yes. In love with you, yes. Blind, no.” He tossed her a grin that had won her over for seventy years.
Daniel chuckled. He adored their bantering, and tonight Gramps showed few signs of his disease. “Better watch it, or you’ll be on the couch tonight.”
“Aw, wouldn’t be the first time. You know, Agent Evertson treated me with respect instead of like a worthless old man.”
“She had some spunk, too.” Gran didn’t look up from her knitting, where her fingers flew at jet speed.
Daniel wouldn’t reveal his conversations with her. “I’m glad you had a good experience.”
Gramps chuckled and sat back in his recliner. “I read you better than a book, Daniel. You don’t think much of the pretty agent.”
“What?” Where was this headed?
“It’s the same problem you have with every woman you meet. If she’s intelligent —and Agent Evertson is definitely smart —you think she’s out to use you up and spit you out. If she’s drop-dead gorgeous, you think she’s like your mom. Brains and beauty together throw you way out of your comfort zone. Especially when you’re on a crusade to save the world.”
This was not going as he anticipated. Last night Gramps talked about playing kick the can when he was a boy.
“I’m right, so admit it.” Gramps crumpled the candy wrapper and tossed it back into the dish.
“I’ve dated pretty girls.”
“How many times have you taken one of them out more than twice?”
Daniel had no plans of marrying, which fed into what Gramps believed was true. “You might be right.”
His eyes twinkled. “I’d like to see you put a ring on a lady’s finger before I’m completely senile.”
“And I’d like to hold a great-grandbaby or two.” Gran smiled. “A redheaded baby girl or boy.”
“The right woman hasn’t crossed my path.” He shrugged. “Not sure if she ever will.”
Gramps studied him, and Daniel feared he was slipping. Worse yet, a sermon might be on the tip of his tongue. “Son, open your heart to what God has for you. You’re running from everything reminding you of your mother. I’ve said this before, but you’ve got to forgive her and not blame every female for one woman’s mistakes.”
Daniel picked up the glass of water and downed it, giving him time to form his response. “Every time I think I’ve grown and forgiven her, a reminder pops up and the bitterness nearly chokes me. I’m a grown man still acting like a kid.” He’d visit her soon for his reasons. But he had no intention of setting himself up for a land mine relationship with any woman.
“Ask God to help you put your mother in the right perspective. Look at Abby. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“She’s different, and she’ll always be my best girl.”
“Thank you, Daniel,” she said. “I’m not the only different woman out there.”
Gramps picked up the TV remote. “The right one will step into your life when you least expect it.”
“Have you always been so irritatingly wise?”
“Ah, I push everyone to redemption, not just to cope with life’s hard punches.”
Daniel smiled at the white-haired wisdom. “Thanks. But it won’t be Special Agent Laurel Evertson. She’s not my type.”
Gramps laughed. “Famous last words. I’ll get off your case for now. I know they’d like for your gran and I to work with an artist about Russell Jergon. Should have done it when we were there, but I don’t think they took us seriously.”
“I could take you there on my day off.”
Gramps waved his hand. “Daniel, my cooperation depends on where my mind is. I can tell you what I ate for breakfast when I was twelve, but this morning is another matter.” He paused, tears filling his eyes. “Hate it when I can’t remember or when you tell me I’ve done something stupid.”
“We take one day at a time.”
“By helping the artist, I can contribute to society instead of taking advantage of it.”
“Gramps, you’ve given much to
Daniel chuckled. He adored their bantering, and tonight Gramps showed few signs of his disease. “Better watch it, or you’ll be on the couch tonight.”
“Aw, wouldn’t be the first time. You know, Agent Evertson treated me with respect instead of like a worthless old man.”
“She had some spunk, too.” Gran didn’t look up from her knitting, where her fingers flew at jet speed.
Daniel wouldn’t reveal his conversations with her. “I’m glad you had a good experience.”
Gramps chuckled and sat back in his recliner. “I read you better than a book, Daniel. You don’t think much of the pretty agent.”
“What?” Where was this headed?
“It’s the same problem you have with every woman you meet. If she’s intelligent —and Agent Evertson is definitely smart —you think she’s out to use you up and spit you out. If she’s drop-dead gorgeous, you think she’s like your mom. Brains and beauty together throw you way out of your comfort zone. Especially when you’re on a crusade to save the world.”
This was not going as he anticipated. Last night Gramps talked about playing kick the can when he was a boy.
“I’m right, so admit it.” Gramps crumpled the candy wrapper and tossed it back into the dish.
“I’ve dated pretty girls.”
“How many times have you taken one of them out more than twice?”
Daniel had no plans of marrying, which fed into what Gramps believed was true. “You might be right.”
His eyes twinkled. “I’d like to see you put a ring on a lady’s finger before I’m completely senile.”
“And I’d like to hold a great-grandbaby or two.” Gran smiled. “A redheaded baby girl or boy.”
“The right woman hasn’t crossed my path.” He shrugged. “Not sure if she ever will.”
Gramps studied him, and Daniel feared he was slipping. Worse yet, a sermon might be on the tip of his tongue. “Son, open your heart to what God has for you. You’re running from everything reminding you of your mother. I’ve said this before, but you’ve got to forgive her and not blame every female for one woman’s mistakes.”
Daniel picked up the glass of water and downed it, giving him time to form his response. “Every time I think I’ve grown and forgiven her, a reminder pops up and the bitterness nearly chokes me. I’m a grown man still acting like a kid.” He’d visit her soon for his reasons. But he had no intention of setting himself up for a land mine relationship with any woman.
“Ask God to help you put your mother in the right perspective. Look at Abby. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“She’s different, and she’ll always be my best girl.”
“Thank you, Daniel,” she said. “I’m not the only different woman out there.”
Gramps picked up the TV remote. “The right one will step into your life when you least expect it.”
“Have you always been so irritatingly wise?”
“Ah, I push everyone to redemption, not just to cope with life’s hard punches.”
Daniel smiled at the white-haired wisdom. “Thanks. But it won’t be Special Agent Laurel Evertson. She’s not my type.”
Gramps laughed. “Famous last words. I’ll get off your case for now. I know they’d like for your gran and I to work with an artist about Russell Jergon. Should have done it when we were there, but I don’t think they took us seriously.”
“I could take you there on my day off.”
Gramps waved his hand. “Daniel, my cooperation depends on where my mind is. I can tell you what I ate for breakfast when I was twelve, but this morning is another matter.” He paused, tears filling his eyes. “Hate it when I can’t remember or when you tell me I’ve done something stupid.”
“We take one day at a time.”
“By helping the artist, I can contribute to society instead of taking advantage of it.”
“Gramps, you’ve given much to
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