Knowing she could delay the inevitable no longer, she took in several deep, calming breaths and, hoping to appear more poised, stepped out of the trailer. “I still don’t quite understand why you’re here,” she told him in a level tone. “How did you even find me?”
“I got your Grandpa’s address from your old roommate, Val. She refused at first, but I assured her I only wanted a chance to make things right with you, Dillon.” He held out the roses again. “Forgive me?”
“Of course. All is forgiven.” She wanted to add that changed nothing, but instead, she took the roses. Brandon obviously had forgotten that of all rose colors, red was her least favorite. And she had no intention of putting them in her trailer. Besides disliking that harsh color, the roses would look ridiculous in there. Just like Brandon looked ridiculous in his fancy suit on her grandpa’s farm. But, standing there, speechlessly holding the detested roses, she didn’t know what to do next.
“Margot invited me to lunch,” he said lightly, as if this were just another day. “In fact, she said to tell you to hurry. She’s already putting it on the table.”
“Uh, right.” Dillon looked at the roses. “Let’s take these into the house.”
As they walked toward the house, Brandon made small talk, acting like there was nothing the least bit strange about this unexpected visit. Dillon said nothing.
“There you are,” Margot called out as she carried a jug of tea down the back-porch steps. “I told Brandon where to find you, Dilly. Isn’t it nice he could pop in like this?”
Dillon tossed her mother a sharp glance, as if she were somehow responsible for this debacle. “Here.” She held out the roses to Margot. “You take these inside and I’ll take the tea. We’re under the aspens, right?”
“That’s right. Ooh, these are so pretty. I’ll put them in a vase for you.”
“And do you need any more help bringing things out?” Dillon asked hopefully. “I’m sure Brandon wouldn’t mind giving you a hand.”
“That’s okay. I only have one more thing. You guys go out and join Jordan and Grandpa, and I’ll grab the burgers. I was keeping them warm in the oven.”
“I didn’t know I was coming to a party,” Brandon said cheerfully as Dillon led him to where the old picnic table was draped with an old-fashioned tablecloth and nicely set. Even with flowers from the garden. Margot had outdone herself. Not that any of this mattered, because Dillon knew that lunch was ruined now. At least for her.
She set the jug of tea on the table and introduced Brandon to Jordan. “And you remember my grandpa,” she said to Brandon.
“Yes.” Brandon shook both their hands, lingering with Grandpa. “From two Christmases ago. Before Dillon’s grandmother passed. I’m so sorry for your loss, sir.”
Grandpa just nodded, then exchanged concerned glances with Dillon.
“I’m as surprised as anyone,” Dillon said lightly as she sat next to Jordan. “I had no idea Brandon was paying us a visit. No warning whatsoever.”
“That’s because I wanted to surprise you.” Brandon sat beside Grandpa. “You see, I had to meet with a new client in Bend yesterday.” He unfolded a cloth napkin, another reminder that Margot had really pulled out all the stops. “It was such a short drive over here, I thought why not make a weekend of it?” He grinned at Dillon. “I suppose I was thinking about all the times I’d let you down by not showing up when you expected me. I thought you deserved to be surprised by my arrival today.”
“Well, you certainly did that.” Dillon turned to smile at Jordan, but his expression was hard to read. “Although you didn’t pick the best day for an unexpected visit. You see, we’re painting my trailer today. Jordan’s been helping me. And we really need to continue working on it after lunch. So I’m sorry to say I won’t be able to spend any time with—”
“I’ll help you paint,” Brandon offered, and before Dillon could respond, Margot appeared, setting a big platter of burgers in the center of the table.
“I realize it’s nothing fancy,” she said as she sat down. “But at least it’s not tofu burgers.”
“Everything looks really nice,” Dillon told her.
“I’ll say grace.” Grandpa bowed his head.
As Grandpa asked a blessing, Dillon prayed too. She prayed that Brandon would take the hint and disappear after lunch. But as they began to eat, it was clear that he was trying to ingratiate himself to everyone at the table. Even Jordan. He talked and acted as if he and Dillon had never broken up. As if she hadn’t left him and anything to do with him behind in Colorado. For good.
Then, acting like the center attraction, Brandon talked about himself and his job, bragging about how successful yesterday’s business meeting had gone, and saying how much he liked Oregon, although Colorado had better mountains.
“Yes, but we have the ocean,” Dillon countered.
“I know. And I remember our plan to see the Oregon Coast together,” he said without missing a beat. “Hopefully we can do that someday. Maybe we can drive from Colorado. I’ve heard it’s a beautiful drive through Utah and—”
“I’m sorry,” she interrupted. “But you seem to be under the impression that I didn’t leave Colorado for good, Brandon. I have no plans to go back there.”
“Well, I’m sure you felt that way when you left. But you made such a rash decision about that. Really out of character for you. And you took off so quickly that you never gave anyone time to talk you out of it.”
“It was simply time to go,” she said in her defense. “I wanted to come home.”
“I agree you were probably overdue for a visit, Dillon. And it’s nice you’ve had this time. But I’m sure you don’t know how much you’ve been missed at work. By LeeAnn more than anyone.” He redirected his conversation to the rest of the table. “LeeAnn was Dillon’s boss. She told me that Dillon was her right-hand girl.”
“More like her slave,” Dillon said sullenly.
“LeeAnn admits she may have taken you for granted. But she assured me that if you come back, she’ll not only give you a promotion, but a substantial raise as well.”
“I don’t care about that anymore,” Dillon declared. “I’m done with that job.”
“Maybe you’re being too hasty,” Margot said with concern. “You really should give yourself time to consider that offer, Dilly.”
“Dilly.” Brandon chuckled. “I forgot about that nickname. So cute. So fitting.”
Dillon wanted to throw her iced tea in his face but controlled herself. To her relief, Grandpa redirected the conversation by talking to Jordan about his pumpkin patch. And then Margot told Brandon about her lavender project, describing the kinds of products she planned to make after the first harvest. Somehow, they managed to work through a very awkward lunch. Despite Margot’s best efforts, Dillon barely touched her food. While everyone else was finishing up, Dillon’s stomach felt like she’d swallowed a brick.
“Well, thank you for stopping by,” she told Brandon. “And I hate to cut our visit short, but I have a lot of work to do on my trailer.”