To Stretch the Bond by Buhler Carol

Author:Buhler, Carol
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

Josi Real

I jittered in the waiting room as people filed off the plane. Jack and Margaret stood to one side with Grams, allowing me to greet Garard by myself. What should I do? Hug and kiss? Just smile? What will he do?

Why am I always so nervous to see him? This is the man I think I love.

Then he appeared in the doorway and my nerves settled. My favorite smile appeared on his lips and he strode forward, dropped his small bag on the ground, and pulled me into an adoring hug. When I tilted my head back to look up into his face, he dropped a quick kiss on my lips and said, quite loudly, “So where’s Jack? I need to meet this young man!”

He dropped his arms and spun to the right as Jack and Margaret surged forward. My mother kept her distance, watching with a wide grin.

Before Jack could say a thing, Garard put his hand out for a gentleman’s greeting, stopping my son in his tracks. Unsettled, he took the hand offered and Garard took the initiative immediately. “Your mother’s an awesome woman, you know. You must be mighty awesome yourself to care for her as you do.” Turning slightly, he held out his hand to my daughter next. “I’m guessing you’re Margaret. You’re as beautiful as your mother.”

Margaret was speechless but she beamed at his praise. Timidly, she took the outstretched hand in her much smaller one.

“And I’m Grams.” My mother had reached Margaret’s side. “We’ve heard so much about you. You’re not at all like the news says.”

Garard’s eyebrows flew up and I suppressed my delight at the twinkle in his eyes. No news camera ever catches that look. “No. I’m much friendlier than the news lets on. Part of the role I played back then. It’s a pleasure to meet you, but I just can’t call you Grams. You’re younger than I am!”

Grams grimaced. “Not hardly. My name’s also Margaret so you see, there’s a slight dilemma. And my granddaughter abhors the nickname Maggie, or even worse, Mags.”

“Then you shall be Maggie,” Garard said lightly. I saw that Mother was pleased with his audacity.

“Do you have other luggage?” I asked since both of my children seemed to be tongue-tied from Garard’s friendly assault on their doubts.

“Yes. I brought my suit. I just can’t come to Pith and not stop in to see Lord Metz and Lady Shar. They’d be furious to know I was so close without visiting them. We’ll all be going to the palace for an informal dinner tomorrow night.” His eyes now gleamed with mischief. “Although he promised it would truly be informal, I thought you might want to go shopping first.”

“Dinner at the palace,” Margaret breathed. “Wait ‘til I tell Carla and Jessica.”

Jack was made of sterner stuff, I saw. He didn’t even look gratified at the proffered treat. Although he said nothing, he let me know with his scowl that he wouldn’t be bought off by such maneuvers.

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