CHapter 114


    The old timers had been on pins and needles, eager to bust out of the hospital, when suddenly they


    were stood up!


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    Being stood up is one thing, but when they heard Palmer ducked out to escort Noe back to her


    childhood home, the old coots were surprisingly understanding. They just told him to keep it safe


    and swing by the next day.


    Bottom line, they didn’t want to get discharged by themselves. They were dead set on waiting for


    Noe to pick them up.


    Hearing Palmer ry the old guys‘ nagging, Noe couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.


    Whether it was the elders or the Schnabel family, everyone genuinely had her back!


    Palmer and Noe’s phones buzzed simultaneously.


    Beckett’s roar sted from Palmer’s phone, “Palmer! Where the heck did you take my sister? Aren’t


    you guysing home tonight?”


    “Chill, Beckett. Noe and I are over at Verdant Garden. Didn’t you pen the sign yourself?”


    Beckett’s face flushed, clearly caught off guard that Palmer had seen right through his little


    scheme.


    While it might have seemed excessive to disy it in a Glen Vige homestead, the fact that it was


    his sister’s home, filled with memories of her past, warmed Beckett’s heart.


    “Hmph, so what if I did? You nning on camping out at Verdant Garden tonight instead ofing


    back?”


    “We’re staying the night.”


    Beckett hung up in a huff and tried calling Noe, only to find her line busy.


    ra, eyes glued to herb data, issued a warning. “Noe, don’t let that blockhead pull one over


    on you. If he tries anything funny in the dead of night, you make sure he sings soprano!”


    Noe was at a loss for words.


    “And if you fancy making a move, you know, y it safe.”


    Noe was even more speechless. What on earth was her sister thinking?


    “ra, how did you know Palmer and I are at Verdant Garden?”


    “Palmer shared his location. And your selfie with him, huh. Never expected him to show your photo


    to Old Mrs. Lambert. Guess he’s got a conscience after all.”


    Noe finally realized Palmer had actually shared their whereabouts with the Schnabels. Probably


    didn’t want them worrying about her! The fact that he could be so considerate about even the little


    things warmed her heart.


    “Noe, when are youing to visit me in Emerald County? I miss you terribly: I can hardly focus!


    I’m practically withering away! Come see me, and I’ll whip up a feast of roast chicken, boiled


    chicken, stewed chicken, and fried chicken – a whole chicken banquet!”


    Noe didn’t know what to say.


    At the Emerald County research base, those banquet chickens probably had a ce in the pecking


    order. Was it even okay for her to eat them?


    “I’lle in a few days, after picking up Grandpa Marcel and Grandpa Sexton from the hospital.


    Grandma Freya and Grandpa Merrick have a heap of gifts for you.”


    “Awesome, can’t wait to see you!” ra showered the phone with a barrage of kisses before.


    reluctantly hanging up.


    Beckett’s relentless calling finally broke through after ra hung up. “Noe, you’re noting


    home tonight?”


    Noe nced at the darkening sky, now sprinkled with stars.


    Beckett, clutching his phone, wished he could fly her back home himself.


    Tristan, seeing his son’s state, snatched the phone from Beckett’s grip. “Sweetheart, it’s gettingte.


    Don’t bothering back. Just stay there for tonight. Old Mrs. Lambert’s been so kind, and we’re


    grateful. We’ll make it a family trip sometime!”


    Tristan’spoke gently to his daughter while shooting a re at Beckett.


    What an oblivious kid! Noe was with Mr. Pock now, a perfect chance for romance.


    “Noe, don’t rush. Enjoy yourself back home. Show Mr. Pock around, have a st, ande


    back when you’re ready!”


    Tristan hung up, smugly ignoring Beckett’s forlorn puppy–dog eyes.


    “Dad, I can arrange a chopper to bring Noe back.”


    “Arrange nothing! Off to bed with you! What’s the big deal if Noe and Mr. Pock spend a couple


    of days together? It seems like he’s really into her, and that puts my mind at ease. When they do


    get married in the future, they will surely have a strong bond!”


    Married?


    The word hit Beckett like a bolt from the blue.


    His baby sister just got home and now marriage talk? Not on his watch!


    Tristan swatted him. “Go on, don’t interfere with your sister’s love life!”


    Noe pocketed her phone, turning to Palmer. “There are only two rooms in the house, and Maddox


    said they’re both clean. You sure you want to stay here?”


    Maddox, carrying a te of food, chimed in. “Ah, Ms. Noe, I forgot to mention, Old Mrs. Lambert’s


    bed is gone. Some darn rodents got to it. I took it out for repairs.”


    “Grandma’s bed was chewed up? When did that happen?”


    “Just a few days ago. The house has been empty, and stuff breaks down fast. Your room’s bed was


    fixed upst month, good as new!”


    Noe frowned slightly. “Well, if the bed’s busted, let’s head back after dinner.


    Maddox didn’t miss a beat. “I dozed off while cooking and dreamed of old Mrs. Lambert. She was


    hoping you’d stay tonight. Ah, these old bones, always dreaming!”


    Noe was at a loss for words.


    Dreamed of Grandma while cooking? You probably should listen to what you were saying.


    Palmer stood up to help Maddox with the meal, his voice soft as he reassured, “Don’t worry about


    me, I’ll crash on the couch. Since Grandma wants us to stay, we’ll stay.”


    Maddox shot Palmer a yful wink and quickly made his escape. The way he moved, you’d think


    he could sign up for a seniors‘ marathon right now. Hardly the image of someone frail and aged who


    might doze off while cooking!


    A few years back, Maddox evenpeted in the local Pr Bear Plunge, taking home the gold


    each time.


    The spread on the table was modest, but it was clear Maddox had gone out of his way to wee


    them, even preparing a chicken specially for the asion. The rich aroma of the chicken soup was


    enticing, enough to make anyone’s mouth water.


    Palmer showed no signs of distaste. He sampled each dish carefully before turning to Noe. “Did


    you grow up eating this kind of food?”


    “Yeah, Grandma was always worried I wouldn’t grow properly, so she made sure every meal was


    hearty.”


    In what seemed likepensation for the neglect she’d nearly suffered at the hands of the Fuller


    family, Old Mrs. Lambert had been particrly meticulous in raising her.


    This little courtyard held Noe’s fondest memories, yet sadness lingered in her eyes whenever she


    recalled them.


    A dull ache settled in Palmer’s heart, and he reached out to gently touch Noe’s hair. “From now


    on, I’ll be by your side. Grandma will always be there for you too!”