Page 48 of Chasing the Dream

“Not helping!” Maria said, scowling.

Before long, they entered the Flagstaff city limits, and Maria and Gabe took turns pointing out some of their favorite shops and restaurants. Morgan recognized a few places from the last time she’d visited, but now she was seeing things through Gabe’s eyes too. She wondered how much time he’d spend with them or if he’d wander off and do his own thing.

He took a series of turns until they entered a neighborhood of homes perched on the side of a hill, offering magnificent views of the city and the snow-capped mountains beyond.

“Here we are,” he said a few minutes later as he turned into his parents’ driveway.

They’d no sooner stepped out of the car than Brenda and Cal Matthews came outside to greet them. Brenda immediately pulled Morgan into a tight hug and then held her out at arm’s length.

“Look at you! You’re even prettier than the last time I saw you!”

“Thank you. It’s great to see you.”

“Welcome back,” Cal said and then gave her a hug too.

“Ahem,” Gabe said. “In case you haven’t noticed, your offspring are here too.”

“Jealous much?” Maria teased.

“We’re happy to see all of you,” Brenda said, gathering Gabe and Maria into a group hug.

“Need help with your bags?” Cal asked.

“Sure,” Gabe replied.

“We’ll wait inside.” Brenda hooked one arm through Maria’s and the other through Morgan’s and led them into the house.

Stepping into the Matthews’ home was like stepping into the past. They still owned some of the same furniture they’d had in Michigan, though there were new pieces too. As a teen, Morgan had rarely visited their home when there hadn’t been the scent of something yummy that Brenda had baked, and today was no different. The aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filled the air, and she immediately felt at home.

Maria and Morgan followed Brenda into the kitchen, and at her insistence, they sat down at the table, where she served them warm cookies and milk. Morgan felt like a kid again as she bit into the gooey cookie and then washed it down with cold milk.

“Mom, I told you not to fuss,” Maria said even though she looked like she was enjoying the cookie as much as Morgan was.

“Nonsense. This is what mothers do.”

“She lives for these visits,” Cal teased as he and Gabe came in to join them.

“What? No peanut butter cookies?” Gabe huffed.

Maria shot him a frown.

“I’m kidding. I know you made these because they’re Morgan’s favorite.” He smiled at Morgan and then slid into the chair beside her.

If anybody noticed how happy she was, she hoped they’d think it was due to the cookies.

Brenda set down a plate and a glass of milk for Gabe and Cal and then joined them at the table.

“So, what are your plans while you’re here?” Cal asked.

“I’m surprised Maria didn’t send you our itinerary,” Gabe muttered around a mouthful of cookie.

Everyone laughed, knowing that such a thing wasn’t out of the question.

Maria scowled at him. “Morgan and I are going hiking in the morning, but you can do whatever you want, just like you always have.”

Morgan winced, thinking the comment too harsh. In the past, she wouldn’t have come to Gabe’s defense, because often he deserved it, but now she felt differently. Gabe had done a lot for her since she’d come to Arizona, and she thought he deserved some slack.

“Okay, you two. No need to argue on my account. I’m fine with whatever anyone wants to do.”