Chapter 3

3

“ T ucker!”

He glanced up and saw Emerson heading across the coffeehouse toward him. She was a striking woman, with long, raven hair and gray eyes.

He rose as she reached him, and she flung her arms about him.

“I’m so glad you made it to Lost Creek.”

“I’m happy to be here myself,” he replied. “Have a seat. Ry said you’re supposed to bring me to some truck.”

She took a chair next to his. “Ry owns a food truck. He serves lunch from it five days a week, parking various places around town. On Saturdays, he sometimes takes it to different sporting events, mostly at the city ball fields.”

“I assume he’s serving barbeque.”

Her eyes lit up. “He does. Traditional sandwiches made of brisket and pulled pork, but he really was inspired by his time in the military and the R&R’s he took to different countries in Asia. He’s begun incorporating Asian flavors into his barbeque.”

Tucker whistled. “And how is that going over with Uncle Shy? Tigers don’t change their stripes.”

Emerson grew serious. “I won’t sugar coat it. Things were more than strained between them. When Ry returned from the service, he took over the catering arm of Blackwood BBQ. Since you spent summers in Lost Creek, you may be familiar with the Hart family. Harper, one of the daughters, built an event center at their winery, and brides have been flocking to hold their ceremonies there. Since it’s the Hill Country, at the top of Harper’s recommendations for wedding receptions was Blackwood BBQ.”

She paused. “Shy was becoming a little overwhelmed by all the additional business. When Ry came home, Shy turned over the reception catering to his son. Ry began offering everything on the family’s menu, plus his own spin on dishes. Couples went wild over what he was serving.”

“And then Uncle Shy found out, didn’t he?”

Emerson nodded. “It got ugly. Really ugly between them. For a time, Shy wouldn’t even speak to Ry because he felt so betrayed. Fortunately, he came around just in time for our wedding.”

Tucker had observed people all his life, and his gut made he ask, “You were the person who brought them together again, weren’t you?”

She flushed. “I did go and see Shy the day before our wedding. Told him how pigheaded he was being.”

“Oh, I’ll bet he loved that.”

“Actually, I think Shy found new respect for me. Because I was sticking up for the man I loved. Ry’s always had such great admiration for his dad. The rift between them pained him. I just let Shy know that he was wasting precious time that could never be regained. That being alienated from his only child was foolish.” She grinned. “I also made him sample some of Ry’s new creations. That did the trick. Shy saw that Ry was still smoking meats the way he’d been taught— the Blackwood way— but his creativity and skills added a new dimension to Blackwood BBQ. In the end, the two made up.”

“I know how stubborn Uncle Shy can be,” he said. “You are either a witch who placed my uncle under a spell— or a miracle worker.”

“Nope. I’m simply plain old Emerson Blackwood.” She reached over and placed her hand atop his. “I can’t tell you what it means to Ry for you to have come back to Lost Creek. He looks upon you as his brother.”

“I feel the same about him. I don’t know how much he’s told you about me, but I did spend every summer here for years.”

She squeezed his hand. “He did tell me that you were in a terrible car accident. That you lost your wife and child.”

Tucker steeled himself, not wanting to show any emotion. “Yes. It was a tough time. I really didn’t want to be around anyone, much less talk about it.”

“I’m sorry I brought it up,” she apologized. “I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss. Losing a loved one hurts.”

“You sound as if you know loss yourself, Emerson.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t have the best childhood, Tucker. My dad was an alcoholic with a mean temper. The two combined got him into trouble. He killed a man. He died in prison.”

“Now, I’m the one needing to say I’m sorry.”

“I really didn’t know him all that well. He never paid much attention to me. Neither did my mom.”

“Were you closer to her after he was sent away?”

“No. The gulf widened between us. Mom turned to drugs as an escape. Half the time, I don’t think she even knew I was around. Eventually, she relinquished her parental rights, and I went into the foster system. I aged out at eighteen.”

He looked at her with growing respect. “You are some woman, Emerson Blackwood. You mentioned on one of our calls that you’d taught elementary school for several years, so that means you put yourself through school. Earned a degree and became a professional. And now you own The Bake House. That’s quite accomplished.”

“The Bake House was given to me. Ethel Frederick bequeathed it to me in her will. I had worked weekends and summers when I wasn’t teaching for her, and she respected my baking skills.”

“You mentioned you baked wedding cakes.”

