A/N: Thanks to those of you who took the time to review the last chapter.

Special thanks: EtheHunter beta'd. She's amazing!

Disclaimer: CH owns them not me.

Previously...

I shrugged, figuring I'd seen the last of nice Clancy, even though I didn't technically remember it. "All the same. You didn't have to wash and bandage my feet or let me sleep in your bed," I shrugged again and turned my back to him. "I won't forget that. So, thanks."

I heard his feet shuffle on the floor, and he mumbled something under his breath that I couldn't quite understand before sighing heavily. "Want some coffee?" he grumbled.

I smiled though he couldn't see it, and shook my head. "No. I should go home." I grabbed my boots, which were sitting by the front door and slipped them on carefully. Then I turned to smile at Clancy one last time. "Thanks again. I'll see ya."

He nodded slightly, opened his mouth as if to say something and closed it again. "Yep," he grunted finally and waved before heading back toward the kitchen.

I let myself out and walked back through the woods, hoping for all I was worth, my Gran wasn't waiting on the porch for me when I made it home.

Of course I'm not that lucky.

SPOV

"Come on, Stan, you know you want to," I pleaded, putting on my very best little girl pout. Puppy dog, blinky eyes, and all. "Please."

"I don't think it's a good idea." Stan pinched the bridge of his nose, sliding his glasses up to his forehead. I stepped closer, coming around the side of his desk to stand at beside his chair.

"Why not?" I asked, feeling like I'd had too many similar conversations the past couple days. "Amelia's coming. Tara and J.B. Even my neighbor, Clancy, is coming for crying out loud." And that had been a fun conversation. "What's the big deal?"

"You said you invited Mr. Northman?"

That conversation had been even better. I'd called him Monday, after my little panic attack, and explained I'd had too much to drink and too little to eat, and that I hated I'd gotten sick on him like that.

Yes, I was lying, but I wasn't going to tell him the truth. I wasn't ever telling anyone that. Eric was a little quiet, but mostly very understanding, and I appreciated that he didn't push me too much about it.

Then I'd invited him over for Gran's special chicken and dumplings recipe the coming Saturday to make up for it, but Eric had said it was inventory weekend so he wouldn't be able to make it. I was a little disappointed, but felt much better when he invited me to dinner at his place on Sunday. Eric was going to cook for me. I might've been in love already.

I looked at Stan and tapped a foot. "Yes, but he's not coming. He has to work. It'll just be friends and family. You know Jason, my brother, he'll be there."

"We're not exactly bosom buddies, Sookie." Stan gave me a crooked look as if I didn't know how much they differed.

Stan and Jason were like the jock, and the little guy in glasses that was always picked on by the jock. Maybe the jock needed tutoring, as the case often was with my brother, and Stan would've been the brainiac. Not the brightest bulb in the room, Jason.

I shrugged. "You know Jason's not like that. Besides, it's chicken and dumplings. Who in their right mind can turn that down?" Stan looked to be having a hard time saying no, even if he was putting up a huge fight with me about it. It was all for show.

"They're homemade," I purred. "And we're making a blackberry cobbler for dessert. You've had my blackberry cobbler, Stan. So good." Stan glared and I smiled, victorious. One more pitch, and I'd have him. "She always cooks enough for an army, don't make us waste all that good food."

Such a sucker. Stan hated when things went to waste, even food. "You could always take it to the shelter," he suggested, but he was smiling.

"Stan!" I stomped my foot for good measure.

He chuckled and slid out from behind his desk. "Fine. Fine. What time?"

I clapped and squealed. "About four. You're welcome to bring a date, of course." I rolled my eyes as I recited my Gran's words. She had been very specific in her instructions to me.

She even had me tell Clancy she'd be offended if he didn't bring his "cute buns" over to eat some of her "pie." She said she "owed him so much more than a good meal." My Gran was unintentionally dirty, of course. But I blushed redder than sweet cherry pie as I stood on Clancy's doorstep and quoted Gran's invitation.

Clancy just looked amused, and maybe a little annoyed. He was something I couldn't figure out. Probably never would. If I had wanted to – which I didn't.

Stan cleared his throat and shuffled at a few papers on his desk. "I'm not dating anyone, but thank you."

"Aww, Stan, don't look so... grumpy. Any girl would be lucky to go out with you. You've just got to quit hiding behind your hair and glasses, sexy as they are." I flicked a bit of his hair with my fingers and giggled.

Stan, being Stan, blushed furiously and coughed. "Alright, Sookie. I'll see you tomorrow. Now, get out of here so I can finish up and go home for the day."

"Bye, Stan," I said and walked out, closing his door behind me.

I was already finished for the day, so I gathered up my things and did one last round through the hotel making sure things were tip-top. One of the luggage carts had been left on the third floor, and I took it down on my way out the door.

We were sort of in between as far as business went. It wasn't really as slow as the winter months could get, but we weren't exactly busy either. I hoped that the new owners, Eric and Pam, didn't decide they needed to make cuts on payroll by firing employees; we already worked with a limited enough staff.

