Page 35 of All Inn Thyme
I think about the way she looked at the empty fridge the other day, and since she told me she doesn’t usually get home until after dinner, I head to the local market to grab a few things for the house. I don’t want her to have to want for anything. I want her and her son to be comfortable in the bunkhouse.
Before I know it, my cart is overflowing with juice boxes, cereal, snacks, ice cream, and ingredients for various meals. I even pick up another package of coffee and a box of tea, just in case. I’m guessing money may be tight for her, so I’m happy to provide plenty of supplies for them.
I stop my cart at a display of brightly colored spring flowers by the checkout lane and grab a vase. Okay, maybe I’m trying too hard, but I want her to know I’m trying to be a good guy.
The checkout lady smiles at me when I start unloading things on the belt. “How are you today?”
“No complaints, ma’am. How about you?” I drawl before I catch myself and dial my accent back. Taking the Alabama out of my voice hasn’t been easy, and it still slips out every now and then.
“Did you find everything okay?” she asks as she scans my items and places them in bags. Hoping to get out of there as quickly as possible, I nod, then help her pack things up. Before I know it, I’m sliding over a stack of bills and paying.
“Thank you,” she calls as I head out.
“Have a good day,” I call back as I keep moving, hoping for less conversation.
I load everything into the back of my truck, then secure the flowers in the cup holder. I slide on my sunglasses and hit the road. I think about how lonely it’s been all these months. Having people to come home to, even though it’s only temporary, is a nice feeling. I didn’t realize how lonely I’d been until Mellie and Kase arrived.
When I pull up, she’s not here yet, and I feel disappointed. I look forward to seeing them more than I should.
My arms filled with grocery bags, I manage to open the door. Nova almost tackles me, her tail flailing a mile a minute, so happy to see me. She runs outside to do her business, then follows me back into the house, sniffing everything curiously. I get everything put away and the flowers set up on the table where Mellie can see them when she walks in.
I prepare a cowboy casserole for dinner, something my momma used to make for me all the time so it makes me feel like a piece of her is here. I realize it’s been a few days since I’ve called her, so I pull up her number.
Her big, cheerful accent booms through the speaker. “Is that my boy?”
“It’s me, Momma. How are you?” I warm inside just hearing her voice.
“Doing just fine, sweetheart. How about you?”
“Making your cowboy casserole and wanted to check in on you and Dad.” I slide the casserole pan into the oven and set the timer.
“I just got home from work, and your dad I expect is probably on his way home now.”
“That’s good. Anything new?”
“Nope, just that horrible woman Loraine is finally retiring.” I remember her saying one of the ladies at the school district office where she works had been giving her grief for some time.
“That’s a relief for you,” I say.
She changes the subject. “When are you coming home?”
“Can’t say for sure yet.” She knows I can’t talk much about my job, despite how much she wants to know more.
“Think we could come and visit?” she asks hopefully.
“No, you can’t come here, but we could meet somewhere. Or I could try to come back for a weekend.”
“That would be good. We miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
“You tell me where and when, and we’ll be there.” Her usual cheerful voice has a beat of sadness to it. My gut drops. I miss her so much.
“Love you, honey. Talk soon. Bye.”
We disconnect and I tidy up the cabin. I take the casserole out of the oven and let it set on the stovetop while I feed Nova and give her more water and she licks my face. “Yes, I know you’re hungry. You’re a good girl, aren’t you?”
She eats her food while I make a plate for myself and sit at the table alone. I look around at the other chairs and think about how it might feel to come home to a wife and kids, to eat with them and hear about everyone’s days. I’m working on getting to a place in my life where that can really happen.