She grew enthusiastic. “I’m the exclusive baker for Weddings with Hart. That’s Harper’s business. I meet with bridal couples and work on the designs and flavors for their wedding and groom’s cakes. Harper’s business has grown rapidly since she opened it last fall. It certainly keeps me hopping.”

Emerson stood. “Enough about me. We need to get going. Ry is dying to see you.”

He gathered his duffel and backpack, following her to her car and placing his things on the back seat.

“Where’s Ry’s food truck today?”

“It’s a Tuesday, so he is parked outside where all the town’s municipal offices are located. He has a solid clientele from the city workers, police, and firefighters. He’s there today and Thursdays, and he parks on the north end of the square Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”

“Do you ever help him?” he asked as she backed out of the parking spot and left the square.

“Sometimes. It depends upon what I have going. Today, I have two specialty cakes I need to bake and decorate. I still do a few special orders for patrons of The Bake House. I’ve got one to bake for a birthday party tomorrow night, and another welcome home cake for a soldier returning home from the navy. I’m going to drop you off with Ry, and I’m sure he’ll put you to work.”

She looked at him earnestly. “I hope you’ve changed your mind, and you’ll stay with us.”

“No. I don’t want to get in your way.”

Emerson snorted. “You wouldn’t be in our way, Tucker.”

He gave her a knowing look. “I was a newlywed once myself.”

Her face flamed. “Thank you,” she said. “We really want to have you with us, but I’m glad you understand. Ry’s the first man I’ve loved. He’ll be the last. We both are very busy with our businesses, and I do treasure our time alone at home.”

“Be thinking about where I might be able to stay short-term,” he said, as they turned on the street where the municipal offices were located.

“Hmm. There might be a few people who have a room to rent. The area does have several B&B’s. The Hill Country is a weekend destination for a lot of couples and families. They like to do wine tastings. Go antiquing. Tube and fish. Hike. One I think you might like is The Inn on Lost Creek. Its owner is the cutest, feistiest old woman in Lost Creek.”

“You wouldn’t happen to be talking about Miss Jean?”

“Ah, you remember Jean Bradley.”

“The moment you said feisty, thoughts of her came to mind. I knew she had a place just outside of town. We’d ride our bikes by it sometimes. A good fishing hole was located nearby. Ry, Todd, and I would go there in the summers.” He paused, thinking. “I believe I’d like that, being just a little out of town and off the beaten path.”

“Why don’t you have Ry take you by there after lunch finishes?” she suggested.

“Sounds good.”

They pulled into a parking lot and saw Ry’s food truck at the far end. His cousin was opening the side where customers would line up to order. Tucker saw the name Smokin’ Sweethearts scrawled in script along the side of the truck.

“Let me get my things,” Tucker said. “If I decide to stay with Miss Jean, I’ll already have everything with me. If that doesn’t work out, we can turn to Plan B. You can be working on that.”

She laughed softly. Her hand moved up and cupped his cheek. “I’m so glad to have finally met you, Tucker. And I’m very happy you’ll be staying. Regardless of what you work out with Jean Bradley, come have dinner with us tonight.”

“I can do that,” he promised.

After claiming his things from the back, he headed toward Ry. The moment his cousin spotted him, they both broke out in huge grins. Ry rushed toward him, and Tucker dropped his gear, embracing his cousin. It felt odd, this human contact with others. First Emerson and now Ry hugging him. He hadn’t touched anyone in that way since his last night with Josie.

He looked at Ry. “When did you grow into a man?” he asked. “Last time I saw you, you were eighteen and heading off so Uncle Sam could whip your ass into shape.”

His cousin slapped Tucker on the back. “Hey, buddy, I feel the same. You were a teenager the last time we saw one another. Oh, I know we traded a few pictures in texts for a few years, but it’s kinda weird, seeing you all grown up.” He paused. “What do you think of Emerson?”

“She’s great. Absolutely perfect for you, Ry.”

Ry grinned from ear to ear. “That’s what I told her. Seriously, I feel like my life didn’t start until she came into it. That I was simply marking time until Emerson Frost appeared and stole my heart.”

“Frost?” he asked, laughing. “She should’ve kept her last name after marrying you. That’s too wild. A cake decorator named Frost.”

“She’s a Blackwood now, through and through. My parents adore her.”

“I got out of her that she stood up to Uncle Shy. That you two had some trouble between you.”

A shadow crossed Ry’s face. “You know Dad. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I knew I was destined to return to Lost Creek and smoke meat, but I learned so much in my travels abroad and my time cooking in the army. I had this burning desire to bring what I’d discovered and marry it to the barbeque of my heart. I’ll have to let you taste some. Since Emerson deserted me, you’re going to be my Number Two during lunch service today. Let’s get in the truck, and I’ll show you the ropes.”

