I laughed. “We all think of them as kids, but Cruz is twenty now and Lane is twenty-three. But, yeah, they’ve grown up a lot since working on the ranch. Anyway, we can keep it small. I can even tell Mama we’ll take her to Curly’s or something?”
I let my hope rise. I couldn’t explain why a hometown date was important, but it was.
He wasn’t jumping on the invite and my anxiety was ratcheting up with each minute. He knew Mama. He’d been willing to venture to my wedding—for his own personal reasons, but still... my wedding. Yet a family dinner was giving him pause.
Was the family part of it scaring him off? “We don’t have to.”
“No.” He shook his head. “No, I’ll go. It’s just been years since I’ve been at your mama’s.”
Oh. He was correct. It’d be like going back in time and he’d think about how much had changed. “Should I tell her no?”
“I’m not turning down Mae Bailey.”
I smiled, relieved. If he wasn’t willing to disappoint Mama, then he must be willing to start telling people about us. “I can tell Mama to keep it small. To ease you in.”
“Right. No, it’ll be fine.”
Why did he sound like he was convincing himself? I stuffed my worry away. He said he’d do it and he would.I’d reserve any concern until after the dinner. “You mind if I stay next weekend?”
“Absolutely not.”
His lack of hesitation went a long way to calming my nerves. He wanted me and I wanted him and that’d be enough. For now.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jonah
When I pulled up in front of my parents’ place, a giant Conex was sitting on the concrete pad in front of the house.
“What the hell?” I got out and stared at the giant metal box. A little over a month ago, Mom had told me they were thinking of selling to Rhys Kinkade. Were they clearing out already? We were at the beginning of April, but there was still snow on the ground.
The sight took the focus off the nerves that had been tightening my gut all the way out here, but only for a moment. I’d come for a reason that I wasn’t sure they’d like, but I had to talk to them before word got out in town.
Dad came out of the house with his silver travel mug of coffee. His dark brows rose when he saw me. “Jonah? Hey.”
Guilt wound through my intestines at his surprise. “Hi, Dad. You heading out?”
“Eh, I’ve got a few errands to run.” Meaning his coffee-and-chat time at the gas station. I had hoped to catch him when he was returning, but like me, he was getting a late start. I’d had to wait for the delivery truck to arrive and, not as painstakingly as I would’ve liked, load the custom table and stools. “But I can stay a minute. I heard I missed your last stop.”
Which was over a month ago.
Time could fly in my isolated world. “I was hoping to talk with you and Mom. Is she around?”
A line of worry etched Dad’s brow. I’d stopped in out of nowhere. They were moving, and I’d been so wrapped up in Summer and work that I hadn’t reached out to see what they needed help with.
They probably thought I was still upset about the house and property getting sold, but I was actually getting over it. They were aging and had to do what was right for themselves.
“She’s inside. Come on in. She might’ve even left some coffee.”
I followed Dad in. Mom was at a cupboard in the kitchen and an open box was on the floor next to her. She glanced over her shoulder and did a double take. “Oh. Jonah.”
More surprise. Did I really not come over that often? I tried to think of the times I’d been here to have a meal or just to talk. There were a few times I’d come home after I was out of the hospital, mending as much as my body had been capable, but they’d jumped around to help me navigate the house, and when they hadn’t been jumping, the place had been quiet. My brother hadn’tbeen home, he’d never be home again, and the silence had gotten to me.
“Got any coffee left?” I went to the cupboard next to the one she’d been cleaning out. I paused when I opened the door. Only a few glasses and mugs remained. Everything else had presumably been packed. I took the same mug I had used last time. “I didn’t realize you were moving already.”
“Sort of.” Mom poured what was left in my mug and set about making a fresh pot. “Rhys would like to move in before the next school year starts, so we’re aiming to be out in July.” She waved the empty pot around the room. “There’ll be cleaning and stuff, but he said not to worry too much.” She paused and her brows drew together. “I, uh, have been meaning to ask you if there was anything you wanted. I know you don’t like the idea of us leaving.”
I still didn’t, but the thought didn’t bother me like it had before. “I’m fine with your decision. Yes, it came as a shock. This place has been a constant, but we all know how things can change. I have my life and a job, and you two need to do what’s best for you.”
