Page 58 of Solid as Steele
“I like them, and I don’t get to see my grandparents enough. My mom’s parents are the only ones still living, and they retired to Florida.”
“I can’t imagine not seeing mine every week. Sometimes I complain about it, but they really are special.”
The door opened, and her grandad came in with a tray of plates and silverware. He started setting the place next to Owen and looked at him. “You fish, son?”
Mackenzie groaned, and Owen cast her a questioning look.
“I should’ve warned you about that. Grandad is obsessed with fishing and thinks everyone should do it.” She smiled fondly up at him. “Actually, I’m surprised it took him so long to ask.”
He waved her off. “When you fish, all the peace and quiet is good for the soul. Plenty of time to contemplate and talk to God without the world’s pressures interfering.”
“My dad’s an avid fisherman,” Owen said. “I went with him when I was a kid, but I couldn’t handle all that downtime and was too wiggly for him. Sorry.”
Her grandad brought the tray around to the other side. “Might be different as an adult.”
“Maybe.” Owen tilted his head.
“Would be worth a try, right?” Her grandad finished the second place setting and retrieved the tray. “I’d be glad to take you out anytime. Or maybe you want to go with your dad.”
“Yeah, maybe. He could use a buddy right about now.”
Her grandad nodded and left the room.
“How are your parents doing this morning?” She flashed up a hand. “Wait. Scratch that question. That’s one that we all hated getting after Thomas died. How do you answer such a question? I know how they’re doing. I’ve seen it in my aunt and uncle.”
“Thanks for being concerned though,” Owen said. “It’s really set in overnight, and my mom is especially upset. But then my dad has always been kind of stoic, so he’s likely hurting as badly but not showing it.”
Stoic. A word that described Owen. Maybe he took after his father.
The door swung open again, and her grandad backed into the room with a tray and held the door with his foot. Carrying another tray, Mackenzie’s gran entered. They held the casserole, cinnamon bread toasted a perfect brown, caramel rolls, and the bowl of fresh fruit Mackenzie had prepared earlier.
They placed the dishes on the table and sat.
“Let’s pray,” her grandad said.
They all joined hands, and he led them in a prayer of thanksgiving for the food and added one for comfort for the Greer family at the end.
At the Amen, Owen squeezed her hand hard, and she almost winced. Seemed as if he’d really embraced the heartfelt prayer. She had the best grandad in the world.
Her gran offered the casserole to Owen. “A family favorite.”
He scooped out a large serving.
“I see you brought your cinnamon swirl bread and caramel rolls.” Mackenzie took a piece of toast from the plate and then switched the dish with Owen for the casserole.
Her gran took a large serving of the fruit and smiled. “Nothing but the best for my girls.”
Owen lifted a roll dripping in caramel sauce onto his plate. “If these rolls are as good as they look, there won’t be any left for the girls.”
“Now aren’t you the sweetest boy.” Gran gave Mackenzie and Owen pointed looks.
He glanced at Mackenzie and blushed a bright red.
“Mackenzie told us to stay away from matchmaking.” Her grandad spread a thick slab of butter on his toast. “And now you’ve gone and embarrassed him. Suppose that means I can bring up the investigation.”
Mackenzie shook her head. “What good does it do to talk to you two?”
“None.” Her grandad grinned. “And I figured a smart woman like you would know that by now.”
