Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

.44%

55 vouchers

The next day, Juliette came over for dinner. Eloise quietly brought up Noah’s reluctance to go to preschool.

Juliette felt that attending preschool wasn’t a big deal; a child’s happiness was what mattered most. “It’s fine if he doesn’t go to preschool, but is it okay for him to be home alone all day?

“Maybe you could bring him to my place? I’m not busy with anything right now.”

Eloise shook her head, waving off the suggestion. “No, it’s fine.” She felt bad always imposing on Juliette. Besides, Juliette would need to find work eventually; she couldn’t stay home forever.

Juliette thought for a moment and then suggested, “What about asking your mom for help? Maybe she could come look after Noah?”

Eloise thought of those cold, indifferent eyes of Lorelei Cadwell her mother, and shook her head again. “Forget it. She doesn’t like Noah, and Noah doesn’t like being with her either.”

“What then?” Juliette frowned.

Eloise let out a soft sigh. “Noah says he’d be fine on his own. I’m considering it, but I’m still worried.”

“He’s an incredibly independent boy,” Juliette pointed out. “Why not let him try? Install a couple of home security cameras so you can check in on him anytime.”

Eloise pondered this for a while. “Okay. I’ll give it a try.”

That evening, Eloise had a sit–down talk with Noah. “Noah, I agree you don’t have to go to preschool every day. But you can only skip two days a week. The other three days, you have to go.

Noah thought about it and nodded. Getting two days was a good start. “Mommy, can I not go tomorrow?”

Eloise sighed inwardly, but agreed. “Alright.”

She helped Noah get excused for two days. The security camera she ordered online arrived, and she installed them that same night.

On Monday morning, before leaving for work, Eloise held Noah shoulders, giving him a long list of instructions. “Noah, you cannot open the door for anyone, understand? No matter wo it is, don’t open it.”

Noah nodded seriously. “I understand, Mommy.”

Eloise kept instructing him. “Don’t touch the stove. I put your lunch in the microwave. Just heat it up. I showed you how.”

“I know, Mommy. I can use it.” Noah nodded again.

“Don’t climb on the windowsills. Don’t touch electrical sockets. And call me right away if anything happens.” Eloise was still worried.

Noah nodded hard. “I know, Mommy. You’re going to be late for work.”

Eloise checked the time. He was right. With one last, worried look at Noah, she finally lett.

Noah stood in the middle of the quiet living room. He really wished he could grow up faster. Then Eloise wouldn’t have to worry about him so much.

1/4

15:54 Thu, Feb 12 G D G

Chapter 12

As Eloise was parking her car, she ran into Beckett. “Mr. Hayes.”

Beckett glanced at the vehicle behind her. “You bought a car?”

Eloise nodded. “Yes. A used one.”

“Looks nice. How much was it?” Beckett asked casually.

Eloise answered truthfully, “6 thousand dollars.”

“How much?” Beckett thought he must have misheard.

Eloise repeated, “6 thousand dollars.”

Beckett stared at her for a moment, then muttered to himself, “Are used cars that cheap these days?”

“I just got lucky,” Eloise explained. “The dealership was running promotion. This car had a huge price drop.”

Beckett joked, “Maybe I should try my luck at a used car lot next time.”

Eloise knew he was teasing. Beckett drove luxury cars; he’d never buy used.

44%

55 vouchers.

They took the elevator up together. Eloise pulled out her phone o check the home security feed. On the screen, Noah was diligently doing push–ups on the living room floor.

Beckett peeked over. “Wow, your kid is tough.”

A proud smile spread across Eloise’s face. “Yeah, I think so too.”

Beckett chuckled. ‘She doesn’t do false modesty, does she?‘

Eloise happily watched the feed for another moment.

The following week went smoothly. Noah was well–behaved at home: exercising, reading, learning, doing light chores. He made sure to stay within camera view so Eloise could see him whenever she checked.

After two days at home, it was time for preschool for the next three days. Having promised his mom, Noah went willingly.

In a better mood, he was even willing to interact with the other children and cooperate with the teachers. Noah’s teacher called Eloise to give positive feedback and praise his improvement. Eloise was thrilled.

Grayson, however, was not having a good week. The pressure to marry was mounting at home.

His grandmother, Hannah Pierce, had taken to visiting his office daily. She had Finn bring in a chair, which she placed right next to his desk. There she would sit, launching into her familia lecture.

“My dear grandson, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time to nk about marriage,” Hannah began, her tone a mix of concern and nagging. I’ve picked out a few lovely girls for youst meet them, won’t you?”

Grayson tuned out the words entirely, his attention fixed on signg the documents. He wasn’t saying a word.

Hannah pulled a stack of photos from her purse and slid them oss his desk ‘Stop looking at those papers. Look at these beautiful young ladies instead.”

Grayson glanced at the photos, each one heavily retouched. Wht “beauties” I’d get more out of the documents.

“Not my type,” Grayson stated flatly.

Hannah’s expression turned exasperated. She spread the photos out one by one. “Look closely. How are they not pretty?

2/4

15:54 Thu, Feb 12 GDG.

Chapter 12

They’re lovely.

3.44%

55 vouchers

“This one’s pretty, that one’s got legs for days, this one’s figure is incredible and look at the eyes on this one. So cute.”

Grayson remained unmoved. “Grandma, that’s your taste. By my standards, none of them are attractive. I’m just not interested.”

Hannah’s face fell into a stern frown. “Fine. What is your type, then? Describe her to me, and I’ll find someone to match.”

Grayson paused. An unwelcome image flashed in his mind, and he recalled Eloise’s face. That familiar, restless irritation surged within him again.

“Well? Describe her,” Hannah pressed.

Grayson had been single for years. She only knew of one serious girlfriend, and that was ages ago. She remembered him calling her, elated, “Grandma, I have a girlfriend.”

Hannah had been overjoyed. “Is she pretty? When will you bring her to see me?”

Grayson had smiled happily. “She’s gorgeous. I’ll bring her home once I finish this project.”

Hannah waited and waited, only to get a call later saying they had broken up. The girl had dumped him. He’d hidden his background, and she’d thought he wasn’t good enough.

‘Good riddance,‘ Hannah had thought at the time. ‘That kind of girl isn’t reliable anyway!‘

But she never imagined Grayson would never date seriously again. Over the past two years, she’d tried to set him up on several blind dates, but he stubbornly refused to meet anyone.

Grayson finally tossed three words at her. “I don’t know.”

Hannah’s face darkened. “The Pierce family has a vast legacy. It all needs heirs. If you don’t find a girlfriend, don’t get married, what will happen in the future?”

She leaned in, lowering her voice with dramatic urgency. “You should know men have a biological clock too. When you get older, you can’t have children anymore.

“It’s all over the internet, something about sperm losing its vitality when you’re old. It gets tired, can’t swim properly.”

Grayson’s face fell. ‘Grandma really has no filter

At last, he begged, “Grandma, enough. I know what I’m doing. Pase, let me work. It’s hard to get anything done like this.” Hannah dug in her heels, adopting a stubborn posture. “I’m not aving until you agree to at least one meeting”

“Finn,” Grayson called to Finn. “Please see my grandmother hon

Hannah clutched the edge of the desk. “I’m not going anywhere

Finn looked helplessly between them.

In the end, Grayson, defeated by Hannah’s persistence and theates, reluctantly agreed to go on a blind date that Saturday,