Marry Grinchmas (Moosehead Minnesota Series Book 1)(6)

“Nana!” I try to muster up as much shock and admonishment as I can, but I failed because in truth…that was funny as hell…and the more I think about it…probably true, if his propensity for spanking and tying me up is any indication.

“What, girl? Don’t act all prudish with me. What, with the 50 Colors Of Black or whatever it is y’all young folks be reading.”

Lord. She is trying to kill me. I am unable to help the laugh that radiates all the way from my toes to my belly before it bursts out of my mouth. Is she really talking about Christian Grey? Oh my goodness. What the hell are they getting into here in Moosehead Minnesota?

“Oh. Nana. I love you.” I say as I walk over and give her a hug. It feels good to have someone who really knows me hold me, without the pity and such I have been subject to the past few months.

“Now, do you want to tell me why you came here Ava? It’s not that I am not happy to see you, because you know you have always been my favorite. Lord knows how much I hate your mama.”

Here we go. I have no idea why she and my momma never got along, but I do know mom can be a lot to handle. Don’t get me wrong, she is a good person, but she had big dreams for dad who could never reach them. I know she loves him deeply and, unfortunately, Nana doesn’t suffer fools quietly.

“I thought you were planning some fancy wedding to the town Lothario?” She comments.

She grumbles something else I am unable to hear, but knowing her, I probably don’t want to know. With the mention of the wedding, I feel the tears coming and launch myself into her arms as the dam breaks.

“Hush now child. What’s wrong? What’s all this about? There is nothing so awful that some banana bread and a little morning coffee cocktail can’t fix.”

I squeeze her harder as I am assailed with memories of spending my summers with her. She would make me feel better if I was leased or got hurt by giving me a slice of bread and hot cocoa. Sniffing her, while refusing to let go, I find comfort in how she smells the same as mothballs and peppermint.

“Nana, there is no wedding. He was cheating on me the whole time. I feel like such a fool because I heard the rumors and I ignored them. When I finally asked him about them he denied it and I believed him. I had to leave because I couldn’t take the looks of pity or those ‘I told you so’ stares.”

“I feel completely stupid and I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go except here with you. If you don’t mind, I need a little time to figure out my life and what I want to do with myself. Instead of trying to focus on a relationship right now I need to think about my next move.”

“Well, that sure is a tale baby girl. I am sorry you got hurt, but that pretty boy was never good enough for you. Now Ham. Ham is…”

Oh boy, here we go. “No. Stop! I am thinking about school and moving away not who my next man will be. I’m done with guys, Nana.”

“Ha. Good luck telling Ham that. He has all but tattooed his name on your ass girl. He is a man. A real man you can count on to honor his vows even before he takes them. He works hard, loves and takes care of his family, and is a major help in the community. Now Christmas tends to make him grumpier, but I figure he needs someone to share the holiday with.”

“Nana, I know what you’re trying to do. I can tell he is a good man. But I have been there, done that and now I need to focus on my future. Most girls my age have careers already and are conquering the world. What am I doing? Nothing! I feel like such a failure regarding my life. Not being able to keep a man is icing on the cake. I have to do this grandma.”

“Ava, I don’t want to hear what other girls are doing. Besides you have never been like other girls. I remember one summer when you were here. You had it in your mind to be more like Elizabeth McIntosh. You started wearing makeup with different clothes and such, while hanging out with her and her friends.”

“I never tried to stop you. I’m a firm believer if you tell a child to go left they will go right just for spite. I did the only thing I could, and that was to sit back and watch,” she said with a smirk on her face.

I remember when I was lost and trying to fit in here. During the summer, I would always come for a few weeks. Even though I loved being with my Nana, I didn’t have any friends here and it made for a lonely summer.

Making the decision before I left for the summer, things would be different. I set off on my mission. Of course it was an epic fail. But, I did learn an important lesson: Elizabeth McIntosh is a bitch.

“You paraded around imitating them for two weeks, until the day a baby fell and got hurt. Do you remember that?”

“Yeah, we were walking into town for a movie at the theater when a little boy crossing the street tripped and fell. Liz and her friends stood there and laughed before continuing to walk on pass him.”

“Yes. But what did you do? Did you go with them?”

“No. I stopped and picked him up, started to sing to him, and I carried him to his mama.”

“Yes you did, my darling girl. You spent the rest of your summer here going over to his house and playing with the baby. His mama came to me after you left and shared with me how he had cried for you for weeks. She told me how you would go over to play, feed him his lunch, change his nappy and put him down for his nap.”

I remember him as the cutest baby; with blonde hair and the chubbiest cherub cheeks. I would kiss his little face while smelling him as I thought about the day I could have one of my own. Preposterous a 13 year old girl would be thinking about babies. All I have ever wanted was to be a wife and mom. I don’t know why I never questioned that decision before, but now I am not so sure.