“Sure,” Emma said. “Help yourselves. All of you.” She gave Gordon a hard look, which he ignored, and the moment passed.

Birdie filled her plate, then sat and ate, letting the conversation roll over her. She was tired and sad, and whatever she swallowed felt like a knot in her stomach.

But when they began telling their favorite stories about their mother, she got up to get herself a piece of pie. Something sweet would surely settle this ache in her heart. The family she’d thought she had wasn’t real, and her mother was gone. She’d never felt so abandoned in her life.

* * *

Ava hadn’t been hungry at suppertime, but now that she was getting ready to watch a little television before going to bed, she decided to make some popcorn.

She put the bag into the microwave to start popping, and then on impulse called Hunt. Now that she knew a little more about what had driven him from Blessings, she hurt for the boy he’d been. The phone rang a couple of times, and then when he answered, she shivered. Even his voice made her ache, wishing he had loved her like she’d loved him.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Hunt. It’s me, Ava. I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay.”

Hunt smiled. “I’m fine, but I’m glad you called. I was thinking about you and those chili dogs. You were a sweetheart to feed me today.”

She grinned. “It was my pleasure. If I’d known all it would take to get you to notice me was chili dogs, I would have done that years ago.”

Hunt laughed out loud, and Ava’s smile widened.

“You’re good for what ails a man,” Hunt said. “No wonder you’re such a good nurse. Your instinct for comfort is on point.”

Ava sighed. There was so much she could say to that remark, but she was afraid it would come across as fishing for compliments, so she settled for the safe response.

“Thank you,” she said. “So what’s on your agenda for tomorrow?”

“Just work at the house. I don’t suppose you’d want to go to Granny’s with me tomorrow,” Hunt said.

Ava rolled her eyes, then was glad he couldn’t see her. “Is that a question or an invitation?”

Hunt sighed. “My bad. Whatever it was, it was half-assed, and I can do better. Ava, I would love to take you out to eat tomorrow if you’re free.”

“That was an invitation, and yes, I’m free then. How about Granny’s around eleven thirty? I’ll meet you there.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it,” Hunt said and realized how much he meant it.

Then Ava’s microwave dinged. “Oops, that’s my signal that my supper is ready,” she said.

“I heard the microwave. What are you having?” Hunt asked.