“She is. And let’s do the restaurant if that’s okay with you.”
“Perfect.” They made their way to the hostess stand and were led to a table. Once they were seated, with the food ordered and drinks in front of them, Maya smiled at him. “Does she still make those amazing chocolate chip cookies with icing?”
“Oh yeah. I stop in and grab a dozen every chance I get.” Which wasn’t often, because he avoided going home as much as possible. It was too painful, thanks to the distance between him and his parents.
But for his grandmother, he made the effort.
“I miss those cookies,” Maya said.
“I miss a lot of things.” He swallowed and avoided her gaze.
A small glint of sympathy flashed for a moment, then she nodded. “Maybe one day we’ll get to enjoy those cookies together again.”
“I’d love that.”
Two
AFTER TWO EGGSover easy, four pieces of bacon, and several bites of expertly cooked hash browns, Maya leaned back in her chair. “Well, I guess we were both hungry since we basically wolfed that down without a word between us.”
He laughed. “No kidding. Sorry about that.”
“No apologies necessary.” The fire crackled in the stone fireplace, giving the wood structure a homey feel. A warmth that she would never get tired of. She definitely approved of the upgrade. Gideon set down his empty orange juice glass and wiped his mouth, giving her a moment to study him. His short blond hair was windblown in a stylish kind of way that she didn’t think was on purpose, and his blue eyes took her straight back to her teenage crush that she hoped she hid better than she thought she had. “So, you, Vance, and me here at the same time. That’s quite a coincidence.”
“Hmm. Quite.” He paused. “But not really. This has always been our fun place. Our happy place. Coming here for our annual vacation, all our families together ... those were the best years. I only have good memories here and I treasure them. Vance too.”
She smiled. “Same.”
“I didn’t realize he was living back in Whitestone. Did you know that?”
Whitestone, Tennessee. Her home. And favorite place on earth.“I’d heard he was. He and Ellie kind of live like hermits, though. I’ve never seen them whenever I’ve been in town. Of course, I’ve only been back a few times over the years, and I’ve never been in their office.”
He nodded. “How are your parents doing?”
“They’re traveling these days. While Grandma is healthy and independent, they’re living their best life. Mom can work from anywhere writing her travel blog, and Dad? Well, when you own the company, you can pretty much do as you please if you plan and make it happen.” Her father had his own printing company.
“Good for them.”
“I was there for Christmas when Gramps passed away. Once I was home, I realized I didn’t want to go back to California. I gave notice to the hospital where I was working, applied to the hospital in Nashville, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“You’ve had a good life, haven’t you?”
She shot him a small smile. “I have. For the most part. During my trip home for Christmas, before he died, Gramps talked a lot about what he thought the ranch should be used for. He wanted it to be a place of healing and hope for veterans who needed it. He served in the army and knew what it was like to come home with nightmares and hating fireworks and everything else that PTSD entails. I fell in love with the idea, his vision. Couldn’t get it out of my head, in fact.” She gave a soft scoff. “I’m a surgeon. I’m good at what I do. I help people who need it most. But ... this idea to help others who’ve served and suffer? It sounded great, but I struggled and wrestled with it because I wasn’t sure if I was up to the challenge.” She drew in a deep breath. “And then I was.” She glanced at him. “I have no doubt that’s what I’m supposed to do, and God will show me how to do it.”
“Your faith has always been strong.”
She frowned. “Not always. It’s been a process. Seeing what I saw, all the death and—” She looked away. “God and I’ve been on the outs, but I think we’re getting there.”
“I know what you mean.” He sighed. “I was sorry to hear about your grandfather.”
His soft words sent shards of glass across her already wounded heart. “Thanks. It’s hard to believe. He was only seventy-six years old. And his death had come out of nowhere. A heart attack. Two months after the doctor had given him a clean bill of health. An autopsy showed he’d died of a heart aneurysm.”
“He had no signs?”
“None. That’s why it was so shocking. Anyway, that’s kind of why I’m here. I need to figure out a plan. He left me the ranch. He actually put me on the deed, so nothing had to go through probate or anything. I want to use the land and buildings on it wisely while adding more to it—also wisely—in order to fulfill the vision in his—and my—head. And heart.”
“Of course. What are you thinking? What are you going to do?”
“Good things. Helpful things.” A pause. “Healing things. I’m still working through all the details.”
