Dalton and Heddy accept the invitation right away, along with Gloria and Miriam. “That seems like so many people,” Andrea says. “Are you sure?”
“The more the merrier,” Lauren says. “Larry and his wife are coming, and Robert and Kate Layton and…”
“So many people,” Gloria says. “What can we all bring?”
“Nothing. Travis and I are taking care of everything. We want to say thank you for all you’ve done.”
“We could at least bring the appetizers,” Gloria says.
“Nope. They’re covered. Everything’s covered,” Lauren says, grinning.
On Friday evening, Lauren opens the door and smiles at Bud, who’s wearing a bright red sweater and a green knit cap pulled tight over his ears. “You look all Christmassy,” she says, moving aside so he can come in. “Bud, this is my husband, Travis.”
Travis extends his hand, smiling. “So glad you could come, Bud. Lauren was excited to track you down.”
Bud gives a sheepish smile. “Well, I don’t know how helpful I was…”
“Very,” Lauren says, closing the door. “Come on in. Would you like an appetizer? I have a delicious chocolate chip cheeseball with gingersnap cookies and a Vidalia onion dip with tortilla chips.” She leads him into the kitchen and hands him a small plate for the appetizers, which she has laid out on the table. “Here’s some punch. Or I have tea or water.”
“Punch is fine,” Bud says. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had punch. My daughter-in-law says it’s too sugary and I shouldn’t drink it.”
Lauren pats Bud on the arm. “It’s a special night and I won’t tell her.” She hands him a small glass of punch. “This is the table I told you about. See, this drawer contained all the recipes.”
The doorbell rings, and Travis walks to the front door as Bud stands and admires the table. “And you bought this at a garage sale with the recipes in the drawer?” he asks Lauren.
“No, no. I bought it from a man named Larry who found it at a garage sale years ago. He refinished it.”
“Bud?”
Bud and Lauren both turn toward the voice that came from the kitchen doorway. Bud takes a moment looking at the man and pieces memories together. “John?”
Lauren doesn’t know this gentleman who looks to be seventy-something. She watches as John walks to Bud and sticks out his hand. “Look at you after all these years. I’m so sorry about Elaine.” He glances to the doorway and says, “You remember my daughter…”
“Gigi,” Bud says, smiling. “Of course.”
Lauren smiles. “Gigi?”
“My parents called me Andi,” Andrea says, standing next to her husband, Bill. “My brother tried to say Andi but it came out as Angie. Then it morphed into Gigi and it stuck. Like glue. Forever. Until I had kids and then I put my foot down,” she says, chuckling.
“I’m so sorry,” John says, moving to Lauren. “You must be Lauren! Andrea has spoken so highly of you and said you’re about to be parents any day now,” he says, smiling at Travis. “Boy or a girl?”
“It’s going to be a surprise,” Lauren says.
“That’s great,” John says. “Sorry to be tagging along unexpected. We just drove in today.”
“Not at all,” Lauren says. “The more the merrier! I told Andrea we have plenty of food.”
John smiles. “It’s so good to see Bud after all these years!”
“How do you know Bud?” Andrea asks Lauren.
“I don’t,” Lauren says. “I tracked him down.”
“Like a bloodhound,” Bud says, winking at her.
“Remember that day in the tutoring room when I asked if you bought milk from a local farmer?” Lauren asks. Andrea nods. “I wish I had asked you if you knew a farmer named Bud! That would have solved everything a whole lot quicker!”
“Solved what?” Andrea says, noticing the front door opening. “This is my mom, Joan, by the way.” A simple-looking woman in her seventies is carrying a Christmas gift bag as she follows Travis into the kitchen, smiling. “Mom, this is Lauren.”
Joan hands the gift bag to her. “I forgot this in the car and had to get it. We can’t drop in like this without bringing you something.”
Lauren takes the bag, smiling, as Andrea says, “Mom, you remember Bud Waters.”
Joan turns to Bud and her face opens wide in surprise. “Bud Waters! How many years has it been? I still complain that even the organic milk I buy in the store is nothing like what you sold to us.” Lauren can barely contain herself watching and listening to them catch up.
“Solved what?” Andrea asks Lauren again.
Lauren looks at Bud, smiling, and waits for a break in their conversation. “Well, I found some things, but I knew the owner would want them back.” She steps to the table. “It took me a while, but I hoped Bud could help.” Everyone glances at Bud, confused. “I opened my phone at his house, and he happened to see a picture of Andrea, whom he recognized as Gigi.” Andrea looks surprised, listening as Lauren opens a drawer under the table. “I think the owner of these is Andrea.” She pulls out the recipes as John, Andrea, Bill, and Joan’s mouths drop open.
Andrea rushes to grab the recipes from Lauren. “It can’t be.” She shuffles through them. “Mom! Oh my gosh! Your recipes! Dad! It’s your table!” Her eyes fill with tears and she snaps her head to look at Lauren. “Where did you … How did you find…”
“I bought the table from Larry,” Lauren says. “Remember? Miriam went with me and we found it.”
“How did Larry have the table?” Andrea asks, sitting down on a chair and running a hand over the tabletop.
“He said he bought it at a garage sale years ago and it was in bad shape. Covered in nail polish, had dings in it and whatever. Said the drawer was sealed shut. It sat in his shop for a couple of years
