“We should’ve saved her some pizza. Let’s throw the box away out here so she doesn’t know.”

He put the trash in the bin and slammed the lid.

Dawn pointed down the hill. “Mom must already be down there. The barn lights are on.” She cupped her hands to her mouth and hollered, “Mom!”

“I’ll check inside.” Andrew went inside, then came right back out. “She’s not up here.”

“She’s not answering. That’s not like her.”

“I’m sure she’s fine.” He caught the look of worry on Dawn’s face. “I’ll race you down.”

Dawn took off down the hill, but he caught up with her easily.

She stopped and yelled again, “Mom?”

Andrew turned and ran backward, waiting for her to catch up. “Slowpoke.”

“I can’t run anymore.” She stopped and bent over with her hands on her knees.

“What’s wrong, Ms. Yoga Teacher? Are you getting old?” He ran a circle around her.

“Real funny.” She leaped onto his back, and he ran to the barn with her piggyback style.

“Hey, Mom. Need some help?” Andrew called out as they got to the barn, but she still didn’t answer. Then again, she didn’t cry out for help either. “She’s probably behind the barn,” he said, hoping to calm Dawn.

He swung open the barn door, but he never expected to see this.

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

A huge Welcome Home banner in big red letters, with a chef’s hat over the H, hung across the front of the first three stalls, and the barn was filled with people cheering.

It only took a moment for it to register that Dawn had tricked him into getting down here to the barn for this surprise.

He spotted his mom in the crowd. “How did you do all of this?”

“I had help,” she said, making her way through the crowd to his side. “I know you said you wanted a quiet visit, but we couldn’t let everyone miss out on your visit back, son. I hope you’ll forgive us.”

He gave her a hug then started making the rounds, handshaking, hugging, and backslapping friends.

His best friends, Sam and Jason, had set up their guitars and amps in the corner and started playing “Take the Long Way Home.”

“Real funny, guys,” Andrew called out to them with a joking laugh, but he was genuinely surprised by the turnout. As much as he thought he hadn’t wanted to see anyone but his immediate family, his heart filled with joy as he recognized friends he hadn’t seen in years. “This is crazy.”

“Quit being a stranger then,” Sam shouted into the mic.

“Yes, it has been too long,” he shouted back. “I’ve missed y’all.” But honestly, he hadn’t realized it until this minute.

“How’s France?” someone hollered from across the way.