The Memory Keeper: A Heartwarming, Feel-Good Romance(11)

Liam waved his hand to get the attention of the car beside them, gesturing to be let over. The driver allowed a space to open up in front of him and Liam moved into the next lane, waving thanks. “The airport car kiosk was inundated with passengers,” he said. “We can’t get upset that they overlooked the gas tank. They were trying to get to as many people as possible.”

He attempted to wave down the car in the next lane but was unsuccessful, so they crept along, the exit sliding past them. It didn’t matter that they’d missed the exit anyway because that one didn’t have a gas sign. But visibility was so poor that they wouldn’t know a good exit until they were upon it.

Hannah pulled out her phone and texted her mother to update her. She’d been so busy trying to get out of the airport that she hadn’t had a moment to tell her what was going on. She’d wanted to chat with Gran first because she knew she’d feel more at ease once she could determine for herself if Gran was able to communicate with her. Her mother responded right away.

Get here as quickly as you can, honey, she texted. Did you give Gran a call?

She told her mother she’d texted and promised Gran she’d call at the next stop, which, from the look of the gas gauge, wasn’t too long from now.

Gran’s hospital room number floated onto her screen, along with the direct line to the room in case Gran’s cell phone charge ran out because, her mother said, “It sometimes does.” Hannah texted back that she’d call as soon as she could.

Finally, a few Good Samaritans let them over into the other lanes, just in time to locate an exit with a gas station. Liam pulled off the highway and made the turn into the drive, to Hannah’s relief.

“I’m gonna grab a coffee inside,” Georgia said, tightening her scarf around her neck before leashing up Jerry and holding him against her chest. “Anyone else want one?”

“I’m okay, thank you, Georgia,” Hannah said gratefully.

“Thank you, but I’m going to run in too, so I can grab a few things for the ride,” Liam replied. “And I need to fire off a couple of emails while we’re stopped.” He twisted toward Hannah. “You sure you don’t need anything at all?” he asked.

“I guess if they have a hot chocolate, I’ll take one.” She rooted in her purse and held out a few bills to pay for it.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll get it.”

“Thank you,” she replied, wadding the bills up and dropping them back into her handbag.

Once she was alone, she called Gran, just to say hello and let her know that she’d chat more with her later.

After a couple of rings, Gran picked up.

“Hello?” Her fragile voice came through Hannah’s phone, and Hannah’s heart sank. It didn’t sound like her grandmother’s usual bubbly self.

“Hi, it’s Hannah,” she said, trying to sound happy despite the alarm she felt at the idea that Gran was truly not well. She hadn’t been able to tell at all when texting, but Gran’s voice certainly revealed it.

“Oh, my dear Hannah.” Gran perked up. “It’s wonderful to hear your voice. I’ve been so bored sitting in this bed all day.”

The sound of her grandmother’s voice was reassuring, despite the raspiness to it.

“I heard Ethan’s been to see you,” Hannah said.

“Lord have mercy, that child.”

Hannah laughed. Ethan and Gran had an unusual friendship. Growing up, Ethan would do anything for Gran, but he loved to tease her. His favorite was when she’d come into the room and he’d be stretched out on her sofa with his big man-feet in her slippers.

“Get those things off your feet,” she’d snap.

“I’m cold,” he’d whine. “You don’t want an innocent child to catch a cold, do you?”

Gran would roll her eyes and snatch them off him, the whole time pouting to keep her amusement from showing.

“I hadn’t seen that boy in years,” Gran said. “It was kind of him to drop by.”

Hannah nodded, even though she knew there was no one to see it, emotion swelling in her gut.

“How are you managing after the breakup with Miles? Are you all right?” Gran asked. “You’re quiet.”

“I’m fine!” she lied, wanting to keep the focus on her grandmother, although it was already taking everything she had not to allow herself to get even more emotional about the frailty of Gran’s voice. She needed to stay strong for her.

A pleased exhale sailed through the phone. “I’m so glad to hear that, Hannah, my lovely girl.”

“Let’s talk about you,” Hannah said. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m all right, I suppose. But, Hannah, I need your help.” Her words suddenly sounded quietly desperate.

“Anything. What is it?”

“I’ll bet the shop hasn’t been opened in at least a week and no one is taking orders. Don’t let it flounder.”

Hannah hated to think of The Memory Keeper failing. If the shop closed up, so would Gran. But the shop was deteriorating despite her grandmother’s best efforts, and Hannah knew Gran was entirely too old to run it. No amount of love could save it at this point.

“Your mother’s there now,” Gran said, “but she said she isn’t staying because she’s coming to see me here at the hospital. What if someone stops by and the shop is dark?”