By the time she had them resettled in Texas, and Derek was born, her mother had lapsed back into the fog that had surrounded her after her husband’s death. Tessa’s boys were forgotten then until they’d all gotten their heads on straight. Now she was the greatest of grandmothers.
“There it is, Mom.” Robbie pointed toward her side of the street.
Tessa touched the brake and turned her left blinker on before pulling into the driveway leading to a house twice the size of hers and probably valued at five times the amount. Her heart sank. Why had she accepted Sarah’s invitation?
She stopped the car before turning to look at her sons. “Boys, this house—”
“I know, Mom,” Robbie interrupted. “It’s not what we’re used to, so we can’t act like we do at home.”
He glared over his shoulder at his younger brothers. “You got that, guys? Sarah invited us because she’s nice, so we’re gonna respect her and her house.”
Tessa stared at her sons as they agreed to behave and knew she had done nothing to deserve them. She gave a faint smile and opened her car door. “Well, since that’s settled, let’s see if Sarah’s home.”
“Tessa, you’re here,” a woman’s voice called from the front of the house.
Tessa left the boys to bring in their overnight cases and ran to her friend. She hugged the tall, willowy blond with affection. “You are the greatest, Sarah, for letting us stay with you. The boys have already told me they will be on their best behavior.”
“Oh pooh.” Sarah stepped back with a laugh. “I’ve been looking forward to this and especially tomorrow. My calendar is cleared. Leave your boys alone; they’re fine. Although they’ve each grown a foot since I’ve seen them.”
“Hey guys,” she called to the approaching boys. “Did your mother tell you about the amusement park?”
“You bet,” Robbie answered.
Seth just grinned, but Derek ran the rest of the way past his brothers to give Sarah a quick hug, which she returned. He looked up at her. “What are we doing tonight, Aunt Sarah?”
Tessa smiled. Derek called all her closest friends “Aunt.”
“Let’s get everyone inside so we can decide.” Sarah held the door while the boys traipsed in with Tessa following.
The entry turned into a hallway that led toward the dining room. Tessa marveled at the shine on the hardwood floors and visualized her boys running and sliding down its length in their socks. She looked to the left as Sarah motioned toward the living room.
“Why don’t you set your bags down here in the hall, and you can take them upstairs later. As Derek said, we need to discuss our plans, because I intend to have some fun.” Sarah gave the boys a wide smile.
As they settled into Sarah’s plush sofa and matching chairs, they made suggestions for the evening ahead. When Robbie and Derek mentioned skating, bowling, and miniature golf, Seth spoke up.
“Maybe we should do something on the Mother Road since that’s what our vacation is about.”
When Sarah looked at Tessa, she explained, “I thought it would be nice to use Route 66 as a sort of reference point for our vacation. I mean the old highway goes through Amarillo, and it starts right here in Chicago. If you all want to, maybe we could see the beginning of the road. Is there something we could see or do there, Sarah?”
“Well.” Sarah eyed the boys with a soft smile. “You’re probably sick of museums by now, but there is a park near the beginning of Route 66. If we look, I’ll bet we could find some fun stuff there along with the fountain that’s always fabulous to see. Especially in the evening with the lights on.”
“Sounds good to me.” Tessa watched the expressions on her boys’ faces and saw a spark of interest. She wondered if their early deprivation made them easy to please now. She smiled, knowing they would find a way to enjoy whatever they did.
And they all enjoyed the park. They were especially awed when they saw Buckingham Fountain. Colored lights shimmered against the spray and rose high into the air with the arch of water just as Sarah had said.
The next day the boys were up early, knocking on the guest room door where Tessa still slept. She heard Robbie’s voice. “Mom, the day’s wasting.”
“The amusement park isn’t open this early.” She rolled to her back and stretched, craving another couple of hours’ sleep. She and Sarah had stayed up talking long after the boys were asleep. She had needed the release of telling someone about running into Blake.
“We thought you might let us eat breakfast before we go.”
