Dean scoffed, âNo matter how good something is, you just canât have it every day. Besides, the meatloaf is too heavy. Ivy, donât just listen to everything your grandma says. You know, a classic breakfast of milk and cereals is more like it. If youâre hankering for a Mediterranean breakfast, just tell the housekeeper to whip something up for you.â
Ivy nodded vigorously, âDonât worry, Grandpa. You and Grandma have been so kind to me already. I totally get it.â
The old lady was preoccupied with her own concerns, barely registering her husbandâs teasing remarks.
Alyssa spoke up with a furrowed brow after Ivy polished off a plate of meat loaves, âWhat exactly happened yesterday? I tried asking Balfour, but he wouldnât spill the beans. I know youâre all worried about us old-timers fretting over you.
But keeping us in the dark only makes us worry more. We canât enjoy our meals or get a good nightâs sleep, just fretting over you two.â
There was only care in the elderly womanâs voice, not a hint of blame. Ivy felt a wave of warmth wash over her.
It was a kind of warmth she had never felt from her own parents.
Setting down her fork, she looked at her grandmother, âGrandma, if Balfour didnât tell you, itâs only because it was such a trivial matter.
Everything was sorted out yesterday, and if we had told you last night, you would have just lost sleep worrying, right?â
Alyssa sighed deeply, âAh, weâre getting on in years and you all have your own minds now. You donât want to bother us with your troubles.â
Ivy quickly explained herself, âThatâs not it at all, Grandma! You and Grandpa are still young at heart! If you went out among your peers, they wouldnât believe youâre in your seventies. Sixties at most!â
Dean patted Alyssaâs hand, âNow, now, speak your mind. Look how youâve rattled Ivy; she can barely get her words out. Ivy, you just said weâre still strong. So, what could be so bad that you canât tell us?
Balfourâs being secretive, and now you too? If itâs all over, thereâs even less reason not to tell us. Donât follow in Balfourâs footsteps, dear.â
With the shrewdness of a pair who had weathered the storms of the business world, they cornered Ivy into speaking her mind, leaving her no choice but to come clean.
âAlright, Iâll start by saying that everythingâs been dealt with, so you two mustnât get agitated, okay?â Ivy prepped them as a precaution.
Had it been her own folks, maybe she wouldnât have been so concerned about them worrying over her.
But she knew for certain that the old couple would.
Alyssa placed a hand over her heart before nodding, âGo ahead, Iâm braced for it.â
âWell, I had a sudden whim yesterday and didnât call for Balfourâs car. On my way back from buying books at the bookstore, I was snatched up by a trio of thugs.â
Both grandparents gasped in unison, completely blindsided by the peril she had faced the day before.
They were only after money, nothing else. Look at me, Iâm perfectly fine, not a hair out of place!â Ivy said, standing up and doing a quick twirl to show she was unharmed.
Alyssa pulled her back down with a touch of heartache, urging Ivy to sit beside her.
âMy dear, you must have been terrified yesterday, werenât you?â
Even if those thugs were only after the money, the fact that Ivy had been kidnapped so suddenly, no matter how calm she might have appeared or how intent the thugs were on their loot, must have frightened her.
Moved by her grandmotherâs caring gaze, Ivy felt tears welling up in her eyes.
âYeahâ¦â
Alyssaâs heart went out to her; it was evident that Ivy had been through an ordeal.
âAnd Balfour, of all things, to not stay home with you after such an ordeal. What business could be so important?â