Page 58 of The Ghost of You

“Honestly, Anna. It just sounds big. It’s not that large. We don’t have an elevator or a movie room or whatever else those extravagant houses have. In fact, the kitchen was dated until my mom went to culinary school.”

“Yeah well, I am sure you all had huge bedrooms and a pool.”

He smiles at me. “Well yeah, there is a pool. But don’t be overwhelmed. Please. We aren’t some rich people trying to show off money. My parents just bought a house that fit our needs and fit their budget.”

I hold my hands up. “Okay, okay. I will take your word for it until I see this thing and throw it back in your face.”

“Whatever you want, Mayberry.”

I look up at him as I step out of the car and he says his nickname for me and smiles. “Don’t say things like that or else you may find yourself in a bad situation.”

He shuts my door then grabs my dish out of the back seat. “For some reason, I don’t think I could ever be stuck in a bad situation with you.”

I blush at his flirting and hope it ends before we walk in the door. Because I can’t take the smile off my face when he flirts with me. And I don’t want his mom thinking we are a couple.

I follow him to the front door just as an older woman opens it. She is beautiful and timeless. Long silvery-gray hair cascades over her shoulders, her skin smooth except for a few wrinkles around her eyes. Her blue eyes the same as Noah’s, the smile on her face reminds me of Mason’s grin.

“You must be Anna. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Marlene,” she says as she wraps me in a hug. I freeze at the movement but she doesn’t seem to mind. She pulls back and looks at my outfit. “Oh dear, I got some flour on you.”

I look down and brush it off. “No big deal. I brought a dish.” I gesture to the one that Noah is holding.

“You didn’t need to do that.”

I shrug. “It’s the least I could do. Thank you for having me.”

“The more the merrier.” She smiles and I can’t help but feel relaxed in her presence. She reminds me of my mom, welcoming everyone. “Now let’s go inside. It’s chilly out here and I have a lot more cooking to do.”

“Hi to you too, Mom,” Noah mutters as we walk in the door. I giggle as he says it.

She grabs the dish from his hands. “Hello, Noah. I am so glad you finally brought a girl here. I got over-excited about it.”

He stares at his mom. “Mom, I told you we aren’t—”

“Oh you keep telling yourself that. I saw the way you were looking at her as she got out of the car. It’s only a matter of time.”

My cheeks flush as Marlene walks away. “Give her a tour, Noah. I need to check on the turkey.”

“Sorry about that. Mom likes to…” He grabs the back of his neck as he tries to explain.

“I get it.” I start to take my coat off and Noah helps me, sliding it down my arms, then putting it in the closet by the front door with his.

“Come on, let me give you a tour before everyone else shows up and it’s so loud in here you won’t be able to hear yourself think.”

“Does it get that loud?”

He nods. “Four of my brothers will be here. You know how Mason is, well when Asher and he are drinking it’s insane. Carson’s girlfriend likes to talk up a storm. My grandparents will be in your business and never let you out of their sight. My dad’s brother is as obnoxious as Mason and my grandma on my mom’s side is a spitfire. And if the neighbors show up.” He pauses and shakes his head. “All hell breaks loose. It’s why I didn’t drive my brothers up here. They are responsible for their own drunk asses.”

I laugh at his assessment of his family. “This sounds interesting.”

“Oh trust me it is. But I love them even through all the craziness. They are my family and they have my back more than anyone.”

His words hit me hard. Maybe this is a step in the right direction for me. They might not be my family but spending time with them may give me the courage I need to one day go back home and see my own. Apologize to them for my behavior. But baby steps. I just need to make it through this day first.

Noah leads me down a hall that I refer to as a wing. This house is huge, I don’t care what he says. All the kid’s rooms sit on one side of the house, which I would have loved when I was growing up. It would have made sneaking out a lot easier.

“What was that?” Noah asks me.

“Oh, um, I was just mumbling.”

---