She nodded in agreement. Retreating, we stepped back down the steps leading to Caleb’s front door and waited for Gramps and Gladys to exit his car.
“Good morning, girls. Are you two ready to watch me kick some ass today?”
I laughed as Gramps walked toward us, his arms stretched wide as he readied to pull us both into a hug.
I had no doubt that he would do just that—especially in his age category.
“Of course.”
I could see Gladys over his shoulder as she stood back shyly waiting for an introduction. She was just as cute as my grandfather.
Petite with long, dark hair and even darker eyes, she too looked much younger than her age. I smiled at her, hoping it would encourage her to approach.
When she didn’t, I pulled away enough to whisper in Gramps’ ear. “I think you better introduce us.”
“Ah.” He stepped back, smiling. “Yes, of course. Girls...” He paused and twisted long enough to wave Gladys forward. “This is Gladys. My…my…” He faltered, and Georgie stepped in to finish for him.
“She’s your girlfriend, Gramps.”
He visibly blushed and reached for her hand.
“Yes, yes, of course. It’s only that I feel too old to have a girlfriend.”
Gladys smiled and leaned into him gently. “You’re not. Trust me.”
I extended my hand toward her. “I’m so happy to meet you. I’ve heard so many wonderful things.”
That wasn’t true, exactly. Gramps had been extremely tightlipped about Gladys, but I could see she was nervous. I figured it was always nice to be nice.
The door to Caleb’s house opened behind us, as Caleb called out to the group.
“What are you guys doing out here? It’s cold, and you’re all going to be standing out in the weather plenty today. Get inside.”
Obliging him, we made our way in. I hung back, intentionally going in last so I could talk to Caleb.
“Where’s Ross? Is he here yet?”
Part of me had worried all weekend that he would get cold feet about getting thrown in to meet my family so early and all at once.
Caleb nodded. “Oh yeah. He’s been here for a while. He’s feeding Maggie upstairs in the nursery. He should be down in a bit.”
Relieved, I joined the others in the living room just as Hannah ran toward Georgie and threw her arms around my sister’s legs. I watched in shock.
“Georgie, I’ve missed you!”
Saddened that I never got a greeting like that from Hannah, and astonished that my sister was getting one now, I stared in confusion. I thought Georgie had been doing most of her cleaning while Hannah was at school.
“You’ve missed her?”
“Yes. I haven’t seen Georgie in weeks.” Pausing, Hannah redirected her attention toward Georgie. “And you know what? The new housekeeper isn’t nearly as good as you are. And she’s not nearly as nice either.”
Georgie spun toward me, still holding Hannah, her expression frazzled and guilty. “Umm…I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
I glared at Georgie as I waited for her to elaborate, but as she opened her mouth to speak, Caleb stepped forward to intercede.
“It’s all my doing, Sue. I should’ve told you. I’ve a friend who needed a housekeeper who was more full-time. I know you’ve been paying her, but this guy was offering her way more money. I just couldn’t deny her the opportunity. So I fired her.”
I continued to stare at Georgie as I scowled at her. I couldn’t make a scene in front of everyone. Instead, I took a measured breath before speaking. “What exact date did you stop working here?”
She bowed her head in what I could only assume was shame. “A month ago yesterday.”
Shaking my head, I thought of the four checks I’d given her during the past month that she’d already cashed. “You owe me a thousand dollars.”
She looked up. “I know, I know. I haven’t spent it. I’ll get it back to you.”
She was saved by the sound of footsteps descending the staircase behind us, and I turned to grab Ross to keep him from being peppered with questions.
Maggie was already strapped to him in her carrier, sleeping.
“Good morning, lass.”
He leaned in to kiss my cheek as I greeted him at the bottom of the stairs. “Good morning.”
I turned to introduce him to Georgie, Gladys, and Gramps, but Caleb held up a hand to stop me.
