“Yes, I will,” Ava said. “Are you having fun? Did you win any money?”
“Oh, we’re winning a little and losing a little. It’s all in fun. But we’re going to some more shows before we leave. Your dad says hello. Gotta go. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Ava said and disconnected, then went to get her purse.
She had a ten o’clock hair appointment at the Curl Up and Dye, and then she was picking up some food from Granny’s to take to Emma.
The day was clear but chilly, so she added a heavy jacket to the red sweater and blue jeans she was wearing as she headed out the door. She thought of Hunt again as she was driving away, and swung past the house just to see if he was there. The Harley was there, but the pickup was not. It occurred to her as she headed toward the hair salon that it had been years since she’d been interested in a man’s whereabouts, but she wasn’t going to let fantasy go to her head. Hunt was obviously not interested in anything but getting out of Blessings as soon as possible. This saddened her, and she wished she knew what had happened that had broken a loving family apart.
* * *
Hunt was at the lumberyard picking up what he needed to replace the caulking in the house. The bathroom, the kitchen, and all of the windows were in serious need. Some of the windowpanes were so loose that they rattled when the wind blew. When he got what he needed, he headed back to the house.
He was coming to realize that his grudge against the others had not served his mother’s obvious needs. Even though he’d been too far away to help her when he was on active duty, after he was stateside and no longer in the military he still had made no attempt to come home.
He’d let their phone calls and texts suffice for “staying in touch,” without realizing she was losing her hold on both her health and the upkeep of the house. Yes, his siblings should have stepped up, but looking back, he wondered why he trusted they would care for her when he no longer trusted them.
He was on his way home when he saw Ava getting out of her car and going into the Curl Up and Dye. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the little girl his mother used to babysit had turned into such an amazing woman—and a beautiful one, at that.
Her smile was genuine. It went all the way to her eyes, but it was her laugh that pulled at his heart. It had been a long, long time since he’d been around a woman who made him curious to know more, who made him want more.
Then he reminded himself he’d come here to fulfill a promise, not get attached to someone he was going to leave behind. As soon as he got home and unloaded supplies, he got to work scraping out the old caulk and got lost in the memories as he worked.
* * *
Ava came out of the Curl Up and Dye with a bounce in her step. Getting split ends trimmed and a shampoo and style did wonders for a woman’s attitude.
She’d called in an order to Granny’s while Ruby was doing her hair, so she headed up Main Street to pick it up. She’d already sent Emma a text letting her know she was bringing food. The feeding of family during their loss of a loved one was a time-honored ritual in the South, and since she’d known all of them on a personal level, she felt like she was straddling the line between friend and family.
The parking lot was nearly full at Granny’s. Ava had to park toward the back and then dodge cars coming and going as she made her way to the door.
Hope Talbot honked, and then stopped and rolled down the window.
“Hey, Ava! Happy New Year, honey!”
Ava grinned. She hadn’t seen Hope since she quit working at the hospital.
“And to you, too, little mama. How’s the baby business going?”
Hope laughed. “Well, I’m getting bigger and the little critter kicks like a mule. I miss seeing everyone, but I’m really glad I decided to quit working for now.”
“I would agree. Those times are precious. I’m twenty-eight and moving into a never-going-to-get-married-let-alone-become-a-mother mode,” Ava said.
“It’ll happen when it’s meant to happen,” Hope said. “I better get home. Jack worries if I’m out of his sight for too long.” And then she drove away.
Ava waved and then sighed. She didn’t have anyone to come home to, or anyone worrying about her, either. But that was mostly her fault for being picky. Still, it didn’t stop her from wanting somebody to love.
She turned around and hurried inside the café.
Lovey’s son, Sully, was at the front desk and smiled at her as she walked in. “Hi, Ava.”
“Hi, Sully. I need to pick up a to-go order.”
He nodded. “Give me a sec. I’ll go get it for you.”
She leaned against the counter, listening to the murmur of voices and the undertones of laughter with them. Her stomach growled, a hunger complaint she had yet to address, but that would come later. She had a yen for a chili dog and fries from Broyles Dairy Freeze, and as soon as she delivered the food to Emma, she was heading that way.
Then Sully reappeared carrying a large sack. “A rack of ribs, baked beans, and coleslaw…is that right?”
“That’s it,” Ava said, then paid and left without lingering.
She drove across town to where Emma and Gordon lived, and pulled up in the drive. Gordon’s car was gone, which she expected because he worked in Savannah, but Emma’s car was there. Ava grabbed the sack and hurried to the house, then knocked.
When Emma opened the door, she stepped aside to let Ava in.
“Come in, honey! It’s so good of you to do this,” Emma said.
“Good doesn’t have anything to do with it,” Ava said as she gave Emma a quick hug. “You’re all like family to me.” Then she handed over the sack. “It’s ribs, baked beans, and coleslaw from Granny’s. It will taste way better than if I’d made it myself.”
Emma chuckled. “You’re a good cook, but thank you so much. The brothers and Birdie are coming over to eat supper with me tonight. They’ll enjoy all this, and so will I.”
“Is Hunt coming, too?” she asked.
“No,” Emma said, and made no further explanation.
Ava frowned. “I’m sorry for whatever happened. You all used to be so close. I was so jealous of you. I wanted to have brothers and sisters, too, but Mom and Dad quit with me.”
Emma’s eyes welled, but she didn’t comment. “Thank you again,” she mumbled.
Ava nodded. “You’re welcome. If you need anything, I’m off today and tomorrow. After that, I’ll be back on days at the hospital.”
“Okay,” Emma said, and then stood in the door as Ava hurried back to her car.