“I didn’t do anything,” he said irritably. “And she’s more robust than she looks, by the way. We argued, that’s all.”
Knowing how sensitive Eva was, Mitzy was sure a few sharp words from her grandson would have been all it took to hurt her.
“What terrible thing did she do?”
“She accepted an invitation to the Snowflake Ball at the Plaza on my behalf without asking me.”
Mitzy gave him a long look. “A heinous crime indeed.”
“I don’t need sarcasm, Gran.”
“She probably didn’t need your anger, either.” It annoyed her, thinking of it.
“Are you trying to make me feel guilty?”
“No. If you’re the man I know you to be, you’re already feeling guilty.” Watching him jam his fingers into his hair, she almost felt sorry for him. He looked so much like the little boy who had once stolen the last slice of chocolate cake from her kitchen.
He had a good heart, she knew, but that heart had been so badly bruised, so damaged, he didn’t dare let anyone near it.
He thought she didn’t know how he felt, but she knew.
She knew everything and she ached for him. She’d waited for him to talk to her about it, but he never had. She wondered if he’d ever told anyone how he’d felt after Sallyanne’s shocking death. Probably not.
“So now she’s gone. And presumably that’s what you wanted, so what’s the problem?”
He raked his hand over the back of his neck. “I need her back.”
Mitzy’s heart flew, but she kept her expression neutral. “If you sent her away, why would you need her back?”
“I just need her. And I need you to give me her home address.”
Mitzy couldn’t remember a time when he’d sounded so desperate. She almost took pity on him. Then she thought of sweet, dear Eva. “I’m not sure I have it. Or maybe I do, and I’ve forgotten. You know what my memory is like.”
“Your memory is perfect, Gran.”
She made vague sounds. “Could you pass me my reading glasses and my smartphone?”
Lucas found both on top of the piano and handed them to her. “You always keep your addresses in a book.”
“Eva taught me to use the contacts in this wonderful phone.” Should she help? If she was wrong and this didn’t go the way she’d planned, two people she loved dearly could be hurt.
He held out his hand. “Could I look?”
“No. You’ll press something, or do something clever, and I’ll never be able to find any of my numbers again.”
“Gran—”
“Why do you need her home address?”
“Because this is—” He broke off, breathing heavily. “Personal. It’s better discussed face-to-face.”
“Personal?” Oh, this was perfect. And people said that interfering was a bad thing. “I never had a granddaughter as you know and I would have loved to have one. I’m surrounded my men.” Men who invariably said the wrong thing. “Eva fills that space in my heart. Why is it
personal? Are you taking her to that ball?”
His expression was shuttered. “No. I’m going to call the Plaza and cancel.”
Mitzy stared down at the phone, thinking hard. “No. I don’t have her address.”