The long and winding roa.., p.5
The Long and Winding Road, page 5
“I love the C names.”
“A lot of Molly’s grandchildren have C names.”
“That’s cute, and so are your great-grandchildren.”
“Here’s one of all the greats. Forty-one of them now. Izzy managed to get a photo of them all recently. What a circus that was.”
“Wow.” In the photo, forty-one children surrounded their smiling great-grandfather. “That’s a mob.”
“Sure is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Seems like every day, there’s a game, a practice, a recital, a birthday. I swear they’re keeping me young.”
While Lexi ate the delicious breakfast, Mr. Stillman kept her entertained with funny stories about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was intrigued to hear that Hunter was now the CEO at the store, that Lucas and Landon had grown into mature, responsible fathers, and that Colton was still living on the mountaintop with his wife and children.
And Max… To hear Elmer tell it, he was a wonderful, doting father to his beloved son, but she’d already seen that for herself.
“He lights up when he talks about Caden,” Lexi said, sipping her coffee. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“I heard you’re coming to the party tomorrow. You may want to take a preventative headache tablet before you venture into that madness.”
She laughed. “Thank you for the advice.”
“I couldn’t help but note that our Max also lit up a bit earlier this morning when he talked about seeing you again.”
“Did he?” She eyed him over her mug while hoping her face wasn’t turning bright red. That was a post-chemo development that drove her crazy.
“He did. He was very happy to see you again. He’d wondered what’d become of you.”
“And now he knows.”
“Yes, he does.”
“I was so hoping to see him again. I’ve never forgotten him.”
“I think it’s safe to say he never forgot you either.”
“That’s nice to hear. I sure as heck didn’t expect to be gone so long.”
“Life is funny that way, isn’t it? You think you’ve got a plan and then, nope. That’s not happening, but this is.”
“That’s exactly how it went for me. I may never plan anything again after this.”
“It’s probably safe to make some plans now, right? You’re doing better?”
“I’m in remission, and the doctors tell me I have as much chance as the general population does of getting it again. I have a whole new immune system after the transplant. But I won’t be considered ‘cured’ for four more years.”
“Then you ought to spend that time doing exactly what you want. None of us ever know what’s coming round the next bend. You gotta make the best of every day. That’s my philosophy.”
“It’s a good one. Let me ask you this… Is Dude still fostering dogs and other animals?”
“She is, and she’s married now to Skeeter.”
Lexi gasped. “Skeeter-from-Nolan’s-garage-who-had-the-dead-cat-in-his-freezer-for-ten-years Skeeter?”
Elmer cackled with laughter. “The one and only. The two of them are happier than pigs in crap.”
“Wow. That’s a couple I didn’t see coming.”
“No one did, sweetheart. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and their hearts are firmly committed to each other.”
“I’m happy for them. Dude was so good to me when I was a kid and in love with all the animals. I thought I’d have at least three dogs by now.”
“If you’re looking for a furry friend, she’s the gal to see.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for that kind of responsibility, but it’s nice to dream.”
“I’m heading back to the barn after this. Be glad to drop you at Dude’s if you need a lift.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I have a rental car, and I remember the way.”
He handed her a business card with the words justice of the peace, notary public, free advice printed on it. “My phone number is on the back. If you need anything while you’re in town, especially in the free advice department, you give me a call, you hear?”
Could he be any more adorable? Lexi leaned in to kiss his cheek. “I’ll do that. It was such a pleasure to see you again.”
“You as well, my friend. I’ll see you at the party tomorrow.”
“I’ll look forward to that.”
He tossed some bills on the counter. “Megan, I’ve got Lexi’s breakfast, too.”
“You got it, Elmer.” To Lexi, who was about to protest, Megan said, “Don’t bother. He won’t take no for an answer.”
“Thanks, Mr. Stillman.”
“Call me Elmer, honey. You’re all grown up now.” He left with a smile and a jaunty wave for her and Megan.
“He hasn’t changed at all,” Lexi said.
“He’s the most delightful human being I’ve ever known,” Megan said. “He owns the diner now, and I’m his partner in crime. I don’t know what I’ll ever do without him someday, hopefully in the distant future. I tell him all the time I need him to live forever.”
“I can see why. So, you’re married to Hunter.”
“That I am. Going on six years now.”
“That’s awesome. Congratulations. I used to date Max in high school.”
“Is that right? Were you here for the reunion?”
Lexi nodded.
“How was it? Those things can be so awkward.”
“It wasn’t bad. I was really hoping to see Max again, and we had a nice time.”
Megan’s eyes lit up when she heard that. “Will you be sticking around in Butler?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’m here for the weekend, but I may come back to stay for a while.”
“If you do, you know where to come for pancakes.”
“Absolutely, and truth be told, they’re even better than they used to be.”
“I quite agree. Butch is cranky, but he’s a great cook.”
“I heard that,” Butch yelled from the kitchen.
Megan smiled as she walked away to tend to other customers.
