Page 10 of Crossroads of Love

“Does he still have the pizza oven?” I ask as I cock an eyebrow at her.

“Yes, sir.”

“I haven’t had a frozen pizza in…I don’t know how long. Let’s do this.”

She grins again as she leans in to give me a side hug.

“I’m really glad you’re here, Uncle G. Gramps would have been happy, too.”

I doubt that.

“The old Ford looks incredible. It’s a shame it’s just sitting in the driveway not being used.”

“It gets used every day.”

“Oh, was Dad driving it?”

“No, Mom gave it to me for my sixteenth birthday.”

“You’re driving it and keeping it inthatgood of shape?”

“Yeah.” She giggles. “Gramps taught me how to take care of things to make them last.”

“I see that.” I chuckle as I grin proudly back at her.

Jayla walks directly into the kitchen and straight to the fridge to pull out two frozen pizzas. Not much has changed about my childhood home, except that it feels way smaller than it used to. Seeing my niece walk around as if she feels right at home is a little weird. She cooks the pizzas, and the two of us sit at the old kitchen table, talking and catching up.

I look down at my phone to see that I barely have any signal. I was hoping to catch up on some work emails tonight. I should’ve known there wouldn’t be service out here.

“Jayla, do you have service out here?”

She snorts and shakes her head.

“Barely. It’s in and out. Gramps refused to let them build a tower out here because it’s been linked to cancer and then…” She clears her throat and shakes her head. “He has satellite internet, but it needed to be upgraded, too.”

“I guess I won’t get anything done tonight,” I mutter under my breath.

“Mom will be happy that you’re here,” she replies an hour later as she takes a bite of her chocolate ice cream. “She was worried she would have to take care of the estate by herself.”

I wouldn’t be so sure that she’ll be happy to see me.

“She doesn’t have to do anything. That's why I’m here.”

Jayla is excited to see me, but I’m not certain anyone else will be.

Chapter Two

Lena

“How are you, dear?” Mrs. Clofton asks as she pats my hand gently.

I should have canceled this town hall meeting. I knew it would be full of people in town wanting to gossip and not trying to fix the town’s problems.

“I’m good, Mrs. C.”

“Henry was such a good man. The world lost such a light,” she murmurs.

“I would agree.” I smile.

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