Chapter 26

RILEY

After more than two hours of shopping at the festival, we were ready for a cold drink. The back seat of the truck was packed with cherry treats, including more pies than we could possibly eat.

As soon as Eric opened the door to The Soda Fountain, a wave of nostalgia hit me. It was exactly like I remembered: a long red counter stretching across the room, vinyl bar stools occupied by at least a dozen people, and booths filled with happy customers. The sweet smell of chocolate sauce brought back memories of the ice cream sundaes I used to love.

I spotted an empty booth and moved across the store. "I'm glad we took our parcels back to the truck. I didn't think it would be this busy." A waitress passed us with a tray laden with hamburgers, sodas, and a bowl of fries. My stomach rumbled loudly.

After we sat down, I gave mom and Eric a menu. "Lunch is on me."

Eric frowned and started to say something, but I cut him off. "I'm not taking no for an answer. This might be the last time I'm away from my studio for a while."

Mom looked worried. "I thought you were happy with where you're up to with your paintings."

"I am," I reassured her. "But I want to finish them soon. After I've sent them to Lorenzo, I'm taking a couple of months off work."

My mom was the only person who knew how rare it was for me to stop painting.

"Is everything all right?" Kathleen asked, concern etched on her face.

"I'm fine. I just want to live a normal life again."

Mom's eyebrows rose. "I've been telling you that for years. What made you finally listen?"

I resisted the urge to glance at Eric. Instead, I focused on Mom. "I've enjoyed living in Sunrise Bay. I go for long walks each morning, cook my own meals instead of eating frozen food, and meet new people. I'm not stressed about work. It feels good to do something for myself."

Mom's eyes filled with tears. "It must be Grandma and Granddad's influence. They always said Sunrise Bay was a special place."

Hot tears stung my eyes, too. I'd never apologized for not coming home for my grandparents' funeral. I could only imagine how hard it must have been for Mom. "I'm sorry I didn't come home for their funeral."

"You're here now and that's all that matters." Kathleen pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose.

I wanted to tell her why I stayed in Italy, but with Eric sitting beside us, wondering what was going on, it would have to wait for another day.

I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath. "I found Granddad's hideout the other morning."

Eric frowned.

"It's not really a hideout," I explained quickly. "Granddad had a quiet space where he used to sit and contemplate life. It's so well hidden that you could walk right past it and not know it's there."

Kathleen sighed. "Mom called it his dream space. Dad liked inventing things. He used to say he needed time to clear his mind and plan his next move."

Eric nodded. "I can understand that. It sounds like they were a perfect match."

"Just about perfect in every way." I sat up straighter. "They loved the Cherry Festival as much as we did. Grandma used to enter the cherry pie contest every year."

"Did she ever win?" Eric asked.

"Not that I remember, but it was fun. She made a different pie every night for weeks before the contest. When she found one she liked, that's what she entered."

"Sounds like everyone was a winner."

I smiled at Mom. "I guess we were."

The waitress arrived at our booth. "Welcome to The Soda Fountain. What can I get you?"

After we placed our orders, she smiled. "I'll be back soon with your drinks. Your meals will be ready in ten minutes."

"Thank you." I handed her the menus. "Do you know where the cherry pie contest is being held?"

"It's in front of the Cove Deli. The judges announce the winner at noon."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. I hope my sister makes it to the finals. She entered a chocolate-glazed cherry-pecan pie. It tastes incredible."

Just thinking about the chocolatey treat made my mouth water.

Eric laughed. "I didn't know you had a sweet tooth."

"It's a family trait," I admitted. "Mom's just as bad as I am."

"It's true," Kathleen said. "There's nothing that makes us happier than a big box of chocolates."

"I'll have to remember that."

The warmth in Eric's eyes made me blush. Spending time with him was just as addictive as my grandma's cherry pies.