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Me:She and I talked as two women friends would’ve done. She understands.
Rhys:Thank God. Do you think she’s going to tell your daddy about us?
Me:No. She won’t say anything to him.
Rhys:Bury me now.
Me:
Me:BTW, I picked up my jewelry box on my dresser earlier. Guess what I found when the bottom drawer fell out?
Rhys:???
Me:The two linked hearts silver necklace you gave me.
Rhys:So a ghost didn’t snatch it after all.
Me:Nope. I’m wearing it now. Talk to you later.
“I feel like I’ve gained ten pounds since I came home,” I said, rubbing my stomach.
My momma grinned at me. “You need to put on a little weight, Riley Dawn. You’re too thin.”
“I’ll second that,” my sister added.
I rolled my eyes at them and sighed.
They, my daddy, grandpa, Jackson, and I had just finished eating and were still sitting at the dining room table.
“That was a delicious supper, Katherine. Thank you. No one can fry chicken like you do,” my grandpa told my momma.
“I’ve had a lot of practice. Does anyone have room for dessert? It’s my cherry cheesecake.”
Everyone at the table raised a hand, including me. I couldn’t resist.
My grandpa needed to leave before it got too late to stop by the nursing home to see my grandma. After he told everyone goodbye, I walked him out to his car.
“I’ve missed you,” I said, smiling at him.
“I’ve missed you, too, Riley. I know we spoke on the phone about what happened with Chad, but are you really doing as well as you said? Or were you trying to make your grandpa feel better?”
“I really am doing well. I don’t know if Momma or Daddy told you, but Rhys and I have been spending time together as friends. He’s helping me work through everything I’m feeling about the mess with Chad.”
“Your daddy did tell me about that. I’ll bet Rhys is happy to be spending time with you.”
“I’m certainly happy about it.”
My grandpa tapped my nose with his fingertip. “If you aren’t careful, that friendly situation with him could become more. Unless that’s what you want.”
“I like how things are now. There’s no pressure, drama, or anything. Rhys and I are just having fun.”
My grandpa wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “So you’re leaving on Sunday, right?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being here, though.”
“Cypress Hills is your hometown, and it’s always loved you. Come on back anytime. You might even think about moving back. Your family would be thrilled.”
I chuckled. “My life is in Fort Worth, but I will start paying y’all more visits. I haven’t come home like I should have in the past year because I didn’t want to run into Rhys. I knew it would be hard for both of us if we saw each other—and it was hard when I ran into him outside the grocery store last Friday. But then everything ended up working out.”
