Page 72 of Call It Home

“Come on, you two. I’ve been watching and know you haven’t had a chance to eat. I’ve got something for you.” I wasn’t sure how my usually quiet cousin did it, but she was able to push past everyone until we were at the front of the crowd. She directed us to sit on a large blanket that held two picnic baskets.

Iain tugged on my sleeve. “Can you eat fast?” Iain asked. “Mama wouldn’t let us get our dessert until you’ve had a chance to catch up.”

I bopped him on the nose. He was growing like a weed, so I wasn’t surprised he was interested in more food. “I’ll do my best.”

I’d only managed a couple of bites into my promise before a gruff but friendly voice interrupted. “Well, now, pretty lady, how about a little shot of courage for tonight?”

I looked up to see Hans Zimmerman, the resident backwoodsman, who pretended he didn’t like most people but really had a heart of gold. He held out a mason jar filled with clear liquid.

It had long been thought that Hans had at least one moonshine still hidden in the woods near his remote cabin, but no one had ever found them. Not that anyone was really looking for them, at least not to cause trouble. Too many people in town appreciated his talent, which he, of course, denied making. You knew you were in good with him when he offered you some of his precious hooch.

“Is that what I think it is?” I asked him.

“Nothing more than a little peach-flavored water,” he confirmed, his eyes twinkling. He leaned in close enough that his beard tickled my cheek. “Firewater, that is.” He pulled back and winked at me. “Thought this was an occasion worth celebrating.”

He took off the lid and held the jar out to me. I accepted it and took a quick whiff, peach flavors vainly trying to cover up the pungent smell. Without thinking too much about it, I took a sip, coughing as the liquid fire burned down my throat, clearing out my sinuses and any nerves that still lingered about the evening’s event.

“Wow,” I gasped. “That’s good.” I took another small sip, then held the jar out to Mac.

His nose wrinkled, then he also swallowed some. His eyes grew wide as he shuddered, then wiped his chin. “Damn. That’ll cure about anything.”

A groan sounded as a man approached, and we all turned to see Reid, along with Bristol, Lexi, and Chase.

“I didn’t see anything,” he groaned and shielded his eyes. “Why couldn’t I be off duty?” he muttered as Bristol patted his uniformed shoulder as he walked in the opposite direction.

Chase’s eyes lit up as he saw the jar and took it from Mac. “Now this is just what the doctor ordered.” He took a sip, coughed, then smiled. “I think the doc might need to put in a prescription for more. Think we could do something about that? Strictly off the record, of course.”

Hans clapped him on the back and steered him away from where Reid was last seen. “Well, now. Let’s go over there and see if we can come to terms,” I heard him say.

The rest of us went back to eating, with Bristol and Emalee running interference for us as much as they could. I made sure Iain got an extra-large piece of the chocolate cake Em had made.

Just as I finished eating, a shrill sound came from the front, capturing everyone’s attention. Mayor Richard Bowen held a microphone. “Good evening, everyone! It’s just about time for the show. Thank you for coming out tonight. We’re excited to watch the first episode ofRenovation Station. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or maybe out in the woods with Hans Zimmerman,”—the crowd laughed—“you know our very own Cameron Allen and Mac Caldwell were selected among thousands to compete with three other couples.”

The silence filled up with applause and whistles.

Mac raised his eyebrows at me. “I’m one of Sterling Mill’s own?”

I bumped my shoulder into his. “We like to claim people we really like, so yeah. You have been for a while.”

His jaw twisted like he was thinking about something, but he didn’t say anything.

The mayor held up his hands to quiet everyone back down. “They’ve been very quiet about what they did and how things went, so I guess we know who can keep a secret around here. Tonight, we get our first glance into the world they lived in for over a month. So, without further ado, let’s turn on the show!”

Among more hoots and hollers, the live HRTV channel appeared on the screen. Scenes of the Rocky Mountains and the Grandview Resort filled the screen, while Cash’s voice narrated in the background, explaining the concept of the show. Then each of the couples were introduced with multiple images—the candids we posed for our first day, as well as several of us working, some independently and some with our heads together. I didn’t even remember many of those takes.

“Aw, y’all look so cute together,” Emalee said.

“I didn’t know Mac could smile,” Chase joked.

Mac looked over at me and winked. “We do look good together,” he whispered.

The show went on for an hour. Despite feeling self-conscious, it was interesting to watch it from another perspective. The producers made it appear as if we didn’t plan for anything except the kitchen on day one, rather than creating a plan for the entire house. And it ended with the judges commenting on elements of each of the designs as they walked through. They cut many of Vivien’s biting comments, but her criticism was still made known.

After Cash announced the winner, the crowd booed.

“You were robbed,” Reid declared. “Yours was easily the best.” Everyone else backed up his words.

“Aw, you guys are the best,” I declared. “I love you.”

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