“There’s really no other way. And, once we take over the company, it’s got to happen quickly. Because no one I love will be safe. It would also make me feel better if you were here. Those highly-trained guards of Garrett’s just let target number one walk out the front door simply because you have an authoritative voice. Vincent is a good actor and a good liar. I'd feel better with you here.”
“Good point,” he says with a nod. “If I agree to stay, will you agree to discuss your plans with me first?”
I consider lying to him, but I can’t. “I’ll try to. I value your opinion, Grandpa.”
“That’s good enough for me,” he says as a black car pulls up next to us. “Looks like our walk is over.”
Garrett gets out of the car and motions for us to get in.
On the short ride back to the house, he starts to chew me out, but Grandpa quickly intervenes.
“You should be chewing out your boys at the gate. They're the ones who let me walk out with her.”
“You're a guest,” Garrett counters.
“Shouldn't matter. It's a weakness.”
Garrett thinks about that for a second then says, “You're right.”
Aiden meets me at the front door.
Before I have a chance to speak, Grandpa says, “Aiden, my boy, why don’t you and I go have a chat in the library while Keatyn helps her grandma in the kitchen.”
Aiden glances at me, those tractor beam eyes holding mine, speaking to me.
I sigh. Because now that I know what they’re saying, they make me want to start crying again.
I do what I’m told and head to the kitchen, where the ladies are pitching in to make Christmas dinner. Grandma is sitting at the kitchen table, so I join her.
“Grandpa and Aiden are having a chat. What does that mean?”
“You’ll know soon enough,” she says with a chuckle.
“How?”
“If he doesn’t come back bleeding, Grandpa thinks he’s a keeper.”
I hang my head. “I can’t have a keeper right now, Grandma. I heard about the man who tried to run you off the road. Grandpa agreed that the two of you will stay here in France for a while. Until this hostile takeover stuff gets settled.”
“I’ve always wanted a vacation in France. And any extended time with my granddaughters is welcomed.”
“They’re a handful.”
She studies my face. “For years after your father died, I couldn’t look you in the eyes. They are so much like his.”
“Are you okay with Mom and Tommy getting married?”
“We can’t control who we love. Just like we can’t control when someone we love is taken from us. I’m very lucky that there’s still a piece of your dad in you. And when you have kids someday, he will live on in them.”
“Inga read my palm.”
“She read mine years ago. Thought she was nuts at the time, but the woman was spot on. How many kids did she say you would have?”
“Four. But I don’t think that will happen.”
“Why not?”
“When she read it again, she said that death is coming for me.”
“Death comes for everyone, eventually.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I say, dropping the subject so Grandma won’t have to think about losing someone else she loves.
“I like Aiden.”
“I like him too.”
“Is he the reason for all your cryptic questions about love?”
“I love him. But part of me still loves Brooklyn. And until I’m with him again—until I can see him again—I can’t give Aiden my full heart.”
I see Grandma glance behind me.
“He’s not bleeding,” she says. “Whoever you choose deserves your full heart.”
“I know.”
“Keatyn,” Aiden says. “Wanna go for a walk?”
Grandma winks at me.
“Yeah, sure,” I tell him.
I join him in the hall. He takes my hand and leads me up the stairs and into my room.
“I thought you wanted to go for a walk?”
“I just want to talk to you.”
“You’re not bleeding,” I say.
“Why would I be bleeding?”
“Grandma said if you weren’t, it meant you and my grandpa had a good talk.”
“We did.” He pulls me into his arms. “I love you.”
I smile at him, but I don’t say it back.
I can’t.
I shouldn’t.
Aiden lets go of me and starts pacing, much like he did on the beach.
“I believe in us,” he says. “If you need to go see him—if you need to meet his mom—you have my full support. But I’m really concerned about you going back to Malibu. Is there a way you could get him to change the location?”
“I appreciate your support, Aiden, but I think it would be best if I wasn’t with anyone right now.”
He moves closer to me, pressing his chest tightly against mine and talking on my neck. “What does your heart want, right now?” he whispers.
“You,” I whisper back. “It wants you.”
Aiden kisses me, a kiss so powerful it makes me cry guilty tears.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asks gently.
“You know my life is a mess.”
“Your grandpa just gave me some good advice about life.”
“What’d he say?”
“That if you follow your heart, it will always lead you home.”
I shut my eyes tightly, knowing he gave the same advice to my mom once.
“Do you believe him?” I ask, hoping with all my heart that the answer is yes.
“I think the more important question is, do you? I know what you’re thinking. That it’s good advice for everyone but you. Right?”