looked but also to the fact that he fit all my criteria. He's college educated, comes from a good family, will have a good career someday. He was my safe choice, the guy I thought I could count on for a stable future, except it turned out he wasn't stable at all, at least when it came to being faithful."
She frowns. "I'm sorry, honey. If I ever see that boy again, I'll give him a good slap in the face."
I smile. "I doubt you'll run into him. You better get going. You don't want to be late."
She checks her watch. "Oh goodness, I should've left five minutes ago. Gladys will have a fit if she's the only one managing coffee hour."
As she leaves I realize I forgot to tell her who's coming to lunch. Too late now. She'll have to find out when she gets home.
While she's gone I make a simple ham and egg casserole along with blueberry muffins. It's more of a brunch than a lunch, but I doubt Walter and Tyler will care. They're used to eating frozen meals. They'll love anything that's homemade.
They show up just before noon. I was hoping Grams would be home by now so I could've told her about our lunch guests. She's not going to be happy when she comes home and sees Walter and Tyler here.
"We're a little early," Tyler says with a smile.
Just seeing him I feel that rush of excitement I told Grams about. I know part of it's because I'm so attracted to him but it's more than that. There's just something about him. Something that gets my blood pumping, gives me a shot of energy, puts an instant smile on my face.
"You're right on time." I step aside to let them in.
"Thank you for inviting us," Walter says, glancing around the living room. "Is your grandmother in the kitchen?"
"No, she's still at church. She stayed late to help plan the fall craft fair. It's a fundraiser the church does every September."
"Yes, I'm aware of it. I donated some of my woodworking for it last year."
"I didn't know you did woodworking."
"It's just a hobby of mine," he says, brushing it off. "So Cora won't be joining us?"
He sounds disappointed. He's all dressed up in a suit and tie, his hair combed back, his face freshly shaved. It's Sunday and he knows Grams would expect him to show up looking nice on a Sunday, even just for lunch.
"She'll be here soon," I say. "Why don't you sit down?"
Tyler looks at me like he wants answers. This lunch is supposed to be for Grams and Walter and Grams isn't here. I don't want to tell him anything in front of Walter so I give him a look, trying to send him a message not to ask.
"Does Cora know we're having lunch?" Walter asks.
What do I say? If I tell him the truth, he might leave. He wouldn't want Grams thinking he secretly planned this to get her to talk to him again.
This was a bad idea. I might've just ruined any chance of the two of them getting back together.
Chapter Seventeen
"Actually Grams is—" I stop when I see the door swing open.
Grams walks in, then stops suddenly when she sees the three of us standing there. Her eyes go to Walter, then me, then back to Walter. "What are you doing here?"
He stands up straighter. "Having lunch. Faith invited us."
Grams' eyes shoot to mine, giving me the look she used to give me when I was in trouble as a kid.
"Faith didn't mention you were coming over," Grams says.
"I tried to this morning," I say, "but you raced out of here."
"I assumed you knew," Walter says to Grams. "If you'd prefer not to have company, we can leave."
Grams' eyes move over Walter, looking down at his suit then back up to his face. Is she checking him out? Or just assessing his attire? I'm pretty sure she was checking him out. And I think she likes what she sees. She suddenly seems nervous, her eyes bouncing around, her breaths getting faster.
"It's fine," she says, racing past Walter to the hall closet. She puts her purse in its place on the top shelf. "Continue with your lunch."
Walter walks over to her. "You're not joining us?"
She shuts the closet door. "I don't believe I was invited. I never received an invitation."
"Grams, of course you're invited," I say. "I planned this last week and just forgot to tell you."