Page 5 of No Place Like Home (Orlinda Valley #3)

Rowan

“ U mm, Rowan,” Jamison said as he glanced at his phone. “Did you ever tell Mom you were in town?”

I placed my beer on the table. “I never got around to it. It’s been one big whirlwind of surprises and activity since I got in. Right, Summertime?” I nudged Summer with my elbow and lifted my brow.

“Oh, yeah,” she said. “A hurricane-whirlwind of surprises, if that’s even a thing.”

I laughed and winked. I could be mistaken, but it looked like her face gained a little color. A blush maybe?

“Yeah, well,” Jamison said glancing between the two of us, “you’ll be getting around to talking to Mom pretty soon. She and Diane are on their way.”

I blew out a heavy breath. I loved my mom, but did she have to come here? Now? “How did she hear I was home?”

“Bro, it’s Orlinda Valley, not a huge metropolis,” Bryson said.

“Yeah, and you are the town hero,” Trevor said. “Football god, war hero. ”

“Trev, football god? War hero? Seriously? It’s been ages since high school, and I wasn’t in war. Just deployed. Not all that exciting.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Kora chimed in. “You came home, showed up at the pub, and your mother found out you were here from someone else—not you. She’s not going to be happy.”

“Right?” Summer added. “I told you to go see her before we came here. Now she’s going to bring her loud mouth to our night.”

I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like she cursed under her breath.

“What loud mouth are you talking about, Summer, dear?” My mother was here. “And look who came into town. Didn’t let me know he was showing up for the wedding early and totally ignored me.”

I stood up, grinned, and held my arms wide. “Momma.”

“Don’t you dare Momma me, Rowan Charles.” The scowl she shot me might have gone straight through my heart if she had magical powers. Lucky for me, she didn’t—that I knew of.

I wrapped my arms around her, anyway, and rested my head on top of hers. “Momma, please forgive me. I wanted to surprise you, but Summer and Kora insisted I come here with them first. They wouldn’t let me say hi to you.”

“Bullshit,” Summer exclaimed. “Don’t listen to him Tonya.”

“Figures you’d throw us under the bus,” Kora said with a laugh. “Just like old times.”

I backed away from my mom and raised my brows as I looked down at her. Her blue eyes were still as gentle as I remembered, yet they held a small glint of hell-raising in them. Yep. She was my momma. All heat and gossip—but I was her baby and got away with everything.

She slapped my arms off of her .

Okay, maybe I wasn’t getting away with this.

I held up my hands in surrender. “Sorry, Mom. I screwed up. But I wanted this to be a surprise. The only one who knew I was coming home was Trevor.”

She whipped her head toward him and he held up his hands. “Momma T, I wasn’t the only one who knew he was coming home. He told Kai also.” Trevor pointed at Kai.

Smart. Blame the one they all love. That would calm her down.

“And now I’m getting thrown under the bus,” Kai said. “Tonya, I did know, but he begged me not to tell anyone. He wanted it to be a surprise, and things would have worked out perfectly if Kora didn’t tell Summer she could stay in the guest house.”

“Okay, okay!” Diane, one of my mother’s best friends, cut in. “All this is getting confusing and chaotic.” She turned to my mother. “T, just forgive your boy and welcome him home so I can have my turn, or I’m going to push you out of the way so I can give this handsome Army soldier a hug.”

“The hell you say, Diane,” my mother retorted. “But fine.”

“See, Rowan,” Diane said. “Nothing’s changed here. I’m still always right.”

My mother laughed her laugh that was more like a cackle, wrapped me tight in her arms, gave me a good hard squeeze and kiss on the cheek, then grabbed a stool from the table behind us. “Scootch your ass over, Summer. I’m sitting next to my son.

“Damn, Tonya. If you give me a minute . . .” Summer cursed under her breath again as she slid her stool to the side. “Diane, are you two staying awhile? I thought you had a book club meeting at Kaye’s. Y’all were talking about it today at the salon. ”

“Yes we do. We won’t be here long. We were on our way and stopped to get snacks and wine at the store when Mrs. Ledbetter told us she heard Rowan was home. T couldn’t wait, so here we are.”

“That’s right. My baby’s home and I needed to see why he didn’t let me know, but it’s all good.” She patted my arm. “Now, how do we get a glass of wine around here?”

Trevor stood. “I’ll take care of you both. Two white wines? I just got a case in from the winery.”

“Of course,” said Diane.

“Great. I’ll grab two glasses.” Trevor left for the bar.

“So, Rowan, what brought you home two weeks early?” asked Diane.

I lifted my beer and took a drink. It started going down really easy, probably because I’d already had more than I needed.

I watched Trevor as he poured drinks at the bar. Since everyone was here, there was no time like the present. If I could stall a little more until Trevor came back, I wouldn’t have to tell them the reason more than once.

“Well?” my mother asked.

Trevor was on his way back with a tray of two wines and more beers. He passed them around to everyone, settled back in his chair, and I took a big breath.

“I was going to wait and let you know after the wedding, but since everyone’s here and I got to come home early . . .” I took a deep breath. “I am officially a free man.”

“You’re what?” Jamison asked.

“What do you mean?” Bryson asked.

Summer sighed heavily. “It means he’s no longer in the military, dumbasses.” Her gaze fell on mine. “I knew you were considering not resigning, but what the hell? You didn’t say a word to me, and you tell me everything.”

“You knew he was considering getting out and you didn’t say anything to us?” Jamison asked.

“He asked me not to,” Summer said. “And it’s not like I tell y’all everything we’ve ever talked about.” She rolled her eyes.

“Summer,” my mother started, “you shouldn’t keep something—”

“Mom. Everyone, please. Let me explain.” Good lord, this was crazy. “I know I should have given y’all a warning, but once the numbers were totaled, I found out I could take leave now and then be out officially in November.” I held my hands up. “So, I took it and I’m free.”

“But you love the Army,” Summer said.

“You wanted to make a life out of it,” my mother added.

“I know. You’re both right, but I was tired of being away from home. I left when I was eighteen. It’s been twelve years, and I’m ready to be home.”

It was Bryson’s turn to speak up, and there was a hard edge to his voice. “You were in such a hurry to get away and hardly came home at all. Now all of a sudden you want to be here?”

Summer sat up tall and opened her mouth, ready to say something I’m sure would have been a bite at Bryson, but I shook my head, laid my hand on hers, and she backed off.

“I know, Bryson. I burned a lot of bridges over the years, but I’m ready to repair things.

I’m not that immature eighteen-year-old anymore. ”

He and I stared at each other, and his harsh gaze finally softened, then he focused on the label of his beer bottle .

I continued. “I have an interview with a company that has offices in both Texas and Nashville the week after the wedding.” I shrugged. “I’m hoping they offer a job in their Nashville office.”

“I think that’s awesome, man,” Trevor said. “It’ll be great to have you home.”