Page 80 of Lightning in a Mason Jar

Bailey Rae understood all about the importance of connections with the special people in her life. Libby, Keith, June, Thea, Howard ...

And yes, Martin too.

His workday promised to be busy after so many reports of vandalism in the marshy backwoods during the Fourth of July celebrations. He would come over later with supper from the Fill ’Er Up. She had a million tasks to tackle too, starting with unloading the contents of the truck back into the barn, then beginning the search for a good deal on a food truck trailer. Thanks to the money from Aunt Winnie, Bailey Rae had time to plan for her future in Bent Oak.

A honking car horn jolted her back to the present.

Standing, Bailey Rae shaded her eyes from the morning sun. An unmistakable minivan careened along the winding path on shock absorbers long past their expiration date.

The minivan slid to a stop by the front steps, a cloud of dust swirling. The driver’s side door creaked open, with June behind the wheel. She grabbed the frame and hopped out. “Bailey Rae, honey, put on your dancing shoes. Your party has arrived.”

“Not a minute too soon.” Bailey Rae lifted her hair off her sweaty neck, nodding toward June’s latest adventure in hair color. “Love the red-and-blue stripe for Independence Day.”

June gave a sassy flick of her head. “Just celebrating freedom.”

The side panel rolled away and the wheelchair ramp cranked out for Libby, a picnic basket on her lap and a cane hooked on the armrest. “Keith’s putting in some overtime at the new construction job of his, but he sends his best.”

Was she confused? Bailey Rae glanced at June, who shrugged, smiling. “Who knew Keith would be a whiz at construction? Guess he’s a late bloomer.”

Better late than never. Bailey Rae hoped, for his sake and his mother’s, this could be his fresh beginning too.

The passenger-side door opened for Thea, who wore pink lace gloves. “We’ve brought chicken salad sandwiches, ladyfinger cookies, and sweet tea—”

Libby interrupted, patting the wicker basket. “I wanted Southern Comfort, but they said it’s still morning.”

June grasped the wheelchair handles, steering her toward the cabin’s side ramp. “We’re here to give you a proper send-off.”

What Southern celebration would be complete without food? She would be glad to spend more time cooking Winnie’s recipes in the weeks ahead, perfecting them for her food truck business. But for now, she couldn’t wait to let them know this celebration was about to take a surprising twist.

“Well,” Bailey Rae said with a grin, then blurted, “turns out I’ve decided to stick around for a little while longer.”

All three paused, eyes wide with surprise, followed by an exhale of relief.

“Woo-hoo,” June squealed. “Praise the Lord and pass the gravy.”

Thea clapped her hands over her chest. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a month of Sundays.”

Libby smirked. “I told you to let me bring the Southern Comfort.”

Bailey Rae climbed the porch steps, motioning to the rockers and swing. “Let’s have our picnic out here and keep Skeeter company.”

The hound had drifted off to sleep, but she still wasn’t ready to let him out of her sight for a moment.

June pushed the wheelchair up the ramp onto the porch, then set the brakes. “Did your change of heart have something to do with the yummy game warden?”

“Actually,” Bailey Rae said, opening the basket and pulling out four Mason jars, “he offered to come see me and even look into job postings in the Myrtle Beach area.”

June nodded approvingly, choosing the rocker closest to Libby. “An enlightened man. He has my vote.”

Laughing, Bailey Rae poured sweet tea from the carafe into jars. “I decided I don’t need to go to Myrtle Beach to feel close to Winnie. My very best memories of her are in Bent Oak.”

“Hear! Hear!” Thea cheered, sitting in a rocker. “Will you return to work at the Fill ’Er Up? I’m sure they would be thrilled to have you back.”

Bailey Rae passed the jars over one at a time. “I’m still buying a food truck. I decided to look into opportunities around the county.”

Saying it out loud still felt a little scary, but exciting too.

“Brilliant,” June declared, sipping her tea before continuing, “I can already think of ideas around the community college campus.”

---