Page 16 of Small Town Sizzle

“You worry about those eggs not burning,” she said with a huge grin. “What’s that song? Love grows best in little houses? These boys need a good home-cooked breakfast made with love.”

“You’re the best, Ma,” Ethan had said as he stood in front of Mom while she loaded a plate down with perfectly golden pancakes.

“All my friends rave about your cooking and look forward to Saturday mornings,” I told her.

“And that makes us being in a cramped house for a few hours well worth it,” she said with a huge grin.

“She was incredible,” Maya says behind me, pulling me out of the memory.

I partially turn to see her giant dog right on her heels until a little girl calls him over. The dog nods at me, then turns to prance over to a group of children.

“I’m surprised that beast is so calm with the kids.”

“Yeah, well, he’s trained and a good dog. He just sensed something about you, I guess,” she says as she crosses her arms in front of her chest. “The kids needed him today. Your mom touched a lot of lives.”

“I didn’t understand why there were so many kids at the service. I thought maybe they showed up for Mason and Chantelle. Laura said she helped out here.”

“She did. She was family to all of us.”

I swallow hard as I look away from her, my eyes finding a picture of Megan, Maya, her two kids, and my mother. The two kids were hugging Mom as though they loved her dearly.

Maya cleared her throat, and when I looked at her, I noticed that she was getting emotional as she looked at the picture, too.

“If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask,” she says before she walks away.

She goes straight to where Mason and her son are playing ping-pong with a couple of younger kids. Her face lights up around the kids, and I can’t help but stare at her.

You have no business checking this woman out, Garrett. You’ll be gone from Hicks Creek tomorrow if you’re lucky.

A few minutes later, Ethan corners me.

“Listen,” he starts, his tone casual but laced with intent. “I know you’re planning to head back soon, but I could really use your help with the business. Just for a while. My arm—”

“I can’t,” I cut him off, my voice angrier than I mean for it to be. “I’ve got responsibilities back in—”

“Responsibilities?” Ethan’s eyes flash with frustration. “Garrett, this is our family business. You’re part owner, just like me, but I’ve been running it all on my own since Dad died.”

“You told me you didn’t care if I left. You wanted me to run the out-of-town part of our business so you could be home with Laura and the kids.”

“It was clear you weren’t happy here and that you couldn’t move past your injury and the accident while being faced with the aftermath daily. I wanted you to find yourself and come back home where you belong. I never thought you’d stay gone for fifteen years.”

It was easier to stay gone rather than face my past.

“I’m not going to be guilt-tripped into this, especially not the same day we buried our mother,” I almost growl at him.

Laura is in between us quickly as she playfully hugs her husband to detract from the tension. “Kids are starting to stare, and I’ll be damned if I allow you two to make a spectacle right now.”

I sigh and shake my head.

I’m between projects right now and don’t have to return to Uganda for at least another two months, as we’re on a stall for funding and building materials. I had started the process ofselling my place but still need to find another home. I was even planning on staying in an Airbnb or something in the meantime because the last thing I want is to stay in the house I shared with my cheating ex-wife. However, I’m so irritated with my brother and the way he dropped this on me that I don’t want to concede. He didn’t need to ambush me about this now. He could’ve said it over the phone any of the number of times we’ve talked over the last few weeks.

“I can see that neither of you can get past your ego and competitive bullshit,” she sighs. “If you think I won’t channel your mother and pull you both out of here by the scruff of your neck, you’re wrong.”

Ethan and I both glance at her in shock before I laugh.

“Yes, ma’am. Greta would be proud,” I tease. “I’ll behave.”

“Ethan,” I hear her say under her breath.