Page 49 of Hammer and Hops

“Jay said he was a grouch, but I don’t see that at all.”

“Well, he can be. Today, he’s on the sunny side.” As I fixed our mugs, Mom looked thoughtful. “What do you have rolling through your mind, Mama?”

“Ah… you know me so well.”

“That I do.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She really was a great mother, having overcome the worst heartbreak and managing to carry on even if it was just for us boys.

“I just want to say that it’s sometimes difficult in a relationship to pull together despite having very different backgrounds. Try and use those differences as learning opportunities, and a means to grow closer.”

“That sounds like good advice.”

“Well, that’s because it is, smart ass. Hope you listen to it. I know he’s from the city with a more educated background. He’s refined.”

“Are you saying I’m a heathen?”

She snorted. “If the shoe fits.”

I laughed. “Well, guess you’re not entirely wrong. I’m a lot more of a free spirit, while Everett can be wound tight. But we’re paving new middle ground.”

“Good. ‘Cause he’s a keeper.”

“Thanks, Mom. I think so too.”

On the way home, I was smiling like a loon, and of course, Everett noticed that. “What’s got you all happy?”

“My mom really likes you. In fact, I’m pretty sure she’d trade.”

“Trade?”

“Me for you.”

Everett giggled, covering his mouth. “I’m not arguing. She gave me her number, insisting I call if you misbehave in any way.” He wiggled a finger at me.

“That I believe.”

We went back to my place, since I was working on remodeling his. It would help me get some before-and-after photos for my portfolio and get his place ready to sell, since we already agreed to move in together. I felt a new confidence in my abilities that I hadn't had before since getting my license and leading the reconstruction on the brewery. Everett made me feel like I could do anything. I'd been hiding my true feelings for entirely too long.

He didn’t care for the location of my place though, so we’d look for something else long-term, or I'd build him his dream house if I had to. For now, we were comfortable and spent the rest of the day cleaning, since his parents were due the next day.

Thankfully, they’d be staying at a hotel. However, they were still coming here for dinner, which meant Everett was on a tear sweeping and mopping floors, scrubbing every inch of the guest bathroom and kitchen. At the same time, he had me tackling baseboards and windows. I thought it was a lot for one short visit, but I wasn’t about to tell Everett that. I went along with whatever he wanted.

In the end, the place smelled fresh and pine-scented. More importantly, it was Everett-approved for his parents.

When they arrived the next day, he introduced me. “Cameron Tilliyard, this is my mother, Miriam Lundy.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lundy.”

His mother shook my hand. “Please, call me Miriam.”

We went through the same routine with his father, Daryl. Afterward, Everett showed his parents to the table. He poured wine for everyone, while I scooted off to the kitchen to finish the meal. We’d done almost everything ahead of time, so it was mostly about arranging everything in serving dishes and bringing them to the table. Everett called it family-style dining, but to me, it was just dinner. It made my mother’s point about our differences hit home, though. He could call it whatever he wanted as long as the food was good, and it definitely was.

As the last of the food was brought out, I sat beside Everett. “I hope you all enjoy. Please.”

“Thank you, Cameron.” Miriam nodded, and we all plated the food to start eating.

So far, so good. His parents weren’t cold by any means, but certainly not the embracing charm of mine. It wasn’t bad, simply not the same, and I could live with that.

Everett cleared his throat. “Mom. Dad. What time would you like to go see the brewery tomorrow?”