“I’m excited, I’ve missed your cooking.” Taking another sip of my beer, I wink at her again and Jane blushes before pushing my arm.
“Thank you for inviting me,” I start before Jane holds up a hand. “None of that, you are family.” She waves me off.
Not was, not aren’t.
You are.
“Well, my jobs done, meats all prepared,” Wyatt says, popping open his own bottle of beer.
My mouth waters at the thought. Wyatt and Jane sure knew how to grill, and I can’t wait to celebrate in my favourite place once again. As timing goes, I chose the right time to come back here.
Colter and Wyatt continue discussing the makes of the grill and then moves onto where the tables will be set up. I listen intently, trying not to get involved in their conversation.
This isn’t awkward at the moment, and I don’t want to change that.
It’s not that I don’t feel comfortable here, I’m just waiting for the inevitable to be brought into conversation.
Taking another bottle of beer out of the cooler, I feel Jane’seyes on mine, so I tilt my head and grin at her.
Jane and Wyatt have always my second parents. Many times, I came to them with a problem I felt like I couldn’t tell my own parents. I know Colter and Mabel done the same with mine. This slice of heaven was, still is, my home away from home.
“Mav, would ya’ mind helping me bring some more drinks out?” Jane asks, standing up onto her feet.
“Yes, Ma’am,” I reply as I follow Jane through the sliding door and am in awe of her beautifully designed kitchen. The layout of the kitchen is still the same, the cupboards just different. Oak counter tops and green shades fill the room.
“I’ve had it redone since you went away.” Jane spots me staring.
“You out done yourself this time,” I reply, looking around the huge room.
I walk back over to the refrigerator and pull out some more buds, placing them onto the countertop.
“Come on, handsome, what’s wrong?” Jane asks, forward as she ever was. I stop myself from what I’m doing and look in her direction.
“What do you mean?” I ask, knowing she’s onto me.
“Well, you have the same look on your face that my daughter did this afternoon.” She pulls a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet.
Letting out a sigh, the weight heavy on my shoulders. Is Mabel as wrecked as I am?
I look back to Jane and let out the breath I’m holding in to avoid the rising feel of panic. I shake my head; I’m struggling to find the words for her.
“Y’all need to talk.” Jane offers, reaching me and cupping my face in her hand.
The warmth hasn’t changed from her. Although I could swear her height has gotten smaller as the years have rolled on. I don’t dare say that to a true southern woman like the one standing before me; she’d take a wooden spoon and beat me two shades of Sunday with it.
“I know there’s a reason, sweet pea, I’m not a silly old woman just yet,” she says, moving her hand from my face and towards the glasses on the island, cloth in hand ready to polish them before use.
Whether or not Jane has made me feel any better, I’m not sure about at the moment. It feels wonderful to be welcomed back into this house. Hell, back into this family, the one that is just as important to me as my own; butthere is still a frost between me and them.
I know why, I deserve the frost because I was the one who walked away for good.
“I’m sure you’ll tell us when the time is right, Angel,” Jane shrugs at me, clearly noticing how uncomfortable I look. I offer her an uncomfortable grin back.
I’m glad she’s not pushing me.
If anyone is going to hear it when the time is right, it’ll be the girl who deserves it the most.
I’m following Jane back out onto the porch with the drinks when I spot Ellie sitting on Wyatt’s lap.
