Grandma tugged her bulky hand-knitted sweater onto her shoulder. Her silver-white hair skimmed along the teal yarn collar. “Who knows, this may be your day.” She settled into a gliding rocker and snuggled the white Persian in her lap. “You can even go first.”

For several minutes, the low rumble of the purring cat was the only sound as Wendy and Grandma made move after move.

“Every game, I learn one more of your tricks, and someday soon, it will be me saying ‘I win.’” Wendy poised her fingers over the board as she considered her best move.

“I’m happy to teach you my tricks.” Grandma fluttered her eyelashes behind her wire-rimmed glasses as she smiled over her teacup. “You are my favorite granddaughter.”

“I’m your only.”

“True. Doesn’t make you less special.” Grandma double jumped a marble into her triangle end zone.

The wall-mounted mailbox on the porch rattled.

“I’ll get it.” Wendy leaped to her feet and hurried across the room. “Thank you, Mr. George.” She reached into the box and picked out a couple envelopes and a small package.

“You’re welcome. You beat your grandma at that game yet?”

“No, sir. Not yet. I’m working on it. You got any tips?”

“Not me.” He waved as he continued on his path.
She closed the door with her hip, laid the mail beside Grandma’s teacup, and took up her position opposite the game board.

Grandma moved a marble and handed her the package. “It’s for you.”

Wendy shot her hands forward to take it. “What is it?”

“A thank you for being here. I love having you around.” At a loss for words, Wendy stared into Grandma’s eyes, knowing words between them weren’t necessary. She picked at the flap on the package until she grabbed a corner, then ripped it away, and slid out a book. “Selah’s Stolen Dream! This has been on my wish list for a year. It’s the last book in the series, so the title makes you afraid she doesn’t get her beautiful Dream back.” Wendy hugged the book. “If you are trying to win by distracting me—it’s working.”