Page 32 of Bourbon & Bonfires

“Just dandy. Food. I’m hungry.” And apparently, incapable of speaking in complete or coherent sentences.

Everyone takes their seats at the table, and I’m quickly introduced to the family by Landon, who says more than once that we’re friends, I’m new to town, and Mason works with him. I note he says “with” and not “for” which makes my momma heart happy. I love that he and Mason have become friends, and Landon is taking the time to teach him.

Dinner is a delicious spread of salad, enchiladas, and roasted vegetables. When I contemplate a second helping, Landon reminds me we have dessert on the agenda, and I quickly push my plate aside. I’m not one to turn down a good dessert, I don’t care how cheesy and gooey the enchiladas are.

“So, Addy, Mom said you’re working at Doc Burning’s office?” Landon’s sister, Sarah, asks.

“I do. I was lucky to be moving to Lexington at the same time he was looking for a nurse.”

“What brought you to Lexington, Addy?” This time it’s Landon’s dad, Dale, who asks the question.

“A lot of factors, but mostly, my brother lives here, and I wanted us to be near family.”

“Her brother is Taylor. He owns Country Road.”

“Well, we’re very glad you took a chance on our little town. What do you think of it so far?” Willa asks while Wyatt, his fiancée, Raquel, and Sarah stand to begin clearing the dishes. A piece of squash flies through the air and hits Landon in the head before he stands and begins helping. I move my chair slightly to join them when Willa places her hand on mine to stay seated.

“I love it. When I was little I always loved when we’d take road trips and stop in smaller towns like Lexington. My parents had jobs that kept us in larger cities, but in my heart I always believed a small town was a better fit for me.”

The rest of our time at the Montgomerys is quick and relaxing. I stay seated at the table with Landon’s parents while everyone clears the table and whispers in the kitchen. The chatter is low enough I can’t make out what they’re saying, but by the way they each glance my direction, I assume the topic is me. I suppose that’s to be expected. What I didn’t expect was to feel so at home here with Landon’s family. I’m glad I came with him though and not on my own with Mason. That would have been awkward.

I startle when Landon slaps his hands together and announces we’re leaving. “Ah, man. Come on Uncle Lan, I want to shoot the Nerf guns. Please!!!”

“No can do, little man. We’re outta here. I’m taking Addison out for a special dessert. Next time, okay?”

“No fair.”

“Steven,” Sarah warns, and the little boy mumbles an apology.

“And on that note, we’re out of here. Family, thank you for not being too embarrassing. Kids, I owe you a Nerf war. Addison, ready?”

Just like that, Landon places his hand on the small of my back and leads me out the front door. The moment the screen closes behind us, he grasps my hand and quickly walks to the truck, flinging the door open and gesturing me inside. Once he’s settled behind the wheel, he turns the ignition and is pulling his seatbelt on as he’s putting the truck in drive.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” I question while tugging on my seatbelt to make sure it’s tight.

“Sorry. I saw a lull in the interrogation they were giving you and took the opportunity to get you out of there. I am so sorry, Addison. They are ridiculous. My mother has been on a mission for over a year to find me her next daughter-in-law. I love my family, but sometimes the wordboundaryisn’t in their vocabulary.”

“You can’t be serious? That was nothing. They were amazing, and your mom clearly adores you. And from another mom and someone who has lost her own mother, never take for granted those dinners and moments with your parents.”

Landon drops his right hand from the steering wheel and grasps mine, bringing it to his lips and kisses my knuckle. “Noted. Thanks for the reminder. I’m sorry about your parents.”

“It was a long time ago. I just miss them sometimes. Butyourfamily is really great and you’re lucky to have them. Now, let’s talk about this dessert. I don’t see a cooler so no ice cream. Is it cake? I love cake. I could go for cake. Or pie. Ohhh is it pie?”

“Whoa there, dessert aficionado. You’ll see. We have a bit of a drive and may lose cell service. If you need to check on Mason you may want to do that now. Then settle in, and enjoy the scenery.”

I do as instructed and make sure Mason is okay. I’m glad I’m able to trust him and leave him alone here. The last few months before we moved, I didn’t feel comfortable leaving him alone even for an hour. The poor decisions he was making with his friend choices and how he spent his free time was one thing, but it was also the brooding when he was home alone. Locking himself up in his room and not coming out except to shower was making me nervous. But, here in Lexington, he’s not wallowing, and I’m grateful.

When we pull onto a dirt road, I laugh a little as the music changes to a song about a dirt road but I stop the moment Landon starts singing, and all my nerve endings activate. Wow.

“You sing.”

“No, I singalong.” He corrects me and I smack him in the arm like I did earlier.

“Well, Iwasgoing to try and call you that nickname you’re so fond of, but now I won’t. I’ll have to think of a new nickname since you don’t like me using your name.”

I don’t correct him because I’ve asked him repeatedly to call me Addy. Truth be told, I don’t mind him calling me Addison. It’s true, only my parents called me Addison and after their deaths, I didn’t want anyone calling me Addison. But Dan hated Addy and would only call me Addison. Except his tone made it sound more like a frustration than anything. When Landon uses my name, I don’t mind. In fact, I like the way it rolls of his tongue, and each time he says it, which he does often, it’s almost melodic.

“Pumpkin. No, I don’t like that. Sunshine is out because J calls Ash that. Princess is all Ben and Piper. Turnip? What do you think of that?”

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