He wouldn’t let her down.

Bea took her time driving out to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. She hadn’t driven a stick shift in two years, but she was thankful Dad had let her borrow his truck. She’d decided to go check on her grandparents after Jeremy called to let her know he was still in Ponderosa. “I’ve met so many interesting people,” he’d said. “I’ve got so many ideas.”

She’d thought of the bill for her last doctor’s visit and barely swallowed back her father’s words: “You can’t eat ideas.” Instead, she’d said, “That’s great.” He’d promised to bring her back a surprise, and she’d quickly made plans to get out of the house. Didn’t feel like dealing with her dad by herself. Plus, the football team was away tonight, so what else was there to do?

The days were getting noticeably shorter as winter neared. Because of the dense clouds, it was almost dark as she pulled up. She parked and studied the small but sturdy old house and the lights shining from inside. Maybe she should apologize to Grandma for what her dad had done.

She tapped on the door and let herself in. “Anyone home? It’s Bea.”

“Beatrice?” Grandma June was at the kitchen sink. She fixed Bea with a perplexed look. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at school?”

Grandpa came out of his office. “She’s not in school anymore, June. She got married, remember?”

Grandma swiped a soapy hand across her forehead, leaving a streak of suds. She gave him a withering look. “Of course I remember.”

Bea looked back and forth between her grandparents. She’d never heard Grandma snap at Grandpa like that before.

“We just finished supper,” Grandma said. “Did you eat?”

“I’m good.” She was holding out for whatever Jeremy was going to bring home. “Thanks, though.”

“I’ll get you something to drink, then.” Grandma pulled open the fridge. “I’ve got . . . um . . .”

Bea joined her at the fridge and peered over her shoulder while she dug around inside. Bea frowned. Where was all the food? She’d better put together a few groceries to bring out the next time she had a shift at the Food Farm.

And what was going on with Grandma’s hair? She usually kept it short and tidy, but today it was sticking out all over the place.

Grandma clucked her tongue and pulled a can of Budweiser from the depths of the fridge. “This will have to do. It’s the last one. I haven’t been to the store in a while.”

“Oh, um . . .” Bea held up her hands. “No, thanks. Grandpa can have it.”

“Don’t be silly. He doesn’t need it. Here.” Grandma shoved it into Bea’s hands. “It’s nice and cold.”