“We had fun arranging for you,” Grace said. “But if there’s anything you don’t like, the boys and Walter will help you move things around.”
Roan had ordered furniture for his childhood home before he left California. Walter had been kind enough to manage it all for him.
“And wait until you see what we did with the place,” Walter said. “It’s been a few years now, but, with the money Jason sent, we were able to give it a full makeover. Replaced a room. Tore down some walls. Put in a new kitchen.”
“Aunt Grace sent me photos to help me pick out furniture,” Roan said. “You guys did an amazing job.”
“With the budget Jason gave us, it was easy,” Walter said.
“How is Jason?” Grace asked.
“He’s great. Living his best life. And he called me this morning. He’s coming home for the holidays. He’ll be here the whole month.”
Grace’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, how wonderful. All the Hayes boys in one place. It’s a dream come true.”
Soon enough, he was seated at the kitchen island with a beer in front of him, watching Grace bustle around the kitchen as she filled him in on all the family gossip and events.
“All four of my cousins domesticated?” Roan asked. “It’s hard to believe.”
“We’re blessed with the most wonderful daughters-in-law,” Grace said.
“And our grandchildren keep us all laughing,” Walter said, settling beside him at the island with a beer of his own. “I’mhappily retired, now that Luke runs the farm, but somehow I’m as busy as ever.”
Grace pulled the apple pie from the oven, setting it on a pad near the farmhouse sink.
“What about you, sweetheart?” Grace asked. “Anyone special in your life?”
“Nah. Nothing ever stuck.” Roan sipped from his beer bottle.
Walter and Grace exchanged a look. What was that for?
“How are you feeling about the change in career?” Grace asked.
“It’ll take some getting used to, but I’m thankful I’m not in a wheelchair,” Roan said.
“You’re wise to take the doctor’s advice seriously,” Walter said. “Anyway, stunt work’s a young man’s game, isn’t it?”
Roan chuckled. “Truth told, it was probably time for me to consider retirement anyway. But I’d rather have made the decision myself than have it forced on me.”
“Said like a Hayes man,” Grace said, with a humored glance at her husband. “Always has to be your idea or otherwise it’s suspect.”
Walter shook his head, a mischievous grin lifting the corners of his mouth. “Except when it’s your idea, darling.”
Grace rolled her eyes before turning back to Roan.” Do you know what you want to do next?”
“I’m going to open a gym,” Roan said. “CrossFit style.”
“Is that safe for you?” Grace asked, sounding concerned.
“Doctors said it was all right, as long as I’m careful. I can’t be thrown off a train again, but I can do deadlifts.”
“Thrown from a train?” Grace asked, clutching the gold cross that hung from her neck. “I have to admit, I’m not sorry to see you switching career paths.”
Walter nodded in obvious agreement.
“As a matter of fact, I bought the gym in town from Wayne Fletcher,” Roan said.
“You did?” Grace asked, sounding horrified.
