Another knock taps out. “Rowan?” my mother says from the other side.
“I’m awake.”
The door cracks open, and I sit up.
“I made breakfast. Come eat before I put everything up.” She gives me a smile, and I nod, twisting my hair into a high bun.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” I put my feet on the floor and follow her into the kitchen. Mom doesn’t disappoint and has a whole spread of food on the table. I know she probably got up early and had breakfast with Dad, then made this for me. After I fill my plate with bacon, eggs, and a biscuit with a huge scoop of gravy, I smile.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Ma,” I tell her around a mouthful.
She shrugs. “I’m off work today, so I thought I’d spoil you a bit.” She works as a nurse at the hospital in San Angelo, and her shifts are typically long.
Before I can say another word, Dad walks through the door. He goes straight to Mom and pulls her into his arms and kisses her. Their love is beautiful, and even though I’ve been burned, I hope one day I find what they have.
“Okay, gross,” I say as the kiss deepens. “I don’t want breakfast and a show.”
Dad laughs. “You do know how you were made, don’t you?”
I put my fingers in my ears. “I was delivered by a stork.”
The last thing I want to think about this morning is my parents doing it. That’s a visual I can live without for the rest of my life.
Mom giggles, but I’ve known how babies were made since I was ten. Considering her job, she was determined to give Riley and me the sex talk as soon as puberty hit. Then we both proceeded to tell all the other kids at school, which got back to Grandma Bishop, who was ready to kick our asses. She was so embarrassed, but I’ve never seen Dad laugh so hard.
Dad talks about the ranch and his daily duties as I finish eating. “You workin’ tonight?
“Mm-hmm.” I finish chewing. “I’m supposed to meet Uncle John around five. I should be finished learning everything within the next month, and then he’s gonna let me loose.”
“Oh lord,” Dad says. “Well just know if running the bar doesn’t work out, you can always help Maize in the kitchen at the B&B.” He grins.
“Hard pass. I didn’t go to business school to cook. Not to mention, I’m horrible in the kitchen. Plus, Maize is a hard-ass perfectionist. One time, we made cupcakes, and she nearly had a hissy fit because of how I iced one. No thanks!”
Dad chuckles and shrugs. “Don’t know where she would’ve gotten that trait from.”
His sarcasm isn’t lost on me.
“Not from Uncle John,” I say, and we both laugh because Maize’s exactly like him—meticulous to a T. He follows all the rules unlike his twin brother, Uncle Jackson. The two are complete opposites.
Mom fills a mug full of coffee and blows on it before taking a sip. “What are your plans today?”
I shrug. “Not much going on other than hoping Zoey has that baby before I have to go to work.”
Mom and Dad both grin. We’ve been eager and waiting for Zach to be born, and after her last appointment, we were told it could happen at any moment. I’m just ready to become an aunt so I can spoil my nephew rotten. Grandma Bishop is growing impatient too because it’s her first great-grandchild.
“Mama’s been praying about it all morning,” Dad says with a wink.
“You know when Grandma sends messages to God, things happen.” I laugh, but I’m not wrong.
Dad checks the time and tells us he has to get back to work before anyone notices he’s gone. We say our goodbyes, and I finish my bacon.
Once I’m done eating, I help clean the kitchen. Afterward, I hop in the shower and get dressed, then go to the B&B to see what’s going on today. It’s weird being home, and it’ll take some getting used to after juggling a hectic schedule in college.
When I walk inside, Uncle John is sitting behind the counter and Maize is leaned over talking to him. Her dark hair is pulled back into a bun, which is normally covered in a hair net when she’s in the kitchen. They’re chatting about something and laughing their asses off. When I clear my throat, she turns around, and I smirk. They have a special connection, especially considering Maize’s biological mother passed away soon after she was born, and he became a single dad overnight. John’s wife, Mila, raised Maize as her own, and most don’t know because they’re so close.
“Hey, kiddo,” Uncle John greets me just as Kenzie bursts through the back door being her usual loud self. She’s majoring in education and is home for the summer. As soon as she has her degree, she’ll be here permanently, following in Aunt Mila’s footsteps—like mother, like daughter. She opened a daycare years ago, and it eventually transitioned to a private school. While our town isn’t big at all, many of her students are from the surrounding areas. When more teachers are hired, they can accept more kids off the waitlist, so it’s a big deal for Kenzie to get her degree.
“I’m starving,” Kenzie says, glancing at her sister. “Did you make banana bread today?”
Maize gives her an incredulous look, narrowing her blue eyes. “Yes, for the guests.”
“I’m a guest all summer,” Kenzie quickly retorts.
When I chuckle, Kenzie just shrugs, then goes to Maize and wraps her arms around her and squeezes. “Come on, sis. You love me soooooo much. You can’t deny my love for your banana bread.”
Uncle John grins at his daughters the entire time. “She does have a point. It’s really good.”
“Fine!” Maize says, knowing she won’t win.
“Well, if you’re serving up slices, I want one too! And don’t be stingy,” I say.
“Same!” Uncle John adds.
Maize pretends to be annoyed, but I know how much she loves cooking and finds joy in us being obsessed with her food. Five minutes later, she’s walking into the main area carrying three small plates.
“It’s still warm,” I say excitedly, noticing steam rising from the top. Kenzie doesn’t wait before she’s stuffing her mouth full. I take a bite, and it’s so delicious that I quickly devour it regardless of the big breakfast I just ate. Maize happily snickers.
“So yummy and addicting. I think I need three more slices. How is this even legal?” I say, tempted to lick the crumbs from my plate. Kenzie and Uncle John nod in agreement.
“Y’all are just saying that.”
I roll my eyes because she knows better. “Not many people can cook as good as Grandma. So shut the hell up.”
That makes her laugh. “I mean, I don’t wanna low-key brag or anything, but I know it’s delicious.”
“Of course you do,” Uncle John says. “Good job!”
A guest walks up, and we move out of the way. I follow Maize and Kenzie onto the back porch, giving the lady privacy to speak with Uncle John.
“So, next weekend is your twenty-third birthday…” Kenzie glances at me. “We’re going out, right?”
“I’m sure I have to work.” I walk to the edge of the porch and look out at the rolling hills.
Maize interrupts my thoughts. “Nope. I’ll take care of Dad. We’re celebrating instead. I mean, when’s the last time the three of us got together?” She loops her arm in mine.