Blueberry Hill, #1

by Cynthia Luhrs

  “No.”

  She watched the truck until it disappeared.

  “But I’m starting to come around.”

  Emily rubbed her stomach, making Tara wonder if she was feeling okay. After last time, they all hovered over her a bit more than usual.

  “He seems really nice. I’m happy for you.”

  Emily looked thoughtful as a smile spread across her face.

  “If Will can get Evan to see what a delightful town this is, I’ll totally be on his side when he proposes.”

  Tara held up her hands.

  “It’s too early in the day to be talking about proposals. Come on, let’s get Ally and Christina moving so we can make pottery.”

  “Thanks for coming by. For a minute I thought I might be making pottery with the women.”

  Evan had gotten up early so he could get a few hours of work in before Emily woke up. He’d told her he’d leave work at home while they were on vacation, but he couldn’t resist looking at his phone. And then one thing led to another, and the next thing he knew he was lost in work.

  Will drove a big truck that here in the mountains made perfect sense, but always made him chuckle when he saw them on the highway in Seattle, the guys driving them usually dressed in suits. This truck looked like it was a working vehicle.

  Ally told him Will made furniture. Evan thought of the sense of accomplishment he’d feel seeing a piece of completed furniture at the end of the day, instead of moving paper around all day. Every once in a while he wondered what he actually contributed to make the world a better place?

  “Thought we’d take a drive around the lake, then through town, and end up at the brewery for lunch. Besides beer, they also make their own artisanal whiskey and moonshine.”

  “Artisanal moonshine? Who knew? I’ll have to take a bottle back to my boss. He loves all that small batch stuff.”

  Evan had to admit it smelled good out here around the lake. The scent of the rocks and trees, a hint of fall in the air. Clear blue skies met green trees and gray mountain peaks. It was a breathtaking view.

  They were a quarter of the way around the lake when Will slowed down, pointing to a house up ahead.

  “It’s for sale. I heard your wife saying how much she likes it here.”

  He looked over at Evan and pointed further up the road.

  “That one is going up for sale in the next month or so. Houses don’t go on the market very often and when they do, they sell fast.”

  The house they’d stopped in front of was beautiful. All wood, stone, and glass. It was three stories and overlooked the lake. There wasn’t a dock, but that could easily be fixed.

  “Do you want to go inside?” Will waited.

  Evan shook his head.

  “No. I’m up for a big promotion at work, Vice President. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” A heavy sigh escaped.

  “When I get the promotion and bonus, then I can think about buying a second home as a vacation home. Emily would enjoy being close to my mom. Her mom remarried a couple of years ago and they travel all the time, so she doesn’t see her much anymore.”

  He ran a hand through his hair.

  “I’d be surprised if she’s around when Emily has the baby.”

  Wills brows shot up. “I thought all mommas wanted to be around when their kids had babies, especially first babies.”

  “She said she’d see the baby when Emily came home, after the commotion died down. Plus, she’s worried about catching something at the hospital that might delay her next cruise.”

  Will took one last look at the house and put the truck in gear.

  “I know Tara is excited. I’m sure she’d come up when it’s close to the time if you asked.”

  “I think that was the first thing Emily asked after we told her the news.”

  Evan shifted in the seat to look at the man his mother had been spending time with. She’d told him how she’d dated Will back in high school.

  “Are you and my mom dating?”

  Will turned onto the road that would take them to town.

  “No, but I’m hoping to change her mind.”

  He looked over at Evan.

  “I care for Tara a great deal, but she said she needs time. I respect that.”

  Evan nodded. “She seems happier than I’ve seen her in a long time.”

  When Ally had called to warn Evan that their mom was spending time with Will, Evan had been prepared to dislike him, even after Ally said they weren’t dating.

  The trip had given him an excuse to get a closer look at the man. He had to admit, Will was a good guy. His mom was happier, more at ease since she’d moved.

  There had been many times over the years when Evan felt the tension in the air as his mom tried to please his dad. Even he knew his dad could be demanding and self-absorbed.

  While all the other dads went to their kids’ games, his dad never did. He always said he was too busy putting food on the table. When Evan graduated high school, his dad was away courting investors for the firm. Work came first, and his dad was proud of the fact.

  Had he become like his dad, putting work first and Emily second? Not wanting to dwell on the thought, Evan put it away to examine another time, and instead focused on getting to know Will.

  They had lunch at the brewery, thick hearty sandwiches along with a selection of various beers. They were small amounts, a few sips each. The waiter told them about the juvenile bear who’d broken in and gotten drunk off the cinnamon and honey whiskey.

  Evan excused himself to hit the men’s room, detoured to their waiter and paid for lunch so Will couldn’t beat him to it. He also bought a case of the dark ale Will liked to thank him for spending the day with him. It had been much better than staying at the house alone and working. He couldn’t remember the last day he’d done something fun.

  Before they left, they tasted three of the moonshine flavors. The woman serving them told them North Carolina had been the first state to enact prohibition. Even after prohibition ended, North Carolina was a dry state until 1935. The bootleggers gave birth to NASCAR. The small batches brewed with heirloom corn grown right here in Blueberry Hill.

