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radiated from his face. “It’s me, Marian. George.”
    She gasped and raised her hand to her mouth. “George? Oh my goodness.”
    He moved closer and captured her hand in his. “I would’ve known you anywhere. You’re just as lovely as ever.”
    Nana laughed softly and waved his compliment away. “You must need glasses just as much as I do.”
    Ross walked around the end of the bookcase, a hint of concern in his eyes. He leaned in close to Adrie. “Everything okay?” His warm breath fanned across her cheek.
    She swallowed and squelched her reaction. “I think so.”
    Nana turned to them. “Adrie, Ross, this is George Bradford. He’s…an old friend.” She again faced George. “This is my granddaughter, Adrienne Chandler, and our new store manager, Ross Peterson.”
    George shook Ross’s hand, then he extended his hand to Adrie. “I can definitely see the resemblance. Your grandmother looked a lot like you when we first met about fifty years ago.”
    Adrie shot her grandma a questioning look. She had never heard her mention George Bradford.
    “So I understand it’s just about closing time,” George addressed Nana.
    “Yes, but that’s not a problem. How can we help you?”
    “Well, I’d like to see your store, but to be honest, I was hoping I could invite you to dinner.”
    Nana’s eyes widened. “Well…I’m not sure… I was just planning a simple dinner at home this evening.”
    “Good. Since you don’t have other plans, why don’t you join me? I saw a nice restaurant just down the block with outdoor seating, and it’s a beautiful evening.” He waited expectantly.
    Nana hesitated a moment more, then her face brightened. “All right. I’ll just get my purse from the office.” She turned and walked away.
    Adrie followed her grandmother into the office and quietly closed the door. “Grandma, who is that man?” she whispered.
    “I told you, dear, his name is George Bradford. We’re old friends.” Nana took a hairbrush from her purse and ran it through her soft silver pageboy, checking her appearance in the small mirror beside her desk.
    “Well, he certainly seems happy to see you.”
    “It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with old friends,” Nana added with a secretive smile.
    “But he’s taking you out to dinner. That’s like a…a date.”
    “Yes, I suppose it is.” Nana applied some lipstick, then faced Adrie. “You don’t need to be concerned, dear. George was always a perfect gentleman when we dated in college.”
    Adrie frowned. “But I thought you dated Grandpa in college.”
    “I did. But I also dated George.”
    Adrie gasped. “At the same time?”
    “Oh, no, dear. I dated George the first two years. Then he graduated and took a job in Portland. Your grandpa stayed in town and pursued me. That’s how I knew he truly loved me. But George was a fine young man.” Nana dropped her hairbrush into her purse. “Now, there’s no reason to worry. It’s just dinner with an old friend.”
    Adrie laid her hand on her grandmother’s arm. “All right, but you haven’t seen this guy for a long time. He may have changed, so be careful. Take your cell phone, and call me if you have any trouble.”
    Nana chuckled as she snapped her purse closed. “This is a little strange, isn’t it? I’m usually the one giving you advice before you go out on a date.”
    Adrie followed Nana out the office door. They found Ross and George seated in the café, engaged in conversation.
    George stood as Nana approached and nodded toward Ross. “You’ve got a fine young man managing things for you, Marian.”
    She nodded. “Yes, I believe we do.”
    “Ready to go?” He offered her his arm.
    “I am.” Nana slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow as though she did it every day of her life.
    Adrie gripped the back of a café chair and watched her grandmother and George Bradford stroll out of the store. The bell jingled, the door closed and she turned to Ross. “I can’t believe