“Hang on. Your grandfather and I have to leave in just a minute. You all can do introductions on our way out the door. Let’s just make certain everyone is on the same page.”
In unison, we all nodded, awaiting his instructions.
“You guys will wait at whatever spot you can find near the finish line, yes?”
Again, we all nodded.
“Great. Let’s all go get lunch after we are both finished racing.”
He turned toward me. “After lunch, I’m driving the girls up north an hour to my mother’s house for the weekend. I’ve got a massage scheduled for this evening, and I plan on spending the weekend doing absolutely nothing. I’ve already packed Maggie. Hannah insisted on packing herself. Do you mind helping her finish then make sure both bags get loaded into my car? Your grandfather and I will take his vehicle to the race. You guys can go in mine since the car seat for Maggie and the booster seat for Hannah are already set up. The keys are hanging on a hook next to the garage door. Sound good?”
I smiled at him. It wasn’t as if any of us had any choice. “Of course. Good luck. We’ll be cheering you guys on the whole time.”
Clearly calmed by my assurance that we had it under control, Caleb moved to grab Hannah from Georgie’s arms, leaving me to quickly introduce Ross.
I didn’t need to do anything. Before I could move, Ross brushed past me and walked right over to my grandfather, his hand extended.
“Hello. ’Tis a pleasure to meet ye, sir. I’m Ross, Allanah’s boyfriend.”
I could see Georgie balk at him in surprise as I felt my own jaw drop. To see him so confidently introduce himself as my boyfriend—something we hadn’t even discussed yet—after watching my grandfather falter over the same introduction with someone he’d been dating for much longer, was incredibly hot.
I stood back, allowing him to continue down the line, next introducing himself to Gladys and then to my sister.
As soon as he was done, Caleb began to hurry Gramps out of the house, and the rest of us were left to get ready for the marathon.
Hannah spoke first as soon as Gramps and her father were gone. “Is it okay if Georgie helps me finish packing?”
Quickly resigning that I was just never going to be Hannah’s favorite, I nodded. “Of course it is.”
As they took off for her room, Gladys reached for Maggie who had stirred and was now fussing.
“Let me take her for a little bit. I’m good with babies.”
Ross quickly lifted Maggie from the carrier and allowed Gladys to move to the rocking chair in the living room with her, leaving Ross and me alone in the entryway.
I pushed him back a step so we were hidden from Gladys’ view and leaned in to give him an enthusiastic kiss before trailing my lips up toward his ear to whisper.
“You are so getting laid tonight.”
He groaned and leaned forward to nibble my ear before trailing my jawline to pull me in for another kiss.
Chapter 23
“I heard what you said at my house.”
Ross stirred at the touch of Hannah’s fingers pulling on his own to get his attention. Careful not to elbow anyone in the crowd around him, he squatted down low to listen to her.
“What, lass?”
Hannah tilted her head to one side and looked up at him, knowingly. “You heard what I said, Uncle Ross. I said, ‘I heard what you said.’ Sue is your girlfriend. I knew you didn’t really want to be alone.”
The little girl crossed her arms smugly against her chest.
Ross smiled and shrugged. “Aye, I
suppose ye did know better than I. Can ye see a thing, lass? Do ye want me to pick ye up?”
Hannah nodded, and he quickly lifted her above his head and onto his shoulders.
“Whoa! Be careful, Uncle Ross. Don’t let me fall.”
He held tight to her ankles. “Doona worry about that, lass. I promise I’ve got ye.”
Allanah stepped up beside him with Maggie snuggled into her.
“Did you see any extra blankets in Caleb’s car? I think Maggie is cold. It’s going to be hours before this race is finished. Maybe one of us should’ve stayed at the house with the girls for a while and brought them later?”
Casting his eyes upward, he looked up at Hannah. “Are ye cold, lass?”
She called down to him. “Yeah. Very.”
Turning to look past the crowd, he spotted a diner not far down the street.
