Rough Country (Tannen Boys 3)

Willow clears her throat, and though I can’t see her, I know she’s got one of her soft smiles gracing her lips.

Carrie might be seeing that change now for the first time, but I’ve known Willow was sweet, kind, and also strong all along. She’s had to be to put up with Hank. Fine, and me too.

Wayne asks another question about pesticide residues, and I let Willow take her time finding the pictures to show me. I’m good here, with her people, especially knowing that we leave tomorrow to go home. Together.

Chapter 26

Willow

“You ready?”

Mom and I are standing beneath the glowing light of the sign outside Hank’s. I can’t believe that it’s only been a few short months since I stood here that first time, nervous about what I’d find inside. Now, I’m ready to get in there and check on Hank, say hi to Olivia, Ilene, and Daniel, and get back behind the bar.

I’ve missed this place, these people, this feeling of home.

Mom grips my hand, her voice a little strained. “He knows I’m coming, right?”

She’s nervous, having spent twenty minutes picking an outfit, as if Hank will notice or care at all, and her hand is a bit shaky in mine. I’m surprised, having only seen Mom confident, no matter the room she’s walking into.

I squeeze her hand reassuringly as I remind her, “Yes, he knows. You talked to Unc yesterday. He told you to come at lunch today.”

“Right, yeah,” she says with a mindless nod that confirms she’s still uncertain.

The door creaks and we step inside. Before my eyes even adjust, I hear a loud call, “Willow! Carrie! Ooh, if you two aren’t a sight for sore eyes. Get over here and hug my neck.”

Unc is making his way around the bar, moving quickly despite his limp and looking well. Mom meets him in the middle, and they wrap their arms around each other, swaying away years of hurt and pride.

Tears prick at my eyes. This is why we should’ve done this a long time ago.

“I’m so sorry,” Mom blubbers through tears of her own.

“Hush with that shit. The fault rests on my shoulders. They ain’t as strong as they used to be, but I can carry this responsibility. I should’ve fixed it after Harold died so I didn’t miss out on you and your family.” Unc’s blue eyes meet mine around Mom’s head and he shoots me a wink. “You did good with ’em, Carrie. Especially that one over there.”

Mom beams proudly as she looks back at me. “I did, didn’t I?” To Unc, she says, “How about if we leave the past in the past? No need to even give it another minute of our time. We can start fresh and move forward from this moment right here.”

“That sounds nice,” Unc agrees, but then he holds up a bony finger. “With one exception. I wanna hear what you’ve been up to. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. There’s a lot I’ve missed.” He chokes out, “Too much.”

Mom reaches up and grabs him into a hug again, and I hear her whisper, “I’d like that.”

Unc leads her off toward a table in the corner, but he calls out over his shoulder, “You’d better get to work, Willow-girl. Prep ain’t gonna do itself, and the dinner crowd will be here before you know it.”

I can’t help but laugh at his roundabout way of saying ‘welcome back, glad you’re here’ that sounds a whole lot like ‘you’ve been falling down on the job’.

“Love you too, old man.”

He snorts, but I catch the brightness of his grin as he pulls a chair out for Mom to sit down so they can catch up. I head behind the bar and grab one of his craft beers, popping the top, and pour Mom a glass of red wine. I take them over, promising to grab them some food too.

“Tell Ilene I’ll take my usual,” Unc requests. “And get Carrie a special.” I dip my chin in acknowledgement, and Unc tells Mom, “Ilene made chili today. It’s the best you’ll ever have, but my belly can’t always handle it.”

The casual way he alludes to the cancer is a definite change. I’m sure it’s only with the two of us since we already know about his diagnosis, but still, it’s a good sign that he’s being so open.

In the kitchen, Ilene screeches, “Oh, my goodness gracious, Willow! You’re back!” Ilene can’t hug me with a chili-covered spoon in her hand, but she kisses the air beside my cheek in greeting. “Thank the heavens because that stubborn old guy out there needs you. Don’t let him tell you any differently.”

“Actually, he told me to get to work and then promptly sat down with my mom, so I don’t think he’d argue with you.”