Grams squints. “I know things aren’t great, but this is different. What’s gotten into you two?”
Dad clears his throat again as I swallow the ball of panic that’s formed in mine.Please, don’t tell her.
He scratches the back of his neck harder, eyes looking anywhere but at me before settling on his feet. “I—I— Uh…” he stammers. Right when I think I'm safe, he blurts, “I didn’t mean to barge in. You-you weren’t answering your phone, and I was worried. I-I didn’t realize you and Jett would be…would be naked on your living room floor.”
I feel the color drain from my face as a wave of mortification crashes over me like a tsunami.
“Dad!” I shout, voice cracking.
Grams drops the spatula she was holding. The handle clinks against the glass. “Naked? On the floor?”
Heat rushes up my neck so rapidly I think I might combust. I bury my face in my hands, groaning. “Oh my god. Please. Can we not?”
Dad’s still standing frozen in place while Grams leans against the counter, eyes wide. “Well, it’s no wonder you wanted to stayin that old cottage. Can’t imagine finding you and Jett sprawled together in the living room here.”
“Lord, come take me,” I mumble in my hands.
“Oh, Pumpkin,” she says, chuckling. “It’s like history repeating itself.”
“Mary,” Dad warns, which only sparks my curiosity.
“Oh, please, Mark. You’re not going to embarrass the girl when I’ve seen worse.”
“What?” I gasp.
Grams smiles. “That’s right, Pumpkin. Your Mom and Dad never could keep their hands off each other.”
“I’m not sure I want to hear this…”
“Your grandpa always caught your dad sneaking in her window, but I was the unfortunate soul to walk in on the two of them. They were supposed to be cleaning out the storage shed at our house. I don’t imagine you’d get much cleaning done with your pants around your waist and your hands on my daughter’s hips. Huh, Mark?”
“Oh, God.” I gag as Dad groans. The tips of his ears are as red as a tomato. I’m begging the floors to split open and swallow me whole.
“Now you’re both privy to each other’s sexual encounters.”
“I could’ve gone the rest of my life without my daughter knowing that.” Dad walks deeper into the kitchen, reaching for a cup in the cabinet.
“You’re telling me.” I drop my head and groan.
Grams winks, stirring the pie filling—or the metaphorical pot. “You’re young and single. Nothing wrong with letting off steam in a storm. Maybe next time, lock your door so your daddy can’t walk in.”
I want to melt into the table.
I turn my attention back to the sketchbook, zoning out whatever conversation Dad and Grams are having. I don’t notice Dad sitting next to me until he clears his throat. His large, weathered hand reaches for the sketchbook. The air is suckedfrom my lungs as he drags the book closer, tracing the dark lead lines with careful fingers.
“What’s this, Pumpkin?”
My pulse stutters as my palms begin to sweat. “It’s…nothing.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing to me.” He studies the lines, his eyebrows knitting as the rough image of the barn fills the page. “Looks like the old barn behind the orchard.”
“That’s exactly what it is.” I swallow. “I-I found a piece of paper in Mom’s office.” I pause, watching Dad’s reaction. When there isn’t one, I continue. “It was a list of manifestations she had for Drummond Farms and Hannah’s Haven. She… She wanted to turn the old barn into an event space to bring people here to celebrate life’s moments.” My voice wavers. “I thought maybe I could do it…for her.”
He doesn’t say anything, only stares at the paper. I’m worried I’ve bitten off more than I can chew and should’ve put my foot in my mouth sooner.
“Your mom would’ve loved seeing her vision come to life,” he says, exhaling slowly. “I can’t imagine anyone else taking on this project, Wren.”
His voice is thick with emotion as he pushes the sketchbook back toward me. His movements are slow, as if the book is a piece of glass and he doesn’t want to break it. As his eyes meet mine, they’re softer than I’ve seen them in years. “I’m proud of you. For coming home, for taking on Hannah’s Haven, and for even trying to see your mom’s dreams come true.”