Seth added, “According to the map, Mom, it will take us awhile to get there, so really we don’t have all day.”
“Yeah, Mom.” Derek’s voice sounded through the door. “We already got dressed and everything. Besides, today’s your birthday.”
Tessa let the laughter bubble as she sat up and buried her face in her hands. She lifted her head. “All right, guys. Give me a couple of minutes to get dressed, okay?”
“Okay.”
She heard their retreating steps and smiled. The amusement park was the highlight of their trip as far as the boys were concerned. That and swimming.
Tessa and Sarah watched the boys on a ride that went too high, too fast, and with too much torque to suit either woman. Sarah turned to look at Tessa. “I don’t think we got to the part last night where you decide what you’re going to do about Blake.”
Tessa’s heart jumped at the unexpected mention of the man she had never forgotten. She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“What do you mean nothing?” Sarah’s blue eyes twinkled. “He’s seen you now, Tessa. I’ll bet he liked what he saw, too. And his parents still live in Amarillo. You will see him again. He knows where you live now.”
Tessa shook her head. “I don’t think so. Even if I see him, I don’t have to do anything about it. If anyone understands, Sarah, you should.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean Kevin.” The mention of her high school boyfriend brought a frown to Sarah’s face, but Tessa didn’t stop. “What would you do if you ran into him? Chicago may be a big place, but didn’t you tell me he lives here now?”
Sarah’s eyes grew hard and cold as she stared straight ahead. “I don’t think so. Kevin is history. Even if I did run into him, I wouldn’t give him the time of day. Besides, I only heard he lives here. Maybe he doesn’t. Thankfully, I’ve not seen him.”
“See, you do understand how I feel.”
“Not really.” Sarah’s blue eyes softened as she looked at her friend. “You’re a forgiving person, Tessa. Blake may have run out on you, but you’ll forgive him.”
“Maybe,” Tessa agreed. “But only because I’ve been forgiven so much. That doesn’t mean I have to restart a relationship with him.”
“That’s true.” Sarah motioned toward the ride. “They’re slowing down. Do you think we could find something to eat now? I’m starved, and I’ve never seen your boys turn down food.”
Tessa laughed as they moved toward the ride’s exit to intercept the boys. “You’re right. I guarantee they’ll be ready to eat.”
After they ate and several rides later, the boys were persuaded to load into Sarah’s car and head back to her house. Sarah was an excellent hostess, and Tessa knew her boys enjoyed their stay. She did, too. Mostly she enjoyed the time spent talking to a friend who probably understood her as much as anyone could.
Now, in spite of assuring Sarah that she had no intention of restarting a relationship with Blake, she wondered. Could she take this chance encounter at his restaurant and file it with her other memories? If he approached her in Amarillo, could she resist the attraction that had not died as she’d thought? Her only consolation was that Blake lived in Oklahoma. Surely she wouldn’t see him that often, if at all.
That evening after dinner, Sarah brought out a decorated cake with two candles on it. “This has been a special day of celebration for two very dear friends of mine,” she said. “Robbie is now fifteen, and his mother is thirty.”
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She flashed a smile at Tessa. “Now is when we start hiding our age, by the way, so I promise not to tell again.”
“Thanks.” Tessa laughed. Sarah was six months older and had always liked to give advice the way Tessa figured an older sister would. Some things never changed.
Sarah lit the candles and stepped back. “Make your wishes and blow them out.”
Tessa closed her eyes and her wish became a prayer. Please help me keep Blake Donovan out of my thoughts.
“I wished I would get to start driver training as soon as we get back home,” Robbie said when Tessa opened her eyes. “And I also wished you’d start calling me Rob like the guys at school do.”
“Wow, someone is growing up.” Sarah’s soft voice sounded in the silence.
Tessa nodded, but she looked at her son. “I can handle Rob with practice, but we agreed not to mention the other until after vacation.”
“Okay.” Rob shrugged. “Just telling what I wished for. Now it’s your turn.”