  Evan bought a bottle of the shine infused with vanilla for his boss, and one infused with apple for Mitch, to thank him for keeping Evan in the loop of what was going on with the layoffs. The last bottle, infused with blackberries, he bought for himself. There was also a nectarine and honey whiskey that was delicious, so he added a bottle of it to give to his mom when she came for the baby’s birth. She’d told him if Emily’s mom couldn’t make it, she’d be delighted to be there.

  Will had chuckled when he saw the purchases loaded in the back of the truck. A smile spread across his face when Evan told him the case of ale was for him.

  After Will dropped him off, Evan stretched out on the bed on the porch, his sister called it the sleeping porch. Full from lunch and the booze, Evan drifted off. As he fell asleep, he thought if his company were located here in Blueberry Hill, it would be the perfect place to raise their little girl.

  Chapter 19

  They all spent the long weekend relaxing, swimming in the pool next door, and catching up with one another.

  Ally picked up the trivets they’d made on Monday morning. The Community Center was open for a half day so people could pick up their projects.

  She’d stopped by Mrs. Collier’s giving her one of the trivets she’d made to thank her for the painting lessons. The purple glaze she’d used brought out the detail of the magnolia blossom she’d carved on the front.

  While she was there, Ally had invited her to join them for a cookout tonight, but Mrs. Collier was getting together with her bridge partners and they were all going to Asheville to see a concert and staying overnight.

  On the way home, she stopped in at Spilled Milk.

  “I thought I better get here early before you closed. Are you cooking out today?”

  Mary was setting up a fall display in the front window. She dusted off her
hands and poured a glass of apple cider for each of them.

  “We are. The kids are coming in for the day so we’ll cookout this afternoon so they can head back tonight. You know how it is, they have to work on Tuesday.”

  She handed Ally a glass of golden liquid.

  “Taste this. It’s from one of the nearby orchards.”

  Ally took a sip of the cold cider.

  “Oh, that’s good. We’ll have to try making some from our apples.” She set the watermelon on the counter, careful not to let it roll off. “Could I get two jugs of the cider too?”

  As Mary rang her up, they talked about the trivets they’d made, how much fun it had been to get together. There was a stained glass class they planned to take in November. Ally had already decided to make a sign for her greenhouse.

  “I hear you’re house-sitting for that couple from Connecticut. I bet your momma misses having you in the house.”

  Ally counted out cash for the purchases, knowing it saved Mary paying the credit card fees.

  “I am. They’ll be gone for two years. It’s funny, I enjoyed living alone, then when I moved in with mom, I really liked having someone else in the house, even if we were both busy doing our own thing most of the time.”

  She put her wallet back in her crossbody bag so she wouldn’t leave it behind. Three times in the past few weeks, Ally had been so distracted thinking about her new business that she’d forgotten her wallet or phone. Thank goodness for small towns where everybody knew everybody, so she didn’t have to worry about someone stealing it. When she picked up the jugs of cider to carry them out to the car, Mary carried the watermelon out for her.

  “Living alone again has taken some getting used to. I’m glad I’m right next door.”

  She grinned as she put the cider on the floor in the backseat so it wouldn’t tip over.

  “I go over to mom’s for breakfast every morning, she makes the best pancakes.”

  Mary shut the car door. “Have fun cooking out. Tell your momma I said hello.”

  “Will do. Enjoy your cookout, thanks for being open this morning.”

  She’d never tire of the long drive to the house. Seeing the lake and the mountains made her feel like she was a part of something bigger than herself.

  After Ally put the groceries away, she called her sister to help carry the cider, the watermelon, and the trivets over to her mom’s.

  “The pool is really nice.” Her sister looked around. “I can’t believe you get this cute cottage and the pool, all rent and utility free.”

  “I keep an eye on things and take care of the mail, but you’re right, it’s a great gig. I even get free cleaning. The housekeeper cleans the pool house after the main house.”

  Ally side-eyed her sister.

  “There are two bedrooms. You know, in case you want a change of scenery.” She made a face to let her sister know she was teasing. “After all, I think you’ve dated every eligible guy in Miami.”

  Christina rolled her eyes.

  “It’s hard to find someone to spend the rest of your life with. Talk about pressure. I appreciate the offer, but I’d miss the beach.”

  Ally pointed to the paper bag with handles.

  “You take the trivets. Wait until you see how pretty they came out.”

  Christina peeked in the bag.

  “They’re all wrapped up.”

  Ally laughed. “You’ll have to wait to see them with everyone else.”

  She put the cider in the fridge and left the watermelon out on the counter.

  They walked next door, the sounds of families enjoying the holiday carried on the breeze.

  Ally called out. “Mom. Emily. Come see the trivets.”

  Christina plopped down in a chair, stretching out. Her sister loved the sun. She was tan, her legs impossibly long in the cutoff denim shorts she’d thrown on this morning.

  Her mom and Emily came out to the patio, wearing shorts her mom had made with white tee shirts.

  Ally handed out the wrapped packages. “Open them. I can’t wait to see everyone’s trivets.”

