Page 41 of The Road to Finding Us

“So, do you want any children of your own, Aspen?” Helen asks him.

Aspen’s hand pauses on the whisk, but as soon as it stops, it starts back up again. “I think so. I think about them sometimes. Like how many I want, and what I’ll do with them. I need to find myself a lady first, though.” The stair below me creeks as I try to get closer to eavesdrop better.

I must suck at sleuthing, because Helen notices me right away. “Aspen here told me breakfast isn’t the same for you without pancakes, so I put him on pancake duty.” She nudges him with her free elbow, causing him to shake his head while still pumping the whisk in the batter.

“No meal is as good as pancakes in her opinion,” Aspen starts. “Doesn’t matter what time of day it is. I’ve personally watched her eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” He looks over his shoulder, giving me a playful smile.

“I can’t help my love for pancakes. It runs deep,” I declare. Walking into the kitchen, I take a seat on the chair Ed’s just pulled out for me.

“Nothing wrong with that, dear,” Helen says, placing the bacon on a plate.

A few minutes later, we’re all gathered around the table, eating the delicious breakfast feast.

“I have to hand it to you, Aspen. These pancakes are actually edible,” I tease, smiling at him through a mouthful of them.

He looks up at me with a smile in his eyes. “I’ve been practicing.” His face gets red seconds later. “I mean, they look more than edible by the way you’ve polished them off.” He motions to my plate, and I look down to find it practically licked clean.

I ignore the first part of his sentence. “Okay, you win. It was delicious.”

“So, what are you two kids doing today?” Ed asks, taking a sip of his steaming coffee.

“Oh, we have to get back on the road soon,” Aspen responds, as he walks to the counter to fill up his plate with seconds.

“We have to make it to our friend’s event in a few days,” I add, before licking the syrup off my fork.

“What kind of event?” Helen asks.

“Lily’s twin brother and his girlfriend—who’s also our friend—both work for a nonprofit called Connor’s Ocean. It’s really special to them, and they’re finally opening an office space for the nonprofit. We’re driving down for the grand opening,” Aspen says.

“Wow,” Helen answers. “That’s really something.”

“They’re both my heroes,” I tell the table, thinking of all the great things Veronica and Maverick have done with the nonprofit. There are times I get so overwhelmed by the goodness of their hearts. Veronica went through something traumatic when she lost Connor many years ago, and the fact that she’s doing something inspiring in his name, with my brother by her side, makes me want to tear up.

Ed’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “It’s unfortunate you have to take off so early. You sure you don’t want to wait a day? We can give you a tour of the town, even though it might be crazy with all the visitors and the dang convention.”

I look to Aspen for help on what we should say. I don’t want to hurt their feelings, but I also want to get back on the road and continue our trip east.

“Unfortunately, we really need to get back to it,” Aspen answers for us.

I nod in unison, giving Ed and Helen an apologetic smile.

After we get the table cleaned off, Aspen and I head upstairs to pack the small number of belongings we’d taken out last night. We both do a once-over of the room before we head back downstairs to say our goodbyes.

“If you guys are ever in the area, feel free to stop by.” Ed smiles, wrapping his arms around me and giving me a big squeeze. When he’s close to my ear, he whispers, “Remember what we talked about last night. Fight for the ones you love. True bonds are special.” He lets me go, but not before giving me a kiss on the cheek, a firm look following after.

I go over to Helen next, walking right into her embrace as she pulls me in for a big motherly hug. “It was a pleasure having you both. Our door is always open for you.”

I squeeze her tightly and grasp her hand before I pull away. “We promise to give you a five-star rating,” I offer with a laugh. Even though we barely know these strangers, I’ll miss them.

She bats at the air. “I couldn’t care less about that rating, sweetie, but thank you.”

Aspen and Ed say their goodbyes next to us.

I start to walk down the path, hitching my bag higher up on my shoulder, stopping when I realize Aspen isn’t following. When I turn, I hear Helen and Aspen exchanging words.

They go in for a hug, and then she pulls away, cupping his face in her wrinkled hands. “Face those fears, sweet boy. You never know what could happen.”

He gives her a nod and I turn back around, embarrassed. Whatever they were talking about seems to be private, and I don’t want to interrupt that. I have a gut feeling that Aspen wouldn’t want me knowing whatever was just said. But I’m incredibly nosy, and now I’m dying to know what she meant by that comment.

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