Page 9 of Talk About… History

I laughed softly and let go. Maverick helped us both up like the gentleman he was and escorted our mama inside.

The others followed them to the kitchen and I started to, but instead I let my feet carry me around the wrap-around porch toward the back of the house. A cool breeze was blowing through the fields, bringing with it a burst of fresh mountain air and the scent of sweet-shrubs.

A smile drifted over my face as I closed my eyes. I could hear the air rustling through the trees and tall grass lining the ranch.

“Did you miss it?”

Nash’s voice made me jump. He chuckled as he parked himself in one of the rocking chairs. Deciding to join him I dropped into the one I always took, a hand-painted white rocker that my dads had picked out for me specifically. They had dreams of us all coming here for family events, letting our future kids play in the yard while we kept our family close-knit, even as it grew.

It was a life that I ran from when my world felt too small, and now I can’t believe that I ever left.

“It’s good to be home, Nash,” I admitted in a small voice. “I didn’t realize how much I didn’t feel like myself anymore.”

“You know we still have the inheritance. You probably have time to figure out what you want to do,” he said gently. “Until then you could always help out at the brewery. Times have been tough in Rockwood Valley the last few years.”

That had me sitting up straighter.

“How bad is business?”

His lips formed a thin line. Even if he didn’t say anything else, that was answer enough. They never really let me get involved in the finer details of the business, but I was older now, and I had a business degree.

“Maybe I can help turn things around.”

He offered me what I assume was supposed to be a reassuring smile, instead he looked a little hopeless.

My entire life had just fallen apart, but avoidance was just the thing to get me through. Maybe I could put all that extra energy into figuring out how to bring life back to the brewery.

Focusing on the guilt of leaving my brothers to try and keep the business afloat wasn’t going to get us anywhere.

I was home now, and maybe it was just blind optimism, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t be leaving Rockwood Valley anytime soon.

Avery

By the time I wake up after my post-breakfast nap, the sun is already dipping over the horizon.

The guys unloaded the truck into my old room while I helped Mama make biscuits.

Even if I felt comfortable here, I realized that I had lived on my own for too long to stay here.

What I needed was a job and a place of my own.

Which, I admit, I was privileged in both aspects. Though, I’d give all the inheritance money back if it meant having my dads with me.

“Where did the guys go?” I asked as I poked my head into the living room where Mama had cozied up in her favorite armchair, blanket tucked around her while a book rested in her lap. She’d been a reader as long as I could remember, losing herself in the romance novels while she tried to keep herself together without my dads.

“To the pub. They said for you not to freak out about it,” she said with a small smile on her lips. “You know those boys are just looking out for you.”

My answering scowl just made her laugh more.

“I’m heading there, too,” I said. “I may as well get used to it so I can help out while I get my life together.”

Mama sat her book down and leveled me with a stare.

“You are allowed to grieve and find your footing here,” she said gently, but firmly, in that way only a mom could. “There is no rush to get to work. The boys and I have it covered.”

From the impression I got from Nash, that wasn’t true, but I didn’t need to burden her with those thoughts.

“I know, mama. Consider this me finding my place here,” I offered, throwing her what I hoped was a normal smile, before rushing back upstairs to my room.

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