“Winter, it’s good to see you.” Her aunt’s kind face had Winter wanting to break into tears.
“You lost weight, Aunt Shay,” she scolded, hugging her frail body close.
Her aunt stepped back, letting her inside. She limped along beside Winter as they made their way into her formal living room.
The house was huge. Shay could have found a smaller home, but she clung to the one she and her husband had bought and raised their daughter in. Both were now gone, including her granddaughter. Other than Winter, Shay only had a great-grandson left.
“Is something wrong? You usually stop by to see me on Saturdays.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to see you. I hope that’s okay.”
Beth checked on her once a day. She used to come just three days a week, but Winter hired her to work the whole week instead. Winter spent every Saturday afternoon with her, and Holly would bring her great-grandson, Logan, on Sundays. That way, she had someone with her every day.
“Of course. I’m always happy to see you.”
“Have you eaten today?”
“Yes, Beth made me some soup.” She smiled at Winter’s concern.
“Which I bet you didn’t eat.”
Her aunt grimaced. “I ate a little. My appetite isn’t what it used to be.”
“How about some chicken and dumplings?”
Aunt Shay’s face lit up. “I wouldn’t want to bother you.”
“It won’t be a bother. I can put it on the stove, and we can talk while it cooks.”
“I knew you were my favorite niece for a reason.”
“I’m your only niece.” Winter brushed a kiss on her pale cheek before she went into the kitchen.
Beth kept her aunt’s freezer stocked. Winter knew her favorite was chicken dumplings and made it for her every month, freezing it so Aunt Shay could have it when she wanted some.
Taking out one of the freezer bags, she saw last month’s supply hadn’t been touched. She had been so occupied with her marriage that she hadn’t noticed her aunt was slipping away.
Briskly, she made them both a salad then heated some pre-made mashed potatoes as she reheated the chicken and dumplings. She then returned to the living room and watched Shay’s favorite game show until their dinner was ready.
Winter set the table outside with the food and plates before calling her aunt. “Dinner’s ready.”
Shay came outside, taking a chair across from her. “I love sitting outside in the sun.”
“I know,” Winter said, as she made her a small plate.
As they ate, her aunt bragged about how big Logan was growing.
“How’s Holly doing?” Winter asked.
“Putting up with Greer. I don’t know how she tolerates that man.”
“Everyone in town agrees with you.”
Greer Porter didn’t have any friends. He had a habit of becoming involved with women who only used him for sex or the pot he boasted about growing.
“Greer is a terrible influence on my great-grandson. I told Holly that she and Logan should move in with me, but Dustin wants him to stay with him.”
As much as she disliked Greer, he was a good uncle, and Dustin couldn’t be faulted as a father. The Porters might be weed farmers, but they loved Logan, and they had saved the Last Riders more than once.
“Are you getting lonely here by yourself?”
Aunt Shay picked at her food. “A little, but it helps that Beth comes by every day. So does Holly.”
“I wished you would move closer to me. Viper offered to build you a small cottage behind the clubhouse.”
“I’m too old and grumpy to live next door to a houseful of men.”
“It’s not only men. You met all the female members. You would be right next door to me and Beth and her children,” Winter encouraged. “And you’re the least grumpy woman I know.”
Aunt Shay looked away, saying, “I’ll think about it.”
It was always the same answer, but Winter thought she saw indecision in her eyes this time.
“It would be hard to leave your home behind, especially with all the memories it holds, but you can make new memories,” Winter encouraged.
“They all are good.”
The sadness that was apparent had Winter coming to a sudden decision. “How about we finish dinner and then watch your favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice?”
“That would be great. Are you sure your husband won’t mind?”
“Viper won’t mind at all,” she assured her, looking down at her own uneaten plate of food. According to Sasha’s text, Viper wanted to get rid of her, anyway.
Her aunt’s face brightened, as she said, “Except, instead of the older version, I want to watch the new one.”
“Which one?”
“The one with the zombies. I’ve been too afraid to watch it by myself.”
“Sure. I’ll even stay the night to make sure you don’t have nightmares.”
“No, no. I couldn’t ask—”
“I insist. I don’t have to work tomorrow. It’ll be like when I was little and I came to spend the night.”
Shay smiled. “I remember. Okay, then, if you don’t mind?”