The Road to Reunion

“When will you—”

“I thought you said there was just one more question,” he cut in before she could finish asking more about his plans for the future.

“Sorry. I’m just curious about you,” she admitted. He grabbed his breakfast dishes and stood, his chair rattling against the floor. “Trust me. I’m not that interesting.”

She didn’t believe that for a minute. But she knew when to back off—at least, for now—so she pushed the rest of her questions to the back of her mind and gathered her own plate and fork. “Please let me do the dishes. It’s the least I can do to repay you for your hospitality.”

He looked for a moment as though he was going to argue, but then he nodded shortly. “Fine. Just leave them in the drainer to dry. I’ll put them away later.”

He didn’t stay to keep her company while she worked. A few minutes later, she heard the television come on in the other room. It sounded as though he had tuned in a cable morning news program. She wouldn’t have thought he was the type to be interested in politics. Maybe he would just prefer to listen to the Senate majority leader than to deal with any more of her questions.

The kitchen was spotless when she had finished. She tossed a damp paper towel in the trash can beneath the sink, unable to find an excuse to delay any longer. She might as well be on her way. She had a long trip ahead of her today.

She had just walked into the living room where Kyle was settled into his usual chair when someone knocked on the front door. Trying to hide her curiosity, she perched on the couch while Kyle crossed the room to answer. A stocky, gray-haired man stood on the doorstep, holding a large cardboard box in his hands.

“Morning, Kyle.”

Kyle didn’t seem surprised by his caller’s identity. “Morning, Mack.”

“I told Jewel I was coming up to see if you rode out the storm okay, and she sent a couple of casseroles for you to put in your freezer.”

Kyle reached for the box. “Tell her thanks for me. She knows I’ll enjoy them.”

“Her cooking has put a couple of pounds back on you, but not near enough,” the older man observed, eying Kyle critically.

Molly frowned. Kyle had gained weight? Wow, how thin had he been before?

“Come in, Mack, while I set these in the kitchen.” Kyle stepped out of the doorway, and Molly wondered if she was correct in thinking he did so a bit reluctantly.

“I wouldn’t turn down a cup of that herbal tea you like so much. It’s right chilly this morning.” Mack had gotten all the way into the living room before he spotted Molly. “Well, hello.”

She stood, giving him a friendly smile. “Hi.” “Molly Walker—Mack McDooley.” Apparently considering the introduction complete, Kyle disappeared into the kitchen with the casseroles.

Looking in the direction in which Kyle had just disappeared, Mack chuckled wryly before turning back to Molly. “Kyle’s not much for conversation.”

Molly laughed softly. “No, he’s not.”

Waving her to the couch, Mack took the nearest recliner and crossed his right leg over his left knee, looking completely at home. He wore a gray plaid cotton shirt and neatly pressed jeans with black socks and brown suede shoes. His skin was weathered, and his eyes were as gray as his hair and brows.

Molly guessed his age to be early to midsixties— maybe a couple of years older than her own father. Also like Jared, this man looked as though he was no stranger to strenuous physical labor.

“So, have you known Kyle long?” Mack asked, using a jovially paternal tone probably meant to soften the blatant curiosity behind the question.

“Since I was a child, actually.”

“Really.” That had obviously taken him aback. “I didn’t think Kyle had any living family members.”

“Oh, we’re not family—exactly.” Because she wasn’t sure how much Kyle told anyone about his past, she wasn’t comfortable mentioning that he’d once been in foster care. “Just friends.”

“I see.” But he obviously did not.

Figuring one good question deserved another, Molly asked, “Are you Kyle’s neighbor?”

“Not exactly. I live in Gatlinburg with my wife, Jewel. She just about fretted herself silly last night worrying about Kyle up here alone in that storm. She was half convinced a tree fell on him during the night, crushing him in his sleep.”

“Jewel shouldn’t worry so much,” Kyle said, coming back into the room. “It isn’t good for her.”

Mack reached for the steaming cup of tea Kyle offered. “You know how she is. Especially when it comes to you.”

Though he hadn’t asked if she wanted one, Kyle had brought tea for Molly, too. He handed her the mug, then settled into his recliner. She noted that he hadn’t brought tea for himself, and that he sat rather stiffly, self-conscious in his role as host—a role she would bet he didn’t play very often.

She was almost squirming with curiosity now. She wouldn’t have expected Kyle to make friends like this in his relatively short time living in this area. As introverted and grumpy as he tended to be, she certainly wouldn’t expect him to be all-but-adopted by a local couple.

No, there was obviously more to this relationship than a recently instigated friendship. “Your wife sounds like my aunt Layla,” she said in what she hoped was a subtle attempt to learn more. “She’s the official worrier in our family—and it’s a very large family, so we keep her busy all the time.”

She was guiltily aware that Layla would have hysterics if she knew about Molly’s long, solitary drive to eastern Tennessee. Of course, Layla would have to stand in line behind Molly’s parents, brother and a couple dozen other relatives to yell at her for her reckless trek. And if her aunt Lindsey found out she had driven right through Little Rock without stopping to say hello— well, that didn’t bear thinking about just now. Suffice it to say that Lindsey would not be pleased.

“Yes, well, Jewel doesn’t have that many people to worry about anymore,” Mack said quietly, giving Kyle a look that spoke volumes, if only she knew how to read it. “Kyle, here, is one of them.”

Molly glanced at Kyle, who was looking increasingly uncomfortable. “I’m sure he appreciates her concern.”

Her comment made Mack’s somber expression lighten. “I’m sure he does. Maybe someday he’ll even admit it to himself.”

“Either of you ever hear that it’s rude to talk about someone as if he weren’t in the room?”

Both Mack and Molly smiled in response to Kyle’s grumbling—not to mention the faint flush of embarrassment on his cheeks.

Mack took pity on him. “I didn’t see any damage on the drive up. Still some water on the roads, but no travel problems.”

Obviously relieved by the change of topic, Kyle nodded. “Good to hear.”

“Did your roof leak?”

“No. The guy you recommended did a good job.” Mack grunted in satisfaction and sipped his tea. After a moment, he turned back to Molly. “I think I hear more than a hint of Texas in your voice?”

She chuckled. “Guilty. I grew up on a ranch outside of Dallas.”

Mack’s brows rose. “The ranch where you lived for a while, Kyle?”

Kyle nodded, and once again Molly had to struggle to hide her surprise. So Mack knew at least a little about Kyle’s past. Interesting.

“I came to invite Kyle to a party—a reunion, of sorts—at the ranch next week.”

Kyle shot Molly a look of reproval even as Mack said hastily, “Well, that sounds like fun. I’m sure you’ll enjoy—”

“I’m not going.”

Mack shook his head in disapproval. “Why not? It would do you good to get away for a few days, see your old friends. You’re getting around real well now, so—”