Her mother grinned. “Thanks, honey.”
“And you,” her mom said, turning her attention to Trevor, who’d been patiently standing by Haven’s side. “You come here and give me a giant hug.”
Trevor scooped up Haven’s mom into a giant bear hug. “Hi, Miss Ginger. It’s good to see you.”
“Oh, you, too. You look amazing as always.”
“So do you,” he said after he set her down. “I’ll grab our bags while you two go inside.”
Haven walked in with her mom. “I made stew. It’s a little chilly out here today. It’s definitely startin’ to feel like fall—finally.”
“Stew sounds great, Mom.” She set her purse by the front door and followed the incredible smell into the kitchen.
“There’s a pitcher of sweet tea on the table.”
There always was. The only thing different was her dad’s place at the head of the table was now empty. Haven’s heart squeezed, but she tamped down that tug of painful emotion and pulled her chair out and took a seat. She poured a glass of tea and took several sips.
Her mom looked good as she bustled around the kitchen. Really good. Other than that, nothing much seemed to have changed. It had been a couple of months since she’d been back home.
She felt guilty about that. She spoke to her mother frequently on the phone, and she’d wanted to get back, but between ending her job in Dallas and starting the new one in New York, she’d been busy.
And maybe avoiding.
“I put your things up in your room, Haven,” Trevor said as he made his way into the kitchen.
“Thanks.”
“Did you put your stuff in the guest room, Trevor?” Haven’s mom asked.
“Yes, ma’am. Thanks for letting me bunk here.”
“It’s no problem. There’s no reason for you to stay at a hotel when we have plenty of room here. Isn’t that right, Haven?”
Haven cast a quick glance at Trevor, who slid her a half smile.
“Right, Mom.”
“I hope you’re both hungry, because supper is ready.”
“I’m starving,” Trevor said.
“He’s been anticipating your cooking the entire trip over here.”
Her mom beamed a wide smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Haven, why don’t you set the table, and Trevor, you can bring the pot of stew over. I’ll get the bread out of the oven.”
They dug in, and Trevor filled her mom in on baseball.
“I’m sure sorry to hear about the end of your season, Trevor. I know how hard you all worked. I watched all the games, and you gave it your best shot. There’s nothin’ more you could have done.”
“I know, but it sure feels sh—It sure feels bad to have lost it right there at the end.”
“I know it does, honey. And I also know how competitive you are. If Bill were here, he would have been just as disappointed as you are. But he would have been proud of you.”
Trevor gave her a gentle smile. “Thank you, Miss Ginger. I appreciate you saying that.”
“So now you’re off to play football with Tampa?”
“Yes, ma’am. Looking forward to it, too.”
“I just don’t know how you change gears like that. From baseball to football in an instant.”
“It’s pretty easy. I’ve been following the team. They’re doing good. They’ll do even better once I’m there.”
Haven rolled her eyes. Her mother laughed.
“I’ve always liked your confidence, Trevor. That’s why you’re so good at what you do.”
“And what about you, Miss Ginger? What are you up to these days?”
“Oh, a lot, actually. Since Bill passed away, I’m no longer a dorm parent.”
Haven’s head shot up. “What? Why not?”
“They need a man and a woman for the position, and without your dad, I could no longer meet the requirements.”
Trevor frowned. “So . . . what? They just fired you?”
“Now calm down. They did not just fire me. I’ve been working part time in admissions, but I’ve gone back to school to get my teaching credential. I used to teach a long time ago. Maybe you don’t remember that, Haven.”
Haven’s stomach had knotted up with worry. “I remember you telling me that before you and Dad started as dorm parents, you taught high school.”
“I did. High school English. It’s been a while so I need to brush up, but I’ve decided I want to teach again.”