Page 73 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Nope.’ He wasn’t about to go into how hehadspent his morning. No doubt the Pine Ridge gossip brigade would spread the news fast enough.
‘Luke Durham injured his shoulder in their last game and is out for the season so he’s back in town for the holidays. Aunt Ina caught him sniffing around Mary-Jo and got the mother-lion claws out. Mary-Jo’sordering her to butt out of her business. Says she’ll be twenty-one in a couple of weeks and she’ll talk to who she wants.’ Billy rolled his eyes. ‘Never a moment’s peace with this family. Y’all are better than any soap opera.’
Tom suppressed a smile. Billy was an only child and grew up with his older parents in a quiet Knoxville suburb. Before she agreed to marry him Rayna insisted onmoving back to Pine Ridge and Tom had witnessed multiple noisy arguments between the two over the lack of privacy Billy experienced living in the small community. ‘Glad we keep you amused.’
‘Sure do.’
‘What’s Pop saying about Durham?’ Tom knew his father thought the boy was a jerk.
‘He’s a wise man and leaving it to the women.’ Billy tossed him a sharp look. ‘You’d be smartto do the same.’
Tom’s dislike of Luke Durham was well known. The way the Durham family “dealt” with Lulu’s birth had made him sick to the stomach although the boy himself was essentially harmless. ‘Yeah. Yeah. I’m not goin’ to challenge him to a fist fight. Apart from anything else Fee would kill me.’
Billy grinned. ‘You tamed as well?’ Tom didn’t need to reply because they bothknew the truth. His brother-in-law shrugged and started to tell him all about the new internet and phone connections. ‘The only phones are here in the office, your bedroom and one in the communal room. Cell phone coverage is a bit patchy so don’t promise guests it’ll work everywhere. The internet’s pretty decent in here and in the closest cabins but loses strength the further it gets from the router.You might consider putting a computer in the communal room.’
‘Sounds good.’ Tom took off his denim jacket and hung it up. ‘Off you go and rub Rayna’s feet and feed her ice cream or whatever she’s fancying.’
‘Brussels sprouts.’ Billy screwed up his face. ‘If I never see another sprout it’ll be too soon. They’ve got to be boiled to death as well.’ He hauled himself out of the chairand found his computer bag. ‘Our house smells like a rancid swamp.’
Tom slapped his brother-in-law on the back. ‘It’ll all be worth it when Billy Junior arrives. Now go.’
They said goodnight and once the door closed Tom sank down into the chair. He leaned on the desk and stared at the computer. Suddenly the door swung open and he glanced up. ‘Hi Pop, what’s up? You should’ve calledon our fancy new phone line.’
‘I’ve got some news I couldn’t tell you over the phone, son.’
An icy hand clutched Tom’s heart as he took note of his father’s haggard face. He wanted to order him not to say another word.
