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“I do.” Nana Jo loved the combination, and while it's a little sweet for me, I'm not about to turn it down now.
The kitchen is bright and airy, with white cabinets, quartz countertops, and a huge island in the center. There's a rustic blonde farmhouse table in the dining area off the kitchen with a matching bench seat and chairs. It's large enough to seat twelve.
And I just realized that I actually have no idea who Hunter's dad is or how many kids Dixie has. I didn't even think to pepper Cora for the information.
But that's mostly because I've been avoiding her. Just a smidgen. I'm terrible at keeping secrets, and I rarely keep anything from her.
But I didn't tell her I was coming here today.
The way I see it is there's no point in getting her riled up if it doesn't end up working out.
“Have a seat.” Dixie taps the backrest of a stool at the island before she skirts around to the other side.
“Oh, sure, thanks.” I pull out the stool, tuck my skirt under my butt, and slide onto it.
“So our situation is a little tricky, as I'm sure you can imagine,” she says, bracing her hands wide on the island.
I'm not sure I understand, so I don't say anything. She must read as much on my expression.
She smiles. “Do you know who Hunter's dad is?”
My cheeks flush, and I feel a little silly now that I didn't ask Cora. “To be honest, no, I don't, I'm sorry. I figured I'd meet him today.”
She nods, her smile growing. “He won't be here today, but hopefully I will convince you to come back tomorrow.”
I chuckle. “I plan on coming back, Dixie.”
“Just wait until Hunter runs you around all afternoon. That boy has more energy than any of my boys ever did.” She says it fondly, like she doesn't really mind all that much.
“Well, I'll have to come up with some energy-burning things to do,” I muse, my mind already drifting to all the things I'm going to google when I get home.
“Alright, honey. For now, you'll watch Hunter at my house while you two get acquainted. I'll be around if you need anything. And then my son will hash out the schedule with you in the next couple of days.”
I nod a few times. “All of that sounds good.”
She pushes off the island and busies herself by pouring two glasses of iced tea lemonades.
“Here you go, honey.” She places a tall glass in front of me.
I accept the glass. “Thank you. And thank you for this,” I tell her, circling my finger in the air to encompass me being here.
“Of course. I wasn't exaggerating about Josephine singing your praises to everyone who would listen—and even those who wouldn't.”
“Alright, Eve, I've got all my cars lined up in my room,” Hunter crows as he runs down the hallway, heading straight for me.
“He's here so often, I turned one of my spare bedrooms into one just for him,” she says over the rim of her glass.
My heart aches in the best way, Dixie's affection evident in every thing she does for Hunter. It reminds me a bit of the way Nana Jo was with me. And it endears me to their family even more.
I set my glass down on the island and turn to Hunter. “I hope you have a Beetle because I have the perfect idea for a car show.”
Hunter slides his small hand in mine and practically drags me down the hallway, doing this excited jump-hop-tug thing the whole way.
And my heart aches a little bit more.
32
EVANGELINE
