Chapter 225

Edie woke a few times during the night when the wind blew hard and wiggled the screens in the windows. She thought of Gramps and how much she'd miss him. Her chest hurt and she thought about how she was going to get through the rest of her life without him. She cried herself into exhaustion and back to sleep. She tossed and turned, waking frequently, and was wide awake when the alarm went off. Throwing on a bathrobe and stepping into her slippers she hurried downstairs. Tom was awake and sitting on the couch. "So, it's true. It wasn't a dream, was it? Gramps is gone."

"I'm sorry, but it is true." Tom patted the couch beside him.

Tears formed again. "I'm going to make coffee." She left the living room for the kitchen.

Coffee brewed while she made toast. She'd gotten the jelly out of the fridge when Tom walked into the kitchen, so good looking in his jeans and white shirt with his sheriff's badge on it.

He embraced her. She felt his heat emanating through her body and she relaxed