Page 18 of Cody

My head whipped in the direction the voice had come from to see Mia stepping through the back door of the house. Her excited tone drew the attention of everyone there, and suddenly it felt as if I were on display. Talking ceased, heads turned, and all eyes were on me. I kept the smile on my face and met Mia at one of the tables.

“Everyone, this is Alina.” Mia rubbed her belly as she spoke. “She used to live in Coldwater and recently moved back.”

“We remember you, Alina.”

I glanced to where two women were sitting and recognized them as friends from high school, Crissy and Sarah. They’d been best friends back then, and it appeared now that they still were. I smiled in their direction as they smiled and waved.

I recognized a couple of other faces too, Evelyn and Sammy, but none of the men were familiar to me, including the one who was sitting next to Sammy. I set the charcuterie board down and gave Sammy a little wave.

“Hi, everyone. I do recognize some of you.”

“Welcome home,” Sammy smiled. “The handsome man sitting next to me is my husband, Ben.”

“I’m Joy, Cramer’s wife,” a woman I didn’t know spoke up. She was a pretty blond with blue eyes. “Cramer is the redhead standing next to King by the grill.”

I swung my gaze back to the grill where a redheaded man now stood where one hadn’t been before. His wife beater revealed that the man’s upper torso and arms were tatted up. Both men acknowledged me with a slight nod.

“I’m Lincoln.” Another man held up his arm to get my attention, “And this is Max.” He pointed to the man to his left. “In case you haven’t figured out why you don’t know any of us guys, we didn’t grow up here,” he went on to explain. “We all served with King.”

“Except for Ben,” Sammy added. “Well, he was in the service, but not with King and his buddies.”

“Nice to meet you all. And to see some familiar faces.”

I noted to myself that the men were all handsome. It was easy to see that they were seriously into physical fitness, a habit left over from their military days I expected. Ben and Cramer were the exception, but even if they weren’t buffed up with muscles, they were still handsome men.

Mia took my arm and we began to head toward the door that led inside the house. “Not everyone is here. I expect a couple more people to show up.” She opened the door and led me inside. “Dotty didn’t want to come?”

I shook my head. “She’s having a new porch put on the back of the house and wanted to be there for any deliveries. We spent an entire day picking out new furniture and stuff.”

“The last time I saw her she mentioned the porch needed some work. So she decided on having a new one built?”

I nodded. “I’m glad she did. We drink our morning coffee out there, and in the evening while she’s watching her shows I like to have a glass of wine. I didn’t realize how much I missed being home until I got back.” We exchanged a look. “The peace and quiet, the sounds of nature.”

“I know what you mean. That was the first thing I appreciated when I moved back, too. There’s something to be said about going to sleep to the sound of crickets and frogs and the occasional hoot.”

I acknowledged her with a nod.

“Make sure you fix your mom a plate before you leave.” Mia opened the fridge and reached for a pitcher of what looked like pink lemonade. “So how did your meeting go with Laurie the other day?”

I was surprised that she didn’t already know the answer. News traveled fast in a small town. “Looks like I’ll be opening up a new coffee shop in a few months.” I couldn’t contain the excitement in my voice.

“Great! Congratulations! The locals will like having a coffee shop in the area, especially the retirees,” she responded sincerely. “I’m so glad it worked out for you. I hope you got a good deal.”

As she spoke, I noticed that she absent-mindedly rubbed her baby bump whenever she got the chance. Being pregnant looked good on Mia.

“I can’t complain. The owners were eager to sell.”

“I knew they would be. What would you like to drink? I have lemonade.” She indicated the pitcher in her hand. “Iced tea, coffee, beer—”

“Beer would be great, thanks.”

She turned back to the fridge. “Sam Adams or Miller? Oh, and I also have some White Claw, I forgot that I had some.”

“In that case, I’d love a White Claw.”

“I hope you like mango.” She held one out to me. “It’s the only flavor I have.”

It was my favorite. “Love it.” I popped the top and took a sip.

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