have here?” he asked, checking out the spread that covered the counters.
“Little samples of everything,” Emily said, coming to his side. “Help yourself.”
Everything had its own little paper cup for display—little cookies, mini cupcakes and cheesecakes, and squares of her delicious brownies. He went for one of those first.
“I’ll try the others later,” he promised.
“So you’re sticking around?” Emily asked in surprise. “I couldn’t even get Nate to come, and he’s engaged to me.”
“I guess a grandma can be more persuasive than a fiancée.” He paused. “Brooke’s told me a bit about your problems with Steph.”
“She has?” Emily asked, her blue eyes round.
He shrugged. “We’re together most of the day, and we talk to fill the time.”
Emily looked past him, wiping the concern off her face and replacing it with a cheerful smile. Adam turned his head and saw the teenagers arriving in groups of twos and fours, staying clustered together. Someone turned on music, and the beat thumped through the room. None of them approached the adults at first, as they hung up their coats and spread out around the Ping-Pong or pool tables.
Then Grandma Palmer waded right into the center of them and started talking.
“I really like her,” Emily said, her voice wistful.
Steph came toward them, smiling up at Adam. To her credit, the smile only dimmed a little when she turned to Emily.
“Thanks for making the food,” Steph said.
“I’m glad you asked.”
“How much do we owe you? We keep money in our budget for snacks.”
“No, please, it’s my treat. Think of it as advertising, right?”
“Well, okay, thanks.” She turned away.
Emily gave a quiet groan and closed her eyes. “Advertising,” she murmured, her voice laced with disgust. “I couldn’t have just said it was a gift?”
“She might not have taken it,” Adam said.
“But it sounded . . . all business and professional, not like she was my sister and I’d do anything . . .” Emily’s voice trailed off.
Adam felt awkward. Should he pat her on the back?
She cleared her throat. “Sorry.”
Brooke approached and bumped shoulders playfully with Emily. “Don’t worry, it’ll be okay. At our lesson the other day, she said she felt sorta bad that it might be her fault you didn’t discuss the wedding on Thanksgiving Day. Baby steps, right?”
“She said that?” Emily’s sad expression turned hopeful.
“And she came to you for the food—that was my idea, too,” Brooke added.
“Oh, Brooke, I’d hug you, but it might make Steph think you’re conspiring with me.”
“Well . . . I am.”
Emily put a finger to her lips. “Shh!”
Adam smiled at Brooke, enjoying how easily she found a way to encourage her friend and make her feel better. She was a protective woman, he knew, especially about her family, but also the other people in her life.
Monica broke out the sodas, and Adam helped set them out on various tables, but then he retreated, knowing the kids would feel more comfortable pretending he wasn’t there. Many of the girls had already gathered around Grandma Palmer, who was holding court in a quiet, but firm voice. He remembered her booming laugh, bigger than life, embarrassing his mother but not him. He could always hear his grandma from across any football field. He hoped to hear that booming voice again soon, but he couldn’t very well spoil her plans.
The adults stood near the kitchen while the kids played games. Gradually, almost all of the girls but Steph clustered around his grandma. In between laughter, there was an occasional “oooh” of recognition as she talked about the pattern of the cards.
Steph was sitting on a stuffed couch near the TV, talking to a boy whose back was to Adam.
Brooke grabbed Emily, and said quietly, “That must be Tyler. He’s the boy I told you about, that she asked to join the Chess Club. Guess he and his friends have been in some trouble.”
Emily frowned. “I heard her mention a boy during the week, but didn’t realize he had . . . issues.”
“Lots of kids have issues,” Brooke said, then glanced at Adam. “Remind you of anyone?”
He nodded. “Yep. And someone gave me a chance to turn myself around. But she should be careful until he does make some kind of effort.”
To Emily, Brooke said, “Since she’s already mentioned him to you, perhaps you can ask her how it went, helping him, I mean. Hey, it’s something to talk about.”
Emily nodded, then asked, “Can I change the subject?” She gestured to Monica and brought her over. “I have some news to tell