Page 114 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

“No.” She raised her champagne flute to her lips, finishing the glass.

I looked down at Charlie and smiled. She knew something was wrong, but it was too big for her to comprehend. “Want a Jackson Special?”

“Yeah.” She grinned and left Logan’s side to come behind the bar.

I picked her up to sit on the edge as I made her the mocktail her Uncle Jackson had invented when she was four. It was basically a Shirley Temple but he’d splash in some orange juice and double the cherries.

“Both hands. Be extra careful not to spill.” I set her down and handed her the glass.

The cream carpets wouldn’t recover from a Jackson Special, at least not without a lot of trouble. Since I knew Lillian didn’t do the cleaning, I didn’t want to cause any hassle for their staff.

“I’ll make yours.” Logan came behind the bar, setting down his tumbler and practically knocking me out of the way.

Meanwhile, Alice and Sofia had retreated back a few feet to whisper to one another, probably about me.

“What would you like?” Logan asked.

“Vodka and soda with a twist, please.”

After all, vodka was for the particularly bad nights.

The cocktail hour was the longest hour of my life.

As Charlie and I huddled together, sipping our drinks, conversation with the Kendricks carried on as if we weren’t here. I flip-flopped between listening to the business conversations between Aubrey, Logan and Thomas, then to Alice and Sofia gossiping about their friends. Meanwhile, Lillian stood quietly, watching me with a careful eye.

Charlie had traded Logan’s legs for mine, leaning against me as she kept her eyes on the floor. I hated that she was so uncomfortable, and I was pissed that her grandparents hadn’t tried at all to get to know her. It made my own misery even more difficult to bear.

“Am I late?” The conversation stopped as an elderly woman waltzed into the parlor, then answered her own question. “Of course not. Granny is never late. You’re all early.”

She crossed the room wearing cream slacks and a matching sweater. She was dripping in gold and diamonds, but the fact that she wasn’t in an evening gown made me feel much more comfortable about my own attire.

She paid no attention to anyone other than Charlie as she came our way with a warm smile. Her eyes flickered to me briefly but went right back to my daughter as she bent at the waist and held out a hand.

“You must be my most special great-granddaughter, Charlie. My name is Joan, but everyone calls me Granny.”

Charlie looked past her to Logan, who gave her a smile and nod. With a hesitant step, she moved closer to Joan to return the handshake.

“Now.” Joan stood up, not letting go of Charlie’s hand as she walked toward the door. “You’re going to want to sit with me at dinner. The cook knows to skip the vegetables on my plate, give me twice the potatoes and three times the dessert. I requested his special french fries tonight so we can pig out.”

When Charlie giggled, I let out a huge sigh.

Joan had the same presence as Logan and his father did. They shared an air of confidence and command. But Joan’s was warmer. And she still hadn’t acknowledged anyone else in her family because she was so focused on my daughter.

Logan chuckled as he came to my side, placing his hand on the small of my back as we left the parlor. “Watch out. Granny might try and kidnap her.”

“I don’t think Charlie would mind.”

Ahead of us, Granny was hunched to the side, listening as Charlie told her about something, most likely her fort.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Logan’s parents behind us. Lillian and Thomas were both watching me. Behind them, Aubrey was rolling her eyes at Alice and Sofia, who were still giggling.

“I’m sorry,” Logan whispered as we walked. “I had no idea Alice would be here.”

“Ex-girlfriend?”

“She was never my girlfriend, just a mistake from months ago. But we dated and she’s become friends with Sofia. I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. “It’s fine. Let’s just get through dinner.” Then we could escape back to the guesthouse and hide.