Feeling as if she’d made a new friend, Lexi couldn’t wait to come back to the diner for more pancakes.
Chapter Four
“It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed is you.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald
Because it was right across the street, Lexi decided to stop into the Green Mountain Country Store before taking a ride to Dude’s house. Another flood of childhood memories overtook her the second she stepped inside the iconic store. If nostalgia had an aroma, the smell of the store was it for her. Lemon-scented furniture polish, potpourri, sugar and spice and a million other things that combined into a scent she’d know anywhere as this amazing place.
It looked just as she remembered. Rough-hewn wood beams and bins of products that couldn’t be found anywhere else. Vintage toys, coolers full of icy-cold bottles of Coke and samples of cheese, maple syrup, smoked meats, dips and fudge. She tried a little bit of everything, each flavor bringing back memories of simpler times when she’d come here with her mom or grandmother to pick out a toy or penny candy from the colorful bins. Usually both, especially when she was with her grandmother.
A man in a flannel shirt and well-faded jeans was on a ladder restocking the maple syrup display. When he came down and turned, she recognized him as Colton Abbott. He still had the distinctive bushy beard he’d worn since he was a teenager.
He did a double take when he saw her. “Lexi?”
“Yes, it’s me. Hi, Colton.”
“Wow, how long has it been?”
“Ten years.”
“Ah, the reunion. That’s right.” He gave her a quick hug. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“You, too. I hear you’re still up on the mountain making syrup.”
“You heard right, although I’ve got a wife and three boys keeping me entertained these days.”
“I heard that, too.”
He pulled out a phone and had a picture of his family up in a matter of seconds. “That’s Lucy, Christian and the twins, Camden and Cooper.”
They all had reddish-gold hair, blue eyes and cherubic cheeks. “They’re beautiful.”
“They’re holy terrors, but we love them. And yes, they look exactly like their gorgeous mother, thank God.”
Colton was as good-looking as his brothers, although she’d always thought Max was the best-looking one of the bunch. But she was biased.
“Congrats on the family.”
“Thanks. Also got solar power and indoor plumbing these days, which keeps my Lucy happy.”
“It’s the little things, right?”
His grin lit up a sinfully handsome face. “You know it. Have you seen Max?”
“At the reunion. We had a great time.”
“Oh, good. That boy is all work and no play. Maybe you can get him to lighten up a bit while you’re here.”
At the thought of how she might “lighten up” Max Abbott, she felt her face grow warm again. Ugh, freaking chemo. “We’ll see. He invited me to Caden’s party tomorrow. I saw your grandfather, and he suggested headache meds before I go.”
Colton’s bark of laughter reminded her of Elmer’s. “He gives the best advice.”
“And it’s free.”
“That it is.”
“It’s so good to see everyone. I’m going to visit Dude after this. I can’t wait to see her.”
“It’s really good to see you, too, Lexi.”
“Congrats on your sweet family.”
“Thanks. We’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there.”
He handed her a bottle of Abbott’s Own Light Maple Syrup. “On the house.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“You got it. Tell the cashier that’s a gift from Colton.”
“I’ll do that.”
* * *
After Lexi walked away, Colton used the store’s Wi-Fi to send a message to Lucy. Got to do a quick errand in town before I head back. You need anything?
She responded with: Diapers, wipes, paper towels, a large bottle of wine and a sedative.
Chuckling, he typed in his reply. Daddy will be right back. Stay strong, my queen.
Your feral spawn are more out of control than usual today.
Yikes.
Yep.
Be there soon. Love you endlessly.
You only say that so I won’t leave you with the spawn.
That’s right! He added smiling and heart emojis.
He’d never known true happiness until Lucy Mulvaney had shown up and changed everything. His city girl had rolled with his life on the mountain, living without indoor plumbing, until their eldest son arrived, and she said it was time for him to build her a bathroom in the house. Because he was long overdue in fulfilling that promise, he’d jumped right on it and added two more bedrooms, a playroom and a main bedroom for them while he was at it.
She’d made herself at home in his life. The least he could do was ensure her comfort.
He got into his truck and headed for Max’s house, looking for intel on his brother’s reunion with Lexi. Colton had been surprised to hear Max was going to the reunion he’d repeatedly said he had no interest in. Had he heard Lexi might be there? And why hadn’t he mentioned the reunion to him at work last week? Inquiring minds wanted to know.
Colton parked behind Max’s truck in the driveway. Even after all this time, it was still weird to think of their grandparents’ home as Max’s house. He knocked and opened the inside door. “Hello?”
“Come in,” Max called from a room down the hall. “I’m cleaning Caden’s room while he’s not here.”
“Where is he?”
“Mom and Dad have kidnapped him for another night because Will’s kids are sleeping over. They need Caden’s help.”
“It’s good for him to have cousin time, but what the hell are you doing cleaning when you have a break from fatherhood?”
“What else am I supposed to do?”
“Hang out with your ex-girlfriend who’s back in town for the weekend?”