The workers we did have were very good, and I didn't want to lose them because the owners wanted to be tight with their money in places they shouldn't be. We all worked together as a team to make sure we were cost efficient, hopefully preventing that from even being an issue.

I stopped by the grocery store on my way home, picking up the supplies we still needed for dinner the next day. Most of it was already at the house, but there were a few little things Gran asked me to get.

I'd been in a pretty good mood the past few days. Considering it had been less than a week since the unfortunate episode, I counted myself lucky and whistled a nameless tune as I walked the aisle's and picked up our last minute ingredients.

Even the sores and bruises on my feet were faded. I hadn't worn heels all week because they were uncomfortable enough as it was. My ballet flats and sandals had served their purpose and my feet had healed almost completely. I'd been limping on Monday. Thank you, Nurse Clancy.

After settling with the cashier and loading the bags in the car, I went home where Gran was waiting on the porch.

"How was work, dear?"

She grabbed for one of the bags in my arms, but I shrugged past her and into the house. "I got it. Work was good. What'd you do today?"

I heard her follow me into the kitchen. "Nothing much. Read a little, boiled the chicken. Meat's in the fridge."

I handed her the okra and collard greens, watching as she walked over to put them in the crisper. "Stan's coming."

Gran clapped her hands together while I sorted through the other bag and began putting things in the cabinets. "Oh, good. So we're up to, how many now? Tara and J.B. –"

"Counting us, it's eight, Gran." I grabbed her empty bag and walked over to store them in the drawer next to the sink.

"I hate that your Eric couldn't make it," Gran said with a frown. "I'm looking forward to meeting him."

"He's hardly my Eric," I chuckled and shook my head. "It's still new. I'm not even sure it'll ever be all that serious, to tell the truth."

"Well, why not?" Gran pulled out a chair and sat at the table. A frown wrinkled her aged face further. "It's about time you find yourself someone to settle down with."

"Gran –"

She held up a hand. "Now, you know I'd never pressure you, dear, but I would like to have me some grand babies one of these days. And Jason... Well, honestly, it's a shock to me he doesn't have children already as much as he likes to frolic."

I snickered and Gran smiled as I sat down across from her. I grabbed an apple and took a big bite. "I want to have kids. Eventually. But I don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment yet."

"What? Kids?" She shook her head and laughed. "No matter how much you read up on it, or learn about it from others, no matter how ready you think you are, you'll never be quite prepared for having a child. Lots of flying by the seat of your pants, calling audibles, and improvising when it comes to kids."

I snorted. "Did you just say 'calling audibles'?"

Gran shrugged. "I raised a quarterback, Sookie. What can I say?"

I laughed and took another bite of my apple. Sometimes, my Gran cracked me up. "While I know I'm not ready for a baby, I was really talking about a committed relationship before. I'm not sure I'm ready for that either."

She gave me a look I couldn't quite decipher. "Why not?" It was rhetorical, of course. I was going to answer anyway, but Gran cut me off. "You'll find a man one of these days, one that'll love you despite all your faults, and in spite of all those little Sookie skeletons you hide in your closet, and you'll be ready then."

Gran smiled and reached across the table to pat my hand affectionately. "You just have to be willing to put yourself out there, Sookie. Really put yourself out there. Not half-assed, but wholeheartedly. Then you'll fall and you'll love, and you can take on any challenge that comes your way." She winked. "Kids included."

"I doubt I'll ever be ready for that," I mumbled as Gran walked over to begin dinner. She didn't hear me, or my heart beating ninety miles an hour either. Her words had struck a nerve, and I couldn't shake the fear.

How could you share everything with someone? How could I share my dark secrets? How could someone ever love me if they knew about that? How could I ever trust someone enough to tell them that? I'd never even told my Gran about it.

I shook my head, clearing out those crazy thoughts and focused on helping Gran with dinner. Thinking like that wasn't going to do anything good for my mood. Besides, love was a long way away for me. I still had time. Eric and I weren't even dating, technically.

"Who knows," Gran said as she peeked over her shoulder at me. A little secretive grin curved her lips, "maybe Clancy will be that man for you?"

"Gran," I squeaked and smacked at her arm playfully. She'd been relentless in her teasing since I'd come home with the explanation I'd spent the night at Clancy's house. "I told you it's not like that."

"I'm just saying," she defended, holding up her hands. "He took care of you. A man doesn't do that if there's not goodness in his heart. And you deserve that kind of goodness, baby."

"I love you, Gran," I said and kissed her cheek. "But Clancy and me?" I shook my head. "Not gonna happen."

She laughed and turned back to her task. I could've sworn she muttered something like, "We'll see," under her breath, though.

A/N: I know I'm late and that this is short, but I hope you enjoyed it all the same.

Thanks for reading! I love reading your comments if you'd like to take a second to leave one. Thanks so much!

KISSES!