Page 5 of No Place Like Home
“Thanks. It’s been a lot of elbow grease to get it done, but it was well worth it.”
An older man who looked to be in his sixties, with short gray hair cut tightly around his ears and a gray mustache, walked toward us with his arms loaded down with food.
“Here you go. Burgers for the men, and nachos supreme for the beautiful ladies.” He set the nachos in front of the girls.
Kora smiled widely at him. “Thank you, Terry. It looks and smells delicious.”
“You’re more than welcome, Kora.” He placed a burger in front of Kai. “Here you go, son.”
Kai nodded politely, but his face didn’t light up nearly as much as Kora’s. “Thanks, Terry.”
“And this is for you,” he said as he placed a burger in front of me.
Summer made the introductions. “Terry, this is Rowan, Tonya’s youngest son.”
The older man turned to me. “Well, good to finally meet you. Tonya talks so much about you. Army, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, welcome home. I’m sure your mom’s glad you’re here.”
“She will be, once she knows,” Kora said. “It’s a secret.”
“Well, she won’t hear it from me.” Terry motioned like he was locking his lips and walked away.
I fixed my burger and took a bite. The flavors melded together into the best burger I think I’d ever tasted. “Damn,” I mumbled as I took another bite, then another.
“Shit, Row. Looks like you haven’t eaten in days,” Summer said.
“No, just today,” I said between bites. “Been on the road all day and only stopped to grab snacks at gas stations, then I got to the house and became distracted by a towel-clad beauty singing like she could be the next Taylor Swift.” I waggled my brows at Summer, which earned me a swat on the shoulder.
Call me crazy, but the glare she shot me sent heat straight to my gut. I couldn’t stop the smile that filled my face, even as I finished the last bite of my burger and washed it down with a sip of beer.
“Good, isn’t it?” Trevor gestured toward my plate. “What else can I get you? Another beer? Summer, Kora—margaritas?”
I finished my beer and nodded. Travis took the empty bottles and plates and left again to refresh our drinks. I turned to Kai. “So, that was your father?”
“Yep,” Kai said. “He helps Nico in the kitchen and is doing a surprisingly good job.”
“You call him Terry, not Dad.”
“Again, yep. Long, boring story. Not worth telling.”
Just then, Darlene’s voice echoed over everyone else’s. “Oh, my gosh. Rowan?”
I stood from the stool. “Hey, Darlene.” I wrapped her in a hug and wasn’t surprised to see Bryson, my brother—her husband—right behind her.
“It’s so good to see you!” She squeezed me like she meant it, then laid her hands on my shoulders. “When did you get in? Why didn’t you tell us you were coming in so soon? Have you told your mother yet?”
I laughed at her million questions. “I got in a little over an hour ago. I didn’t tell anyone because it was sudden. And no, not yet.” Then I turned to my brother and my jaw clenched. The last time we saw each other was our father’s funeral, and we had to try hard not to beat the shit out of each other—but that’s how it always was with us. We never got along, and as we got older things just kept getting worse.
“Bryson,” Darlene said stepping away from me. “Isn’t this amazing? Rowan’s home.”
Bryson shook his head, his face a mask I couldn’t read. “Well, the prodigal son returns. I’m speechless. I had no idea you’d bless us with your presence this far away from the wedding. I expected you the day before.”
I glanced at Darlene as if to ask,is Bryson for real?She gave a small shrug.
Bryson took a step closer, and a smile crept up his face. “Seriously, bro, I’m glad you’re home, and I know Mom and Jamison will be ecstatic.” He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a couple pats on the back. I did the same.
