Jennifer Slattery - Hometown Healing

But the memories that most squeezed her heart were of the hot summer nights she and Jed had sat on Mrs. Tappen’s back porch, sipping lemonade. They’d talked about everything, from pop music to where they wanted to land as adults.

Back then she’d felt certain Jed’s future would include her.

He stepped closer, and his cologne teased her nose. “What can I carry for you?”

“I’m good, but thank you.” She marched up the walk to her mom’s house, locking her car en route.

She’d unload the rest of her things later. On her own.

Because despite Jed’s little welcoming act, she had no intention of being friends with the man.

Her heart couldn’t take another rejection.

* * *

With his hands in his pockets, Jed watched Paige march into her house. She was more beautiful than ever. Her auburn hair, streaked with blond, was cut in one of those modern, windblown styles. Her teeth were straight and white. Way back then, she used to wear braces.

She looked classy, even in workout clothes. And for sure citified. She looked nothing like the quiet, shy teenager he’d once kissed.

If he had to do it over...

If her abrupt departure was any indication, the girl wanted nothing to do with him. Did she hate him that much, or had she simply moved on, determined she was too good, too...elegant and proper, for guys like him? But he only had himself to blame. He should’ve held on to her when he had the chance, been there for her. Should’ve stood by her and fought for her. Instead he’d been too wrapped up in his own drama. Too busy chasing the next party and running from the high-dollar, fancy life his parents tried to force on him.

He wasn’t fool enough to think they could ever have anything between them again, but he hoped they could at least be friends. And that somewhere beneath her sad eyes, he’d catch a glimpse of the girl he’d fallen in love with. Did she still exist, or had city life squeezed that out of her?

Couldn’t be easy raising a kid on her own. Was that what had brought her back? There’d been a time when he would’ve known that. When she told him everything.

Before stupid rumors and his reckless, party-chasing behavior had destroyed her trust and broke her heart. And the fact that she had believed the lies a bunch of high schoolers had spewed had broken his.

She should’ve known he hadn’t cheated on her and never would have.

Surely she wasn’t still nursing that grudge?

With a sigh, he turned toward his grandmother’s house and sauntered up the walk.

Inside, he hung his Stetson on a peg near the door. The aroma of baked goods—peach pie and chocolate chip cookies, if he were to guess—wafted toward him, causing his stomach to growl. His grandmother’s high-pitched voice emanated from the kitchen. She was singing a country song he didn’t recognize.

Smiling, he shucked off his boots and proceeded past the formal sitting room, which was decorated with family pictures, and headed down the hall. In the kitchen, he found her at the sink with her back to him, and her hips and head swaying in opposite directions.

“Hey, Grandma.”

She squealed and whirled around. “Oh, Jed! You scared me, boy.” She wiped her hands on a towel, then deposited it on the counter.

He surveyed the slew of sweets occupying nearly every surface. “What’s with all this? Trinity Faith throwing a charity bake sale I wasn’t aware of?”

She nodded. “To help with the library’s new book campaign.” She grated orange peels over a cream pie. “So, what’d you find out about my grass?”

“You’re overwatering, for one. The backyard was swampy wet, especially by the fence. You might have a mess of take-all patch.”

“Take what?”

He chuckled. “That’s the name of the fungus.”

“Makes no difference what it’s called. Question is, can you get rid of it?”

“I’ll grab some fungicide next time I stop at the hardware store. I’ll give it a good spray when I come back to mow on Saturday.”

“I hate to put you out. I know you’re busy with the theater and all.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I could use the exercise.”

“How do things look for this weekend?”

His heart ached to see the worry in her eyes. She loved that dinner theater and all of the memories it represented. Seemed weird that they’d been talking about changing the name, but Murder, Mystery and Mayhem wouldn’t fit their new branding. They were taking a risk, but they needed to do something.

Jed’s grandfather had purchased the business some twenty years ago, and for a while it’d been thriving. The place had drawn folks all the way from Austin. But when Grandpa had gotten sick, the business had taken a hit. After he had died a few years ago, she’d fought hard to keep it, and had even refinanced her home to pay off the mounting debts. It hadn’t been enough.

That was when Jed had stepped in and purchased half of the business, using the equity he’d built into his place.

“We’ve got quite a few empty seats left.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But I’ve placed a couple ads. I’m sure things will pick up soon.”

“What do you think the problem is?”

“Not sure.” He suspected the place had developed a bad reputation, thanks to a string of cheesy productions put on by the former manager. Bad scripts could drive a dinner theater into the ground. Plus they’d cut corners on the menu, when she had lacked the funds to buy quality ingredients.

“We just need to figure out a way to turn things around,” he said. According to Dad, a smart man would’ve followed his advice and finished his law degree. Joined the firm, like Jed had been groomed to do. But Grandma had needed him. Still did.

“You think your Western idea will help?”

“Hope so.” It’d either save the place or shut it down for good. “You saw the estimates I forwarded you?”

“I did. That’s some chunk of change.”

The last thing he wanted to do was sink more money into that place, but what choice did they have?

She opened the oven, and the scent of chocolate wafted toward him.

“No hard feelings intended—” he sat at the breakfast bar “—but I don’t feel our production’s unique enough to draw folks in.” The truth was that their show was cliché. A fancy inn with a butler, maid, waitstaff and guests.

“I get that.”

“By turning our place into something rustic, uniquely Texas, we can separate ourselves from the pack. And hit the tourist market.” If he could tap into some of the area’s Texas pride, the business might just take off. Assuming he could transform the place on their tight budget.

She gave a brisk nod, keeping her mouth firm. “It’s time we make a change, because we for sure know what we’re doing now isn’t working.”

“We’ll have to shut the theater down during the remodel.”

“When does Drake think he can start?”

“Hopefully within the next few days.”

“Good.” She angled her head and drummed her fingers on the counter. “Wild West Murder Mystery. This just might work.”

“You don’t know any scriptwriters, do you?”

“You can’t find one online like we always have?”

“Haven’t found any that fit my idea yet, at least none that are any good.” And they were short on time.

“Hmm...” She tapped a finger against her chin, then smiled. “Matter of fact, bet you Marilyn’s daughter could help us out. I told you she and her little one were coming for a visit, right?”

“Nope.”

The twinkle in her eye said she’d withheld that tidbit intentionally. Why? Was she worried he’d try to avoid her if he knew? Or that he’d chase after her and maybe hurt her more than she already was?