Page 94 of Under Ground

Mom’s brows knit. “I’m so sorry.”

Lana’s lips curl into a small smile. “I’m not. I’m just really glad to meet you.”

“This is Delaney, Josh’s wife. Delaney, this is my mother, Ruth.”

Mom smiles at her. “I’m so pleased to meet you. Thank you for letting me stay in your beautiful home.”

“You’re very welcome,” Delaney says. “I’ll make some coffee,”

Mom moans. “Oh, coffee would be great. I need to try and stay awake to get on top of this jetlag.”

“I’ll help you.” Lana follows Delaney into the kitchen.

Mom turns to me. “Casey’s so sweet, Alex. And Lana’s lovely. I’m very proud of you.”

We sit together on a couch, and Casey climbs up onto my lap.

“I not had a Gramma before,” Casey says.

“So I hear. We’ll have to fix that.” Mom taps her on the nose, and Casey buries her face in my chest. “Maybe I can read you some stories while I’m here?”

“She’d love that.” I kiss the top of Casey’s head. “Wouldn’t you, Casey?”

“I like Hairy Maclary,” Casey says.

Mom looks at me.

“It’s a New Zealand book. She loves it.”

Mom leans in and smiles again at Casey. “Then I’ll just have to read that, won’t I?”

Casey nods. She reaches out and slides her fingers over Mom’s wrist and the silver bangles rattle together.

“Do you like those?” she asks.

Casey raises her head. “They’re pretty.”

“Just like you.” She tilts her head and slides one off her wrist. “How about we put one of these on you?”

“Mom, you can’t.”

“I’m allowed to give my granddaughter a gift.”

Casey slides off my lap and onto my mother’s. The bangle’s ridiculously big on Casey, but it glitters, and Casey’s beaming face is enough to tell me they’re probably now friends for life.

I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Which almost makes up for the disaster that comes next.

25

Alex

The scent of pot roast fills the air and my mouth waters.

Delaney’s pulling out all the stops for Mom, and I appreciate it so very much.

I still feel a little awkward, having moved into someone else’s home for a while, but Lana and Casey are happy while I’m working, and that’s all that really matters.