Page 67 of Heart Set on You

The white and gray farmhouse comes into view as we drive the dirt road that leads to it. Its white clapboards gleam in the June sunshine, and the wooden porch swing my gramps made for my gran hangs proudly. I scan the old house, seeing it anew after being gone for so long. It looks to be in good shape right now, but something was always breaking down or in need of repair when you lived on a farm. It’s one of the reasons I need to move back home. The farmhouse is getting to be more work than my grandparents can handle.

As the car slows to a stop, the familiar flash of love that I feel every time I look up at this house charges through my chest.

I pull open the big wood door, its hinges groaning a welcome. A second later a Jack Russell Terrier charges out to greet us. “Hey Maisy girl, you pretty thing,” I say, scratching the brown-and-white dog behind her ear. “I’ve missed you too.”

Miles also bends down to pet Maisy, receiving a big sloppy kiss in return. He doesn’t seem to mind at all.

We toe off our shoes, making our way into the kitchen where I know I’ll find my grandparents sitting around the table drinking sweet tea, reading the newspaper.

The house is exactly like I left it. Floral wallpaper marked with family photos in mismatched frames and sizes. Weathered wood floors and bathrooms with bubble gum pink sinks and matching toilets.

“Rylee-Jay, is that you?”

“It’s me, Gran, and I brought you some company.”

“You bring that boy in here straight away.”

Miles looks at me, one eyebrow raised, with a lopsided smile. Taking him by the hand, we step into the kitchen. I couldn’t wait to see them. Gran is in front of the stove cooking something that smelled amazing. She puts down her wooden spoon when she sees me.

“You come on over here, Rylee. Your Gran has missed you like crazy.” She opens her arms, which are a little skinnier than the last time I saw her, and I step into her embrace.

“It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you too.”

“Let me get a good look at you,” she says, taking a step backwards, giving me a once-over. “A little too skinny, but nothing I can’t fix in a couple of days. Now, who is this handsome man?” she asks, turning her attention to Miles beside me.

“I want you to meet Miles. Miles, this is my grandma, Audrey.”

I watch him give my gran a hug. She looks so small in his arms. “Wow, you really are a looker,” Gran says, when they pull back from their embrace. “You are finer than a frog’s hair.”

“Gran,” I laugh, interrupting her. “What smells so good in here?”

“Yes, it smells like heaven,” Miles agrees. “And you’ll have to tell me later if being finer than a frog’s hair is a good thing or a bad thing.”

“She’s got all your favorite things cooking. She’s been talking about this visit all week,” Gramps says, from his chair at the kitchen table. Using the table for leverage, he pushes to standing. With open arms, he pulls me into him. “Gosh, I’ve missed my girl.”

“You look so good, Gramps. How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling just fine,” he replies before extending a hand to Miles. “Thank you for bringing my girl home and making this old man happy.”

Miles shakes his hand. “It’s my pleasure. You have a beautiful home. Thank you for having me.”

It feels surreal and sublime all at once being back in my childhood home. Watching Miles talk to my gramps, I still can’t quite believe this isn’t a dream. I am so happy to have him here with me I feel like my chest might just burst. Miles seems really happy too, which makes it very difficult to wipe the silly smile from my face.

“Cut the stove for me, Rylee. I don’t want the pies to burn,” my gran says, breaking me from my thoughts.

“I’m fixin’ to have dinner for seven tonight. Will that be okay?”

“That works for us.”

“In the meantime, you two must be starving. Let me make you a steak sandwich. And not like the ones they make at the diner. Those darn things are tougher than a two-dollar steak.”

Miles laughs a deep, happy laugh that spreads warmth right through me. I smile at him, and he winks. God, I love it when he does that. I love so many things about Miles Bennett. I still sometimes wonder how I got so lucky to call him mine.

“Let me get that, Gran. Go sit. I know my way around this kitchen.”

“As do I. It’s not often I get to cook for you, so I’m going to do it.” She looks to Miles. “Ignore my granddaughter. She thinks her Gramps and I are old folks. She’s decided to fuss over us until she’s an old maid herself, leaving us great-grandchildless. I’m not sure she’s aware that grandbabies don’t fall from trees.”

Mile laughs and his gaze moves to meet mine. His smile is a country-mile wide. It’s not his Hollywood smile, but the real one – the one he saves for the ones he loves. The Miles sitting here in my gran’s kitchen is the boy from Reed Point, not the motion picture star. Having him here feels right. Like it’s right where he belongs.

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