Page 59 of Peaks and Promises

I gaped at my empty hand for a second while Mom went to the kitchen.

“What is she doing?” I asked my dad.

“Making breakfast,” he said, his tone indicating that was a stupid question.

“If you were on the road yesterday, I’m sure they’re hungry,” Mom said as she started opening cupboards. “I’ll have a nice, hearty breakfast waiting for them.”

“Mom, there’s one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“We need to keep them hidden. So we’re going to pose as a family. We’ll pretend she’s my wife and he’s my stepson.”

“Smart,” Dad said, taking a drink of his beer, as if what I was suggesting was a completely normal thing to do.

Mom looked a little more concerned. “How is that going to work?”

“We’ll get a place together with enough space to be roommates. And they’ll use my last name. I won’t keep it a secret from the family. That’s why I’m telling you. But I want the rest of the town to think she’s my wife. And only until we know she’s safe. Then I’ll…”

“Then you’ll what?” she asked.

“Go back to Arizona. Where I live.”

She raised an eyebrow, like there was something about that she didn’t quite believe. “Well, you know we’ll keep your secret. The rest of the family will, too. Do you have a place to live yet?”

“No.”

“Paul, do you and Josiah have anything available?”

“The house we’re working on isn’t finished. But if you want to pitch in, we could have it done in a week or so.”

“Does she need a job?” Mom asked before I could reply.

“Yeah, she does.”

“What does she do?”

“Her last job was at a diner.”

“Hmm.” She paused. “I’m not positive, but the Copper Kettle might be hiring. If not, we can check the Caboose. Oh! I’ll call Krista Andolini. She and her husband own Home Slice Pizza. I don’t know if your client wants to work at a pizza place, but Anton and Krista are such lovely people.”

“Summer,” I said. “Her name is Summer. And her son is Nate.”

Mom kept talking, with the occasional grunt from my dad, brainstorming potential job contacts for Summer. I gazed at her in wonder. I’d told Summer that regardless of what my family thought about me, they’d help her. And yet, it still amazed me how fast they sprang into action. Dad really did have a potential place for us to live. And Mom was ready to call everyone she knew to help her find work.

I did not deserve them.

Summer and Nate did, though.

“All right, enough chitchat,” Mom said, waving me toward the door. “Go. Get them.”

“Okay, I’m going.”

Dad glanced at Mom as she bustled in the kitchen, then turned to me with a subtle smile as I stood to leave. “Glad to have you back, Son.”

The sincerity in his voice was threatening to choke me up, so I just nodded. Then I left to go get my fake family.

CHAPTER 14