Ry quickly gave Tucker the tour of the food truck, calling it his pride and joy. Tucker sampled a few bites of brisket and pulled pork, the familiar smoked meats melting in his mouth. He’d forgotten just how good Blackwood meats could be. Then he tried a skewer of what Ry called bulgogi, which also had bites of green and red peppers and onions on it.

“That’s thinly sliced brisket, though you can use sirloin or ribeye, which can get pretty pricy. I marinate it in a sauce that’s half savory and half sweet. It’s got soy sauce, a little sesame oil, some brown sugar, mirin, and Asian pear.”

“Wow! That’s amazing.”

“Try this. Got a little kick to it, so watch out.”

“That won’t bother me,” Tucker assured his cousin, slipping the forkful of meat into his mouth.

“It’s jeyuk bokkeum, a spicy pork. I put a ton of fresh garlic and ginger in it. My customers who love spicy claim it’s their favorite sandwich. I like the fusion of Asian influences into pure Texas barbeque. While I keep brisket and pulled pork on the menu, every week I change out the other two items I serve.”

“This is so delicious. Those flavors exploded in my mouth. No wonder your food is in such demand.”

“I do a pretty steady lunch trade, then I’m busy on weekends catering events at Lost Creek Winery. Things are going so well that I plan on investing in a second smoker. They don’t come cheap, but I’m doing enough business now that it’ll pay for itself quickly.”

Customers began showing up, and Ry said, “We’ll talk more later.”

They worked together steadily for a good two-and-a-half hours. Around one-thirty, things finally slowed to a trickle. Only a few other customers dribbled in, and by two, Ry was ready to close down.

“Let me make both of us a sandwich. I’m sure you’re starving.”

“After inhaling all these amazing aromas, you bet I am. Haven’t you heard my belly growling the last hour?”

Ry fixed them sandwiches, and they talked as they ate. Tucker told his cousin about some of the places he had traveled to around the country.

“I’ve seen forty-nine of the fifty states. Never made it to Hawaii. Boats don’t take hitchhikers there, but I plan to visit those islands someday.”

“You dropped off the face of the earth after the accident,” Ry said. “I can understand why now. If I lost Emerson, I think I would lose my mind— and my reason for living. I’m glad you’re finally back in touch and here in Lost Creek, Tucker. You are staying with us, aren’t’ you?”

“No. You and your wife need time to yourself. I need the same. Emerson and I talked it over, and she thought staying at The Inn on Lost Creek might be good for me. At least for a while.”

“It’s quiet there,” Ry agreed. “Jean should have something open. Not one of the little cabins. Those book up and stay booked for a good chunk of the spring, summer, and fall. We are moving into winter soon, though. Maybe one will be available.”

“What are those?”

“She’s got two small cabins which are away from the main house and face each other. Both contain a sitting area. Bedroom. Kitchenette. They offer a little more privacy. You said you met Holden. He stayed in one of them when he came to Lost Creek to work on a screenplay.”

“I liked him. Dax, too.”

Ry smiled. “They’re solid guys, Tucker. They’ve been good friends to me. So is Braden, Harper’s husband. In fact, you need to come to dinner with everyone tomorrow night.”

He chuckled. “Already been invited. I hear we’re having jambalaya.”

“We are. Braden is cooking. He’s amazing in the kitchen, which is nice because it’s the one thing Harper isn’t good at. A big group of us meets every Wednesday night. Have dinner. Catch up. Emerson and I look forward to going every week. Getting back to the Inn on Lost Creek, though, there are rooms inside the B&B you can rent. Let’s go visit with Jean Bradley. Hopefully, we can work out something.”

They closed up the food truck and drove to the inn, which hadn’t changed much at all. Tucker asked, “Do you remember we fished close to here?”

“I haven’t been fishing in ages. Maybe now you’re back in town, we can do that.”

They went up the steps, and he admired the large, inviting porch, which had several rockers, a few tables, and a swing. It would be nice sitting outside. It was far enough away from the road not to hear any traffic noises. The peace and quiet this porch offered would bring him solace.

Jean Bradley answered the door, and he grinned at her. “Remember me, Miss Jean? It’s Tucker Young. I’m Ry’s cousin.”

The woman, who was probably in her seventies by now, laughed. “Of course, I do, Tucker Young. You’re all grown up. I’ve heard a couple of your songs on the radio. Come on in, boys.”

