How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 136

When Elodie returned to the house, she found her grandmother chatting with Cara, who was simmering broth in the kitchen.

The gentle bubbling of the pot filled the air with a savory aroma.

Her grandmother spotted Elodie at the door and greeted her warmly. "You're here by yourself? Where's Jarrod? Parking the car?"

Elodie kept her composure. "He had something to take care of. I came ahead."

Her grandmother's face fell instantly. "What could possibly be so important? Work's over-what's keeping him now?"

Elodie just smiled, offering no explanation.

"Has work been that busy lately?" Her grandmother motioned for Cara to pour a glass of peach juice. "Cara was just saying you and Jarrod barely come around anymore. What's going on?"

Elodie hesitated, at a loss for words.

truth; she assumed they were simply

Jarrod planned to handle things. If he wouldn't talk, what

end of the year. There's a big project at work—I can't get away,"

take care of yourself. Everything else can wait. I've already decided I'll have Cara make you some nourishing soups and tonic. You always say you're fine, but you look tired to me. A woman's health is everything. Drink a

her grandmother's concern was genuine, and

by dinner? Elodie,

alright, Gran. Let's just eat. If he's driving, it's not safe for him

than risk Sylvie picking up on

grandmother let it

tonight, but just as the meal was served, he walked in

him, then quickly looked away, already thinking about when her grandmother might leave so

for dinner, Gran's expression

the meal, her grandmother suddenly brightened with an idea. "This year, why don't we take a family portrait