Chapter 288

By this time, Kate, Ashley, Jordan, Lisa, Charlotte, and Paula were gathered near Steve and his grandmother. “Wow! Steve’s really choked up!” observed Kate. “He always hugs Gwen when he gets that way. I bet he kisses her next.”

Even as Kate spoke, Steve brought his lips to Gwen’s and kissed her gently. “Grandmother Patterson, you’ve managed to break Steve’s reservations. He’s feeling quite emotional,” managed Gwen when Steve released her. “This is going to be a great trip!”

Soon all the women were welcoming Jen, Janice, and Janice’s mother, Mrs. Beatrice Patterson, to their group. Steve shook hands with his grandfather as they watched the women interact. “Thanks, Steve, for being so kind to your grandmother. She was so afraid that you’d reject her. She would’ve done that to you if the shoe had been on the other foot. She’s having great difficulty dealing with the fact that you and Gwen can forgive her and accept her as family, especially when she was so unwilling to show