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Unable to help myself, I lean over the console and press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Thank you,” I say quietly. I rattle off the time and address, and she sends the message to Aspen.
“Are you sure this is okay?” she asks.
“Positive, but if it will make you feel better, I’ll call my mom.” I don’t wait for her to answer before hitting Mom’s name on my phone, and the call rings through the Bluetooth speakers.
“My middle son.” Mom chuckles.
“Your favorite son,” I counter. My smile is wide.
“Only when your brothers aren’t around. What do I owe the pleasure? Don’t tell me you’re going to try and get out of dinner,” she says.
“Nope. Actually, I was calling to make sure it was okay if I bring someone.” I glance over at Aurora. “Two someones.”
“Of course, you don’t have to ask, you know that. There is always more than enough to go around, and until I get all you boys married off, there is still room at the table.” She chuckles once again.
“Even then, there will be room,” I remind her.
“Yes, but once my grandson gets here, hopefully, you boys will give him some cousins, and we’ll need to start a kiddie table,” she says wistfully.
“Isn’t that something you should be talking to Royce about?”
“Oh, I have,” she says with a smile in her voice. “The more the merrier, Grant, you know that.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“So, who is she?” she asks.
I can imagine her smirking. No way can I beat my mother at her own game. “Her name is Aurora. She runs Warm Delights, the new bakery in town. Her and her sister, Aspen.”
“Oh, Sawyer and Layla were telling me about her place. I’ve been meaning to stop by.”
“We’re actually going to be there before that. At least Aurora and I are. I’m going to show her the lake and the property. Aspen is meeting us at the house at six.”
“Perfect. I’ll put together some hot chocolate for you to take with you. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I say, reaching for the dash to end the call on the screen.
“Your mom sounds sweet,” Aurora comments.
“She is, but she’s also fierce. She had to be living with six Riggins men.”
“I can’t even imagine,” she says with a laugh. “Thank you for inviting me and inviting Aspen.”
“You’re welcome, but it was purely selfish. I’m not ready to end my time with you.”
“Tell me more about this lake,” she says, and I know she’s finally accepted that this day is ours. Hers and mine. I tell her about the lake that Dad built, and how my brothers and I spent every minute we were allowed to there when growing up. “We still do,” I tell her. “We have boats and Jet Skis. It’s a good time. We have a huge fire pit and a gazebo. That’s where Royce and Sawyer were married. That’s where he proposed.”
“That’s amazing. To have that history… to have so much family. Aspen and I lost our grandma two years ago, and now it’s just us and our parents. Both of our parents were only children. Grandma Edna was the last of our grandparents to pass.”
There is a tightness in my chest for her, and her family. “What made you move to Nashville?”
“The building. I’ve always wanted my own bakery. My grandma always said she would come and work for me, and even though she isn’t here, I still wanted to do it. I hope that she’s watching over me, and she’s smiling.”
“You know she is,” I assure her. “What about Aspen? Did she always want to bake as well?”
“No.” She laughs. “Aspen went to college and got her associate's degree, but she hated every minute of it. She was working as an administrative assistant for a local newspaper when I brought up the idea of the bakery. She was on board to go wherever we ended up and stand by my side while I took the biggest risk of my life.”
“And your parents?”
“They supported me and were glad to hear that Aspen was coming with me. In a way I think they were relieved I was getting out of Memphis. Starting over was scary, but I needed it. I’m just lucky to have a little sister who is my best friend to come on this crazy ride with me.”
“Sounds like that risk is paying off,” I tell her.
“Yeah, we’ve been successful, but it’s still too early to determine if we can go the distance.”
“Well, I’ve tasted the goods.” I wink at her, and she blushes. “I have no doubt that you have what it takes. Besides, the move brought you to me.” I glance over and give her a big cheesy grin.
“Stop.” She swats lightly at my arm, laughter bubbling up in her chest.
“Admit it, that’s the best part of the move,” I say, keeping my eyes on the road. I hated the sadness in her voice. I’ll take her laughter any day.
