Almost Home (15 page)

“Archer Callahan, who, I suspect, was the great love of Berry’s life.”

“How come I never heard of him?”

“I hadn’t heard about him until this summer. I think she kept that part of her life to herself, but once he retired—he’d been a judge and then went back to practicing law and then I believe his wife died—anyway, he and Berry have gotten back together.”

“You’ve met him?”

“Oh, sure. He comes for dinner every week, spends a day or two, then goes—”

“Spends a day or two where?” Wade frowned.

“Well, here, of course.”

“Where does he sleep?”

“Anywhere he wants,” she replied playfully, and poked her brother in the ribs.

“Seriously. Does he stay in the guest room?”

“Of course not. He stays with her.”

“With Cody in the house? You think that’s okay?”

Dallas stared at him. “Excuse me while I go into the basement and check for pods.”

“Dallas …”

“Ha!” She snapped her fingers. “They’re in the carriage house, aren’t they?”

“Stop fooling around,” he said. “You think it’s okay for her to have a man sleeping over and staying in her room? With her?”

“Don’t try to change the subject, Pod Person. Somehow you’ve changed my wild child brother into a prude.”

“I’m not a prude, I just think she—”

“Should do exactly as she pleases because (a) she is an adult”—Dallas held up one finger—“and (b) this is her home. I don’t comment one way or another because of
a
and
b
, and because it’s none of my business.”

“All good points.” He nodded. “Still, what do eighty-year-old people …” He paused. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

Dallas laughed and went to the sink to fill the teapot with water.

“I did want to talk to you about Berry, though,” he said. “She’s going to be eighty-two on her next birthday, right?”

“Right.” Dallas grinned. “Good luck getting her to admit it, though. Why do you ask?”

Wade related the conversation that he’d had with their great-aunt earlier that morning.

“You’re saying that she had a problem following the conversation?” Dallas proceeded to make herself a cup of tea.

“You’ve been here much longer than I have this year. Have you noticed her having any memory lapses or forgetting things, that sort of thing?”

Dallas shook her head. “Well, nothing out of the usual.”

“What’s the usual?”

“You know, coming into a room and forgetting what she came in for, but I do that myself.”

“Does she do it often?”

“Just occasionally.” Dallas took the chair across from Wade at the table. “I haven’t noticed anything that gave me pause, though. Nothing that’s been a red flag.”

“Do you think maybe we should have her make an appointment with her doctor, have him check to see if she has any other symptoms.”

“Symptoms of …?”

“Well, you know. Forgetfulness. Confusion.”

“Oh, for crying out loud, Wade. Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a wee bit?”

“I don’t remember her being forgetful like that before.”

“You haven’t really been around her very much these past few years,” she reminded him.

“True enough. But she is past eighty, whether she wants to admit it or not.”

“Are you sure it’s really a problem? Maybe you’ve just forgotten that the elderly sometimes do things
like that if they’re not focused on the conversation. Did you call her on it this morning?”

“She said she was just distracted, that she has a lot on her mind.”

“Of course, she has a lot on her mind, Wade. She’s planning on making a film—a film in which she will be the big star name—for the first time in decades. She and I have been rehearsing lines every afternoon, she’s so determined to give the exact right performance.” Dallas went to the fridge and took out some cheese and an apple. “Sweetie, you have no idea how difficult it is to give a great performance—and Berry has always prided herself on being great. ‘Good enough’ has never been good enough for her, understand?”

Wade nodded.

“And she probably is distracted,” Dallas continued, “with the kids and you and me here. She’s used to a quiet life, she’s lived alone for years. I know that she says she loves having us—and I’m sure she does—but maybe it’s too much for her,” Dallas said. “But of course, that won’t be a problem in another few months. Grant and I will be getting married, so Cody and I will be moving into his house.”

“So he’s really the one? No more Mr. Hollywood?”

