Page 57 of Solid as Steele
Her grandad stepped forward and held out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Owen shook and smiled. An earnest smile, which Mackenzie had no idea how he managed. “You too, sir.”
Her grandad let go of Owen’s hand and waved his. “Sir. Harumph. I might be old, but I’m just plain Artie.”
Owen’s smile widened, and he looked at her gran who waved at him. “And I’m Eloise. We don’t stand on formality in our family. Life’s too short for that.”
“Go ahead and sit,” Mackenzie said. “And I’ll get the food.”
“I’ve got it covered,” her gran said. “Starting with the coffee. Would you like a cup, Owen?”
“Please.” He pulled out a chair for Mackenzie.
Her grandparents shared an approving look.
She sat, and Owen took the seat across from her.
Gran poured his coffee first. “Cream or sugar?”
“Black, please.”
“Attaboy,” her grandad said. “Enjoy all the goodness.”
“Most people in our family like it black, except this one.” Gran tapped Mackenzie’s shoulder. “She likes it strong like we all do, but it barely looks like coffee when she gets done with it.”
Mackenzie looked at her gran. “You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.”
“Bad?” Her gran poured the rich black coffee in the big stoneware mug. “Not at all. It makes you unique, and you are. Down to the color of your hair.” She kissed the top of Mackenzie’s head. “You have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. I find that absolutely fascinating, and I love waiting to see what you will do.”
“Thanks, Gran.” Mackenzie smiled at her grandmother. “I have to say, I think I’m a lot like you.”
“Well, of course you are. And look how fabulous I am.” Her gran chuckled.
“We’ll get the food on the table and take off,” her grandad said.
“You’re not joining us for breakfast?” Owen asked. “If there’s enough food it would be nice if you could.”
“Thought you’d never ask. Been a long time since our breakfast at four.” Her grandad pulled out the chair next to Owen.
“Artie, stop.” Her gran raised a warning hand. “We’re butting in.”
Mackenzie wanted to agree with her, but for some reason Owen seemed to want them there. Maybe having such open and caring people helped him deal with his grief. Or at least distracted him and postponed it until he was alone with Mackenzie. Would he always associate his sister’s death with Mackenzie? Man, that would be awful. Just awful.
“Not butting in at all.” Her grandad stared her gran down. “We were invited, and it would be rude to say no.”
“He has a point, Gran,” Mackenzie said. “And with the goodies you brought, we have plenty of food.”
“Okay then. But Artie, you’re going to help set the extra place settings and bring in the food.”
“I can do that,” Mackenzie said.
Her gran shook her head. “We will earn our keep.”
Mackenzie nodded as there was no arguing with her gran when she decided something like this, even if she earned her keep weekly and then some. She brought baked goods, meals, and even cleaned at times, spoiling all of them.
She set the pot on a hot pad and departed, her grandad tromping behind.
Mackenzie waited for the door to swing closed behind them. “That was nice of you to ask them to stay.”
