Page 15 of Autumn Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses

Once we reach the porch, my mom kneels down to their eye level. “Hi, y’all must be Silas and Seraphina.” Both of their heads bob up and down. “A lot of people call me Grandma Dixie.”

“I like your name,” Seraphina says quietly. Her cheeks blush pink and she looks up at Teaganne who smiles and squeezes her shoulders.

My mom laughs. “Oh well, I happen to like your name more.”

Seraphina smiles. “My mama named me,” she announces, pointing up to Teaganne.

“I happen to like your mom’s name, too,” my mom says, as she stands back up and smiles at Teaganne. “How are you dear?”

Teaganne’s eyes shine with unshed tears and she nods her head. “I’m well. How are you, Mrs. Dunn?”

My mom’s eyes bug out. “Mrs. Dunn?” She shakes her head. “I know it’s been a while, but you can still call me Dixie.” She gets back down to the kids level. “Would y’all like to help me make some pizza and chocolate chip cookies?”

“Can we?” Silas asks Teaganne.

Teaganne nods her head. “Of course, you can.” My mother takes one hand in each of hers and leads them inside to the kitchen where she produces mini aprons for them. Where they come from, I have no clue, but the kids love them. My mom joins Teaganne and I. “Are you sure you don’t mind doing this?”

“Not at all. Y’all take all the time you need, just be safe. Also, do they have allergies I should be aware of?”

“Yes, Silas is allergic to nuts,” Teaganne tells her. My mom and Teagnne talk for a little while longer, but eventually we are ushered out the door and climb back into the truck. I change the radio to a country station and we head towards Atlanta.

THIRTEEN

Teaganne

The first half of the trip from Blue Ridge to Atlanta is pretty quiet until we reach the halfway point. Keefer turns down the radio and clears his throat. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?” I ask.

I glance over at him and he shrugs. “You’re quiet. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

That’s the thing about Keefer: he's always concerned about those around him. He’s selfless. “I’m okay. I promise.”

“If you’re worried about leaving the kids behind, they were more than welcome to come along. I didn’t mind at all,” he tells me. His voice is completely sincere and it’s bittersweet. It’s sweet that he’s willing to do so much for me and my kids considering our history. He’s great with Silas and even Seraphina, but the sad part is their own father seems fine to ignore them. It frustrates me and it’s one of the main reasons I decided to come back home to Blue Ridge.

I shake my head. “I’m not worried about them. I know your mom is amazing with kids. I’ll admit I do have a little separation anxiety, but that’s just because for the last few months I’ve had them every single day. It’s odd to leave them in another town for me.”

“We can go back and get them,” Keefer tells me. One look is all it takes for me to know that he means that. He’d stop his truck right now and turn back around just to go back and get Silas and Seraphina if it would make me feel better.

I’ll admit, that for a moment I consider his offer, but I know that’s being silly. We’re already over halfway to Atlanta and I really do need to get my SUV so I can return Warbee’s Jeep. “No, I’m okay, but thank you Keefer.”

Silence falls between us once more until a song that holds our memories comes on the radio. I hold my breath for a moment. This song always brings back so many emotions, that I often find myself turning the station just to avoid them. Keefer doesn’t seem to want to turn the song, but then again, he seems completely unphased by me and my presence. I wish I could be over us so easily. Technically, I should be. I’m the one that ended things. I’m the one that got married and started a family. I shouldn’t still be holding on to memories of Keefer and I, but I am…

It’s the day after prom. The doorbell to my house rings and I open the door to find Keefer standing on my doorstep. He looks unsure, yet confident. “Hey,” he greets me.

“Hey.” I’ve never found myself feeling anything but confident in Keefer’s presence for some reason I feel lost right now. I feel like everything has changed in the last couple of days. I wanted all of this, but now I’m worried.

Keefer stuffs his hands into the pockets of his khaki shorts. “I was wondering if you wanted to hang out.”

Disappointment floods me. I know my shoulders sag with it. “I’d love to, but I’m actually babysitting. I agreed to do it for my parents so they could have a date night.”

“Oh,” he replies. Fake enthusiasm in his voice.

I look behind me. “If you want though you can come in and hang out with us. I ordered pizza and it should be here shortly and then we’re watching a movie.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to get you into any trouble.”

A laugh bubbles out of me before I can stop it. “It’ll be fine. You wouldn’t try any moves with my little brothers and sisters around.”

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