He leaned forward, trying to get a better look. It was a big place.
Mom and Dawn had tried to keep him up-to-date about what was going on with Kelly over the years, but he’d stopped them mid-sentence every time. It had been his choice not to come home seven years ago. He had to live with the consequences.
But in his mind she still worked at the family restaurant while selling her baked goods out of a tiny shop in town. Seeing this fancy storefront had caught him off guard. As wrong as it was, seeing her succeed…without him…gnawed at him.
Where would we be right now if I’d made a different decision seven years ago? Married. They’d had a wedding date. An inner torment had his mind reeling, making him question his decisions. They’d once dreamed of their own restaurant and bakery.
He slowed down, taking in all the changes from the anonymity of his rental car. There were a few new businesses. A gym, a used bookstore, and a clothing boutique. A frozen yogurt shop sat right next to a new dry cleaner where the old arcade used to be. He’d pounded flippers in that place for hours a day until he was old enough to drive.
Main Street had gotten an upgrade since he’d been gone, with shiny black lampposts and new benches between the storefronts. Planters of brightly colored pansies and evergreens adorned every corner. It seemed brighter, and more upscale than the small town he remembered.
Across the street, a woman made her way through the crosswalk with the fattest little dog he’d ever seen on a harness with a sparkly leash. The lumbering animal didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry as they crossed while he sat at the red light.
The woman turned and headed down the alley road behind the row of shops.
Pretty flags lined Main Street in green and gold with the new Bailey’s Fork pine tree logo on them. He’d once carved initials in that tree. AY + KM with a big heart around it.
Bailey’s Fork Flower & Gift had new awnings and a fresh coat of turquoise paint. He thought to stop and get Mom some flowers. She’d always loved flowers, but there was no way could he get in and out of the flower shop without Mrs. Chalmers spreading the word that he was back in town. It was hard to keep a secret in a town the size of Bailey’s Fork.
Just past Town Square, a brand-new row of office buildings filled the block where the old skating rink had once been. What did the local kids do now that it and the arcade were both gone? There’d never been all that much to do here in the first place.
He made a last-minute right-hand turn. Mom was right. Things had changed. The turn to Dawn’s had snuck up on him with all the new businesses on this corner.
He had to check the address twice when he got to Dawn’s house. The small starter home she and Jeff had bought the year they’d gotten married wasn’t even recognizable now. They’d gone up a story and had even added a garage.
She ran out onto the wraparound porch as he pulled into the driveway.
“This place looks great,” he said, getting out of the car.
“Come in. You’ve got to see everything.”
An hour later, he’d seen the whole house and even toured Jeff’s man cave.
“This is pretty cool,” Andrew said. The garage was as neat as an auto parts store. In the middle of the two-bay garage sat a ’34 Ford nearing the finishing stages of restoration.
“That’s his pride and joy,” she said. “Sometimes I think he’d rather spend time with ol’ Bessie here than me.”
“She’s a beauty.”
“He says she’ll be ready to drive by this summer. I might forgive him then.”
“Women.” Andrew shook his head.
“Speaking of which, how’s your love life?”
He thought before he answered. “Varied.”
“Don’t you think it’s time you start thinking about settling down?”
“Haven’t met the right kind of girl.” Not that he’d really been looking.
“Life happens fast. You’d better slow down, or you’ll miss out on what it has to offer.”
“Easier said than done in this 24/7 world we live in.” He followed Dawn to the back patio. The sun was warm on this side of the house. It was a gorgeous day for February.
“Fine. I know you’re not going to listen to me anyway. So, what’s your schedule while you’re here? Anything you want to do? People you want to see?”
“There’s not enough time to visit. I’ll have to do that on another trip, but maybe we could do a little horseback riding. That’s one thing I haven’t done since I’ve been away.”
“You’re on. That’ll make Mom happy too. It’s hard for us to get all four horses ridden as much as she’d like them to be. Want to go out to lunch?”
“Didn’t I just say I didn’t want to see anyone? Sure as heck if I go into town, everyone will know I’m here and I won’t get a minute’s piece.”
“Oh? Well, with Jeff out of town, I haven’t been doing much cooking. Why don’t we pick up a pizza? No one will know you in that low-key car you’re driving.”
It was definitely eye-catching.
“You can stay in the car, then we can go over to the old barn and have a picnic. It’ll be nice.”
“That sounds good.”
Dawn gathered a sheet and some paper towels to take with them.
They were able to get their pizza and get out of town without being noticed.
When Andrew drove past the McIntyres’ house, a twinge of something soared through him. Guilt? Sorrow? He’d done a pretty good job ignoring those old feelings, but being right here—practically in her front yard—made it a little harder.
He glanced over toward Dawn, who was smiling gently at him. “You okay?” she asked.
“Sure.” He remembered this stretch of road. He’d travelled this path what seemed like a million times to meet up
