Stepping back in time just a little to right before the alien created havoc in Charlie's life ...
Inspector Erle Gray, Charlie's guardian, had moved into the household to get a better idea of the arrangements Gran Caran was making. The Inspector didn't know a lot about Granesa the Gypsy Matriarch, but he'd heard that she was a woman respected--and feared--by many.
Gran, as she was usually called, was what some folks called a Wise Woman, not necessarily a witch, but someone versed in the miraculous properties of plants. It was whispered that she also possessed arcane mystical knowledge and had been grooming her granddaughter in those same secrets.
Erle tried to research Gran Caran's background, but found she was very good at keeping out of the limelight.
And tracing her story locally also got him nowhere. Everyone knew OF her, but nothing ABOUT her. Undaunted, the Inspector was determined to do what he thought best as Charlie's guardian.
Erle: Charles and I visited City Hall and, with the consent of Mayra, reversed the name change made after the marriage. The family name will be Stalker-Caran, a good compromise for merging two strong families.
Gran: You did this without consulting me?
Erle: It was not your decision to make, madam.
Gran: But it was yours, Mr Gray?
Erle: I advised Charlie, but the decision belonged to him and to Mayra. It's done. We have also written a new codicil to the Stalker will. Mayra and Hamish are, of course, provided for in case of an unexpected ... accident.
Gran: I hope you're not implying that I would be the cause of any such mishap!
Erle: Not at all, Ms Caran. With me as appointed executor of the Stalker estate, I daresay any attempt on your part to arrange an, uh, accident would be foolhardy indeed!
Gran: Why you insufferable man! Do you know who you're talking to!
Mayra: Gran, please!
Gran: Very well, Mayra. I'll say no more. But mark my words, sir, you and I are far from finished with this subject!
And while he was considering possibilities, he silently observed Charlie and Mayra together. Young newlyweds! He'd been in love once--long time ago. But his career had taken over his life.
About that time, Gran walked past Erle. He couldn't help but notice that the elder Caran female was not that bad to look at. A well-preserved female. If she just didn't have such a sharp tongue in that stubborn head of hers!
Gran: You know, Inspector, you and I really want the same thing for the kids, don't you agree? Their happiness and safety, the welfare of little Hamish?
Erle: Well, yes. I suppose that's true.
Gran: Why be enemies? Why not join forces? Your knowledge of law and village expectations. My knowledge of human nature and healthy living?
Erle: Are you proposing a partnership of sorts, Ms Caran?
Gran: Call me Gran. ... And why don't I call you Erle?
_____
The young people soon left the hot tub for their own private purposes.
And Erle and Granesa found themselves alone in the sauna. They looked over at one another, taking each other's measure. I wonder, thought Erle, what Gran would do if I kissed her ...
... just pulled her to me ...
... and kissed her!
Erle soon discovered the answer to that. What the lady did was kiss him right back!
There was something about the steam in that sauna because, just as with Mayra and Charlie, one thing swiftly led to another, and before Erle knew it, all sense of reason fled his finely tuned detective's brain!
He hadn't a clue what he was supposed to do next.
Had the great Inspector Erle Gray just become a Cougar's boy toy? A man of his age and intelligence? Surely not!
Inspector Erle Gray, Charlie's guardian, had moved into the household to get a better idea of the arrangements Gran Caran was making. The Inspector didn't know a lot about Granesa the Gypsy Matriarch, but he'd heard that she was a woman respected--and feared--by many.
Gran, as she was usually called, was what some folks called a Wise Woman, not necessarily a witch, but someone versed in the miraculous properties of plants. It was whispered that she also possessed arcane mystical knowledge and had been grooming her granddaughter in those same secrets.
Erle tried to research Gran Caran's background, but found she was very good at keeping out of the limelight.
Gran: You did this without consulting me?
Erle: It was not your decision to make, madam.
Gran: But it was yours, Mr Gray?
Erle: I advised Charlie, but the decision belonged to him and to Mayra. It's done. We have also written a new codicil to the Stalker will. Mayra and Hamish are, of course, provided for in case of an unexpected ... accident.
Erle: Not at all, Ms Caran. With me as appointed executor of the Stalker estate, I daresay any attempt on your part to arrange an, uh, accident would be foolhardy indeed!
Gran: Why you insufferable man! Do you know who you're talking to!
Mayra: Gran, please!
Gran: Very well, Mayra. I'll say no more. But mark my words, sir, you and I are far from finished with this subject!
_____
Granesa seethed for days! Then there was the whole alien situation that needed to be dealt with. She'd been impressed with how Charles had handled himself during that fiasco.
And she had also been gratified that Charles had chosen to confide in HER--not that overbearing, over-educated, overstuffed detective! Something needed to be done with that man! Facing him head-on was probably not a good idea though. She needed a more subtle approach. Maybe she should play against his male ego.
Granesa hadn't used her feminine wiles in years. Truthfully, she was never that good at charming men, not nearly as talented in seduction as her daughter. Gran usually preferred directness in her relationships, relying on her wits and will instead. Men tended to get defensive around women like her.
Not too long after Gran's session in the calming mud bath, Erle took his own turn ruminating on that disastrous conversation about names and wills. He'd be battling Gran Caran on every family issue that came up unless he figured out a way to disarm her.
Erle: Well, yes. I suppose that's true.
Gran: Why be enemies? Why not join forces? Your knowledge of law and village expectations. My knowledge of human nature and healthy living?
Erle: Are you proposing a partnership of sorts, Ms Caran?
Gran: Call me Gran. ... And why don't I call you Erle?
The young people soon left the hot tub for their own private purposes.
_____
Behind the Scenes
First of all, the Inspector is an Adult and Granesa is an Elder, so there's definitely an age difference between them. But when Inspector Gray joined the household, Gran and he had an instant attraction for one another. By chance, they shared the same zodiac sign (Cancer) as well as a few common skill points.
Whatever the reason, they became close very quickly, even faster than they did with Charlie or Mayra. When I saw this magnetism, I was inspired to spice up their relationship! And then, out of the blue, Erle got a wish to Kiss Granesa for the First Time. That sealed the deal for me!
