Well, that made one of us.I still felt uncertain, but Ididagree to pull my car into the driveway in order to keep it from getting mangled by a snowplow.
Of course, it wouldn't make much difference either way. My car had quite a few dents already. But in my own defense, all of them had been there when I'd purchased the vehicle last year after mypreviousbeater had died in a ditch.
When I exited my vehicle, Drake's grandfather was waiting for me near the front walkway.
As we tramped through the snow, he glanced at the modest peace-offering that I held with both hands. With a low chuckle, he said, "I'm guessing that's not for me."
I glanced down at the poinsettia. I'd snagged it at the grocery store on my way home, thinking that a nice Christmas plant would be the perfect way to say that I was sorry."Technically you could both enjoy it," I said. "I mean, if you like poinsettias."
"What I'd really like is a beer," he said. "I'll lethimkeep that."
When we reached the front door, the guy surprised me by reaching out and ringing the bell.
Didn't he have a key?When I gave him a perplexed look, he shrugged. "I want to see his reaction."
"To what?" I asked.
"Toyou, bringing him flowers."
I gave the poinsettia a worried look. Its red flowers were festively big –sobig that they hid most of the green. With growing concern, I said, "Actually, it's a plant."
"Yeah, with flowers." The guy grinned. "Did you bring him candy, too?"
I felt a blush creep up my face. "No."
"Eh, too bad," he said. "Candy, I like."
I had no response tothat, so I said nothing as footsteps sounded from somewhere inside the house. As they grew louder, Drake's grandfather stepped directly in front of me, blocking my view of the front door.
Well, that was kind of rude.
Maybe hehadforgotten his key.
From behind his back, I heard the door swing open as Drake's voice carried out onto the porch. "Where's your key?"
"In my pocket," the older guy said. "Where's yours?" And then, before Drake could reply, his grandfather stepped aside, revealing yours truly standing directly behind him. "But hey," the guy said, "look what the cat dragged in."
Chapter 11
Drake
Standing on the front porch was Gwen, holding a poinsettia. Her hair was pulled back into its usual bun, and her glasses were slightly askew as she blinked up at me. She looked so cute that I smiled in spite of the scene from earlier. "You wanna come in?"
But it was my grandpa who replied, "Don't mind if I do." With a low chuckle, he brushed past me, leaving me to face Gwen alone.This was no hardship. "How aboutyou?" I laughed. "Doyouwanna come inside?"
"Thanks, but…" She glanced down at the plant. "I just stopped by to drop offthis. It's a peace-offering, you know, after what happened at my aunt's place."
As far as her timing, it could've been better. It wasn't that I didn't want to see her, but it would've been nicer if I'd already had the chance to talk to Gramps.
Earlier today, when I'd returned from seeing Gwen, he'd been already gone, probably to play chess at his buddy's house down the street. He'd returned just now, which meant that I still had no idea what had happened between him and Gwen's aunt.
Still, I smiled as I told Gwen, "Don't worry about it."
Her forehead furrowed. "But earlier, you seemed kind of angry – not that I blame you. I mean, I realize Harper was kind of hostile."
Nowthatwas an understatement. "You think?"
"Yeah, but you've gotta admit, the whole thing with Tango wasreallysurprising. I mean,Iwas surprised." She hesitated. "Weren't you?"
