Page 113 of The Summer We Mended
Jess grinned over her shoulder.“And I baked two pies.One for now, one for breakfast.I figured Luke being home safe called for double dessert.”
Lily set the bags on the counter, barely able to process the sudden wave of emotion that washed over her.She took a deep breath.The house smelled like her childhood.Like joy.Like home.
Outside, she spotted Henry and Luke locked in conversation.The kids were running around with Max, chasing each other.June and Tom walked over from his house.June came into the kitchen with a foil-covered plate.
“Banana bread,” she called with a grin.“Because I figured someone would need it.”
“You’re a saint,” Lily replied, stepping out to take the plate from her.
“We let Max out to go to the bathroom and he ran over here as soon as he heard the kids laughing.”
“They’ve all become quite the friends.That dog has done wonders for these kids,” Lily said.
“He’s good about that,” Tom agreed.
Lily laughed as she looked around.Everywhere she turned, there was life.There was love.The kitchen buzzed behind her, laughter filtering through the windows as Jess cracked a joke that had both Claudia and Margot chuckling.The back door creaked open again.
“Today was the worst day for me to have to go into Boston,” Cody said as he stepped into the house.He was windblown, cheeks pink from the ferry ride.“I didn’t think that boat was ever going to get back here.”
Before anyone could respond, he was moving, kissing his mother on the cheek, then Claudia and Margot, one after the other.
“You made it just in time,” Claudia said, squeezing his arm.
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Cody replied before rushing out the back door.
Lily followed him, catching the way his arms went around Luke in a strong embrace.
“Man am I glad to see your ugly mug,” Cody said with a wide grin.
“Right back at you,” Luke laughed, clapping his brother-in-law on the back.“Still wearing that awful jacket, I see.”
“Still can’t grow a beard to save your life,” Cody shot back.
They all erupted in laughter.Even Henry shook his head, smiling wide.
“It really is good to have you home,” he said to Luke, who nodded.
“Better than I can even explain.”
Inside, the kitchen was filling with the sounds of trays being shuffled, oven doors swinging open, and the occasional bang of a dropped spoon.Lily watched the girls finish setting up bowls and plates.The table was surrounded with chairs pulled from every room in the house.
“We need a bigger table,” Lily murmured to herself.
“Or just more folding chairs,” Margot replied as she passed by with a hot tray of biscuits.
Dinner was a chaotic, joyful mess.The clam chowder was perfect.It was rich, thick, and brimming with tender clams and soft potatoes.Jess’s biscuits were flaky and buttery, and Claudia had whipped together a salad that tasted like it came from a five-star restaurant.
There was laughter every few seconds.June was telling a story about Max getting into her laundry and stealing socks, and the twins were trying to explain a game they’d made up in the backyard.Cody kept topping off glasses and teasing Luke about getting soft during recovery.
“Pretty soon we’re going to have to set up drills in the backyard,” Cody joked.“Get your edge back.”
“I’ll get my edge when you finally beat me at chess,” Luke replied, raising his spoon in mock salute.
“That day is coming, man.Be afraid.”
Lily leaned back in her chair, a slice of Jess’s apple pie in front of her, and her heart so full it felt ready to burst.This.This was what she had missed so deeply in the darkest months of her grief—the house full of noise, love, and family.It had been incredibly quiet after David’s death.Too quiet.And now…now it felt like life again.
She met Anna’s gaze across the table.Her daughter looked worn down but relieved, a deep calm just under the surface of her exhaustion.Lily gave her a small smile and Anna returned it, their unspoken understanding passing between them like a thread.
