The Twin Bargain. Lisa Carter

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      Ethan hugged her now. Reassured by the usual lavender scent that always clung to her. Somehow he’d feared she’d be frailer. Or her mind not as sharp.

      But Grandma wasn’t any frailer than he remembered. Her mind... Well... ErmaJean Hicks would never be accused of thinking like everybody else.

      “How did you fall? Were you dizzy? Did you lose your balance?”

      She fluttered her hand. “I was in a hurry. Tripped over my own clumsy feet on the back steps.”

      “It makes me sick to think about something happening and me not being here, Grandma.”

      She scanned his face. “A situation easily remedied.”

      “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the future lately.”

      She clasped her hands to her heart. “Oh, Ethan, I’ve been hoping, praying, you would.”

      He pulled a chair close to the bed. “Remember how much fun we had the last time you visited me in Wilmington?”

      Confusion darkened her eyes. “Ice cream. Sand between my toes. Life is a beach.”

      “You know I like working with my hands.”

      “Granddad always hoped one day you’d take over—”

      “A buddy of mine is starting his own boat repair business and has offered me a job.”

      Her hands fell to her lap. “I’m guessing boat repair means the job is on the coast.”

      “You said it yourself, Grandma—life is a beach.”

      “I misspoke. Vacation is a beach.” Her expression clouded. “Life is home. I was hoping when you finally decided to settle down—”

      “Truelove was never an option for me, and you know it.”

      She gnashed her teeth. “What I know is you’re stubborn, obstinate and aggravating.”

      “Home is family. And you’re the only family I’ve ever had.”

      She lifted her chin. “GeorgeAnne, IdaLee and I have some ideas on how you could remedy that situation.”

      The sheer thought of the matchmakers plotting to pair him to some Truelove girl was almost enough to send Ethan running for his Harley motorcycle. Or break out in hives.

      Instead—as a Marine he’d been taught not to flee in the face of peril—he found his grandmother’s hand through the bedrail. “Now that I’m stateside for good, I want us to spend more time together.”

      Her lips pursed. “That will be difficult with you six hours away.”

      Ethan set his jaw. “Which is why I’d like for you to relocate to the beach.”

      She pulled her hand from his. “Out of the question.”

      “Hear me out, Grandma. I’ve done my research. There is a great senior adult village near my apartment. You’d love the cottages. A sweet deal, right on the water. You’d have your own little garden for your flowers. I’ve got photos on my—”

      “Absolutely not.” She steepled her hands in her lap. “My life is here, Ethan. My friends. My church. The family business. They’re all here.”

      What family business? Although his grandmother had continued to work on upholstery projects here and there, his grandfather’s furniture restoration workshop had gathered dust since his death.

      Ethan shook his head. “You’ve worked hard your entire life. With this new job, I can take care of you. You can retire and enjoy life for a change.”

      She crossed her arms. “I’m enjoying life right where I’m planted.”

      “You’re the friendliest person I’ve ever known. You’ll make lots of friends. There are amazing churches at the beach.”

      She narrowed her eyes. “And you would know that how, Ethan?”

      Okay, she had him there. He hadn’t sat in a church pew since he left Truelove.

      Grandma’s chin wobbled. “Besides, I could never leave your grandfather.”

      Ethan took a long, measured breath. “Granddad has been dead a long time. I don’t like to think of you living here alone with me so far away.” He gestured at the bed. “Changes need to be made.”

      Grandma stiffened. “I have good friends to watch out for me.”

      “The house has to be getting too much for you. And you must get lonely.”

      “Are you sure it’s not you who’s lonely?”

      This wasn’t going like he’d envisioned. Since leaving the Corps, he had been lonely. Actually, the empty feeling inside his chest had begun before he left the service.

      “I do miss you, Grandma. Which is why you moving closer is a wonderful idea.”

      Her mouth down-turned. “Maybe for you. I’m not the decrepit old woman you think I am, Ethan Todd Green.”

      She only used his full name when he’d gotten on her last nerve.

      Her eyes glinted. “If I need or want your help, I’ll ask for it.”

      “Grandma, I’m concerned about you.”

      Her lips thinned. “If this accident was your only reason for finally visiting me, then you’ve wasted a trip home.”

      Ethan opened his hands. “I wanted to see you. I thought you’d be excited by my news. And I was worried about you.”

      Her face creased. “Why were you worried?”

      “You’ve sounded so...” He swallowed. “So distant on the phone. Not like yourself.”

      Like he was losing her. His grandmother, the only anchor he’d ever known. Hence, his determination to put his plan into action.

      “Other than this bum leg, I’m great.” His grandmother tilted her head. “I told you I’ve been busy, Ethan. I’ve been watching Amber’s kids so she can finish her nursing degree.”

      “Why did no one tell me that Amber is married?”

      His grandmother gave him a cockeyed glance. “Didn’t realize you were interested in Amber’s marital status.” She moistened her lips. “And it’s married as in the past tense. When she got pregnant with the girls—”

      “What happened, Grandma? To Amber and...” He made a face. “The guy.”

      “You mean her husband?” For a second, something appeared to amuse his grandmother. Then her smile faded. “Tony told Amber he didn’t sign up for parenthood.”

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