Erica Spindler Read Online Free

home. How are you?”
    Avery squeezed the other woman’s hands, tears pricking her eyes. “I’ve been better, thanks.”
    â€œI’m so sorry, sweetheart. Sorrier than I can express.”
    â€œI know. And that means a lot.”
    From the other room came the sound of a timer going off. Lilah released Avery’s hands. “That’s the pie.”
    The smells emanating from the kitchen were heavenly. Lilah Stevens had been the best cook in the parish and had consistently won baking prizes at the parish fair. Growing up, Avery had angled for a dinner invitation at every opportunity.
    â€œWhat kind of pie?” she asked.
    â€œStrawberry. I know peach is your favorite but it’s impossible to find a decent peach this time of year. And the first Louisiana berries are in. And delicious, I might add.”
    â€œSilly woman,” Buddy interrupted. “The poor child is exhausted. Stop your yapping about produce and let the girl sit down.”
    â€œYapping?” She wagged a finger at him. “If you want pie, Mr. Stevens, you’ll have to get yourself down to the Azalea Café.”
    He immediately looked contrite. “Sorry, sugar-sweet, you know I was just teasing.”
    â€œNow I’m sugar-sweet, am I?” She rolled her eyes and turned back to Avery. “You see what I’ve put up with all these years?”
    Avery laughed. She used to wish her parents could be more like Lilah and Buddy, openly affectionate and teasing. In all the years she had known the couple, all the time she had spent around their home, she had never heard them raise their voices at one another. And when they’d teased each other, like just now, their love and respect had always shown through.
    In truth, Avery had often wished her mother could be more like Lilah. Good-natured, outgoing. A traditional woman comfortable in her own skin. One who had enjoyed her children, making a home for them and her husband.
    It had seemed to Avery that her mother had enjoyedneither, though she had never said so aloud. Avery had sensed her mother’s frustration, her dissatisfaction with her place in the world.
    No, Avery thought, that wasn’t quite right. She had been frustrated by her only child’s tomboyish ways and defiant streak. She had been disappointed in her daughter’s likes and dislikes, the choices she made.
    In her mother’s eyes, Avery hadn’t measured up.
    Lilah Stevens had never made Avery feel she lacked anything. To the contrary, Lilah had made her feel not only worthy but special as well.
    â€œI do see,” Avery agreed, playing along. “It’s outrageous.”
    â€œThat it is.” Lilah waved them toward the living room. “Matt should be here any moment. All I have left to do is whip the potatoes and heat the French bread. Then we can eat.”
    â€œCan I help?” Avery asked.
    As she had known it would be, the woman’s answer was a definitive no. Buddy and Cherry led her to the living room. Avery sank onto the overstuffed couch, acknowledging exhaustion. She wished she could lean her head back, close her eyes and sleep for a week.
    â€œYou’ve barely changed,” Buddy said softly, tone wistful. “Same pretty, bright-eyed girl you were the day you left Cypress Springs.”
    She’d been so damn young back then. So ridiculously naive. She had yearned for something bigger than Cypress Springs, something better. Had sensed something important waited for her outside this small town. She supposed she had found it: a prestigious job; writing awards and professional respect; an enviable salary.
    What was it all worth now? If those twelve years hadn’t been, if all her choices still lay before her, what would she do differently?
    Everything. Anything to have him with her .
    She met Buddy’s eyes. “You’d be surprised how much I’ve changed.” She lightened her words with a smile. “What about