“I can see him. How do I know if he can see me?” she asked someone off-screen.
“Right here, Mrs. Adams.” A younger woman came into the camera’s view and tapped on the screen’s lower corner. Mrs. Adams looked down, and her worried gaze lightened when she lifted her head and stared at the camera.
“This is called Skype,” Mrs. Adams explained as if Robert wouldn’t already understand the program. That caused Robert to chuckle, and Landon’s grin split ear to ear. “I can video call you now. It’s not that hard to work.”
“I can see that, Nonnie. What’s going on that you’re up so late?” Robert asked, sitting up straighter on the sofa, angling the laptop better in his lap.
“We’re up planning Autumn’s wedding. Lauren here’s helping me, and I haven’t heard from you since I left Minnesota. I’ve changed the plans. We’ll have the wedding on my downstairs terrace. It’s such a lovely time of year. I’ve decided it’s best for you to give Autumn away. She’s arguing with me, saying she wants to give herself away, but we’re not having that. I’ve got the local bed and breakfast willing to house Cameron’s family. You and Autumn will of course stay with me.” Robert grinned as Kennedy gave all the random details of a wedding Landon had heard about in passing, from both Robert and Autumn. He wasn’t a hundred percent certain when the nuptials were planned, but he could see, whatever age Kennedy had on her, it hadn’t dulled her mind. She was sharp as a tack.
“I’ll do whatever you two decide.” Good answer, not committing to either side. Landon nodded his approval.
“Son, you’ll tell her you’re walking her down the aisle. She’s impossible to deal with when she gets something stuck in her mind.” Mrs. Adams shook her head in frustrated disgust.
“Okay, I’ll make the suggestion next time I talk to her.” Again, Robert answered by giving himself wiggle room, and it made Landon laugh; probably not the first time Robert had been placed in this situation, but Mrs. Adams seemed appeased and nodded.
“Autumn wants me to go heavy on the flowers to help represent your fathers. I like that idea, plus they’re so easy to decorate with. I think we’re doing a variety of flowers, but probably not the calla lily. That flower seems depressing to me.”
Robert laughed, causing Landon to take a closer look for whatever he’d missed. “And Autumn wants them, right? So, I’m supposed to say they’re depressing?”
Kennedy scowled at Robert. “You were always too smart for your own good.”
With a happy grin, Robert’s gaze landed on him. “The women of my family are a force. You’ll learn soon enough to navigate them.”
“I can see they are,” Landon whispered quietly as if Robert’s looking and talking to him might not have been noticed.
“Are you with someone?” Mrs. Adams tilted her head as if she could see past the range of the camera to where Landon sat. His nerves shifted into overdrive at her words. “Is that why your hair’s all messed up?” That question made Landon’s face heat in embarrassment as Robert brought both hands to his head, straightening the mess when Mrs. Adams just laughed. “I was teasing. Is he the soldier?”
“Yes, it’s him. Nonnie meet Landon. Landon this is Kennedy Adams—you know, my grandmother.”
Landon shook his head until Robert moved the laptop and the full screen landed on him.
“My goodness, he is handsome, Robert. You’ve done very well,” Kennedy said, making Robert laugh again. A sudden blush of embarrassment colored Robert’s cheeks and warmed Landon’s heart.
“Thank you, Nonnie. I think he’s very handsome too.” Robert reached over for Landon who refused to hold hands in front of Mrs. Adams. He sat woodenly next to Robert, keeping several inches of space between them.
He didn’t know why he was doing it, and that didn’t matter in the least. He just knew Robert had to respect the boundaries, especially in front of Kennedy Adams.
“Have you invited him to the wedding? You have an unused plus one,” Mrs. Adams said, her voice becoming softer as she stared straight at Landon.
“I’ve mentioned it. He’s shy and is intimidated to meet the family. Although, I’m finding he talks to Autumn as much as he talks to me,” Robert answered, calling Landon out in front of his grandmother.
“That’s not true,” Landon whispered, trying hard to keep his face neutral. He also didn’t let himself dwell on the fact that his whisper had probably been loud enough to be heard on the mic, making him seem as clueless to Skype as Mrs. Adams.
“Nonsense. Of course, he’s coming. He’ll stay here with you.” She seemed to be directing Lauren in committing Landon to the wedding party. “I suppose with such a late hour in committing him, you two won’t mind sharing a room.”
“No, ma’am. That’s fine. I don’t want to put you out,” Landon answered quickly. Within two seconds, he realized he’d just agreed to share a bedroom with Robert at his grandmother’s home. His face instantly warmed with regret.
“Please put us in the same room, Nonnie. It’ll make it easier than having to sneak around your house trying to find him.” Robert elbowed him in the stomach as if that was a shared joke between the both of them. The minute this session ended, he would be making it clear there was no sharing anything, including a room in Mrs. Adams’s house.
“You know, with your fathers— When Avery first met Kane, it was the only time Avery was ever silent with me. Our long distance bills each month were astronomically high, then he went quiet. I should have known you’d be like your father. So, I’m guessing this is already serious?” she asked, looking as if she knew the answer.
“It is, Nonnie, but you’re embarrassing him,” Robert replied, lifting the pad of his