“Why doona I take them to get some breakfast at the diner down the way? The three of us can keep warm for a while. Ye can call me if ye think Caleb or yer grandfather are close to finishing and we will return.”
Relief flooded Allanah’s expression.
“Are you sure you don’t mind? I would, but I feel like I should be here the whole time.”
Ross reached out to squeeze her hand. “O’course, lass. ’Tis yer grandfather.”
He reached up to lift Hannah off of his shoulders and lowered her to the ground.
“What do ye say we go grab a bite to eat? I’ll have ye back before yer father is done running.”
“I say that’s great.”
He returned his gaze to Allanah.
“’Tis settled then. Place Maggie in her stroller. We will see ye in a bit.”
There was no way the small child was going to finish all the food she’d ordered. Ross watched with amusement as the waitress set three chocolate chip pancakes twice the size of her head down in front of her, followed by a large glass of orange juice, two scrambled eggs, and some bacon.
“Whoa.”
He’d never seen Hannah look so intimidated.
“Doona worry. Let’s get ye a plate, and ye can move over whatever ye think ye can actually eat. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Unlike Hannah, he’d not had anything to eat today.
“Okay. Deal. This is more food than I eat all day.”
Laughing, the waitress winked at Hannah. “It’s too much, really. I don’t know why we serve such big portions. I’ll be right back with another plate and a set of silverware for you.”
With Maggie now sleeping happily in her stroller, Ross jumped to answer his phone the moment it began to ring in an effort to keep from waking the baby.
It was Sydney.
“Good morning, lass. How are ye?”
The usual happy tone of Sydney’s voice was missing as she answered him, and it caused unease to work its way up his spine.
“Hey, Ross. I’m doing well. Do you have a minute to talk?”
The waitress appeared beside their table again. Seeing him rock Maggie’s stroller gently back and forth with one hand while holding onto his phone with the other, she gave him a little smile and leaned forward to help Hannah put some of the food onto another plate. He whispered a thank you to the woman before returning his attention to Sydney.
“’Tis the Saturday of the marathon I told ye about. The race is going now, but I’ve escaped to a diner with Caleb’s girls for a bit of breakfast and to get out of the cold. I’ve some time. Is everything okay?”
The sound of Sydney sighing on the other end did nothing to calm him.
“Yes and no. It’s not an emergency, and I’ve debated all day whether or not I should even call you. I know what you’ve said to me about this before, but in the end, I decided that it wasn’t up to me to make this decision for you.”
It had to be about his mother. He could feel it in his gut.
“She’s worse, aye?”
“Yes. Callum received a letter from Griffith while in the past today. He brought it back through as soon as he opened it. The healer in Griffith’s territory doesn’t believe she has more than a few months left.”
His hunger vanished as an uncomfortable knot settled in his stomach. This news was inevitable. In truth, he was surprised that she’d lasted this long. The degenerative disease had plagued her for years. His only solace was knowing that she’d long since said her goodbye to him. She wouldn’t be missing his presence now. And all of the arrangements for her care had been attended to years ago.
“Thank ye for telling me, lass. If Griffith sends other news, ye will tell me, aye? When she…she goes, I will return long enough to see her buried.”
“Ross…” Sydney hesitated. “I didn’t call because she doesn’t have much time left. I called because she’s asking for you.”
Surprise coursed through him. She’d not asked for him in years. He’d hoped that by some miracle, she wouldn’t forget that she’d already lost him once. If so, it would make everything so much easier for them both.
“What?” He knew it was possible. He knew that those with the disease often reverted back to earlier times. He’d just hoped that in this one instance he would remain inaccessible to her. It was difficult enough at a distance, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to stand seeing her in person after all these years.
“Griffith writes that for weeks now she’s been slipping in and out of the same time period in her life.” She hesitated, and he could sense where she was heading. “Ross, she doesn’t remember your supposed death. Each time she lands there, you’re all she talks about. She’s become quite agitated.”
