidetrack their conversation.

“Grandma, Gage has a cop friend he can ask a favor of. We were thinking maybe we should have the cop friend on standby when we move Erin out.”

Her face fell, and I felt bad dampening her good mood.

“That’s a smart move. I don’t understand my daughter, I really don’t. I didn’t raise her to be like this. I didn’t raise her to hate gay people either. I blame that no-good man she married.”

My mother was the type to be easily swayed, so it was possible. I couldn’t say either way. By time I was born, she was already this hateful person who was always disappointed with her sons.

“Gage, I hope you know all my grandsons are good men. Logan had a rough start, but he came through it, and if I believed in having favorites, he’d be mine.”

For that, I leaned in and kissed her forehead.

She smiled, but it was brief. “I don’t understand this idea of being disappointed in your children because they’re the wrong gender. I don’t understand it at all. A true parent would want a healthy child, and that’s all. Even if your child isn’t healthy, you should love them. There’s nothing right about her attitude. I haven’t spoken more than five words to my daughter in years because I’m just so disappointed in her. I’m glad you’re taking in Erin, Logan. I know you’ll do right by her. I want to give you a little money every month to support her.”

My grandmother wasn’t swimming in money, so I lifted a hand, stopping this. “Grandma, I’ve more than got her expenses covered.”

Her expression turned mulish. “You hush and take the money.”

I knew better than to argue. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Erin will need gas money, and pocket money, and she can use it for small expenses if you don’t need it.”

Time to divert this argument. “She’s hoping you’ll take her shopping. She hates all of the clothes Mom’s forced her into.”

“Oh! I can do that, certainly. I’ll get on Pinterest,” Grandma declared. “Share the board with her so we can figure out her style.”

God help us all. My grandmother loved Pinterest. Lived on it, in fact. Well, it would be fun for her, and it might help Erin narrow down a style to buy. “Sure.”