  They opened the carefully wrapped trivets, exclaiming over them to each other. Christina had carved ocean waves into her trivet and glazed it a turquoise color.

  “I’m going to put it in my kitchen,” she said, wrapping the piece back up.

  “It’s almost too pretty to use.” Emily ran her fingers over her green trivet. She’d carved the lake and mountains into her trivet and glazed it a forest green.

  “Wrap it up, we’ll use mine today.”

  Ally’s mom slid her trivet to the center of the table. She’d carved a sun into the clay and glazed it a golden yellow.

  “We can use mine, too.” Ally carved a poppy flower into hers and glazed it red. She looked to her sister and sister-in-law.

  “I can’t believe you’re going back tomorrow. It’s been so nice to spend time together over the long weekend.”

  “I love it here.” Emily beamed at them, glowing.

  Christina looked unconvinced. “The lake is nice, but I’d miss the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves.”

  “What time is Will coming over?” Ally asked her mom.

  “He’ll be here around four thirty.”

  Ally thought they’d have plenty of time. “Let’s go for a swim, the water is perfect.”

  Everyone changed into their swimsuits, well everyone except Evan. He said he had to take care of something for work. She didn’t miss the look of annoyance on Emily’s face.

  They spent a few hours swimming and lazing in the sun. Christina and her mom fell asleep in the chaise lounge chairs.

  Ally and Emily stretched out in matching chairs on the other side of the pool.

  “Is everything okay with you and my brother?”

  Emily turned on her side and sighed.

  “He’s been working like he’s at a startup. He promised me he wouldn’t work this weekend, but I caught him yesterday on his tablet, and again today.”

  She sat up and rubbed sunscreen on her skin

  “He’s sure getting promoted will make him happy. But the thing is, every time he gets promoted he’s happy for a few months and then he’s back to looking forward to the next promotion. It never ends.”

  She handed Ally the bottle of sunscreen.

  “I don’t want him to end up like his dad. Evan said he wasn’t around much when you all were kids. I want our daughter to have both parents at her school events and for him to be home for dinner most nights.”

  Ally rubbed sunscreen on her face while she listened to Emily. Kids. Her sister wanted a baby more than anything, Emily was due in March, and Ally? She’d never felt the pull of a baby. Never had baby fever like Christina. When one of her friends handed her their new baby, she cooed over the kid then happily gave it back. No, she would rather have a dog.

  “I thought Evan looked exhausted when you got here. I think the trip has helped. Even with working a few hours, he looked rested today.”

  She loved Emily, her sister-in-law wasn’t easily offended, so Ally didn’t have to worry about Emily taking her words the wrong way.

  “I think Evan believes he has to be important at work so our dad will be proud of him. He can’t see how much he’s already accomplished.”

  Ally put the bottle under the chair so it wouldn’t get hot in the sun.

  “Maybe when you have the baby, he’ll dial back his hours. When will he find out about the promotion?”

  “I hope you’re right.” Emily closed her eyes. “I think he’ll know in the next couple of months.”

  Tara was in the kitchen making potato salad when Will arrived.

  “I’m so glad you could make it.”

  He handed the case of ale off to Evan.

  “Thanks for picking it up. What do I owe you?”

  Will shook his head. “My contribution to the cookout.”

  When Evan went outside, Will turned to her, a serious look on his face.

  “Are you s
ure I’m not intruding on family time?”

  The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind.

  “Not at all. I’m happy you’re here and so are the kids.”

  “I wasn’t sure how they’d feel about us… being… friends since the divorce and all.”

  “They’ve all surprised me, well, except Christina. She has a hard time with change, though lately she’s doing better.”

  Tara washed and dried her hands at the sink. She loved the newly remodeled kitchen with its colorful appliances.

  “Evan was asking when you’d get here.”

  He visibly relaxed. “I’m glad. They’re good kids.”

  Will helped her carry the dishes and silverware out to the patio where they planned to eat outside. Evan was busy filling the coolers with ice and drinks, Emily went next door to help Ally make the baked beans, and Christina… Tara sighed. Her youngest daughter hadn’t even asked if there was anything she could do to help. She was out on the dock, talking on her phone, used to everyone waiting on her.

  “Sometimes I judge myself on how good of a parent I’ve been based on the decisions I see the kids making and how they act. Some days I feel pretty good, but there are other days I feel like I failed at parenting.”

  Will gently touched her arm.

  “You’re a great mom, never doubt that. I see how much your kids love you. They’ve grown up into good humans. I would think that’s all we can ask of anyone.”

  Her heart filled. He was so kind and thoughtful. Tara wouldn’t say anything today, but later, when the kids left to go back to their lives, she’d invite Will over for dinner one night soon, tell him she was ready to move forward. With that thought making her smile, she set out a vase of sunflowers on the table.

  Evan and Will took charge of the grill while her daughters laid out the rest of the food.

  “It looks like we’re expecting an entire high school football team.” Christina looked at the spread of food. “We’ll never eat all this.”

  “Yep, we may have gotten a bit carried away.” Ally laughed. “We can make up plates with the leftovers and run them over to the fire department. Clifton said the guy who usually cooks for them is out sick.”