Dallas made a face. “I can’t believe how lucky we are to get a second chance. When I think of all the years we’ve wasted …”

“So now you can make up for lost time.” Wade patted her hand. “Grant’s a terrific guy. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Me either.” She opened the flatware drawer and searched for the cheese slicer and a paring knife.
Finding both, she returned to the table. “I feel like the luckiest person in the world right now. I really am the woman who has everything. A great guy, a great kid, a great opportunity to make films of my choosing right here in St. Dennis.”

“You forgot to add, a great brother.”

“You are a great brother. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am that you are here with us, you and Austin.”

“Thanks. We’re happy to be here, aren’t we, ace?” Austin grinned through a mouthful of mac and cheese.

“Well, as far as Berry is concerned, I do think you’re overreacting. I believe her when she says she’s distracted, but if it makes you feel better, how ’bout if we both keep an eye on her.” Dallas cut the apple into wedges and offered a piece to Wade, who declined. “But keep in mind that on top of everything else, she’s excited about the big party we’re having for my birthday—she’s gotten involved with the planning and she’s looking forward to seeing everyone who’s coming from the West coast. She knows we’re going to be planning a wedding soon, so she’s looking forward to that. You know how she loves social events. Let’s see how things are when everything dies down.”

“Dallas, you know that I’m leaving in two weeks for Connecticut.”

“You’re still planning on going to work for that other guy?”

He nodded.

“Well, I don’t understand why you couldn’t start your own company here,” she pointed out. “You
don’t have to go to Connecticut to make beer for someone else.”

“Have you been talking to Berry?” He eyed her suspiciously.

Dallas shook her head. “Not about this. Why?”

“Because she and I just had this conversation this morning.”

“Well, that proves my point,” she said smugly. “There’s obviously nothing wrong with the way Berry’s thinking if she recognizes that you’d be better off here in St. Dennis.”

“Look, like I told Berry, there’s a lot involved. It’s a little more complicated than merely deciding to do it. I don’t have any equipment and I don’t have any capital nor do I have any collateral to obtain credit,” he said. “What I do have is a really good job offer from an up-and-coming brewery. All I have to do is show up every day and make beer. I don’t have to run the business, I don’t have to deal with the problems, and I get to leave at the end of the workday. All pretty appealing to a single parent.”

“Well, let’s think this through.” She sliced off a thin rectangle of cheese and took a bite. “Say you go to work for this other guy, and you make your beer for him.” She paused. “Did he make you sign a noncompete clause? And if you leave there, do all of your recipes stay with him? Can you open another brewery and use those same recipes elsewhere?”

“I haven’t signed anything yet. It was a verbal offer and accept.” He thought it over for a moment. “Though a contract was mentioned.”

“Get a copy of that now, before you leave St. Dennis.”

“I did request it. But I’ll call him again and remind him that I’m still waiting for it.”

“So say you go to work for him, and in three or six months you decide you hate working for someone else. If you’ve already signed away your brewing secrets, you’re screwed, Wade.”

“True enough. Though Ted didn’t mention that that would be part of the deal, that whatever I bring with me has to stay with him if I leave.”

“It will be in there, once his lawyers get their hands on it.” She cut another paper-thin slice of cheese. “So let’s talk alternatives. You mentioned the expense. I could loan you the start-up money.”

Wade watched Austin drop a handful of macaroni onto the floor.

“Thanks, Dallas, but I don’t know that I have the mental energy to start another business from the ground up. Ted’s offer is appealing because everything will be set up by the time I get there, and I won’t have to invest anything except my talent for brewing beer.” He smiled. “Which I admit is considerable.”

“Oops.” Austin leaned over the side of high chair to point at the mess. Wade cleaned it up with a napkin, which he tossed into the trash.

“Besides, I’d feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”

“Please. You’re my brother. Only one I have. And note I said ‘loan,’ not ‘give.’ Then again, maybe I’d rather be a silent partner.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Please do that.”

“I’d think you’d have your hands full with starting up your own business.”

Her eyes danced. “My own production company.
My own creative team, my own films. I do believe I have died and am on my way to heaven. But I digress. Why not draw up some figures for me and we’ll talk about it?”

“That’s very generous of you.” He sliced a piece off her apple and handed it to Austin. “But I’ve already pretty much committed.”

