AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Houston. Been there awhile.”
“I heard,” he said, his gaze softening. “I’m really sorry for what you’ve been through, sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” she said, encouraged to realize Max had already updated his family on where she’d been and why. She wondered what else he’d told them. “I’m better now and thinking about the future for the first time in years.”
Megan came by with the coffee and filled Lexi’s mug. “What can I get you to eat?”
“Do you still have the best pancakes in Vermont?”
“We sure do.”
“That sounds good, with a side of hash browns and fruit, please.”
“Coming right up.”
“Are the hash browns still to die for?” Lexi asked Mr. Stillman.
“They sure are. I only eat them once a week because I have to watch my waistline. Megan is always trying to fatten me up.”
“How is she related to the Abbotts?”
“She’s Hunter’s wife.”
Lexi smiled. “I like her for him. He was always tightly wound, as I recall.”
Elmer’s bark of laughter made her laugh, too. “That he was, but Megan has smoothed out his rough edges.” He pulled out an iPhone. “I only use this for pictures and when I got the Wi-Fi.” After scrolling through some photos, he held one up to her. “That’s Hunter and Megan’s family. Carson, Cory and Claire.”
“I love the C names.”
“A lot of Molly’s grandchildren have C names.”
“That’s cute, and so are your great-grandchildren.”
“Here’s one of all the greats. Forty-one of them now. Izzy managed to get a photo of them all recently. What a circus that was.”
“Wow.” In the photo, forty-one children surrounded their smiling great-grandfather. “That’s a mob.”
“Sure is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Seems like every day, there’s a game, a practice, a recital, a birthday. I swear they’re keeping me young.”
While Lexi ate the delicious breakfast, Mr. Stillman kept her entertained with funny stories about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was intrigued to hear that Hunter was now the CEO at the store, that Lucas and Landon had grown into mature, responsible fathers, and that Colton was still living on the mountaintop with his wife and children.
And Max… To hear Elmer tell it, he was a wonderful, doting father to his beloved son, but she’d already seen that for herself.
“He lights up when he talks about Caden,” Lexi said, sipping her coffee. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“I heard you’re coming to the party tomorrow. You may want to take a preventative headache tablet before you venture into that madness.”
She laughed. “Thank you for the advice.”
“I couldn’t help but note that our Max also lit up a bit earlier this morning when he talked about seeing you again.”
“Did he?” She eyed him over her mug while hoping her face wasn’t turning bright red. That was a post-chemo development that drove her crazy.
“He did. He was very happy to see you again. He’d wondered what’d become of you.”
“And now he knows.”
“Yes, he does.”
