Page 71 of Crew
After their flights were booked, Mallory walked us to the front door. Grady trailed behind her.
“Can you tell Crew bye?” she asked softly.
He looked up at me and chirped, “Bye.”
“Bye, Grady.” I crouched to his level. “It was really good to see you again.”
He blinked at me, then turned back toward the living room without another word.
Mallory offered a faint smile. “We’ll see you in Raleigh.”
“Yeah. Looking forward to it.”
She gave a small nod, then gently closed the door behind her.
Knox and I stepped off the porch and headed for the car. I didn’t look back until we reached the end of the drive.
Grady was watching from the window, and I just stood there, starting back at my son.
28
CREW
We pulled up to my parents’place just before ten.
I half-expected someone to already be waiting on the porch, arms crossed, ready with a hundred questions. Word traveled faster than lightning in July in Harvest Ridge. The fact that no one had popped up yet was suspicious.
As we walked up the steps, I muttered, “Can’t believe we haven’t been swarmed yet. Usually by now the Welcoming Committee would’ve rolled up with pitchforks and pound cake.”
Knox huffed a laugh. “Miss Connie slipping in her old age?”
I smirked. “Doubt it. She probably sent out a group text the second we checked into the motel.”
I knocked once out of habit, then opened the front door.
“Can I help?—”
My mom’s voice cut off as she stepped out of the kitchen, her eyes locking on me like I’d stepped out of a memory instead of a rental car.
Her mouth dropped open. “Crew?”
“Surprise.” I reached out my arms for a hug. “Guess Miss Connie’s gossip train is running slow this week.”
Mom crossed the room in a heartbeat to put her arms around me. “You didn’t tell me you were coming home.”
“I know. It was a last-minute decision. We’re on our way to Raleigh.”
She pulled back, her hands on my face for a second like she was making sure I was really standing in front of her.
I motioned to Knox beside me. “This is Knox. He’s my … ah … teammate.” The word teammate still felt sour on my tongue, but it wouldn’t be long before I could tell everyone the truth.
Her gaze shifted to him, still misty but smiling. “Nice to meet you, Knox.”
“You too, ma’am.” They shook.
“You boys eat yet?” Mom asked, already on autopilot.
“We’re okay. Grabbed some breakfast sandwiches at the diner. Is Dad around though?”
