her already large clan. But really, I’m not a part of her family, even though I like the idea of it. I’m just passing through, a life on the road.
“You’re right and yes, I met Summer. Tyler and I had lunch there today, and I also met Devon. He is so incredibly sweet. He has the Owens eyes.”
“That means he’ll grow up to be a handful like the rest of them.” She purses her lips and shakes her head, but it’s clear she wouldn’t change a thing about any of her grandkids. “When Summer delivers her baby, she’ll be coming to stay with me, so I need to have that room ready for her. Sometimes babies come early, you know, and I wouldn’t want to have to put you out at the last minute.” Gram, the matriarch of this big family, beams, obviously loving her caregiver role and it’s easy to tell how much they all adore her. “I’m hoping for a great granddaughter this time. But no matter. If it’s a boy I’ll love him just as much.” She glances down, pinches her lips and goes quiet, like she’s deep in thought. Her head lifts, and there’s a hint of mischief there. “Do boys or girls run in your family?” she asks.
I laugh, and I’m about to answer, tell her I’m not really sure, when Tyler comes up, a smirk on his face as he takes the last coffee in the tray and shakes his head. “Gram, don’t you have another tray of coffee to distribute?” he asks as he gestures to the full tray in her other hand.
“Mind your manners, Tyler. Just having a conversation with my new friend Haven.”
“What you’re doing is sizing her up to see if she’ll give you that great granddaughter. She’s only here for a short time, and you are not setting her up with one of your grandsons.”
“Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do.” She holds out an arthritic hand. “Or I’ll gristle you.”
Tyler laughs at that, but backs up just in case. “Haven already said she didn’t want kids, so stop wasting your time.”
I frown. Did I say I didn’t want kids? No, I think it was more the case I said I wouldn’t bring one into the world if I couldn’t be there for it. I think it was Tyler who said he didn’t want kids and was just reminding me of that.
Gram frowns at me. “You’re young yet. One of these days you’ll see things differently.” She looks at Tyler. “I’ll see you both for Sunday dinner tonight,” she says.
“Not tonight, Gram. I’m going to get Haven settled into the fishing cabin. She’ll have her privacy there.”
“Wait, what?” I ask. I didn’t realize he wanted me there with him.
Before Tyler can answer, Gram says, “I think that’s a good idea, Tyler.” She points a gnarled finger at him. “I’ll let you both out of Sunday dinner this time.”
Tyler grins and takes a sip of his coffee. “Listen, I think Olivia has a thing for Jared. Why don’t you go see about her giving you a great granddaughter?”
Her eyes light up. “Oh, and where might I find Olivia?”
Haven points the way and lets loose a loud laugh when Gram scurries off. “Jared is going to kill you, you know.”
His grin is full of mischief and promise when he looks at me. “I’m not afraid of him,” he says. “Sorry about that, though. She’s trying to marry us off one by one.”
“It’s fine,” I wave a dismissive hand. “She’s a sweetie, Ty.” As soon as I say his name, he steps closer, and the air practically vibrates between us. “So about these new sleeping arrangements,” I say.
He laughs. “When I told Gram I was moving to the cabin, she then proceeded to tell me she needed my room, or rather your room, for Summer. I wanted you at the cabin with me anyway, but she didn’t know that, which means, she was trying to get us together, in the same room, and the same bed. She’s clearly matchmaking, again.”
“I could bunk with Olivia,” I tell him as my body tingles all over, simply from being in his presence. “I don’t want her to get the wrong idea here. I’m not about to stay in Blue Bay, and give her the great granddaughter she’s after.”
“No, you’re not. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun while you’re here.”
“I’m not opposed.”
He goes serious for a moment. “I want you with