“I don’t think so.” Tessa felt the blood rush to her face. She stood and turned toward the sink on the pretext of washing her hands, but not before she saw the knowing look and smirk on Sarah’s face.
Three days later, Tessa and the boys left Sarah’s hospitality and headed south out of Chicago. Four days after that, they crossed into Texas and soon pulled into Amarillo.
Tessa drove down a busy street, glad to be home. As she slowed to stop at a red light, she caught a glimpse of a man with dark hair in front of an old, deserted building on the corner. She had no idea what the building had housed before, but the parking lot surrounding it had grass growing in the cracks. The man looked so familiar. She slammed on her brakes, and he turned to look at her car. If that wasn’t Blake Donovan, she was seeing things. Maybe her imagination had dreamed him up. After the two weeks she’d spent with him constantly on her mind, she wouldn’t be surprised. He turned back around as if he didn’t recognize her. But she did know the man with him. Charles Carter, the real estate agent who had sold her the house she now lived in. The truck parked in the lot had his logo on the cab.
A car behind her honked, and she saw the light had changed to green. She drove on, thankful the boys were all asleep. She refused to believe she’d seen Blake. She couldn’t let him invade her thoughts this way. She’d be seeing him on every street corner if she did.
But by the time she pulled into her driveway at home, she knew without a doubt that she had just seen Blake Donovan. What could he be doing in Amarillo on Saturday afternoon talking to a Realtor?
Her mother’s words returned to her mind. “I don’t know why, but I have this feeling you’ll come home from this trip changed in some way.” Tessa leaned her head back against the headrest and stifled a groan. If Blake stayed in Amarillo, her life would indeed change.
Chapter 4
S o what do you think?” the Realtor asked Blake. “Will this one meet your needs?”
Blake stood back and let his gaze sweep over the large brick building. In years past a number of businesses had operated here, but Blake couldn’t remember seeing any activity around the old brick structure in several years. Persistent weeds poked through cracks in the cement near the foundation that seemed surprisingly solid for the age of the building. In fact, both stories appeared to be in good repair, in spite of disuse and age.
“I’ll make an offer, but I’ll want an inspection,” Blake said. “See what needs to be done to bring it up to code.”
The two men discussed an offer and shook hands; then Blake headed toward his SUV. From there he took a last look at the old building and gave a quick decisive nod. Yep, this was just what he needed. Located on the corner of two busy streets in the business part of town with ample parking on three sides, the property should have been snatched up long ago. Either there was something wrong that he couldn’t see and Charles Carter wasn’t telling, or no one else had recognized the potential. Of course, the asking price was a tad high, but Blake didn’t mind haggling. Maybe the inspection would show no major renovations were needed. He hoped that would be the case.
He turned east at the next light and drove to his parents’ house, letting his mind shift from business to concern for his dad. The test results should be back anytime now. The doctor suspected cancer, but they didn’t know how severe and wouldn’t until the lab finished their job. Blake hit the steering wheel with his fist. He felt so helpless. Sitting back and waiting just wasn’t his style, but what else could he do? If he could take the worry out of his mom’s eyes, he would. He’d continue letting her know he cared and would be here for her just in case.
Blake took a right, drove a couple of blocks, and turned into the driveway of his parents’ two-story brick house. He found his mother in the kitchen, furiously stirring a batch of cookie batter.
“Hey Mom.” Blake slipped one arm around her shoulders and with his other hand took the bowl from her and set it on the counter. She turned into his arms as he patted her back. “It’s going to be all right.”
“Oh Blake.” She hugged him around the waist and buried her face in his shoulder. He barely heard her muffled voice. “They got the results back. It isn’t good.”
Blake’s muscles tensed. He pulled away and led his mother to the table. “Let’s sit down so you can tell me what’s going on. Where’s Dad?”
