“Our pleasure,” Kelly called after her. She tugged on her apron strings. “That’s it. Earliest we’ve closed since Christmas. Is there a pre-Valentine’s sweet tooth challenge going on someone forgot to tell me about? We’re usually slow right until the week of Valentine’s.” She walked over to the door and flipped the sign to closed. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Me neither.” Sara wiped down the counter. “It’s such a pretty day. You should take the rest of the day off. I can cover for you. Didn’t Johnny Ray ask you out to lunch today?”
“He did.” Kelly untied her apron. “But I said no. Besides, I know just the guy I want to spend the day with.”
“Don’t tell me. Gray?” Sara rolled her eyes. “Really?”
“He’s great. Don’t be so judgmental. He’s always happy to see me and has never let me down.” Kelly grabbed her keys from the hook and headed for the door. “And he’s very cute.”
Chapter Three
Andrew got out of the bright yellow Mustang. It was only a rental, a splurge for sure, but if he was going to drive from North Carolina to New York next week he might as well do it in style.
He strolled up the walkway of the ranch house where he’d grown up. The faded shutters could use a fresh coat of paint. His room had been the last one at the far left of the house. He’d climbed out that window many a night in high school to meet up with friends at the old barn down near the river. Not just friends. Kelly too. The thought of the way things had ended between him and Kelly made him uncomfortable. Maybe coming back to Bailey’s Fork wasn’t the best idea. He ran a finger under his collar.
It’s only for a couple of days.
He’d stick close to home—that way he wouldn’t run into Kelly, which was good, because how do you tell someone you’re sincerely sorry after you’ve let this much time pass?
Seeing his parents after all this time would be hard enough, but family was family and he intended to do the right thing by them, even if he dreaded it a little.
He closed his eyes and took in a long breath, praying Dad wouldn’t be the one to answer the door, then pressed the doorbell and waited.
His heart ticked off the seconds, each one thrumming in his head.
Finally, he heard footsteps, and the door swung open. Relief flooded through him.
“Hi, Mom.” Andrew spread his arms out, and for a second he thought he might have to catch her.
She wobbled, blinked, and then screamed. “Andrew!” She clung to his neck, then pushed him away. “Let me look at you.”
“It’s so good to see you.” The warmth of her voice made all those fears of coming back home fade. She looked older, and a little tired, but then maybe she didn’t look any different at all. His memory had faded a bit over the past few years. One thing was the same. That look of approval in her eyes. He wished he hadn’t stayed away so long now.
“What are you doing here? Come in.” She took two quick steps inside and then turned around. “I was afraid you might never come back. I’m so happy to see you.” She slapped her thigh. “I can’t even believe it.”
Her blue eyes sparkled, wet with tears.
He followed her inside, closing the door behind him. The smell of cilantro and spices hung in the air, and the memories flooded back. “Taco Tuesday.”
“Of course.”
“I haven’t had tacos like yours in way too long.”
“Then you’re in for a treat. Nothing fancy like you’re used to now, though.”
“Nothing compares to your home cooking.”
“Good. You keep reminding yourself of that.” She stopped and turned, staring at him. “I can’t believe you’re really here. I know I keep saying it, but I just can’t believe it. Why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” It was only a half lie. If he’d tacked this visit to the back end of his trip to New York, he’d been afraid it would look like an afterthought.
“I’m surprised.” She cocked her head. “Is everything okay? Oh my gosh! How long can you stay?” Tears fell to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. It doesn’t even matter. You’re here now.”
He comforted her with a hug. “I’m doing great. I have business up north next week. A friend of mine is opening a new restaurant there. I’ll be helping him with the grand opening.”
“How exciting!”
“It is. My mind has been reeling with possibilities.” A true statement. He’d been in dessert recipe mode for thirty-six hours straight now. “There’s no way I was traveling this close to home and not coming to see you. How are things here? Where’s Dad?”
“Oh, honey, he’s in Pennsylvania for the annual farm equipment show with Jeff.”
Andrew’s brother-in-law, Jeff, had stepped into the role Dad had always hoped Andrew would fill. He’d hoped Dad might lighten up once Dawn’s husband started working in the family business, but instead it seemed to add salt to the wound.
Mom’s lips pulled into a tight line. “Kind of wish I’d known you were coming so he wouldn’t think we planned this for while he’s gone. You know how he is.”
“Well, you didn’t know, and I didn’t know he’d be gone.” He couldn’t win when it came to Dad. He was sure either way he’d have something snarky to say about the timing. “When will he be back?”
“On Sunday night.”
“Perfect. I’ll be in town until Monday night. That’ll give us enough time to visit and maybe not get into an argument.”
“You two are so much alike. That’s why you butt heads so much.”
“I’m nothing like him. I can safely say that I’ll be okay with whatever career choices my kids make and not hold it against them.”
“I think he’s finally over that.” She sat down in her favorite easy chair. “We’re both very
