She stared at the platters and gasped. “Seriously, you’ve got enough food here to feed at least six or seven people.”
“Well, any leftovers just have to be warmed a bit,” Grandma said. “And honestly, my husband thinks there’s absolutely nothing better than warmed-up ribs, so the more leftovers, the better, as far as he’s concerned.”
“I hear you,” she said, and, without a worry about appearances, she reached across the table and snagged the biggest rib off the top. Greyson immediately protested. Giving him a big fat smile, she said, “You, sir, were far too slow.”
She picked it up and took a bite. Both grandparents laughed and thought the exchange was hilarious.
“She’s a live one,” Grandpa said, “and you know what that means.”
Chapter 16
Obviously Greyson did because he just rolled his eyes and stayed quiet, but he quickly snatched up another great big rib and took several bites.
“This is really good,” she said with a full mouth.
She cut some of the meat off the bone into tiny bites and put it on Danny’s plate. She didn’t know where they’d gotten a high chair from, but Danny was currently sitting in an old-fashioned wooden one with a wooden tray that came on and off, so it could be taken to the sink and washed. He was currently having the time of his life, digging his fingers into the barbecue sauce and the meat. He also had a bit of salad in one pile and some raw veggies in another.
When she was mostly done with her rib, she went to put it down on the plate, but Danny immediately cried out for it. She hesitated, then shrugged and gave it to him. Immediately he picked it up and started pounding it on the wooden tray.
“Uh-oh,” she said and tried to take it away from him. At that, he pounded even harder and started to scream. “I’m so sorry,” she said, clearly embarrassed.
Grandpa smiled and said, “Hey, that’s what kids do.”
Greyson leaned across and grabbed the rib gently and helped direct it toward Danny’s mouth. When he bit down on it, Danny appeared to be completely in love and happily gnawed away on the bone.
She looked over at Greyson, dumbfounded. “How did you know he’d like that?”
“I figured he might be teething,” he said. “His gums are a little swollen, and he could be a late teether …” he said with a shrug. “I’m no pro on kids, but I’ve seen friends whose kids go through this over the years.”
She looked back with a smile. “I guess he is teething,” she said. “He’s had several bouts over the last few months, but no teeth appeared, and then his fussiness would go away, only later there’d be another round. He has some teeth, but he’s kind of late with getting some of these, I think.” She stared at him, looking a little worried.
Grandma reached across, patted her hand gently, and said, “Not to worry. He’ll do it in his own time.”
Jessica loved that about them. They were patient and very kind. Just like Greyson. She smiled and said, “It’s easy to see you’ve had a strong influence on Greyson too,” she said. “I understand you raised him.”
“From the time he was eight,” she said. “Our son was killed in a car accident, along with his wife. We took Greyson in at that point and are so grateful we did. He’s been a huge blessing in our lives.”
“Except for when I wasn’t,” he said, and he shot her a meaningful look.
Jessica smiled, nodding. “Greyson told me about distancing himself from you after his injuries. I understand that because I did much the same thing too with my family, leading up to my divorce.”
Grandma cried out, saying, “Why would you do that? I understand it’s your right.” She looked hesitantly over at Greyson and Grandpa, then continued, “We are the people who are here for you,” she said, “the ones who are more than capable of helping you through that scenario. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t let us help.”
Jessica understood that Grandma was talking about Greyson as well as herself. “In my case, I didn’t see my mother as an asset,” she said slowly. “And, even now, she’s been pushing me to go back to my ex-husband.”
Both of Greyson’s grandparents stared at her in surprise.
She nodded. “I know. She’s just always seemed to think that I couldn’t do it on my own and that I needed a man around.”
“But there’s a difference between having a man you want versus having a man you’re stuck with,” Grandma said delicately.
At that, Jessica had to laugh. “Isn’t that the truth,” she said, and the two women exchanged a warm understanding.
She looked over at Danny to see him still completely enthralled with the big bone he was working away on. It was smooth sided and apparently had just the right feel for his gums because he had a look of concentration on his face.
“Mark my words,” Grandpa said. “You’ll see teeth tomorrow.”
She smiled and said, “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing, after all.” She reached for another rib herself, amazed to see the platter down as much as it was already. “Okay,” she said, “I guess we didn’t have food for six, just four very hungry people.”
“And we don’t skimp on ribs around here,” Grandpa said. “It’s my favorite meal ever.”
“Lucky you,” she said. “I don’t remember the last time I had them,” she admitted.
“It’s not a whole lot of fun to cook for just one,” Grandma said. “That’s why we’re so delighted you could come and visit. It’s just nicer to share something like that.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” she said. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about your grandson and me though.”
“Not at all,” Grandma said.
But that twinkle in her eye had Jessica rolling hers. She looked over at Greyson and shrugged. “I tried.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “They’ll find out the truth soon enough.”
“We already know,” Grandpa
