Something to Prove Read online

  “Hours?”

  “Hours,” he said, attempting a leer—which didn’t quite work for him, not with those wholesome boy-next-door looks.

  But it certainly worked on her.

  Chapter 11

  Grannie was released on Wednesday.

  Helena got the call on Monday afternoon. Grannie had told her during that morning’s call that it would be happening, but she hadn’t believed it until the doctor called later that afternoon to make it official. She very much wished she’d had a bit more notice, as being faced with Grannie’s imminent homecoming brought to light many things she’d forgotten or assumed she still had time to accomplish.

  Monday and Tuesday passed in a blur of cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and calls to doctors and physical therapists. When Ryan showed up on her porch unexpectedly Tuesday night with burgers from the Frosty Freeze, she was exhausted and on her last nerve. But the burgers and the company gave her a second wind and an attitude adjustment, and Ryan hadn’t left until very late.

  But Grannie was in high spirits and thrilled to be going home. After Grannie’s lack of cooperation there for a while, Helena had been expecting a “run her out on the rails” kind of departure and was pleasantly surprised to see the hugs and best wishes bestowed on Grannie from the staff and the other patients as she left.

  “Well, that was a nice send-off,” she said as the convalescent center disappeared in the rearview mirror. “You obviously made some friends while you were there.” Other than Cal, she added to herself.

  “I made the best of it that I could. I’ve always believed you just have to bloom where you’re planted.”

  She knew Grannie too well not to know what she was hinting at. “I’m blooming just fine in my temporary flower box. I’ve spent a lot of time catching up with Tate and am really enjoying getting to know Molly better.” There was no sense in bringing up Ryan.

  “Molly’s a sweet girl,” Grannie said, “and I’m glad it hasn’t been too hard on you. I knew a little time and distance would help things blow over. Now people can see the real Helena.”

  The optimism was nice. “I love you, too, Grannie.”

  She caught Grannie up on what little local news she knew, like the questionable parentage of the Morris puppies, and the new cell tower going up. Everything seemed back to normal.

  It was a little surprising to see a group of about twenty people milling about as she turned onto Grannie’s street, and the surprise only grew when she realized the people were milling in Grannie’s yard.

  As she pulled into the driveway, the people started clapping and waving, and Helena saw a large Welcome Home banner stretched between the columns of the porch.

  “How wonderful!” Grannie reached over to squeeze Helena’s hand. “How did you manage to arrange this?”

  Helena was saved from answering as Grannie already had her window down, calling and waving to the crowd like the queen. Ryan came over to open Grannie’s door and extended his hand to help her get carefully to her feet as Helena ran to get her walker out of the trunk.

  Ryan made a gesture with his hand, and the Wilson twins appeared from out of nowhere to unload Grannie’s luggage from the car. Then Ryan helped Grannie on her slow walk up her new ramp, with Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Blatty from the bridge club hovering close by to supervise and encourage. Helena brought up the rear, carrying only her purse and water bottle.

  Once inside, Grannie settled into her recliner with her feet up and a cold glass of tea. A fresh bouquet of flowers sat on the sideboard along with small boxes, which, even without looking, Helena knew contained cookies, chocolates, and other homemade goodies from the ladies of Magnolia Beach.

  As Grannie happily held court, Helena snuck into the kitchen, only to find Ryan in there talking quietly on the phone. He waved her in when she started to back out.

  “Thanks,” she said when he finished his call.

  “For what?”

  “For setting all this up. Did you see the smile on her face?”

  “I didn’t actually do anything. I just mentioned to Mrs. Wilson that today was the day. She did the rest.”

  The fresh pitcher of tea on the table hadn’t been there when she left this morning—but then, neither had the loaves of fresh bread or that jar of homemade pickles—but she didn’t have any problems with helping herself to a large glass of it. “Well, thank you for thinking about it. It didn’t occur to me.”

  “Mrs. Wilson seemed disappointed you hadn’t mentioned it to her.”

  “Ah, yes, I’m surprised it didn’t come up in one of our regular long chats.”

  Ryan frowned at her. “You know, maybe you should give people a chance to give you a chance.”

  That was the second time she’d been told that. “Oh?”

  “Many of the people out there mentioned how you’ve been a hermit since you arrived.”

  “That’s completely untrue. I’m at the coffee shop pretty much every day, plus I’m always all over town running errands.” She looked in the fridge, and sure enough, the shelves were nearly overflowing with casserole dishes and plastic containers. That trip to the grocery store had been totally unnecessary. “And I haven’t been hiding, for God’s sake. It’s no secret that I’m here.”

  “But you haven’t exactly been participating in local life, either.”

  “I’ve been a little busy, you know, with work and the house and everything. And I’m so sure there’s an opening in the Tuesday afternoon book club for me.”

  “How do you know there’s not?”

  She snorted and shot him a look.

  Ryan held up his hands. “I’m just saying that you can’t get bent out of shape that people don’t want you around when you’ve made it clear you don’t want to be here yourself.”

  “I don’t want to be here. And I wasn’t real popular when I was here, remember?”