They entered a large foyer, and she said, “Put your things down, Tucker. I gather you’ve come looking for a place to stay.”

“Yes, Miss Jean. I think I’ll be staying in Lost Creek for good. I’ll need a temporary place to live while I’m deciding exactly what I want to do.”

“With colder weather coming, not many of my rooms inside the house are rented out during the week, and only a few on weekends. Right now, I have one long-termer, a guy who’s separated from his wife. My cabins are currently booked up. Let’s go look at what I can offer you.”

He and Ry accompanied her upstairs. She whipped out her phone and said, “Looking at my calendar, I’ve got two rooms you could choose from for a few weeks or so. I hope you don’t have trouble picking between them.” Her eyes sparkled at him.

“Are you remembering that time at The Bake House?” he asked.

“That’s exactly what I’m referring to. You and Ry and the Hart boy had enough money to buy a cookie each. You kept dithering between the snickerdoodle and the peanut butter one.”

He burst out laughing. “And you finally slipped me a dollar and told me to get both. I can’t believe you remember that, Miss Jean.”

“There’s not much I don’t remember,” she said saucily.

They passed one room, and she said, “Normally, I’d offer you this one. It’s my largest available. But my niece from New York is coming to stay with me soon. I’m not certain how long Reagan will be here. All right, boys. Let’s have a look at this one.”

She showed him one room which was light and airy. It had a chest, nightstand, and full-sized bed. A TV was hanging from the wall, and in the corner was a chair and table. It was a perfect nook to sit and think.

Or write a song.

“It’s just basic cable,” she told him. “I’ve got the premium sports package and HBO on the one down in the main room. All my guests are welcome to watch with me. You have to pull for Texas teams, though, else you’ll be out on your ear. Especially the Dallas Cowboys. They are my team.”

“Got it,” he said, hiding a smile.

The second room was about the same size and offered the identical pieces of furniture, but it didn’t get quite the same light. He liked light. Too many of the cheap motels he’d stayed in the past two years had been dark and dingy.

“I’d like to rent the first one, Miss Jean,” Tucker said.

“You can pay by the week.” She named the price and then added, “That includes breakfast seven days a week and dinner Monday through Friday. If you aren’t going to be around for dinner, I’d appreciate a heads up when I can get it. I know you young people have plans that change at the last minute, though.”

“I know Emerson wants me at the house tonight for dinner, and I’ve been invited to eat with a bunch of her and Ry’s friends tomorrow night. That’s all the plans I have at the moment.”

She made a note on her phone. “Got it. Usually, I have someone pay a week’s rent up front, but I know you, Tucker Young. That won’t be necessary.”

“Let me pay you for a month now,” he said. “Get that out of the way.”

Miss Jean took him downstairs. Ry offered to bring Tucker’s things upstairs while he paid with his credit card.

She presented him with two keys. “The gold one is to the front door. Lock it behind you when you come and go. The silver one is to your room. I’d lock it, too, just to be on the safe side. I don’t guarantee against theft. I’m happy to let you use the washer and dryer, but you’ll need your own washing powder and fabric softener. For now, the bathroom across the hall is all yours. Once my Reagan gets here, you’ll share it. You’ll have to work out when you both want to use it.”

“Will do. I look forward to meeting your niece.”

Ry appeared. “I put everything on the floor next to the bed. You can unpack for yourself.”

Slipping the keys into his pocket, he accepted the credit card she handed him and signed the slip for a month’s stay.

“You just keep me informed about your plans,” Miss Jean told him. “You get fresh towels daily. I change the sheets once a week. I’ll spot clean during the week. Make your bed. Dust. Sweep. That kind of thing.”

“You won’t need to do that. I’ll make my own bed. Whenever you change the sheets, you can clean the rest. Really, I’m a fairly neat person, Miss Jean.”

She nodded approvingly. “Glad to hear it. I like low maintenance men.”

“I’ll take Tuck back with me now, Miss Jean,” Ry said. “I’ll also drop him off tonight after dinner.”

“Then I’ll see you later.” She walked them to the door. “Bye, now.”

They went back to the food truck, and Ry said, “She’s a real character.”

“I like her.”

“Because she bought you more cookies.”

“Well, that, too.”

As they drove back into town, Tucker felt a peace descend over him. He was back in a familiar place, with family to count on. The inn would be a good place to stay, especially since it wasn’t so busy this time of year. He promised himself he would try his hardest to make a new start.

It was what Josie would have wanted.