All Roads Lead Home by Mary Wasowski Page A

down any minute. Let’s give her some room and enjoy breakfast.”
    I knew I probably had about thirty seconds before Wendy would call for me. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my beating heart. Daddy always said to never listen in on other folk’s conversations. I wish I hadn’t on this one. I guess if I wanted to find out what the hell was going on, I’d better make my appearance.
    I counted for another thirty seconds and made my way through the kitchen. Through the years and a couple of renovations, one very old creaky kitchen door remained. Wendy could never bear to replace it. It had our growth charts on it. Hand prints from when we found paint and decided to make her door our latest work of art. As hard as it was being here, to look at this door brought back many happy childhood memories for me. Maybe it’s what they were all hoping for. I pushed my way in to find the conspiring trio sipping their coffee. My mother’s eyes lit up at the sight of me. She put her coffee down and rushed over to me. Constance Fairchild could pass for my older sister before my mother. Her skin was flawless with natural beauty. My father resembled a younger Sam Elliott.
    “Oh, baby! I’ve missed you so much,” she said as she hugged me to her.
    “Hi, mama. I’ve missed you too.”
    “Now I know you’re lying, but I’ll believe it anyway.”
    “Mama, I don’t lie. Just like I wasn’t lying when you phoned the other day. I was due in court, and it wasn’t the best time to have a conversation.”
    “Your flowers were beautiful. Thank you very much.”
    Tears were now in her eyes, as she quickly wiped them away.
    She continued, “Thank you for coming home. We’ve missed you so much.”
    “Now, woman, don’t go chasing her back to New York. She’s home, and her daddy wants a hug from his beautiful daughter.”
    “Okay, okay. Go hug your daddy before we see his temper.”
    “I don’t have a temper!” he shouted back and smiled.
    “Sure you don’t,” mama said as she winked at my father.
    I couldn’t help but laugh a bit. My parents had the best banter between them. They never really fought, but it was always entertaining at the same time.
    “Hi, daddy” was all I could say before he swept me up into his arms. My feet were dangling above the floor. As a child, I viewed him as a giant. And now in his arms, I kind of still do. I tightened my arms around his neck and let my reunion with my parents set in.
    “Let me take a look at you. Damn, girl! You are beautiful, just like your mother.”
    “Daddy, why all the flattery? Some say I resemble you.”
    “No chance. I’m too ugly, better you take after your mama.”
    Now I know he was lying. If Jamie had lived, this would be how he would look, just as handsome as my father, but Jamie was more muscular as my father was leaner.
    My father gestured to me to sit by him, I happily accepted. We all loaded our plates with Wendy’s homemade pancakes. No one could cook like she can. I quietly ate my breakfast without engaging too much in the table conversation. I know what I overheard, and I was trying to keep my emotions in check.
    “So, baby girl, after breakfast we can all go back to the ranch and get you settled in. I was down in the barn this morning, and I told Jazzy you were here. I swear that horse’s eyes lit up like the fireworks on the Fourth of July,” Daddy said with a smile.
    “You are staying with us, right Tenley?” Mama asked me with worry in her eyes.
    “Yes, mama, that’s the plan.”
    “Great! Now that is settled, let’s go.”
    “Mama, Daddy, would you mind taking my bags home with you, and I will meet you later? I would like to have a chat with Wendy, and then visit with Jagger. Isn’t he the reason why I’ve been summoned home?”
    I watched their faces go from bright to ashen with the mention of my former boyfriend’s name. Daddy was the first to speak.
    “Of course, sweetheart. You take all the time you need, and then meet us at home