Griff’s mother chuckled. ‘I forced down two hunks of her dry-as-sawdust coconut cake, praised it to the skies and asked for her recipe. She fell for it hook, line and sinker.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Only problem was, then she made the damn thing every time I visited.’ Sylvia shuddered. ‘I can’t bear to eat the stuff now.’
‘Well, I haven’t baked, so you don’t have to do anything like that today. I promise I’ll try my best to always be honest with you if you’ll do the same in return.’
Sylvia nodded. ‘I like you. Nothing wrong with bein’ straight and sayin’ what you mean.’ Her smile broadened. ‘You’re not just a pretty face. I see why you’ve won over my boy.’
‘He’s won me over, too. I love him so much.’
‘That’s all I needed to hear. He’s a good, decent man and I can tell he worships you. Nothin’ more a woman needs, is there?’
‘Is it safe for us to join you now?’ Griff edged back in the room with his father peering over his shoulder.
‘Sure it is. I told her a few home truths and she’s changed her mind about marryin’ you!’ Sylvia threw back her head and roared with laughter.
‘Thanks a bunch, Mom.’ He bounded over and perched on the sofa arm next to Lyndsey. ‘I was afraid she’d bring you to your senses.’ The kiss he seized was borderline unsuitable for public consumption.
‘My senses flew out the window the day I met you. There’s no hope, I’m afraid.’ Her patently fake sad head shake made everyone laugh.
‘Let’s hope they stay gone.’ Griff kissed her again before turning to his parents. ‘How about some lunch? We’ve got tuna salad and home-grown tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden.’
‘Sounds good, son.’ Larry’s expression turned serious. ‘Then we need to clear the air some.’
Lyndsey watched Griff’s smile fade. This was the first time he’d seen his parents since Jase told them the truth about the car crash and its aftermath, so it was set to be a difficult conversation on both sides.
* * *
Despite the soaring heat, Griff always found he could breathe and think more clearly outside. When he’d suggested taking their drinks on the porch after lunch, Lyndsey threw him a puzzled look and his mother muttered that he’d always been a strange child. His father was the only one to give an approving nod.
‘We should never have believed that cock-and-bull story you spun in the first place.’ His father leaned forward and his thick eyebrows furrowed in concern. ‘I might’ve guessed you were coverin’ up for Jase. You were always a more loyal brother than the little devil deserved.’
‘I’m glad you know the truth now, so it’s all good. All I ever wanted was an apology from Jase and the chance to regain your belief in me.’
‘You never lost that, son.’
The veil of tears shimmering in his dad’s eyes threatened to unman him.
Larry tapped his chest over his heart. ‘You’re here. You and Jase. Nothin’ you or anyone else can do or say’s gonna change that. I’ll be lookin’ out for you both when I’m six feet under, too, so don’t you forget it.’ Next thing, his dad’s arms were around him in a tight hug.
‘What’s up with you guys? Hasn’t Lyndsey passed the Oakes’ test?’ Jase’s teasing voice startled him.
He hadn’t heard his brother’s car arrive, but a quick glance told him that was because it wasn’t in the drive. For a moment he was confused, until he saw Jase was holding Tiffany’s hand and worked out they’d walked over from her house. Today, an intricate weave of braids added at least another six inches to her height, and paired with her multi-colored African floor-length cotton dress, her appearance was stately. When no one answered Jase’s question, his brother’s face fell.
‘Would you prefer us to go away again?’
‘No, son.’ Larry managed a faint smile. ‘We’ve been sayin’ a few things needed airing, that’s all. Bring your young lady on up here so we can meet her proper-like, and then fetch a couple more chairs. You’ll want some cold drinks, too. Comin’ out here was your big brother’s idea.’
‘Yeah, he’s dumb like that,’ Jase said indulgently. ‘Come on, Tiff, it’s your turn to face my folks.’
‘They’re not monsters!’ Lyndsey sounded quite fierce.
‘I’m sure he was only joking.’ Tiffany’s defense of his brother amused Griff. Jase needed someone in his corner. She hitched up her dress and marched up the steps. ‘Mr and Mrs Oakes, I sure am glad to meet y’all.’ A chuckle slipped out of her. ‘I’ve been livin’ here long enough now I’m starting to talk more like a Southerner. In case he didn’t tell you, I’m from Minnesota originally, but I got tired of the cold winters.’
‘For heaven’s sake, don’t you go callin’ us Mr and Mrs Oakes. That makes us sound like Larry’s folks, God rest their souls. We’re Sylvia and Larry.’ His mother sprang up and flung her arms around Tiffany.
A few minutes later, Griff smiled happily around his crowded, noisy porch. This was all he’d ever wanted. His family close again. The woman he loved by his side. In his opinion, there wasn’t much more a guy could ask for.
* * *
Lyndsey snuggled back against Griff’s solid chest. Now they were finally alone and the sun had gone down, she was more than happy to linger out on his porch. They’d wrapped up the day with a barbecue at Becca’s house to take full advantage of her sister’s larger grill and spacious kitchen where they could all squeeze around the table together. Now Nora was in bed and Theo was making the most of his last few days before school started again to stay up late working on his latest computer project.