  “You changed my mind,” he reminded her with a wink. “Just something to think about.”

  “Well, since I now have to write thank-you notes to the entire female population of the county for all this food, everyone will be hearing from me. How’s that for an outreach program?”

  That got her a grin. “It’s a start. By the way, my mom sent her fried chicken. It’s amazing stuff.” Ryan leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. He stepped back quickly, though, when the door opened a second later, and Molly backed into the room, her hands full.

  If Molly found it strange that she and Ryan were alone in the kitchen, she didn’t show it. Instead, she seemed amused. “When I heard you were on your way back with Ms. Louise, I loaded up some goodies to welcome her home.”

  Ryan gave Helena a little smile before nodding to Molly and slipping out through the back door.

  Molly surveyed the spread wryly. “It seems I wasn’t the only person in town with that idea.”

  “I am capable of feeding my grandmother. She’s not going to starve, you know,” she grumbled.

  “I know.” Molly patted her on the shoulder. “And I’m sure no one is trying to imply otherwise.”

  “My refrigerator rather belies that.” She leaned against the counter and sighed. Rationally, she knew Molly was right, and that the food was just an outward show of love and support for Grannie. She should be glad Grannie was so well cared for and looked after. But still . . . “Did you bring lemon bars?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. I’m going to need them.”

  * * *

  Even knowing Helena would most likely be occupied with getting Ms. Louise settled didn’t keep Ryan from wanting to see her. And while it might be the height of immaturity—and would probably get him sent straight to hell—he couldn’t help but be disappointed that Ms. Louise’s homecoming would put a crimp in this new development with Helena. If he’d known Ms. Louise had the regeneration powers of Wolverine, he would have made his move
sooner.

  Helena was going to be coping with a lot over the next few days, and he should really leave her to it. Knowing that hell would probably freeze over before she asked anyone for help worried him, though.

  And that was why he was headed to her house, of course.

  The front porch lights were off and the windows across the front of the house were dark. Light was peeking around the side of the house from the back porch, however, and the gentle creak of a swing led him in that direction. Helena was lying stretched out in the swing, head back on a cushion and eyes closed. The foot on the ground keeping the swing in motion was the only sign she wasn’t asleep.

  He was about to retreat when Helena opened one eye. “Hey. I thought I heard someone.”

  “I just came by to check on you. You look exhausted.”

  “I am. I got Grannie settled in about an hour ago, and she’s sound asleep, thanks to her pain meds.”

  “Maybe you should do the same.”

  “I will. Eventually. I needed some time to unwind first.” She groaned slightly as she got up to unhook the screen door. “Come on up. Are you hungry?” she asked as she let him in and went back to the swing. “I can offer you any kind of casserole you want.”

  “I’m good. What about you, though?”

  “You could get me a beer.”

  He started to go into the kitchen, only to have Helena stop him. “They’re in the cooler.”

  He flipped open the top to see a partial six-pack and a bottle of wine swimming in an ice bath. “Out of room in the fridge?”

  “Now that you mention it, yes. But, more accurately, Grannie doesn’t allow alcohol in the house. This is what you might call a compromise.”

  He handed her the beer and sat next to her on the swing, putting it into motion. “You just said she was asleep.”

  “I am not going to jinx my life by defying her behind her back like that.” He must have given her a funny look, because she added, “Oh please. Like you don’t obey your grandmother’s rules regardless of how inane or arbitrary they are.”

  “Point taken.”

  “Anyway, it forces me to experience the pleasure that is a screened-in porch on a lovely fall evening.”

  “Be glad we live in south Alabama, or the winter could be rough.”

  She laughed. “I will be long gone by winter, regardless of Magnolia Beach’s wonderful climate.”

  “I think that’s the first nice thing you’ve said about Magnolia Beach since you got back.”

  “I’ve got nothing against the geography. I’m even starting to get used to the peace and quiet again.”

  He didn’t say anything, and they sat quietly, swinging gently. It wasn’t a cozy scene—there was a good foot of space respectably separating them—but it was comfortable.

  Which was kind of odd, considering they weren’t really friends—regardless of the benefits. From the tired pinch around her eyes, it was obvious Helena wasn’t in the mood to exercise any of those benefits, but he wasn’t bothered by that. In fact, he was quite happy to sit here quietly enjoying her company. Helena seemed okay with it, too.

  His life had taken a strange turn.

  Helena sighed again. “I’m not sure how this is going to work.”

  “How do you mean?”

  She rolled her head to look at him. “I’m afraid I’ve already bitten off more than I can chew, just with caring for Grannie. I can’t leave her alone right now for any length of time. . . .”

  “It will work itself out. You’ve only had half a day to adjust. You’ll find your rhythm.”

  “I’m just warning you. I’ve had a great time the last few days, but I don’t see a lot of that in my immediate future.”

  He wondered briefly if he was getting the brush-off, but Helena sounded genuinely disappointed about the prospect. “Don’t worry just yet. Give it a couple of days to settle down. Things won’t look so out of control once you know what you’re in for and can make a plan.”