He would have to go back. The promises he’d made to himself to never return to Scotland meant nothing now. If his mother remembered him—if she needed him—he had to go.
Ross knew that the healer’s suspicion of months meant nothing. She could go quickly or linger much longer. He would have to leave soon. And worse, he had no idea how long he would have to stay away. Most likely, it wouldn’t be a short trip.
Arranging things with Caleb would be difficult enough, but what about Allanah? He’d promised her he wasn’t going to run again, but now he had no other choice.
He would have to say goodbye.
Chapter 24
Something was up. I suspected it from Ross’ tone when I called to tell him that it was time for them to meet back up with us at the race, but I knew for certain when I saw the expression on his face.
His jaw was tight, his eyes red, and his shoulders were stiff and pulled up uncomfortably as if it was taking all the strength he had to keep whatever he was feeling—whatever was upsetting him—in.
“Is everything okay?”
He gave me one curt nod as he began to pat Maggie’s back as she stirred.
“I’ll tell ye later. Would ye mind if we doona go out tonight, lass? Could we just order in and spend the evening curled up on the couch with Tink?”
He didn’t know me well enough yet to realize that an evening in was pretty much always going to be preferable to me than just about anything else. Regardless, I expected that the change of plans had much more to do with whatever had happened during the last few hours than him sharing the same enthusiasm for being a hermit as me.
I frowned at him, trying to show concern. “Sure, but are you sure…”
He interrupted me, gently reaching out to place his hand on my arm. “I canna talk about it here, lass—I doona wish to upset either of the girls. Later, aye?”
Obliging him, I nodded and turned back to look at the finish line just in time.
To my surprise—I’d honestly expected Gramps to beat Caleb by a mile—Caleb and Gramps had stayed together, and they were just rounding the last corner toward the finish line.
Together, we screamed and cheered for them, and it didn’t take long for Maggie’s screams at being awakened by such noise to join in with our chorus.
Among the crowd of runners and the hoards of people looking on, it took some time for Gramps and Caleb to find their way to us once t
hey were done. While they both looked unquestionably exhausted, I’d also never seen either of them look so proud.
“I cannot believe I did that.” Caleb beamed as he turned to pull Gramps into a big, sweaty hug. “Thank you for pushing me to do this, and for helping me train, and for…” Caleb choked on his words as tears filled his eyes. “For all of your wisdom. It’s helped me break out of the darkness of these past few months.”
Now blubbering with almost as much enthusiasm as little Maggie, we collectively carpooled over to Gramps’ favorite Italian restaurant and indulged in a carb-heavy lunch to reward our favorite runners.
After several enjoyable hours of food, conversation, and laughter, we all scattered. With Caleb and his girls in his car, and Gramps and Gladys in his, Georgie, Ross, and I were left to walk the short distance back to our apartment complex.
“What are your plans tonight, Georgie? Are you seeing your friend tonight?” I emphasized the word for good measure. She’d remained so tightlipped about the situation that I still had no idea what to call the man she’d been seeing.
“Yes, but not until late. He’s out of town until this evening. I was planning on being in the apartment until eight or so. After that, I won’t be back until tomorrow night sometime.”
Ross increased his pace, walking ahead so Georgie and I could talk in private.
“Okay. How are things going?”
She blushed and smiled at me. “Really, really good.”
“And that’s all I’m getting, isn’t it?”
She laughed and nodded enthusiastically. “Yep.”
Our plans to order dinner went out the window the moment we sat down on Ross’ couch after taking Tink for a much-needed potty break and short walk outside.
“If you’re hungry, Ross, please feel free to order something for yourself, but I honestly don’t think I can eat another bite. I’m pretty sure lunch is going to have me feeling stuffed until morning at least—maybe longer than that.”
Love Beyond Boundaries (A Scottish Time Travel Romance): Book 12 (Morna's Legacy Series) Page 13