I added a generous tip and handed it back. She grinned then spoke to Jack before ushering me to follow her.
We exited out the back side door. “I can drive you,” I offered.
“You don’t have to. Then you’ll have to bring me all the way back.”
“Emma, it’s fine, really. Gives me something to do.”
I opened the passenger door on my truck and helped her in. My parents lived on the outskirts of town, but it wasn’t that long of a drive compared to LA where the same distance could take double or triple the time. I appreciated there being no traffic around here.
“How’s the house coming?” Emma asked.
“Slow. I’ve only worked on it yesterday and today. It’s going to take time.”
She nodded.
“It’s good though. It will keep me busy.”
“You sound like my dad. He was updating the house right up to the last day.”
I didn’t want her sad. “Mom loves your house.” I thought I’d said the right thing.
“So did mine.”
I’d put my foot in my mouth and remained silent the rest of the drive. I pulled up at the front of the farmhouse I’d been raised in. It looked the same as it did the day I left.
Mom was on the porch as I got out. Emma opened the door before I could reach it. But I was there to help her out. Mom’s arms opened wide and enveloped Emma in a bear hug.
“Oh, honey,” she said, cupping Emma’s cheeks. Then her eyes found mine. “There’s my son. Two days in town and this is the first I see of him.”
She stepped in my direction, and I scooped her up. “You know I love you.” I kissed her cheek before setting her down.
“Come in,” Mom said, waving us in.
Once inside, Emma said, “I hope it’s okay to come over unannounced.”
“Nonsense. You’re family. Besides, I always cook enough for extra. I never know if Alana’s coming or not. And this one did a good job of eating us out of house and home.”
“Mom,” I chided.
“Go tell your father it’s time to eat. He’s out in the barn.”
I tipped my head. “Yes, ma’am.” Emma looked okay, so I left out the door I’d come in.
Dad was in the barn tending to our horses. We had a couple mostly because Dad loved them.
“Aiden,” he said with a wide smile when he looked up.
There was a time when I had to look up to my dad. Now I was his height. We embraced and he clapped me on the back.
“I’m glad you’re home. I don’t have to hear your mother complain about not hearing from you. Now I can drive over and kick your ass if you don’t call or stop by.”
I laughed. “I never meant not to call. Just things—”
“No need for apology. You had a life to live just like Alana. Only with her, there’s always someone in town who can tell your mother they saw her and she’s fine.”
“I’m sure they’ll do the same with me,” I joked.
“Maybe. I’m hoping you do a better job of stopping by.” He held up a hand. “Not every day or every week. But consistently.”
“I can do that.”
“Good.” He patted my back. “Let’s go eat.”
“I brought Emma,” I said as we walked back to the house.
His brow arched. “She’s engaged.”
“I know. She needed a friend even if she wouldn’t say it.”
He bobbed his head. “She’s had it tough. Doug did his best after her mother died. Your mom did a fair amount of cooking for the pair over the years. I can tell you she secretly hoped the two of you would have ended up together.”
That surprised me. “Really?”
“Come on, son. We have eyes. So did the two of you… for each other.”
I opened and closed my mouth a few times.
He winked. “Let’s get inside.”
The meal was reason itself to come back to Mason Creek. Mom was a master in the kitchen, and I hadn’t had a home-cooked meal like hers in a while. The few women I’d dated long enough to enjoy a meal at their places didn’t have Mom’s touch.
“Thank you for a lovely meal, Mrs. Faulkner,” Emma said.
She held up a finger. “It’s not done yet. I hope you have room for pie.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “Apple?”
“Yes. This morning I had a powerful urge to make apple pie.”
“I wanted peach cobbler, but she wouldn’t hear of it,” Dad said.
Mom came back with pie and homemade ice cream. “It shouldn’t be possible for me to have room to eat anymore. But I can’t say no,” Emma said with grin.
Mom served me a generous piece. I couldn’t imagine why my sister didn’t come home more often.
Only one piece was left when we were done. Emma declined taking leftovers. We were in the middle of saying our goodbyes when Emma said to Mom, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, honey. You’re always welcome.”