Emma vs. The Tech Guy by Lia Fairchild Page B

plans.” He glanced around the room as if he’d just discovered his surroundings. “This place is great. Do you go to church here?”
    “Yeah,” I said. It was an absent-minded response, since I was still hung up on the way he looked after he said he didn’t have plans. “Are you sure I’m not keeping you? You’re always in jeans at the office.”
    “No.” He shifted his weight and shook his head. “I’m mean Yeah. My niece, Chloe. I volunteer at her school once a week in the computer lab. She’s only in the second grade, but she likes me to dress up.”
    I could imagine why. “That’s very cool of you.”
    “I enjoy being around the kids. And hopefully they don’t notice that I really only have two dress shirts.” He smiled and shrugged. “I rotate them every other week.”
    “I doubt they notice.”
    “So where’s your grandpa?”
    I motioned toward the back door with my head. “See those two old guys over there trying act all Dirty Harry?” Lou nodded as people walked by, while Pop leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Lou spotted me and gave two quick whistles. I shook my head in response.
    “Yeah,” Guy said.
    “The one leaning against the wall is my Pop, Ed.”
    “I’d like to meet him some time.”
    That caught me off guard and my response was probably not the most polite. “Yeah, some time. Well, I’m going to make sure we’re all set here so you don’t have to stay. And thanks again.” I began to check over the contents of the basket, comparing it to the list provided on the table, and felt Guy still standing behind me.
    “I think I’ll take a look around before I take off,” he said.
    I didn’t turn around. Our basket was already late. “Have fun.”
    Guy wondered off, and I couldn’t stop myself from glancing back at him. It must have been the outfit.
    Once the basket was set, I joined Pop and Lou. Then the three of us checked out the other offerings. Lou took off early, so Pop and I had burgers out on the patio. I needed to get home to finish packing for my trip, but I felt Pop would appreciate the extra time with me. I could tell he was disappointed Mrs. Elwood never showed, but I didn’t bring it up.
    “I appreciate this, Emma Jean, but I know you’ve got stuff to do.”
    I saw that look in his eye. The one he always gets when I’m going to be gone. “It’s only a few days, Pop.”
    “I know.”
    Another reminder that I was all Pop had made me wish Mrs. Elwood had shown after all. Before I could say anything he spoke again.
    “Can I say something?”
    The expression on his face was enough for me. “Not if it’s what I think you’re going to say.”
    “Emma Jean, I’m worried about you.”
    “You don’t need to be. Everything’s fine.” I sipped my soda and stared at a tree swaying in the breeze. A tiny bird sat on a thin branch riding up and down with the blowing wind.
    “I just want you to be happy—and I wouldn’t mind being a great-grandpa someday, either.”
    I turned my attention back to him and smiled. “I am happy, Pop. But right now I can’t think about anything else but the magazine.”
    “Seems like that’s all it’s been for a long time.”
    My smile faded, and my shoulders sank. Pop’s disappointment was something he didn’t show often, but it was a lethal weapon when he chose to use it.
    “And what about Howie?” he continued. “Is he happy?”
    “Yes, I think so. I don’t know. Can we not get into this now? You know I’ve got a huge couple of days ahead of me.”
    “All I’m saying is that you two need to get your priorities straight.”
    There was nothing more I could say, so I did the only thing I could think of. “And what about you?”
    “What about me?” he said, brushing crumbs from his hands.
    “You like being alone?” My raised eyebrows told him I now had the upper hand.
    “I do all right. And besides, I’ve got the boys.”
    “Do they cuddle with you at night too?”
    “Well, sometimes Lou does.