Page 82 of Edge of Steele
Ryleigh moved around the table to her grandparents. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
She and Eloise turned for the door, and Avery clung to Eloise’s hand.
Artie hung back. “Must’ve been tough to give up your life to come here and raise Avery. How are things going?”
“I have to say they weren’t great.” He frowned as the past memories of Avery’s negative behavior assaulted him. “But I had a conversation with her to assure her that I was never leaving her. I think she finally believes it, and she’s started to open up.”
“Don’t know how much this is worth, but my parents always told me the hardest things we go through in life will turn out to be the best for us in the long run. We can’t see it when we’re in it, but we can look back and see how it molded us as a person. Or God can often put someone special in our life. Someone we need. Someone like my granddaughter.”
Finn didn’t know how to respond to the last bit, but the first part he could relate to. “Your parents were very wise. As are you. Thanks for sharing it.”
“And my granddaughter?” His gaze locked onto Finn, and Artie’s thick glasses did nothing to hide his questioning gaze. “What are your intentions for her?”
“We’re not in a relationship so—”
“So nothing.” Artie took a firm stance and gone was the cuddly grandfather to be replaced by the retired law enforcement officer. “You both have feelings for each other. It’s as plain as can be. You hurt her once before. I’m keeping an open mind on that, but don’t do it again.”
Finn couldn’t help but gape. Artie and his wife had been so pleasant to him, and all the while they’d known he’d hurt Ryleigh. How could they have done that?
“You know about that?” he asked once he got control of his thoughts.
“Whole family does. Not that Ryleigh knows we’re in the know, so keep this between us.” He ran his gaze over Finn. “From what I can tell at this point, you seem like an honorable man. Be that guy with my granddaughter, and we’ll get along just fine. Don’t, and you’ll not only have me to contend with but Ryleigh’s whole family. A force you don’t want to reckon with if you know what’s good for you.”
His gaze clung to Finn for a long moment, then the warning cleared from his eyes, and he held out his hand. “Nice to meet you and thanks for your hospitality. See you at church in the morning.”
Finn shook hands but stood staring after the older man as he walked away. What had just happened? Ryleigh’s grandad was like night and day. Hot and cold. A chameleon. Unexpected for sure. But Finn would take the warning to heart.
The investigation might be filled with big fat questions but this one thing was crystal clear—if he couldn’t commit to a future with Ryleigh, then an honorable man would keep his feelings to himself. And he was an honorable man, wasn’t he?
Ryleigh played a game of Uno at the kitchen island with Avery while Finn finished up the dishes. The silverware clanked as he loaded them in the basket, and the rooms still smelled like her gran’s spaghetti. Ryleigh should focus on the game, but she kept thinking about dinner. She’d enjoyed the meal. Actually, she’d loved having Finn and Avery with her family. And her grandparents had behaved. She didn’t know what her grandad had talked to Finn about at the end, but they both came out smiling, so no big deal, right? If her grandad was true to form, he’d been comparing fishing stories.
Finn closed and started the dishwasher running. The hum filled the background as he came to the island. “Time for bed, Peanut.”
“Aw, I don’t want to go to bed yet.” Avery’s lower lip seemed to grow ten sizes.
Ryleigh smiled at the child. “I’ll read the Nancy Drew book with you.”
“Okay.” Avery hopped down from the stool and bolted from the room.
“She admires you.” Finn started to gather the cards together.
Ryleigh looked at the doorway the child had disappeared through. “I admire her too. I guess it might seem weird to admire a child, but she’s handling one of the toughest things anyone could ever deal with. I don’t know if I could’ve done it when I was her age. Could even do it now.” She faced Finn and found him watching her, a warm smile on his face. “And I admire you for handling it when you were a kid too.”
He waved a hand. “That was a long time ago.”
“Still, I know it left scars, and yet you’re able to open your heart to Avery.” She rested her hand on his. “You’re a good man, Finn.”
He jerked his hand free and busied himself with putting the cards in the box. Okay, what had she said? Done?
Something had changed during dinner, but what?
Avery came running into the room in bare feet and pajamas, giving Ryleigh no chance to ask. Avery flew at Finn, and her arms circled as far as she could reach. His face lit with surprise.
She peered up at him. “I made something for you today.”
“You did?”
She stepped back and unfurled her hand to reveal an elastic bracelet made of multi-color beads. “It has my name in it so you don’t forget about me while you’re working.”