“We might do something later.”
“Your enthusiasm is overwhelming.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your son is safe with Mom and Dad, a girl you were once madly in love with is back in town for three days, and you’re cleaning Caden’s room?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Max.” Colton approached his youngest sibling and took his face in his hands. “Sweet Max. Has it been so long since you were properly laid that you can’t recognize opportunity when it’s smacking you in the face?”
Max jerked free of Colton’s hold. “Fuck off. I’m busy.”
Colton grabbed Max’s arm to stop him from returning to Caden’s room. “You’re never too busy to get laid. Lexi was heading over to visit Dude. Maybe you could stop by there on the pretext of getting Caden a dog for his birthday and end up naked between the sheets with your first love by day’s end.”
“It’s not like that with her.”
Colton tipped his head to study his brother. “It’s not like what?”
“She’s been through a lot since I saw her last.”
“A lot of what? She looked great when I saw her.”
“She’s had cancer for ten years.”
That news shocked Colton. “Wow. Seriously?”
“Yep, so you’ll pardon me if I’m not doing everything I can to get in her pants after she told me that.”
“Hear me out.”
Max put his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes to high heaven. “About what?”
“Is it possible that she hasn’t been with anyone but you?”
“I doubt it.”
“You said she’s been sick for ten years. The math adds up.”
Max seemed to ponder that possibility before he shrugged. “Whatever. That’s not happening.”
“You’re a fool. Why do you think she hightailed it right back here after she was well again? I doubt it was to see Fred the moose. She came back for you, you ninny.”
“She said as much last night.”
Incredulous, Colton gave Max a shake. “Then why in the ever-loving fuck are you cleaning Caden’s room when he’s with Mom and Dad, and your ex, who you never got over, if you ask me, is back in town to see you?”
“I got over her.”
“Did you, though? Your love life has been somewhat of a red-hot mess since you were with her.”
“It has not!”
“Has too, and you know it. Get your head out of your ass, man, and get over to Dude’s to do some dog shopping. Right now!”
“The last thing in this world I need is a dog.”
“Maybe you don’t need one, but Cade sure does. What is it Dad says about how kids shouldn’t grow up without a dog?”
Max groaned. “Come on, Colton. I thought you were on my side.”
“I am, which is why I came right here after I saw Lexi to find out where you were while she’s in town for a few days. Imagine my surprise when I find you cleaning like the eunuch you’ve become these last few years.”
“Go away.”
“Nope.” Colton crossed his arms. “Not going anywhere until you do.”
“I want to finish this before he gets a bunch of new stuff at his party.”
Colton held his ground, glaring at Max.
“Okay, fine! Whatever.” Max grabbed his coat off the hook by the door and went out the front door.
“Yes,” Colton whispered as he followed his brother out.
* * *
This was insane, Max thought as Colton followed him through town, all the way to Dude’s place, which was half a mile past the turnoff to the road that led to Colton’s mountaintop home. Colton pulled into Dude’s driveway and parked behind Max’s truck, leaving his engine to idle as he waited and watched.
“For fuck’s sake,” Max said as he got out of his truck and sent a filthy gesture to his brother.
Colton responded by making a circle of his hand and poking his index finger into the hole in the middle.
“Disgusting,” Max muttered as he stormed into Dude’s yard, pretending he wasn’t looking for Lexi, even though her little white rental car was parked in front of his truck. “Goddamned Colton.” Max couldn’t deny his brother had struck a nerve, which had him on an errand he’d had no plans to make before Colton had shamed him into it.
A freaking dog, of all things. As if he had time for that.
He saw Dude from a distance, standing at a fence with Lexi, having an animated conversation. No matter the season, Dude always wore denim overalls and a big straw hat that she tied under her chin. People in town speculated that she slept in the hat. The woman known locally as Snow White was ageless. No one had any idea how old she truly was, and many suspected that she was the one who’d domesticated Fred the moose.
Max needed to put his game face on, because now that Colton had shamed him into getting a dog for Caden, he would need to convince Dude that he could give a dog a good home.
“Max Abbott!” Dude said when she saw Max walking toward them.
Max couldn’t deny that Lexi seemed happy to see him or that the warm smile she directed his way brought back a million memories of the years he’d spent madly in love with her. Being the recipient of Lexi’s sexy smiles had once been the most important thing to him. A lot had changed since then, but her smile still packed a punch.
Dude gave him a hug. “What brings you by?”
“Caden will be seven tomorrow, and I’m told it’s time for him to have a dog.”
“How’s it possible that our baby Caden is already seven?” Dude asked.
“If you figure that out, make sure to let me know. I can’t believe he’s seven.”
“You remember Lexi, right?” Dude asked.
“I do.” Max shifted his gaze to Lexi. “We saw each other last night at the reunion.”
“Ah, right. You were in high school together. Oh. Wait. You dated, didn’t you?”
“We did.” Max ignored the calculating look Dude gave him. “Long time ago.”
“Not so long,” Dude said.
