Page 14 of Home Coming

CHAPTERFIVE

The drive from Albany to Sidney was actually pretty good… or it would have been if it wasn’t overshadowed by the knowledge of how his effort to fit family time into his schedule had failed so spectacularly. How he’d flown across the country to visit parents that weren’t even going to be here.

But as far as the actual drive, that was smooth. Fast and easy. A nice change compared to his long ass flight delay in Atlanta. And he’d gotten a free upgrade on the rental car to an awesome SUV with four-wheel drive, which made the hour and a half on the road even sweeter.

The storm that had fucked up flights had hit hardest more north and west.

What snow had fallen in this area had been cleared from the highways leaving just the coating of white on the grass and trees. Enough for atmosphere. Not enough to be a pain in the ass.

Perfect. Snow might be pretty to look at but it was a bitch to clean up and it sucked to drive in.

With no traffic and clear weather, he’d set the cruise control, dialed in the radio and hit the highway. He was standing in the driveway of his parents’ house in record time.

While the sun warmed his face, a cold breeze ruffled his hair. He had to admit he loved the crispness of autumn in New York. Fall was the season he missed most after moving to Southern California.

Visiting New York in November meant he was too late to see the leaves change. And apple picking season was long over. But since he’d be out of here before winter officially started he would also—hopefully—miss any major snow. What had fallen was enough for him while he was there. He could go happily back to sunny California having gotten his fill of the white stuff for this year.

It would be nice if he could at least see snow since he’d barely be seeing his parents.

As it was, if Josie was correct—and that was still in question—he’d be leaving just after they’d be getting home from their paddleboat cruise down the Mississippi.

Where the hell did his father come up with that idea for a surprise trip for his mother? Shaking his head, he grabbed his bag out of the back and headed for the house.

He passed his sister’s car in the driveway. More accurately, it was his parents’ old car that they’d given his sister when they’d gotten a new one.

It served as a physical reminder of why he couldn’t be too upset that he was here when his parents weren’t—his sister.

What the strange USO lady had said was right. He was needed here, if only to keep an eye on his sister who was twenty-seven going on seventeen. She perpetually avoided growing up and taking on any responsibilities—such as an apartment of her own.

Glancing at the parked car’s windshield, he wondered if it was still registered and insured under his father’s name.

He growled, getting his frustration out in the driveway before he got inside. It was going to be a long visit if he started fighting with Josie the minute he got inside.

The moment he walked through the door he was surrounded by the sensation of home. Enough so he forgot he’d been annoyed. The warmth and smell of the wood stove burning in the family room. The aroma of something baking in the kitchen—

Wait. Baking? His sister didn’t bake and his mother wasn’t home.

Had his sister taken up baking like the hoards of people who’d learned to make sourdough bread or whatever during the pandemic?

Possibly.

If it was a fad on TikTok Josie was all over it…for a little while anyway until the next fleeting fancy took hold.

At least baking was one hobby of hers he might actually enjoy before she dropped it and moved on.

As he stood contemplating what exactly he was smelling—cinnamon maybe—a kitchen timer went off.

Perfect timing. With a smile, he dropped his bag right there on the floor where he stood and headed toward the kitchen.

He heard the bathroom door open. Heard the footsteps running toward the kitchen. His sister running to save her creation from burning, no doubt.

Spinning around to mock her new hobby to her face, he turned to see a woman who was most definitely not his sister.

Draped in a towel, she sprinted from the bathroom toward the kitchen.

She looked backward over her shoulder as she called, “I’ve got it, Josie!”

She glanced forward again and met his gaze with wide-eyed horror as her foot caught on his bag and sent her pitching headfirst with both arms out to break her fall.

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