Beautiful Bounty(96)

There was nothing to do, but wait and see. And it seemed like hours before anyone came to her room even though it wasn’t. She was watching the clock. The next person to open her door though made her smile genuinely for the first time in a long time.

“Gramps,” she burst out.

He rushed to the bed, her grandmother at his heels. “Nana,” she added when she saw her grandmother was there too.

“We came as soon as we saw it on the news,” her grandmother choked through her tears.

Although he wanted nothing more than to crush his little granddaughter to his chest, Roland stepped back to let his wife in first. It was the right thing to do after all.

As soon as his wife moved to go to the other side of the bed, he was there holding her close. His little sidekick. “Glad you’re safe chipmunk,” he whispered in her ear. “We love you.”

“Love you too Gramps, Nana.” The tears were coursing down her face. It felt so good to have someone there who loved her.

“I could have killed that old man,” her grandma said, indicating her husband, “when I found out he helped you. Don’t you ever do something so stupid again!” she admonished, shaking an old finger, gnarled from years of baking, sewing, and gardening, at her granddaughter and husband of nearly fifty years.

Ronnie nodded. Her nana was known for her lectures. What could she do? She took it, noticing her grandpa winking at her over her nana’s shoulder.

Ronnie was so relieved to have them there, but yet her thoughts kept straying back to Nikko and the Marinos. She quickly filled them in on her talk with Detective Alexander, and both her grandparents were thrilled to hear the news that her name had been cleared. Her grandmother fanned herself when she talked about the Brimeyers, scared for her granddaughter who had gotten so close to a real live drug ring. Ronnie wanted to be honest with them and tell them everything herself as it would be all over the news anyhow. It would be better coming from her. But, she knew what her grandmother must be thinking as she saw a myriad of emotions cross her face. She had been in far more danger than even she thought.

The nurse interrupted them deep in conversation when she came in with a tray for dinner. And even at the smell of the hospital food, her stomach betrayed her.

“Eat something, bebe,” her grandfather encouraged pushing the hospital food tray towards her, revealing a slice of turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy. And though it was hospital food, Ronnie wasn’t about to turn it away.

“I’m calling your mother. She’ll be so relieved,” Bertie announced, pulling her cell phone out of her oversized purse. “What with the new baby and all,” she grinned from ear to ear, “this will make her day.”

“You told her,” Ronnie laughed, taking her first bite of cold, dry turkey, dipping it into the potatoes to make it more palatable. This meal reminded her so much of another meal, very similar, but in a different location when she’d thought her life was over. Now, it seemed it was just beginning, but she needed to talk to Nikko first to know for sure. She needed to see him.

“Of course,” her grandfather laughed at her accusatory comment. “She needed some good news to get me off the hook for helping you,” he winked.

“I love you Gramps,” she reached for his gnarled hand and squeezed it as her grandmother chattered away in the corner.

After her nana filled her mother in, she passed the phone to Ronnie who had eaten nearly everything by then.

“Hi Mom,” she answered perkily.

“Oh you . . .” her mom let out a shaky breath of relief through the receiver.

They talked for a few minutes, and Jay popped on to tell her he was happy, too, that things seemed to be working out all right for everyone. They’d even had a call from Tampa saying the charges should be dropped as soon as they got word from Detective Alexander. He’d contacted the prosecution and called Lou personally, not twenty minutes ago, to say Ronnie turned herself in, so the bounty was secure. That bit of news flabbergasted Ronnie. Why would Detective Alexander say she had done that? She expressed those thoughts to her mom.

Her mom laughed and then awkwardly admitted, “Oh, well, I actually know him. He dated Ana.”

“Oh my God! Small f . . .” she caught herself before she cursed in front of her grandparents. “. . . world.”

“Yes, it is. It didn’t last, but they had some fun, let’s say.” After a few more minutes of chatting with her mom, her mother finally broke off. “Okay, baby. I’m going to let you get some rest. I’m glad your grandparents are there with you. Grandma said they will stay in a hotel tonight and you can go home with them. Is that okay?” her mom asked.