Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

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The ambulance was nearing the hospital when Hannah regained consciousness. The first face she saw was Eloise’s.

be my

future

Her aged, slightly cloudy eyes lit up with recognition. ‘It’s the pretty girl from Vernal Road, the one who might be granddaughter-in-law.”

Hannah tried to speak, but she was too weak, her mouth opening and closing without sound.

Eloise leaned closer, offering a gentle, reassuring smile. “It’s okay. Mrs. Pierce. We’re almost at the hospital. I’ve already called Grayson. He’s on his way.”

Her voice was soft and calming. “Please don’t worry. You’re going to be fine.”

As the ambulance doors flew open at the hospital entrance and the gurney was wheeled out, Hannah’s blurry vision caught sight of a small boy standing beside the pretty girl.

Without her glasses, she couldn’t see clearly, but there was something familiar about the child’s silhouette.

*****

When Grayson arrived, breathless and with a sheen of sweat on his forehead from running, he found Eloise and Noah waiting outside the treatment area.

“Mr. Pierce,” Eloise said immediately, seeing his anxiety. “The doctor said it’s not life-threatening. She’s stable.”

Grayson let out a heavy sigh of relief. He turned to Eloise, his gratitude evident in his eyes. “Thank you,” he said, his voice

sincere.

Eloise shook her head. “It was nothing. Now that you’re here, Noth and I should go.” It didn’t feel right to stay.

Grayson’s throat worked as he swallowed, a dozen things he wanted to say caught in his chest. The moment felt wrong for any of them.

He settled for ruffling Noah’s hair. “Be careful on your way home

“We will.” Eloise nodded.

“Bye, Mr. Pierce,” Noah said, casting a last, lingering look at Grayson before following Eloise.

As they walked out of the hospital, they passed a small group of people heading in.

Leo suddenly stopped mid-stride, turning to look at the retreating figure of the little boy.

Christina turned back. “What is it, Leo?”

“That child looked just like Grayson did when he was little,” Leo murmured, more to himself.

Christina laughed lightly. “Leo, you’re as bad as Mom. You’re so desperate for a grandchild you’re seeing things.” She nudged him. “Come on, let’s see how Mom is doing.”

Leo shook his head, dismissing the strange feeling. ‘She’s right. My son doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Where would a grandson come from?

He led the way to the elevators, followed by Christina, her husband Edgar Welch, and their two children.

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Chapter 28

Eloise took a cab back to the library with Noah because her car was parked there.

That evening, around eight o’clock, a message from Grayson popped up on Eloise’s phone.

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Grayson: [Grandma is fine, but she’ll need to stay in the hospital for observation for a few days. Thank you again for today.]

Eloise replied promptly: [I’m glad to hear she’s okay. No thanks needed.]

In a private suite at Oniginia Hospital, Hannah was wide awake and causing a fuss. She was demanding to see the pretty girl who had saved her.

Christina was confused. “What pretty girl, Mom?”

“The one who found me on the street. A lovely young woman,” Hannah insisted, then turned her demanding gaze on Grayson. “Grayson, go get my future granddaughter-in-law. I want to see her.”

The rest of the family looked even more bewildered.

Christina rolled her eyes. “Mom, what are you talking about? First a ‘pretty girl,’ now a ‘granddaughter-in-law’? Did they check you for a concussion?”

Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you dare imply I’m senile, you ungrateful child.”

Christina pressed her lips together, and Edgar gently tugged her sleeve, signaling her to stop since Hannah had just been through an ordeal.

Leo turned to Grayson. “What’s going on? Who is she talking about?”

“It was Eloise who found Grandma and called for help,” Grayson explained.

“Eloise? Who’s Eloise?” Leo asked.

Hannah beamed triumphantly. “So my future granddaughter-in-law is named Eloise.”

Grayson massaged his temples. “Grandma, she is not your future granddaughter-in-law.”

“Nonsense,” Hannah retorted. “My eyes aren’t that far gone. I can tell there’s something between you two.

She lowered her voice to a theatrical whisper. “And didn’t you say ‘what needed to happen has happened? If you’ve been intimate with the girl, you have to do right by her. Marry her and bring her home.

“The Pierce men have morals. We don’t dally and abandon women. I won’t have you tarnishing the family name with that kind of behavior.”

Leo’s expression grew stern. “Is what your grandmother saying the, Grayson? Are you and this Eloise involved?” As the father, he chose his words carefully, avoiding being too graphic.

Grayson pressed his fingers to his forehead. His own feelings were a tangled mess; explaining them to his family was impossible. “Dad, it’s complicated. Let’s not discuss it now.”

“What’s complicated?” Leo pressed. “If you’ve crossed a line with her, then you make it right. That’s the honorable thing to do.”

“Leo,” Christina interjected, her tone skeptical. “Let’s not be hasty

“These days, there are plenty of scheming women who use all sorts of tricks, even getting pregnant, to trap a man into marriage.

“Grayson needs to be careful. Marriage should be considered after thorough vetting, not rushed into.”

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Chapter 28

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Hannah glared daggers at her. “She is beautiful and kind-hearted. She’s nothing like that. Grayson would be lucky to have her. It would be a blessing for our family.”

Leo nodded in agreement. “She saved Mom’s life. That speaks to her character.”

“But, Mom,” Christina countered, a calculating look in her eye, “Had this Eloise ever met you before today?”

“Yes, she had,” Hannah admitted.

Christina clapped her hands together as if she’d solved a puzzle. There you have it. She knew who you were. She helped you to gain favor with Grayson, to worm her way into our family.

“If you were just some ordinary old lady on the street, she’d have stepped right over you.”

Hannah’s face darkened with fury. “Don’t you dare poison the well. I may be old, but I’m not blind or stupid. I know a good person when I see one.

“My future granddaughter-in-law has a good soul. If you keep talking nonsense, you can leave. I don’t want to listen to you.”

Christina opened her mouth to retort, but Edgar firmly pulled her back. “Let Mom rest now. That’s enough.”

Hannah’s attention drifted back to Grayson, her expression turning plaintive. “My future granddaughter-in-law… can’t you call her, dear? I want to see her.”

Grayson sighed. “Grandma, for the last time, she’s not your future granddaughter-in-law. Please stop saying that.”

Hannah warned seriously, “You wretched boy, if you dare lead her on and then abandon her, I’ll wallop you.”

“Then you’d better focus on getting well,” Grayson said. “You’ll need strength to hit me.”

“I have enough strength right now,” Hannah declared, making a feeble attempt to sit up.

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