Page 49 of Let Me

Autumn walks to the kitchen, opens the fridge like she lives here when yesterday was only her first time visiting.She takes out eggs, sausage, and cheese.Disappointed that I don’t have the ingredients to make biscuits, she settles for toast.And then after the food is done, we sit down to the table to eat.

Mom says, “So, Autumn, how did you and Judah meet?”

I glance over at Autumn.She’s already smiling.

She says, “We met because my ice cream cone got knocked out of my hand and Judah basically gave me his.”

My mother places both hands over her heart and says, “Oh, how romantic.Judah has always been kind-hearted.He gets it from his father.”

“Oh, really?”Autumn asks, glancing over at me for good reason.She knows I don’t get along that well with my father, so it must come as a surprise for her to hear that my mother describes him askind-hearted.

“Yes, he is.That’s how he was able to get me.That man can charm a snake—you hear me?”

Autumn grins.“I believe you.”

She’s perfectly at ease with my mother – almost like they already knew each other before today when I know they didn’t.

“Judah, you’re awfully quiet,” Mom says.

“I didn’t want to interrupt you two.You’re like two friends who just got reacquainted after years of being apart.”

Mom cackles.It’s no interruption.“And these eggs have got to be the best I’ve ever eaten.”

“Thank you, Mrs.Westinghouse.”

“They are good,” I chime in.“I guess next time, I’ll have everything for you to make biscuits because if the eggs are this good, I can only imagine what the biscuits will taste like.”

“Absolutely,” Mom says.“So, Autumn, tell me a little about yourself.Are you from here?”

“I’m from Asheville, but I moved here for work.My parents still live there and, like Judah, I’m an only child.”

“Nice.”

“How long have you all been in Arden?”Autumn asks.

“I was born and raised in Arden.I know it’s hard to believe with it being a small town and all, but yep.Been here all my life, and I actually love it.Whenever we want to go to thebig city, we take the short drive over there.”

“Yeah, that’s what I like about it.”

I take a sip of water, watching them converse, thinking about how my mother has immediately taken to her.I say, “I think I need to give you ladies some privacy.”

“Oh, no, Judah,” Autumn says.“You don’t have to leave.”

Mom says, “I got an idea.Autumn, grab your coffee.It’s a beautiful morning.Let’s go for a lil’ walk.”

“That sounds nice.Let’s do it.”

Chapter 14

We step outside into the thick, dewy morning, greeted by early, golden rays of sunshine and the freshness of a new day.I love mornings.I don’t like the kind where I’m rushing to get dressed, can’t find my favorite earrings, and shoving a muffin down my throat.I like my mornings like these – easy and soft.Relaxing and refreshing.There’s definitely something refreshing about talking with Judah’s mother.She’s another piece of the puzzle that will help me figure him out.

Mrs.Westinghouse is a beautiful woman.One of those real, down-to-earth women who appreciate family.She’s not pretentious.She’s genuine, caring and motherly.She says Judah gets his kindness from his father.I can see how he got it from her, too.

She says, “I live right up the street.”She points.“Right there.”

“The white house?”

“Yep.”

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