the windows down, and they ate their fast food brunch. Shelby had ordered extra hash browns for later even though they would be cold, two egg sandwiches, and an apple pie. It was nothing like what Grandma Alice made, but it would do for now. She heard Gus say they were somewhere around Barstow and were making good time. She wished she had her own cell phone so she could put on some ear buds and listen to music. Dana had tossed their burner phone after Gus had bought Dana a new cell phone for the trip. Instead, she tugged a book out of her backpack and settled in for the rest of the drive. Her grandmother would be waiting when she arrived, and there would be a home-cooked dinner that night.
The next time Shelby opened her eyes, the sun was shining bright and Gus was parking the truck in front of her grandmother’s white house with matching green louvered shutters. Shelby loved the cottage-style home with small dormer windows in the upstairs attic. Towering oak and willow trees shaded the yard, and the red-blooming hibiscus bush had a few early blossoms. Standing on the porch behind the white railing was her grandmother, in a floral shirt and tan slacks. She waved to them and walked down the faded brick path toward the street.
“You made it,” Alice said.
Before Dana exited the car, she commented to Gus, “Let’s just stay for a few minutes. We still have an over-three-hour drive ahead of us.”
“Are you sure?” he said. “I’m happy to meet your mother.”
Dana shrugged. Shelby watched as her mother reconsidered her statement to Gus. Usually Dana would have snapped and said, “Of course I’m sure!” Maybe Gus’s relaxed demeanor was rubbing off on her.
“And she will want to meet you, too,” Dana said. She gave Gus a flirty look and continued. “But we don’t want to be late for our romantic dinner in Lake Tahoe.”
His smile said it all. He was falling hard for Dana, and Shelby knew that one way or another, her mother would get her way.
Once permission was granted, Shelby exited the car, carrying her small suitcase, and flew into her grandmother’s comforting arms. The suitcase fell to moist green grass, something Shelby had not seen in a while. Barking at the screen door was Scarlett, Alice’s curly-haired little dog.
“So good to see you, sweetheart,” Alice said. “Let me look at you. Taller and prettier by the minute.”
Shelby could feel herself blush. She scrambled for something to say back. Alice had dark circles under her eyes, and her clothes hung loosely on her body. “Thanks, Gram.”
Dana walked over and introduced Gus.
He extended his right hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Alice.” With his other hand he offered her the box of fresh strawberries they’d hastily picked up at a fruit stand along the way. “Dana mentioned that you like these.”
Alice raised a brow and made eye contact with Dana. “Did she, now? Well thank you, Gus. Why don’t you all come in? I’ve made some iced tea and you can rest a bit before you’re off.”
Even before Alice opened the screen door, the familiar scent of butter and cinnamon permeated the air. The minute they stepped in, Scarlett charged Shelby and jumped into the air in excitement. Shelby picked up the shiny-haired red dog for a hug. “You are so cute,” she said. The dog licked her face and then squirmed out of her arms and back to the floor.
Gus bent over and gave the dog a scratch behind its ears. “What breed is this? She’s the color of an Irish Setter.”
“That little troublemaker is part dachshund, part poodle, and all love.” Alice pointed to the fluffy dog bed in the living room. “Scarlett, bed.” The dog’s eyes pleaded for a moment. Seeing no reprieve, she strode over and plopped on her bed.
Shelby glanced at the wall of family photos, noticing the familiar wedding picture of her grandma in a long, lacy wedding gown and Grandpa Stan in a dark suit. Grandpa’s hair was a little long back then. Most of Shelby’s memories were of him in overalls working in their apple orchard she used to visit as a child.
Alice led them to the dining room, where the table was set with glasses filled with ice topped with a sprig of mint. In the center was a large pitcher of deep amber-colored tea and a plate of her grandmother’s fresh-baked cookies.