In his midfifties, his dad was the same height as Sam, a big bear of a guy. His skin was bronzed, his body in good shape from his work outdoors. The physical labor, however, hadn’t prevented time from wreaking havoc on his hairline.
“Thanks, Son.” Dad pushed up his wire-framed glasses, calling attention to his brown eyes and the laugh lines fanning out from them.
“Get over here and give your mama a hug.” Mom appeared and swept him up in an embrace. She was petite with a delicate bone structure and blue eyes that sparkled when she was happy and flashed when she wasn’t. The only thing Sam had inherited from her was his thick black hair.
“Hi, Mom. Good to see you.”
She pulled away and swatted his arm. “’Bout time you showed your face around here. I had to hear about your visit to town from Eleanor Stapleton. You couldn’t have dropped by to see your dear old mom?”
He showed her his best hangdog look. “Sorry, Mom.”
She shelved her hands on her hips. “That’s all I get? And who was the woman you brought to the rummage sale? Do I know her?”
Dad wrapped an arm around Mom’s shoulders. “Let’s not scare him away, honey.” He kissed her temple. “Come on, Son. You should see the new flooring in the master bath. We shoulda had it done years ago.”
“The food smells great, Mom,” Sam called as he headed down the hallway with his dad.
The remodel was still in an ugly phase, with tarps and dust. But the new ceramic flooring looked great. His dad showed him the paint colors and fixtures they’d chosen. After they were finished, they headed back to the living room.
Hayley entered through the garage door. “I’m home. Happy Father’s Day, Dad.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Hello, Brother. So glad you deigned to visit your childhood home.”
He gave her a hug. “Yes, Meatball, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”
She blinked up at him innocently. “Did you bring your girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?” His mom entered the living room.
Sam cut Hayley a glare.
“Is that who you brought to the church? Are you seeing someone, Sam?”
He’d have to be visually impaired to miss the hope scrawled across Mom’s face. He got it. His loved ones were eager to see him move on from his heartbreak. “She’s just a friend, Mom.”
“You’ll have to tell us all about her over lunch, which is ready by the way. Come and get it, everyone.”
As the siblings followed their parents to the dining room, Hayley sent him an innocent grin and he mouthedThanks a lot.
At the table his mom said a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for the wonderful man who was her husband, then they all dug in.
“The food looks great, Mom.” Sam wasn’t kidding either. After all the take-out meals he’d had recently, he appreciated the home-cooked meal.
“Thank you. I hope the ribs are tender. It’s a new recipe.”
Dad loaded his plate with ribs and a heaping spoonful of mac ’n’ cheese. “Smells wonderful, honey. The meat’s practically falling off the bone.”
“So who’s this girl Hayley mentioned?” Mom asked. “Is she the one you’re taking to the wedding?”
Sam grimaced. He’d hoped she might forget about Sadie.
“Her name’s Sadie,” Hayley said, “and she’s his neighbor on the island. She’s really sweet and fun.” She gave Sam a meaningful look. “Anddrop-dead gorgeous.”
His mom beamed. “Well, how nice!”
“We’re just friends.”
“And how did you meet her, honey?” Mom asked Hayley.
“I stopped by the other night, and they were having supper together at Sadie’s place.”
