Chemistry Lessons by Rebecca H Jamison

Author:Rebecca H Jamison [Jamison, Rebecca H]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B01ENTFKQ2
Published: 2016-06-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

She had seen two extremes of Tanner in the last week, two sides of him that she had never seen before—a man who could get angry enough to hit another man and an apologetic romantic who wrote her a love letter that made her blush just thinking about it.

He had worked hard to regain her approval. The day after the fight, he had washed Rosie’s dog and changed the oil in Grandpa’s truck. The next day, after they finished their work at the school, he took her four-wheeling in the fields. He brought her a mason jar full of sunflowers and fixed her dinner twice.

She appreciated that he could apologize, and she was sure that he would never get violent with her, the way he did with Destry. Still, a part of her held back, disillusioned.

Her grandmother had warned her that perfect men didn’t exist. How far, though, should she be willing to go in the opposite direction? If only Grandma were alive, Rosie could ask her advice. It wouldn’t be the same asking Grandpa. He was much less likely to forgive a man’s faults, and he already distrusted Tanner’s ability to be a good husband, but she couldn’t keep hiding what happened from him. He was bound to hear about it eventually.

Grandpa sat across from Rosie at the breakfast table that Friday morning, swirling his fork around in his scrambled eggs while Rosie jabbed at hers. Telling him how Tanner had hit Destry could cement Grandpa’s opinion against him for good, but she launched into the story, trying to emphasize Tanner’s concerns about Destry’s integrity. She didn’t mention Tanner’s jealousy—or the fact that he had every reason to be jealous.

Grandpa reached for her hand, holding it in his trembling fingers. “Frankly, I’m glad Tanner had the gumption to hit someone.” Grandpa squeezed her hand and then went back to eating his eggs. “It’s just too bad he picked Destry. I like that guy.”

Rosie expected a grin to break through, signaling that Grandpa was being sarcastic, but it didn’t. He was serious. “So you’re not worried about Tanner trying to start a fight?” she asked, her muscles relaxing.

“Not at all. In fact, it makes me feel better about him. He’s always impressed me as a mama’s boy. It’s good to know he can defend you when the need arises.” She had expected him to say something about Tanner’s bad temper. Perhaps, all those experiences with angry stepdads made her overly sensitive.

Through the screen door, she heard wheels rolling over the gravel driveway. Figuring Tanner was here to pick her up for school, she kissed Grandpa on the top of his head. “I’ve got to go.”

“Tanner isn’t perfect, but he’s a good man—nothing like those buffoons Azalea picked.”

Rosie laughed, silently agreeing. Her chest felt lighter after talking to Grandpa.

He pointed an arthritic finger at her and raised his eyebrows. “Now don’t tell Azalea I said that about her husbands.”

“She would be the first one to agree with you.” Rosie grabbed her purse and pushed open the screen door.

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