He waited while she negotiated the few short steps to the bench and got into position, lowering herself down slowly behind her frame, before he sat down alongside her.
‘So what’s the problem, Gran?’
‘Christmas.’
She spat the word out like a bullet. He sighed. This was the emergency the staff had called him around to deal with? But still he sympathised. When Nell got something stuck in her head, there was no way to put her off the track.
‘Christmas is over six weeks away, Nell.’
‘I know that. But what are you doing about it?’
He hadn’t given it a thought. They’d probably do the same as they’d done in previous years—he’d book a lunch somewhere, and if she was bright enough on the day they’d eat out together, or otherwise he’d spend a large chunk of the day just sitting with her at the home and taking her to enjoy an ice cream at the beach.
‘What would you like me to do about it?’
‘Well, you might do something about getting the whole family together for a change. If you don’t do something soon, Frank and Sylvia are bound to be booked up again.’
He pressed his lips together and nodded stoically, burying his own feelings. There was no point telling her while she was in this state that her son and daughter-in-law had been permanently booked up for five years now. Instead he hooked an arm around her bony shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. ‘I’ll see what I can do, okay?’
‘And who’s the girl in the car?’
He groaned to himself. There was nothing wrong with his grandmother’s eyesight, that was for sure.
‘It’s just Morgan, my PA.’
‘Funny name for a girl.’ She chewed on her bottom lip while she peered through wrinkle-rimmed eyes at the car. ‘So she’s the one who sends me all those flowers, then?’
‘Those flowers are actually from me.’
‘Rubbish. I bet you never bought flowers in your life. I suppose I should thank her in that case.’
‘There’s no need—’
She hauled herself up behind her Zimmer frame and regarded him sharply. ‘Why? You’re not ashamed of your own flesh and blood, are you?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘Then what’s stopping you?’ she demanded, waving him away with a flick of her wizened wrist.
He was almost at the car when he met Tegan getting out, her dress waving softly in the breeze, the wave in her hair flicking like it was alive. He smiled apologetically. ‘She wants to meet you.’
‘I gathered that.’
‘Don’t let her get to you,’ he warned her softly. ‘She can be a bit sharp.’
‘Yoo-hoo,’ called the old woman from behind them. ‘I’m waiting.’
Tegan smiled and let herself be led the short distance and introduced to his grandmother.
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Maverick.’
‘Oh, my dear,’ said the old woman, taking one of her hands in her own. Skin like crêpe paper betrayed her age, but there was a strength to the old woman’s grip, and an inner heat that resonated through her. ‘You simply must call me Nell.’ Then she frowned. ‘Though I must say you don’t look much like a Morgan to me. Are you sure that’s your name?’
‘Gran—’ interrupted Maverick.
‘Much too pretty for a Morgan,’ she continued, undaunted. ‘Yes,’ she said, with a final jerk of Tegan’s hands. ‘I think I shall call you Vanessa.’
Tegan laughed nervously while doing her best to avoid Maverick’s eyes. ‘That’s fine, Nell.’
‘Now,’ she said, easing herself down onto the bench once more and pulling Tegan down alongside her in the process. ‘Did I ever tell you about the time I got lost in the mountains as a little girl and almost got eaten by a bear? No, I don’t think I did.’ She patted the younger woman on the hand while Maverick stood by and rolled his eyes. ‘Well, I was only a tiny tot at the time, four or five at the most…’
‘Your gran’s a real character.’
They were heading towards the restaurant, having driven most of the way in companionable silence, Tegan content to enjoy the colours of the city lighting as evening passed into night, and to think about this new side to Maverick. He’d been different with Nell, softer and more caring than she’d ever have imagined him to be. The caring grandson—it was as far from ruthless businessman as you could probably get, and totally unexpected. Up until now she’d believed he only cared about his beloved Royalty Cove and in getting what he wanted. But he obviously loved his grandmother deeply. ‘I really like her.’