Page 44 of One Sultry Summer

“I’ve always loved wrap-around porches.”

“I suppose in your line of work, you always admire how things are constructed.”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Devin does have an eye for craftsmanship.” Valerie beamed.

“Wyatt, can I ask you a question?” Devin gazed over the area where the barn once stood. “I wasn’t aware of the magnitude. Can you tell me how bad the tornado was?”

“Based on the enhanced Fujita scale, they recorded it as an EF3 with winds between 136 to 165 miles an hour.”

“Is this a record for this area when it comes to storm intensity?”

“Unfortunately, no. There are two more levels higher than that.”

“Shit!” He gulped. “How do you live with the danger?”

“Growing up here, you become accustomed to it. We all try to be prepared, just as you do for earthquakes.”

“Hmm. I’m not a fan of earthquakes either.”

As we stood in my front yard, a car pulled in and drove up the long driveway that led tomy house. When it parked next to my truck, I recognized Valerie’s friends as they exited the SUV.

Devin was noticeably excited to meet one of the ladies. Valerie gushed about how they had dropped everything to be there as we waited for them to make their way up the steps.

They instantly started chatting once they were all on the porch. A small breeze drifted through the air, causing Valerie to run her hands up and down her arms. I ushered them inside and offered them a drink. Victoria passed me a bottle of wine, which I assumed was her way of saying thank you for saving Valerie. A smile spread across my face, and I said thank you.

Valerie brought out a part of me that I had buried long ago. Without even knowing it, she made me want to love again. When she returns home, I will be deeply saddened. She’s a rare gem, and whoever she settles down with will be lucky to have her, I thought, as I stepped down the backporch steps.

After striking a match and lighting the charcoal, I allowed twenty minutes before I would throw the meat on the grill. When I returned inside, the ladies were busy arranging the dishes they had bought and were trying to find serving plates and silverware. I realized I hadn’t had this many people in the kitchen since Lauren’s wake. Laughter and lively chatter echoed through the room, creating a sense of camaraderie that enveloped everyone.

It was as if the house, once silent and somber, had come alive with the vibrant energy of friendship. The room was filled with comforting warmth. I watched as Emily’s face lit up with joy, as the ladies invited her to join in preparing the dishes. With an enormous smile, she eagerly gathered ingredients and listened attentively as they explained their recipes. She even had one of the ladies get her age-appropriate knives my mom bought. Her enthusiasm shone throughas she chopped vegetables and stirred pots alongside them standing on a step stool.

My mother and father walked into the kitchen and saw the room was filled with laughter and activity. Mom beamed with delight, taking in the joyful scene, while dad quietly chuckled, clearly pleased by the lively atmosphere. They exchanged knowing glances, as if silently acknowledging how much this gathering meant to all of us.

“Can I help?” My mother asked.

“Nope. We have it handled. Would you like a glass of wine?” Toni replied.

“I’m not much of a wine drinker, but I’ll have a beer.”

“I’ll have a little.” My mother illustrated her point by using her forefinger and thumb.

“Name your poison, Wyatt.”

“Just a glass of iced tea, please.”

“That’s right, you never know when you’ll be called out.” I nodded to Toni.

I took the tray of meat out of the fridge and stepped outside to get some fresh air. I felt a small surge of jealousy of Valerie’s closeness to her friends. Quite frankly, I was embarrassed about isolating myself for far too long. I realize now that I was doing more harm than good, and was afraid it was going to affect Emily in the long run. I plopped the seasoned steaks on the grill.

Within a few minutes, I could smell the aroma of the meat sizzling. The savory scent made my mouth water. I took a deep breath of the crisp evening air, savoring the moment and feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. I heard the screen door bang, alerting me that someone had exited the house. I turned the steaks over, ensuring they were evenly cooked.

I could hear the sound of laughter and conversation filtering out of the house.

“Hey.” Valerie’s voice came from behind me. She looked beautiful in a short, flowing sundress and her cowboy boots. Her smile was infectious,and I couldn’t help but return it. She walked over and wrapped an arm around my waist, leaning in to give me a quick peck on the cheek. “How’s it going?” She asked softly, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

“It’s going well.” I knew I was horrible at hiding my feelings. Somehow, in my heart of hearts, I knew she needed to go home. She had no ties here. She was a city girl through and through. What we had between the two of us was just a fling. She was filling her spare time with me, nothing more. She was destined for bigger and better things. I knew that, but I couldn’t help and wish she’d stay. The thought of her leaving left a bitter taste in my mouth.

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