His mom sank into the chair Blake pulled out. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then sent a faint smile to Blake. She would get through this just as he would, no matter what the outcome. Still, he wished the waiting and worry didn’t have to be so hard. And that wasn’t the half of it. The pure frustration and anger that tore through his heart because he could do nothing to stop the disease were the worst. He couldn’t accept his dad’s death. Surely there was something more he could do.
“He’s taking a nap.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how he can be so calm. I want to destroy something.”
She glanced toward her bowl of cookie dough and gave a short laugh. “Or, at the very least, beat the living daylights out of something.”
Blake forced a smile for his mom and nodded. “Yeah, I know how you feel. Maybe I should take up baking something besides pizza. Smashing brick walls is a little too drastic, not to mention painful, although the thought has occurred to me.”
His mom sighed. “Dr. Greenleaf called.” Her eyes teared up. “He does have colon cancer. The good news is they caught it early enough to operate. After that, he may have a chance.”
She reached across the table and covered Blake’s hand with hers. “It could be worse, Blake. He may not make it, but he does have a chance.”
At her words of encouragement, the vise that had gripped Blake’s heart since his dad’s diagnosis eased. Maybe he would be all right. Maybe he had been worrying for no reason.
“I’m glad, Mom. We need to hold on to that. Let’s think positive thoughts, and maybe Dad will pull through this.” He turned his hand over and gave hers a gentle squeeze. “I looked at a building today that I’m thinking about buying.”
“Are you going through with it, Blake?” Mom stood and crossed to the counter and her cookie dough. She pulled a cookie sheet from the lower cabinet and started plopping mounds of dough onto it.
“Moving back here, you mean?” Blake thought of Tessa and wondered how much she figured into his desire to be close to his parents. He watched his mom and saw the vulnerability in her eyes that she tried hard to hide from him and nodded. “Yeah, if I can find a place for another restaurant, I’ll move here. Dave can run Pizza Playground in his sleep. I’ll give him a raise in salary, and he’ll be happy to have me out of the way. You need me here right now, and maybe I need to be here for myself, too.”
“You always were my favorite son.” His mom tossed a teasing smile toward Blake. “Now I know why.”
Blake laughed. “Yeah, well, you’ve always been my favorite mom, too.”
He stood. “I need to get back to Oklahoma tonight. It’s a long drive
and it’s getting late. Do you think Dad would mind if I wake him and tell him bye?”
After a quick glance at the clock, Mom shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. He’s been sleeping awhile, and he’d be upset if you left without him seeing you.”
Blake gave his mother a quick hug. “Hey, hang in there, Mom. We’ll get through this either way. Somehow.”
“Yes, with you here. Just talking has helped.” She stepped back and slid her cookie sheet in the oven. “Now go see your dad and stop back in here for some cookies to take with you. They should be ready by then.”
Blake found his dad awake and in better spirits than he expected. He sat on the edge of the bed while they talked for several minutes, carefully avoiding what dominated Blake’s mind.
Finally Dad asked, “So, are you really moving back home?”
Blake winced at the thought. He didn’t mind the idea of moving to Amarillo, especially knowing Tessa lived within a short drive from his folks. He’d looked up her address in the phone book and had already memorized her phone number after almost calling her more times than he wanted to admit. But he’d been on his own for too long now to move back into his parents’ house. Occasionally when he visited, he stayed in his old room that hadn’t changed in the last eleven years, but he didn’t want to take up permanent residence down the hall from his parents. As an only child, he sometimes felt the weight of his parents’ love and a responsibility for them he couldn’t share. Being an only child, like everything else, had its pros and cons.
Now he shrugged. “I don’t know, Dad. I looked at an old building today, and I’m thinking about buying it. At one time there were offices upstairs that could be turned into a nice apartment. The downstairs is roomy enough for a restaurant and a small dance floor. The front could be partitioned off for an arcade, maybe even a video rental. What do you think?”
“Not enough room for bumper cars or go-carts?” his dad asked.
“No.” Blake shook his head. “Gonna have to use my imagination and make this one a little different.”
Route 66 Reunions Page 4