Obviously Greyson did because he just rolled his eyes and stayed quiet, but he quickly snatched up another great big rib and took several bites.
“This is really good,” she said with a full mouth.
She cut some of the meat off the bone into tiny bites and put it on Danny’s plate. She didn’t know where they’d gotten a high chair from, but Danny was currently sitting in an old-fashioned wooden one with a wooden tray that came on and off, so it could be taken to the sink and washed. He was currently having the time of his life, digging his fingers into the barbecue sauce and the meat. He also had a bit of salad in one pile and some raw veggies in another.
When she was mostly done with her rib, she went to put it down on the plate, but Danny immediately cried out for it. She hesitated, then shrugged and gave it to him. Immediately he picked it up and started pounding it on the wooden tray.
“Uh-oh,” she said and tried to take it away from him. At that, he pounded even harder and started to scream. “I’m so sorry,” she said, clearly embarrassed.
Grandpa smiled and said, “Hey, that’s what kids do.”
Greyson leaned across and grabbed the rib gently and helped direct it toward Danny’s mouth. When he bit down on it, Danny appeared to be completely in love and happily gnawed away on the bone.
She looked over at Greyson, dumbfounded. “How did you know he’d like that?”
“I figured he might be teething,” he said. “His gums are a little swollen, and he could be a late teether …” he said with a shrug. “I’m no pro on kids, but I’ve seen friends whose kids go through this over the years.”
She looked back with a smile. “I guess he is teething,” she said. “He’s had several bouts over the last few months, but no teeth appeared, and then his fussiness would go away, only later there’d be another round. He has some teeth, but he’s kind of late with getting some of these, I think.” She stared at him, looking a little worried.
Grandma reached across, patted her hand gently, and said, “Not to worry. He’ll do it in his own time.”
Jessica loved that about them. They were patient and very kind. Just like Greyson. She smiled and said, “It’s easy to see you’ve had a strong influence on Greyson too,” she said. “I understand you raised him.”
“From the time he was eight,” she said. “Our son was killed in a car accident, along with his wife. We took Greyson in at that point and are so grateful we did. He’s been a huge blessing in our lives.”
“Except for when I wasn’t,” he said, and he shot her a meaningful look.
Jessica smiled, nodding. “Greyson told me about distancing himself from you after his injuries. I understand that because I did much the same thing too with my family, leading up to my divorce.”
Grandma cried out, saying, “Why would you do that? I understand it’s your right.” She looked hesitantly over at Greyson and Grandpa, then continued, “We are the people who are here for you,” she said, “the ones who are more than capable of helping you through that scenario. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t let us help.”
Jessica understood that Grandma was talking about Greyson as well as herself. “In my case, I didn’t see my mother as an asset,” she said slowly. “And, even now, she’s been pushing me to go back to my ex-husband.”
Both of Greyson’s grandparents stared at her in surprise.
She nodded. “I know. She’s just always seemed to think that I couldn’t do it on my own and that I needed a man around.”
“But there’s a difference between having a man you want versus having a man you’re stuck with,” Grandma said delicately.
At that, Jessica had to laugh. “Isn’t that the truth,” she said, and the two women exchanged a warm understanding.
She looked over at Danny to see him still completely enthralled with the big bone he was working away on. It was smooth sided and apparently had just the right feel for his gums because he had a look of concentration on his face.
“Mark my words,” Grandpa said. “You’ll see teeth tomorrow.”
She smiled and said, “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing, after all.” She reached for another rib herself, amazed to see the platter down as much as it was already. “Okay,” she said, “I guess we didn’t have food for six, just four very hungry people.”
“And we don’t skimp on ribs around here,” Grandpa said. “It’s my favorite meal ever.”
“Lucky you,” she said. “I don’t remember the last time I had them,” she admitted.
“It’s not a whole lot of fun to cook for just one,” Grandma said. “That’s why we’re so delighted you could come and visit. It’s just nicer to share something like that.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” she said. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about your grandson and me though.”
“Not at all,” Grandma said.
But that twinkle in her eye had Jessica rolling hers. She looked over at Greyson and shrugged. “I tried.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “They’ll find out the truth soon enough.”
“We already know,” Grandpa said, and a matching twinkle was in his eyes. “You two have that special something, and we’re really happy for you both.”
The two stared at each other in surprise, then looked at each of the grandparents, but there wasn’t a whole lot anybody could say. The grandparents were convinced.
And Jessica was half convinced herself.
It was a wonderful visit with his grandparents; they had cleaned everything up and had spent another couple hours outside. Greyson had a second beer, happy that tonight he didn’t have to drive, though, considering his size, he’d be totally okay with a couple beers anyway, what with the tons of food and the hours between each beer. By the time Danny was looking more than sleepy and ready to go home, all of them still full from dinner, Greyson and Jessica said good night and got into the car.
“Are you okay to drive?” Greyson asked.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Just a little tired, but that’s okay.” As they drove home, she said warmly, “Your grandparents are wonderful.”
“They are pretty special,” he said. “I think, in a way, I was a little angry with them for moving over here, maybe because it seemed like they were moving away from me. But now, of course, I’m in a position to move here too. So maybe things have to happen the way they’re meant to be.”
“I think so,” she said. “Besides, if you hadn’t come to see them, I wouldn’t have met you. You’d probably be somewhere else, looking for some other dog.”
“True enough,” he said. He looked to see Kona had crashed on the back seat. “Speaking of dogs, she was really good tonight.”
“Honestly, nobody would know by looking at her or her behavior that she was anything other than a great family pet,” she said. “And, if you take her away, I think I’ll really miss her.”
“I thought you weren’t much of a dog person.”
“Only because I haven’t had much experience with dogs,” she corrected. “And that’s a very different story.”
“It is, isn’t it?” When they drove up to the house, he got right out, clicked the leash on Kona, and said, “Just sit here for a moment, will you?”
She looked at him and frowned.
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I just want to take a look outside to make sure everything is okay.”
Understanding crossed her face. “I suppose you want me to lock the car doors then, right?”
“Absolutely,” he said, and, with that, he and Kona took off.
She watched him go around the garage and into the backyard. When she saw him again, he was opening the front door and motioning for her to come in. After parking the car, she got out, unbuckled the car seat, and moving gently, carried a sleeping Danny inside the house. “I gather all is well?”
“No,” he said, his voice hard. “It’s not, but I don’t want to leave you in the car any longer. I’m taking you up to your room, and I’ll leave you in there while I make some phone calls.” He didn’t give her a chance to take off her shoes or drop her bag; he just ushered her and Danny straight upstairs. Kona was with him in the bedroom as he did a quick but very thorough search under the bed, in the closets, etc. “Stay in here, please. I’ll explain as soon as I can.” He put Kona at the doorway, firmly saying, “Guard.” Immediately Kona’s whole demeanor changed, and she looked like she was suddenly on duty.
Jessica looked at Greyson, looked at Kona, then said, “You’re scaring me.”
“And you need to be scared,” he said, “but please stay here for the moment. I’ll be right back.”
Taking a very slow, deep breath, absolutely panicked at what possibly could have gone wrong, she sat down on the bed, next to Danny. Once Greyson was assured that she was fine and wouldn’t come undone, he took off.