him his glass, stunned by his composure in light of the prickly woman.
“Your construction worker is handy,” my grandmother tells me. “Maybe he could take a look at the back gate. The latch is loose, and every gust of wind makes the thing slam open and closed, open and closed.”
Garrett stands. “Happy to take a look, ma’am. Where’re the tools?”
“In the garage,” she says. “Through there.” She points toward the kitchen.
I watch in astonishment as he disappears through the kitchen. First of all, my grandmother never asks for help from anyone. Second, he doesn’t have to do work here. I brought him as a guest. There’s a handyman in town who could do this for her.
She blithely sips her tea.
“Why didn’t you have Frank take care of the back gate?” I ask.
“Frank hurt his back.”
“What about Adam?” He’s a master carpenter in town.
“I don’t trust him to do the job right. He only works with cutting and sawing.”
“But you trust Garrett?”
“Have you noticed how close his name is to Gary? Gary Cooper, now that was a real man.” She nods once and then leans forward. “Your boyfriend has fine manners.”
“Yes, he does.” I smile to myself, bemused at the turn of events. That was a rare General Joan compliment.
“Still don’t like his motorcycle,” she adds. “Don’t let me see you riding that again.”
“How do you expect me to get back to the city?”
“Not too good to ride public transit, are you?”
I grit my teeth. I haven’t shared about some of the hazards of fame, particularly the way some creeper men react to seeing me out and about, but there’s no way I’m riding the train back to the city when I’ve got a perfectly fine mode of transportation right here.
“I don’t know why you continue to imply I’m above it all,” I say. “I’m still the same person I always was.”
“No, you’re not. No use pretending otherwise.”
I blow out a breath. “I thought we’d take you to dinner. Then I’m going to visit with Sydney, Audrey, and Jenna before heading back.”
She harrumphs. “I don’t think your new boyfriend will be wanting the diner’s early bird special. You go when you see fit. I just want to say one thing.” She pauses, her gaze intent on mine. “Be careful with him. I see the appeal, but never forget the draw of money in your profession. I don’t imagine construction workers make a lot.”
My chest tightens. “He hasn’t asked for any help from me.”
“Be smart, Harper. What have I taught you?”
I grind my teeth. “Never show weakness.”
“That’s right. If you do, others will take advantage. Like all your sorry exes. You keep getting taken in by a pretty face. That is not what makes a man. I blame myself for not having a male role model around here for you.” She blinks a few times and looks away. “Your grandfather could’ve been that for you. He was a real man.”
I have only vague memories of him. He seemed big and bold to little me, with a great booming laugh. “Sorry. I know you miss him.” I leave out any mention of my exes. I know my history with men isn’t stellar. I’m too trusting, and I mostly meet people connected to the industry in some way.
She waves away my sympathy and purses her lips. “I hope I’m wrong about Gary.”
I don’t bother to correct her on his name. I hope so too.
15
Harper
After our visit with Grandmom, Garrett pulls into the parking lot of an old white clapboard house with a wooden sign hanging out front that reads The Horseman Inn. Under that it says 1788. It’s my friend’s place now, a restaurant and bar. It was only an inn in the olden days. I seriously thought we’d never get out of my grandmother’s house. She had him fix the gate, open a painted-shut window in her sewing room, and then proceeded to interrogate him about his intentions toward me. She actually asked him if he was the play-the-field type or the marrying type!
And he said the marrying type!
Grandmom was not impressed. Me, I nearly swooned. He’s like something out of one of Alice Segal’s romances, only he’s real. I can’t stop hugging him around the middle. We’re still on his bike in the parking lot.
He turns off the bike, takes off his helmet, and looks at me over his shoulder. “This town must have a long history.”
I smile dreamily. “The inn predates the town from when it was a stagecoach stop. Now