Read Online Saving Tatum (Trace + Olivia #4) by Micalea Smeltzer - Free Book Online

wrapped around the front and sides. I could tell the home was old, and in need of a lot of work, but no less beautiful. A large red barn sat behind the house, looking exactly like I’d imagined one to look. If I peered far enough, I could see at least two more barns on the property. In the distance there were rows upon rows of cleared land, ready for the planting season.
    Jude killed the engine on his truck and hopped out. I was left to follow.
    He bounced up the rickety steps to the front door.
    I was much slower, a bit afraid that the steps might cave in.
    He opened the door and waved me inside ahead of him.
    Like the exterior, the interior was obviously old and in need of repairs. Flowery pink wallpaper in the foyer peeled down and the wood floors needed to be sanded and re-stained. I still thought it was beautiful in a rustic, homey sort of way.
    “Pap?” He called out. “Where are you?”
    “Back here, boy!” Sounded a gruff voice from the back of the house.
    Jude nodded his head for me to follow him.
    We rounded the hallway into a kitchen and the first thing I noticed was that it was covered with dirty dishes. It was also covered with at least ten baskets of eggs. I had never seen so many eggs in my life. Not even at Easter brunch as a child when we had an Easter egg hunt with family.
    In the corner of the room, sitting at a small wood table, was an older man. His gray hair was thinning but there was a sparkle in his brown eyes—the same sha de of brown as Jude’s. His face was heavily wrinkled, and he looked tired —like a man that had worked hard his whole life. Upon seeing us, he smiled and it lit up his face.
    It didn’t escape my noticed that despite the fact that it was the evening, the man was reading the newspaper, a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him. A cup of coffee and orange juice sat at the side of the plate.
    “Pap,” Jude groaned, “what have I told you about the eggs?!” Not waiting for the man to respond, he continued, “They spoil . You either need to sell them, or toss them. You can’t eat all these.”
    Lowering the newspaper, the older man responded. “Andrew, I’ve taken care of myself this long, I think I’m fine.”
    Andrew?
    “Pap—?”
    “The yard needs to be mowed, do you think you can do that?” He talked right over Jude.
    Jude shook his head. “You know I will, but not—”
    “Today, please. It’s looking shabby.” His eyes landed on me. “Who’s this? Oh…is this Julia? She’s lovely, Andrew. You’re description didn’t do her justice. She’s stunning.”
    I shot Jude a questioning gaze.
    “Pap, we’ll be right back.” Jude reached for my hand and pulled me from the room.
    “Alright, I’ll finish my breakfast while y’all talk,” the man said from the other room.
    Once we were in the living room away from the kitchen, Jude released my hand. “I should’ve explained before we walked in here. I don’t know what I was thinking,” he muttered, shoving his fingers through his hair so it stuck up wildly. “That’s my grandpa, which I’m sure you’ve figured out. He has Alzheimer’s. Some days are good, some days are bad. Very bad. Like today. He was fine yesterday, so I thought he’d be okay today.”
    “So, Andrew is…?” I prompted, my gaze travelling around the room. An old piano sat in the corner with an even older couch. One of those giant Grandfather clocks took up space against the wall. I’d never seen one in person. This house was screaming to be fixed up.
    “My dad,” Jude clarified.
    “And Julia?” I tilted my head to the side.
    “I don’t know,” he frowned. “My mom’s name is Karen. When he gets like this, I’ve found it’s best to play along. He gets mad if I contradict him.” Jude’s eyes grew sad. Normally he always smiled or laughed, to see him like this was a new experience for me. Jude loved his grandpa. That was obvious.
    “I don’t understand what any of this has to do with answering my question,” I