“I love it,” he says, beaming at her. “I’ll always say yes to banana cream pie.”
“Noted.” She laughs.
Goldie clears a spot for her at the table. “We just finished a game of gin rummy. Do you play?”
Ava shakes her head. “I’ve never played it.”
“Wanna learn? It’s fun and easy,” I say.
“Sure.”
We show her the game, and soon, she’s laughing along with us, her shoulders loosening a little more.
“This has been so fun,” she says later, as she gets up to leave. “Thanks for the game. I needed that. I really appreciate…you guys being so welcoming.” She bites the inside of her cheek. “I still haven’t met my other sister.” She makes a face. “I’m not sure my dad has even told her about me.”
Dylan curses, and everyone turns to look at him. He rubs a hand down his face.
“Sorry, that’s just so…” He shakes his head and doesn’t say anything else.
Goldie leans over and hugs Ava. “Well, hurry back. We love having you with us.”
Ava swallows hard. “Thank you. I will.”
The next day I’m talking to Joey at the host station when I hear a voice I haven’t heard in a long time.
I turn around and see Hector and Hal Fair dressed in jeans and the same sweaters and jackets but in different colors. They have identical amused expressions.
“Camden Whitman, the man of the hour,” Hector says, just as Hal yells, “Surprise!”
I reach Hector first, and he pulls me into a hug. Hal pounds my back, and when I’m done hugging Hector, he holds his arms wide.
“I can’t believe Jackson didn’t tell me you were in town,” I say.
“We just pulled in yesterday,” Hector says. “Saw our girl right off the bat.” His eyes meet mine, and I feel instant guilt.
I’m positive he knows how things are between me and Juju now, but did she tell him about our last fight?
“It’s been a long time,” I say, looking between them. “You look the same.”
They both laugh.
“You were always way more diplomatic than my grandson,” Hector says.
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Hal winks.
“And yes, it’s been a long time,” Hector says. “Way too long. But just look at you. This place is gorgeous. Your mom would be so proud.I’mso proud.” He squeezes my shoulder.
“Thank you. That means a lot. It’s been really great to be back with my family. I can handle the crazy winters as long as we’re together.”
Hal laughs. “It’s gonna take a while for my blood to adjust back to the cold tundra.”
“Oh, haven’t you heard? We’re having a mild winter.” I laugh at their expressions.
“It’s all we heard at Kitty-Corner,” Hal says. “A mild winter to us is the sixty-degree days we just left in Vegas.”
“Well, now you’re just bragging. I bet you didn’t get to wear those cool jackets in Vegas.”
Hector nods, his smile wide. “Good point. And I missed the seasons. Not sure I need these extremes, but I do appreciate the milder year. It’ll ease us back into this weather.”
