“Thanks, Mom.” She was the one who was proud, and that was enough. He’d come to terms with that a long time ago.
“You’ve matured. Filled out. You’re not a lanky boy anymore.”
He hadn’t been out of high school but a few years when he’d left town. “I work out. Have to, with all the rich foods I’m always tasting.”
“You’ve turned into a handsome man. You look a lot like my daddy did at your age.”
“Really? I’ve never seen pictures of Pop when he was young.”
She got up and walked over to the bookcase and came back lugging a thick green photo album over to the couch. She sat next to him and started flipping through the pages. “Oh my gosh, this is my mom and dad when they got married. Look how much you look like your grandfather. He’s younger than you here.”
He leaned in. They had the same coloring, light brown hair and light eyes. “Were his eyes green too?”
“Yes. Just like mine. Momma’s eyes were blue.”
“I remember that.”
Mom flipped through the pages. Pictures dangled from the little paper corners where the glue had lost its stick over time. “This is the picture I was thinking of. Look at this.”
Even their hair was similar. Same cleft chin too. “Yeah. I’d almost think that was me if the picture quality weren’t so old.”
His mom laughed. “True. You’ll be showing your kids pictures of us on your phone.” She slapped the heavy padded cover of the album closed. “Not in one of these.” She hugged the album to her chest. “I can’t believe you’re sitting here. Can we call your sister? She should be on her way home from the new YMCA. Did you know she’s teaching yoga there now?”
“I did. She told me all about it when we talked at Christmas a few weeks ago. Yeah, let’s call her.” When he first moved, he and Dawn had talked all the time, but as time went by they’d both gotten busy and the calls had turned into quick texts or emails, and then just the obligatory holiday calls.
Mom picked up her phone and swept her finger across the screen, poking the glass as if it required all the force of a manual typewriter.
“Can you see me?” she yelled loud enough for the folks in Town Square to hear.
“Hi, Mom. I just got home. Why are you FaceTiming me?”
“I have something to show you.” She motioned for him, then grabbed his arm and tugged him in close. “Look what the cat dragged in!”
“Andrew? Andrew!” Her scream was louder than Mom’s voice. “What are you doing here? Oh my gosh. I’m on my way over. Don’t you move a muscle. Ten minutes. I’ll be there.”
“I’ll be here. Don’t speed. You know Sheriff Range would love to give you a ticket.”
“Don’t think so.” She lowered her head. “He died three years ago.”
“I hadn’t heard.” He suddenly regretted not staying in touch. What else had he missed?
“On a brighter note, your old buddy Sam Foxwell is the new sheriff.”
“No way. They’ll let anyone wear a badge in this town.” Sam had been one mischievous kid. It was hard to think of him as a man of the law. “Don’t make me call and warn him that you’re speeding.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“You’re right. See you in a few.”
“I’m so excited. I love you, Andrew. I’ll be right there.”
His mom ended the call. “I’m sorry your dad is missing this.”
“I should give him a quick call before Dawn gets here,” Andrew said. “I don’t want the news to get to him before I talk to him.”
“I’ll let you do that while I put together a little snack for us. You have to be famished.”
“I am,” he said. “It’s been a long day, and it’s late on Paris time.”
“Oh, dear. That’s right.” She swept out of the room.
He could hear Mom rummaging through the refrigerator and cabinets. A comforting kind of ruckus that felt like home. He pulled up his father’s cell phone number.
The call went straight to voice mail. He could picture Dad pressing the button to silence the call when he saw his number.
His throat ached with defeat as he left a message. “Hi, Dad. It’s me. Andrew. I’m in Bailey’s Fork. I’d hoped to surprise you, but I guess the surprise is on me. I didn’t know you were traveling, but I’ll be here until Monday. I look forward to seeing you Sunday.” He hesitated, then said, “Love you, Dad.” He disconnected the call.
Mom came back in the room with a tray full of stuff. “Sweet tea, chips and salsa that I canned last summer, and some cookies from the church bake sale.”
“Sounds good.”
“We should invite everyone over. They’ll be so excited to catch up with you.”
“No.” He could see her wheels turning. “Let’s keep this visit low-key. I won’t be here that long and I want to spend time with you, not be pulled in ten directions. A nice, quiet visit with family. That’s all I want.” Besides, he only had a few more days to get his body on an east coast time clock before he had to do the best baking of his career. And baking wasn’t his real talent. He needed some quiet time to brainstorm and plenty of rest.
“Of course, dear,” she said, patting his leg. “Whatever you think.”
The front door slammed, and Dawn ran into the room. “You’re really here.” She hugged him and then punched him in the arm. “How dare you come back home and not even call first. Did you rent that Mustang?”
“Yeah.”
“Total waste of money. I could’ve picked you up.”
“It’s over an hour drive from RDU to here. You’re busy. Plus I needed a car. I’m heading to New York from here.”
“When?”
“I have to be there next Tuesday, so I’ll be leaving Monday at the latest.”
She gave him that what-for look, and he was ready for an earful, but instead she threw her hands in the air. “Well, you’re here now, and you look
