sneaking suspicion I knew the answer.
“Because sometimes, Emma comes for breakfast or for pizza on Fridays, and when she does, I like to have her favorites on hand.” Gram brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Could you bring me those coffee cups?”
I did as she asked and then leaned against the counter next to her, my arms crossed. “Why does Emma come for breakfast and for Friday pizza night?”
“Because she’s our friend, and we enjoy her company.” She raised one eyebrow. “Does that bother you somehow?”
“Yes. No. I’m not sure.” I didn’t want to ruin our Christmas morning by fighting with my grandmother, but the truth was that their relationship with my ex . . . whatever she was . . . did in fact bother me.
“Well, make up your mind, sweetheart. But you shouldn’t labor under any delusion that I’m going to stop being Emma’s friend just because you’re back home and you might possibly disapprove. I like her. She’s fun, she’s got an amazing mind, and she’s been very sweet to your grandfather and me. We’ve been having a ball this past year, helping her with the cabin.” She leveled a look at me. “She’s done an incredible job with it, and most of it, she’s done on her own or with some help from us. It’s a beautiful home. Plus, she’s begun raising her own vegetables. Pop has helped her quite a bit with that. Those two put their heads together and talk about seeds and root cuttings and the best crops to grow when . . . it’s done Pop a lot of good to have someone else around who’s interested in his knowledge. Makes him feel useful and needed.”
“It’s not like I’ve never talked to him about that,” I protested, but I knew my words rang hollow. I’d never been as interested in Pop’s immense store of knowledge on all things plant-related as I had been in medicine. Yes, I’d planned that someday, I’d take over the farm from my grandfather; I didn’t want it passing out of the family, and I was sure that by the time he needed me to do it, I’d be ready to think about farming. Maybe.
“Deacon, just because Emma and Pop speak the same language, it doesn’t mean he loves you less, you know.” One side of her mouth tipped up. “You don’t need to be jealous of her. I’m just saying that it’s nice for him.”
“Yeah.” I scowled. I didn’t doubt that Gram and Pop loved me, but . . . the idea of them hanging out with Emma Carson made me uncomfortable. “But now that I’m back, you don’t need to spend so much time with Emma. I’m here if you need anything.”
“Deacon Fox Girard, did you not hear what I just said? You’re not going to dictate to us who we can and cannot see.” She side-eyed me. “While you were off sowing your world-saving oats, we made a nice little group of younger friends. Besides Emma, we’ve gotten friendly with Jenny, Nico, Darcy, Alison . . . and Noah, too.” She finished wiping the last plate and reached for the towel to dry her hands. “They’re all hard-working, talented folks, and we’ve had fun with them. You should be grateful that your old grandparents were well cared-for in your absence.”
“Old,” I snorted. “Sure. You’re practically decrepit. I noticed that yesterday when I pulled up, and there you were, climbing the ladder to fix the Christmas lights on the edge of the roof.”
“Don’t be a smartass.” She smacked my backside. “Behave yourself.”
“Not likely to happen at this late stage in life.” I winked at her. “I’m a lost cause, Gram. Sorry about that.”
“Nothing about you is lost, Deacon.” Her voice softened. “And even though I know you’re mostly joking, I hope you know that you are and will always be the number one priority for Pop and me. But we love Emma, too, and there’s no reason for that to bother you.” She folded the dish towel, carefully matching up the corners. “You might as well set your mind right now that she’s going to be in your life. She built a house here. She owns land. And most important, she works at your hospital.”
“I know.” I sat back down at the table and reached for my mug. The coffee was lukewarm, but I didn’t mind drinking it that way. “I talked to her on Sunday when I went into the hospital. Let’s