“Would you like to have them?”
“For sure.” Cooper hugged her around the waist. “Thanks, Grandma.”
“What are you thanking Grandma for?” Jewel asked as she came into the kitchen.
Honey filled her in, then told them both her idea for getting CT over to the barbecue with less fuss. “I thought perhaps youtwo could go separately.” She secured plastic wrap snugly over the large bowl. “Maybe you could take the salad for me. That way I can focus entirely on your father.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Jewel agreed. “Ready to go, Coop?”
“I’m gonna walk over.”
“Me too.” Jewel picked up the salad. “We can use Miguel’s new gate.”
“Let them know we might be running late, please,” Honey told them.
“Will do.” Jewel smiled. “Good luck, Mom.”
Honey sighed. “I’ll need it. And no worries if we don’t last long there.” She forced a smile. The truth was, she wouldn’t mind coming home early. After feeling like she was tiptoeing around and cajoling CT all day long, she thought she might enjoy a quiet evening here with just the two of them. She might even be willing to watch an old western with him. Just notTrue Grit—again. She knew that movie by heart!
When CT finally emerged from the bathroom, they were already fifteen minutes late, but Honey didn’t mind. Although she was surprised by the strong scent of oranges that filled the air as CT walked down the hall. She kept an orange-fragranced air freshener in there, but it wasn’t usually so strong she could smell it in the living room. “Are you ready?” she asked, curiously sniffing him and realizing he’d probably used the aerosol on himself. Well, at least it was organic. And his hair, all combed down slick, looked a little goofy, but it would be hidden beneath the black John Deere cap he was reaching for.
He smiled. “Ready.”
“You smell like a fresh-squeezed orange.” She touched his hair, then smelled her fingers, realizing that was the source of the strong aroma. Well, certainly there were worse things. “Let’s go.” She jingled her car keys and was unsurprised that he didn’t even ask about Jewel and Cooper. Temporarily forgotten.
“Looks like a nice evening for a barbecue,” she commented as they got into her SUV. “Not too warm and not too cool.”
“Uh-huh.”
Even though they weren’t going far, she reminded him to buckle up, then started to drive, making small talk as she first went down the road, turned onto a side road, looped around, and doubled back. As she chattered at him, she pointed out a pair of red-tailed hawks, keeping him distracted as she turned down the Orosco driveway. So far, so good. As they got closer to the house, she noticed him frown.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“The barbecue. Remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Barbecue. What’s that?”
“Oh, you know. People getting together. Eating hamburgers.”
“Hamburgers?” His voice grew more cheery.
She chatted on about other foods people ate at barbecues and intentionally chose to park near vehicles that CT wouldn’t recognize.
“What people?” he asked as they got out.
“Well, Jewel and Cooper are here,” she said lightly.
“Oh, yeah.” He nodded like he understood this. She started to knock on the door, but seeing it was open, she simply led him inside. As far as she knew, CT had never set foot into the Orosco home. And since everyone was out back, she had a few more moments to help him adjust.
“Isn’t this a pretty room?” she said.
“Uh-huh.” He looked around with appreciation. “Nice.”
Female voices were coming from the kitchen, and soon CT was being greeted by neighbors he may or may not have recognized. No matter, he seemed glad to see them. And they were friendly and kind in return. Again, so far, so good.
“Welcome,” Marta Orosco warmly greeted them. “I’m so glad you came.” She handed CT a napkin and held out a tempting plate of appetizers. “Please, help yourself.”
“Uh-huh,” CT grunted as he filled his napkin. He still seemed oblivious. But then he’d only met Marta once, and that was a few years ago.