  “You’re such an optimist.”

  “No, I just don’t worry about problems until they present themselves. Then, it only becomes a matter of forging a plan of attack.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “And I’m not above asking for help.”

  She yawned. “I’m not usually so pitiful and mopey.”

  “You’re tired and overwhelmed. Things will seem more manageable after you’ve had some rest.”

  She cut her eyes sideways at him. “Are you sending me to bed?”

  “Maybe.”

  “No one’s sent me to bed since I was in middle school.”

  “No wonder you’re so tired, then.”

  “You’re funny.”

  “And you’re about to fall asleep right here.”

  She shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve slept on this porch.”

  Helena continued to shock him. “I would not have thought you were the type to like camping.”

  “You’d be very right,” she said with a laugh, “but Grannie did not tolerate crawling in at any old hour of the night.”

  General perception had been that Ms. Louise had lost control of Helena, letting her run wild because she had no choice. This was an interesting development. It seemed Ms. Louise had tried to keep a hand on the reins. “Ms. Louise would make you sleep on the porch if you were late?”

  “Yep. I had to be inside by eleven o’clock or she put the chain on the door and there would be hell to pay the next morning. She was usually nice enough to leave a blanket out for me, though. Needless to say, I may have been a hellion, but I was a hellion with a curfew I didn’t want to miss.”

  The thought of Hell-on-Wheels tearing through town with one eye on the clock was almost absurd. “Eleven o’clock? Even I got to stay out until midnight.”

  “Weren’t you the wild thing?” she teased. “Grannie always said that there was nothing good to be doing after eleven o’clock. And it served as a handy alibi a couple of times. In fact, the night the chief’s car was stolen, my grandmother was able to testify that my happy ass was safe at home.”

  “So you really didn’t have anything to do with that incident?” The mystery might never be solved, then.

  Helena stood and stretched before sending a coy smile his way. “Oh, I didn’t say that.”

  “Then how . . . ?”

  “I’m going to plead the fifth and go to bed.” She drained the last of her drink and tossed the bottle into a small bin. Taking the not-at-all subtle hint, he stood as well. To his surprise, Helena rose to her tiptoes to plant the sweetest, softest kiss on his lips. With her hand on his cheek, she looked him right in the eye and said, “Thank you. For everything. And I mean that.”

  He was a little shell-shocked by both the kiss and the tone of her voice, but before his brain could fully process what had happened, Helena was inside the house.

  That kiss had done something to his brain, and he had the distinct feeling he needed to think about things. He just wasn’t exactly sure what those “things” actually were. Specifically.

  He let himself off the porch, careful not to let the screen door bang shut behind him, and headed through the side yard to the street.

  As soon as he hit the sidewalk, the porch light went off.

  She’d watched him leave.

  * * *

  I love my grandmother. I love my grandmother. A period of adjustment is normal and expected, and this adjustment is complicated by her health limitations and frustrations. I love my grandmother. My grandmother loves me.

  Helena took a deep breath, breathing in the peace, and exhaled slowly, releasing the tension on the out breath.

  I will not strangle my grandmother in her sleep.

  As far as mantras went, that one probably wouldn’t pass muster with her yoga instructor, but it was helping. A little bit. They were both stil
l alive, and that was something. Helena would take what she could get.

  It was probably a very good thing that Grannie didn’t allow alcohol in the house, or else she’d be walking around in a constant state of intoxication. The last three days had shown Helena where her lines were drawn and how far past them she was now.

  She wasn’t used to living with another person, much less a person she had to care for. And as much as she wanted to take care of Grannie, she was slightly overwhelmed by it all.

  Her phone was constantly buzzing with alarms for Grannie’s many medications, and she had to time meals appropriately so that some pills could be taken on an empty stomach, others with food, and one that was to be taken an hour after she ate.

  Get up, get dressed, get Grannie up and dressed, fix breakfast, clean up breakfast, take Grannie to physical therapy, fix lunch, clean up lunch, play cards and entertain Grannie until her soaps come on, try to squeeze in some work, tidy up and run errands, entertain Grannie some more, fix dinner, clean up dinner, get Grannie ready for bed, try to work some more . . .

  Plus, Grannie wasn’t used to being idle, and short of duct-taping her to the chair, Helena wasn’t sure how to keep the woman from getting up to putter around for no specific purpose, causing Helena to not only have to help her up and down, but to also follow her around—without seeming to hover—to make sure she didn’t fall. On top of that, Grannie didn’t care for being “coddled like a child,” so tempers were a bit short in the Wheeler residence.

  Smilin’ Cal had come down with a cold and hadn’t come to visit, leaving Grannie grumpy from missing her honey. In fact, Grannie seemed more concerned about his recuperation than her own, and she snapped at Helena when she wouldn’t drive to Bayou La Batre to deliver chicken soup.

  Helena had exactly one nerve left and that had nearly snapped it in half.

  Quietly, and admitted only to herself in the privacy of her room, Helena decided that caregiving was a job best left to professionals. She obviously lacked the necessary skill set.