Grant paused outside the car repair shop. He’d called last night and talked to the owner, Mr. Howard. The man had bought it from Grant’s dad but subsequently decided to move closer to his grandkids. Mr. Howard was thrilled at the prospect of selling the shop back to the Edwards family. He’d quoted Grant a fair price.
Could he quit his job? Grant realized he never considered a life outside of the military. Not really. But he couldn’t stay a SEAL forever. The constant traveling, the lack of a personal life, the sacrifice and weariness—it came at a cost. He was proud of his military service, but did he want a career over everything else?
Grant wasn’t sure anymore. His relationship with Sara made him question everything.
He picked up his pace and ran back to Aunt Suzie’s. He took a quick shower and headed into the kitchen. To his surprise, his mom was sitting at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of coffee. She glanced up as he entered the room and smiled. “Are you going to work on the truck today?”
“That was the plan.” Grant grabbed a cup from the cabinet and poured a cup of coffee for himself before topping off his mom’s. “Want to join me?”
She bit her lip. “If you don’t mind.”
“Mom, I’d love your help. Come on.”
Her smile returned, crinkling her eyes at the corners, and she rose from the chair. They crossed the street together, and Grant raised the garage door. They got to work, talking about different car parts and his strategy for the next section of work.
His mom ran a hand over the workbench. “Your dad loved being out here. There wasn’t a day of our marriage his hands didn’t get dirty. And it was a struggle to get the grease out of his overalls. I complained at the time, but I loved it.”
“He knew you did. Pop used to laugh whenever we were at the shop and oil got on his clothes. He’d say, ‘Your mother is going to yell at me. Better get some flowers on my way home.’”
She laughed. “At some point it looked like our house was the flower store. Then he started bringing live plants. That rose bush in the back…” Her smile dropped. “It died. I didn’t take care of it well enough.”
The pain in her voice made Grant’s heart ache. “I can get you a new one. We can plant it together. I think Pop would like that.”
She nodded and then licked her lips. Her shoulders were drawn down, and Grant could almost see the dark thoughts slithering through her mind.
“Here, Mom, can you hold this hose for me?” Grant pointed to it. “I need to get a clamp.”
She blinked. “What? Oh, yes. Of course.” She stepped forward and stuck her hand in the open front end of the truck. Her fingers gripped the hose. “How’s Sara? Did you see her yesterday?”
“I did. We had ice cream with Ben.” He stepped away to grab a clamp from the bag of supplies on the workbench. “It was nice.”
“She’s sweet. Your Aunt Suzie is hoping there’s more than just friendship between the two of you.”
Grant returned to the truck. “There is. Sorta.”
“What does that mean, son?”
“I think…I think I’m falling in love with her. Or maybe I never fell out of love with her.” Saying the words out loud was strange, but it also felt good. Real. “But it’s complicated.”
His mom released the hose and pulled her hand out of the truck. “Because of Jared?”
“For starters. I don’t trust myself completely to do the right thing by Sara. I’m not like Jared. Or Pops. I disappoint the ones I love.” He pulled the clamp tight around the hose, securing it. “I’ve let you down.”
She reared back. “How do you figure that?”
“You said it yourself the other day. I haven’t taken care of you for the last ten years. And you were right.”
April put a hand on his arm. “Grant, no. I didn’t mean it like that.”
He frowned. “What?”
“I meant that you were out living your life, not stuck here concerned about me. I don’t want you worrying about me. I’m your mom. I’m supposed to be the one fretting over you.” She sighed. “Although I haven’t done a very good job of that.”
Grant blinked, trying to make sense of her words. “Wait. So, you’re not disappointed in me?”
“Honey, no. What on earth would I have to be disappointed about? You’re an amazing man. Your dad…” Her eyes filled with tears. “Grant, he’d be so, so proud of the person you’ve become.”
Something inside him twisted and cracked wide open. His chin trembled and for the first
time since his father died, Grant felt tears pricking the back of his eyelids. Pop would be proud of him. Proud. He wasn’t a disappointment, and he didn’t let down the people he loved.
He gathered his mom into his arms and hugged her. “Thank you for saying that, Mom.”
“It’s the truth, Grant. You are your dad’s son through and through.” She pulled back to cup his cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t do a very good job after your dad died. I loved him desperately, and I was lost. I’ve been lost.”
“But you don’t have to stay that way.”
She twisted out of his embrace and went over to the workbench. Aunt Suzie came up the driveway. She had her shawl around her shoulders to ward off the chill.
Suzie stopped at the edge of the garage. “What’s going on?”
“Mom and I are having a conversation about Pop,” Grant said. “And his death.”
“Have you told him?” Suzie asked.
Grant’s gaze shot to his aunt. “Told me what?”
“No, Suzie, don’t you dare.” His mom turned toward her sister. She trembled. “I can’t do it.”
“Tell me what?” Grant took a step forward. “It’s time we stop keeping secrets in this family. They’re eating us alive.”
“They are.” Suzie turned to face him. “Grant,
