was enough to earn another smile. “Yes, you’re old and decrepit.”
“Sometimes I feel that way.”
“Well, get over it.” He was firm. “Your life is still at the beginning. Once you realize that, you’ll start looking forward instead of back. That will be a great day.”
“I certainly hope so.”
GRANDPA WAS BEHIND THE GRILL. The look he shot me was unreadable.
“I’m on time,” I said automatically. Sure, my hair was still wet and I’d whipped it back in a braid to keep it out of my face, but I wasn’t late.
“I’m well aware.” His eyes returned to the stairs, as if waiting for someone else to come down.
“What are you looking for?” I asked, confused.
“You know who I’m looking for.”
My stomach did a jittery jig. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I was never the smoothest of liars.
“Oh, geez.” Grandpa rolled his eyes until they landed on me. “His car is in the alley. I’ve already heard from the grocery store people that it was there all night. Don’t bother denying it. Everyone in town already knows.”
The blood started rushing through my ears as I tried to wrap my brain around what he was saying. “But ... .” On wooden legs, I moved to the back door and looked out. Sure enough, Hunter’s cruiser was parked exactly where he’d left it. I’d completely forgotten about it.
“The Sysco deliveryman is coming in twenty minutes,” Grandpa noted. “He needs to park there. If Hunter is planning on sneaking out via the back steps, you might ask him to get a move on.”
My mouth was unnaturally dry. “I ... nothing happened.” I blurted it out before thinking. “He was just helping me with something.”
“I know exactly what he was helping you with.” Grandpa didn’t boast even a hint of a smile. “Did he at least break up with his girlfriend?”
“Nothing happened,” I repeated, panic starting to creep in. “You can’t tell anyone about this.”
“No? I thought nothing happened. If it’s so innocent, why are you so worked up?”
“Because it’s not fair to Hunter.” I didn’t care about my reputation. His was a different story. “If people in this town start talking ... .” I trailed off, horrified at the prospect.
“Don’t worry about it, Stormy,” Hunter announced, appearing in the opening that led to the stairs. He was focused on Grandpa, not me. “People in this town have been talking about me my entire life. After what went down with my father, this is minor.”
Grandpa pursed his lips. “The girlfriend is no more, right? That will make this easier.”
Hunter hesitated. “Nothing happened last night. Stormy called because someone was trying to get into her apartment. Don’t give her a hard time about it.”
“That’s not what I asked.” Grandpa shifted his eyes to me. “What does he mean? Why would someone try to get into your apartment?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It happened late and I panicked. That’s why I called Hunter.”
“But ... that makes no sense.”
“It does if you consider the fact that a body was found in the alley right under her apartment a few days ago,” Hunter challenged. “Speaking of that, you and I are going to have a talk. You can keep hiding all you want, but it’s going to happen.”
Grandpa straightened. “I don’t hide.”
“Whatever.” Hunter flicked his eyes to me. “I’m going to get the things I need to upgrade your security system from the hardware store. I need the keys so I can get in and out without interrupting your shift.”
I nodded and reached into my apron, handing over the keys without a word.
“How are you going to upgrade the security up there?” Grandpa challenged. “There are only two ways to get in.”
“And I’m upgrading both of them.” Hunter was firm. “I might change the back locks on this restaurant, too, so be prepared for that.”
Grandpa opened his mouth, I’m sure to argue, but then snapped it shut. “Make sure she’s safe,” he said finally.
“That’s the plan. As for the other thing ... don’t worry about it. I’ll handle Monica.”
“She’s an unpleasant girl, son, but I don’t want my granddaughter earning a reputation that isn’t warranted. It’s not fair.”
“I don’t care about my reputation,” I argued.
“Shush, you.” Grandpa wagged a finger. “This is a small town. You need to handle your business.”
“I’m going to handle my business,” Hunter reassured him. “You need to make yourself available for questions later. I’m going to be ticked if I have to hunt you down this afternoon.”
“I haven’t been hiding,” Grandpa protested.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”