“Oh, like you’d be the first person ever to change your mind about a job.” She rolled her eyes. “Besides, you haven’t seen the contract yet, so you couldn’t have agreed to all the terms. Wait and see what kind of commitment he’s talking about.”

“I’ll be real surprised if there’s something in there that we didn’t discuss, but I see your point. Like I said, I’ll call and remind him that I’m still waiting for the contract.”

“Did you like it? Making beer?”

“I really did. It was interesting and it was fun experimenting with different grains to make different flavors.”

“Sort of the way Steffie makes her ice cream,” Dallas noted. “She likes to experiment, too.”

After a momentary lull, Dallas asked cautiously, “So, have you seen Steffie? Other than the day we all went into Scoop for ice cream.”

“Just here and there around town.” He shrugged, averting his eyes.

“Berry tells me she’s now the proud owner of one of the old places off the Square.”

“Yeah. It’s a pretty cool house.”

“Oh? You saw it?”

“Austin and I got a quick tour the other night while we were out on our walk.”

Another bit of silence, again broken by Dallas. “So, have you talked to her? I mean, about Austin?”

He shook his head. “There hasn’t been much opportunity. I did stop in for a moment at the shop the other morning, but one of her staff came in, and it just didn’t seem appropriate. Besides, I don’t know what to say to her.”

“How about the truth, from start to finish?” When he opened his mouth to protest, she said, “I don’t know what the relationship is between the two of you. Frankly, I don’t think you do either. All I know is that you both get this look when you’re in the same room at the same time, and neither of you can keep your eyes off the other. Don’t interrupt me,” she warned when he appeared about to do just that. “Even if she’s no more than a friend to you—a friend you do have a bit of a history with, if what I’ve heard is true—then I think you owe her the truth, because you know this is a small town, and sooner or later she’s going to hear some things that might be nothing more than idle gossip. If she hears the story—the entire story—from you, she’ll know what the truth is. Wade.” She tapped him on the arm. “It’s the least you could do for a friend.”

“You’re right.” He nodded slowly. “I guess I could talk to her tonight when I drop off the ladder.” He looked at his older sister and said, “Thanks. I appreciate the advice. But you realize it’s tough to have a serious conversation with Himself here running around. Which means you’ll probably have to babysit tonight.”

“Oh, that’s such a hardship, isn’t it, Austin?” Dallas ruffled her nephew’s dark curls. “Poor Aunt Dallas
has to spend time with her little guy. We always have fun, don’t we? You and Cody and Berry and I?”

Austin nodded enthusiastically and craned his neck to look toward the front door. “Cody?”

“Not yet, pal. But you can come with me when it’s time to pick him up from school,” Dallas told him. “Maybe we’ll stop and get some ice cream.”

“Steppie.” Austin clapped his hands.

Dallas shot Wade an amused glance. “Well, it looks like Steffie has more than one friend on River Road. I guess you wouldn’t want to come with us?”

“Thanks but no.” He pushed his chair back from the table and stood. “I have a ladder to fix.”

The entire time Wade was tying the ladder to the roof of his Jeep with rope he found in the carriage house, he was trying to rehearse what he was going to say to Steffie.

“Listen. About Austin …”
Nah
.

“So maybe you’re curious about Austin …”
Uh-uh
.

“Maybe you’re wondering if I was married the night you and I … I mean, the night of Beck and Mia’s wedding.”
Ouch
.

By the time he arrived at the Olive Street house, he’d pretty much decided that this was one of those times when it would be best to wing it.

He’d been thinking about Steffie a lot since he left Texas, and he was coming to the conclusion that the less he thought about her, the better off he was going to be. There was something about her that drew him in. Dallas was right about that.

“Moth to flame,” he muttered as he stopped in front of her house.

He untied the ladder, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and headed toward the front door. Her car was in the driveway and there were lights inside and music coming from somewhere. He rang the bell, and hoped that it worked, and that he wouldn’t have to wait too long for her to answer it. His hands were sweating, and he told himself that was because he’d been reliving the past six months in his mind all afternoon in anticipation of talking to Steffie about Robin.