Troy shouldn’t have been surprised. Not much went on in Valentine Bay that his grandmother wasn’t aware of, and nothing of consequence.
“That’s why you called me here today?”
“Indeed. I had Brock search for the young lady on the internet. I viewed several hours’ worth of performances and interviews.”
Dang. Even Troy hadn’t gone that deep into the cyber stalk…er…researching.
“And what were your thoughts?”
He was hesitant to hear the answer. If things went further between him and Alison, he’d be the first Valentine brother not paired up with a hometown girl. He didn’t know how his grandmother, the matriarch, might feel about a founding family member dating someone so far outside the Valentine Bay sphere.
“Troy, I am of the opinion that you should, as the young people say…lock that down, I believe is the expression?”
Troy laughed. “That definitely is the expression.”
“Good. Well, I’ve delivered my message. You can do with that what you will.”
He grinned. “Thanks for the advice, Grandmother. Wait, aren’t you staying for lunch?”
He was confused as she stood, pulling her cell phone out of her leather clutch to call “Brock.”
“No, dear, as I said. I’m on a schedule.”
“Why did you want to meet at Main Street Eats, then?”
She smiled at him, and he could see genuine affection in the grin as she patted his cheek. “I know it’s your favorite lunch spot. I thought it would be nice to treat you.”
With that, she headed for the door, catching Grace’s attention and telling her to put his order on her tab as she left.
Grace nodded and hustled over to the table. “So, what’cha having, hon? The usual.”
“Sounds good,” Troy confirmed.
Grace smiled, her eyes sparking with mischief. “So, was she for or against?”
“What?”
“Your new lady friend.”
Troy groaned. “You’re just as good as she is at knowing everything that goes on in this town, aren’t you?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Anyway. She said I should ‘lock that down,’ if you can believe it.”
Grace chuckled. “I can believe it. Because she’s a smart woman, and it seems like she gives pretty good advice.”
He smiled. “Agreed.”