Page 9 of Small Town Sizzle

My eyes narrow slightly. Ethan grins back at me before he waves his arm, gesturing for me to follow. “Come inside. Laura’s got coffee going. Everyone’s been asking about you.”

I follow him up the steps. Inside, the house is alive with the quiet murmur of the radio and the smell of food people bring when they don’t know what else to say. Laura, Ethan’s wife, spots me immediately. She’s wearing an apron dusted with flour and a tired smile.

“Garrett,” she says warmly, pulling me into a hug. It feels like home and regret all wrapped up in one. “I’m so sorry. She was proud of you, you know. Always talked about the work you were doing overseas.”

I force a smile, unsure what to say.

“Whose car is that out front?” a deep voice asks from the front of the house, shattering the awkwardness.

“Your Uncle Garrett’s rental,” Laura calls out.

“The kids are here,” Ethan chuckles as he gestures for me to follow him out of the room.

“Holy cow, there’s no way,” I breathe as I take in the sight of Mason and Chantelle in the foyer.

Mason stands well over six feet tall, built like a linebacker with a head full of blond curls. He’s the spitting image of his dad from when we were teenagers. Chantelle is the perfect miniature version of her mother, with the same dark hair and signature McAllister curls.

“They grow up fast,” Laura interjects with a giggle.

“I sure hope you play football,” I tell Mason.

“I do.” He grins widely as he gives me a giant bear hug. “Working to dethrone you and Dad of all your records for Hicks Creek.”

“He’s pretty dang close to it, too,” Ethan chuckles.

“Good for you. Maybe we can throw the ball around later. Have a little pickup game in the front yard.”

“I’m not playing,” Chantelle interjects quickly before she waves dismissively and goes into the kitchen. We follow.

“Can we please get through the next few days before the two of you start a football game?” Laura interjects with a sigh. “I don’t want to have to explain why Ethan has a broken arm and leg or whatever happens this time with you two and your competitive streaks.”

“Competitive?” I gasp playfully. “Whatever do you mean?”

She cocks an eyebrow as she gives me a disapproving look.

“Dad couldn’t walk for like a week after the last football game you guys had when we were in Disney,” Chantelle adds. “I was a lot younger, and that’s the one thing I remember.”

“That’s because your pops is out of shape,” I answer teasingly.

“Do I look out of shape?” Ethan chuckles. “I’m not the one who’s galivanting across the country, working behind a desk all day long.”

“I am rarely behind a desk,” I laugh.

“Say whatever you want,” he teases as he claps me on the back.

“Why did you say the next couple of days?” I ask Laura. “The funeral is tomorrow, and I’ll be gone the following day.”

“The funeral isn’t tomorrow,” Mason interjects quickly. “It’s the day after.”

“Your dad said…” I look over at Ethan, who is walking over to the refrigerator and ignoring the conversation.

“I didn’t want you to show up late.” He shrugs when he realizes I’m glaring at him.

“I guess I have to change my flight plan request then,” I almost growl.

“Oh darn, Garrett has to hang out with us longer,” Ethan says sarcastically.

“I made up your old room for you at your mom’s. I forgot to ask, but I assumed you’d want to stay there,” Laura says.