Homecoming Reunion by Carolyne Aarsen Page B

support group I’ve started for compulsive talkers.”
    Daphne released a nervous laugh, shot Garret another quick glance, then drew away. “I’ll catch up later,” she mumbled.
    Larissa looked like she was about to say something more but was saved when Garret’s nana hustled over. “So, Garret, I want you to meet Sophie Brouwer. She’s Ben’s mom.” An older woman stood behind Nana Beck, her white hair permed to an inch of its life. She wore a hot pink dress and a cheerful grin.
    “If all goes according to plan, I’ll also be your cousin’s mother-in-law now that Ben and Shannon are engaged,” Sophie Brouwer was saying, holding out her hand to Garret.
    Garret shook her tiny hand, surprised at the strength of her handshake. “Congratulations. I haven’t met Ben yet, but I’ve heard good things about him.”
    “Of course you have. Your nana is as in love with him as I am with Shannon,” Sophie said, her smile fairly taking over her face. “We are so blessed. And we’re neighbors too.”
    In the ensuing chatter, Larissa and Alanna had exited the pew, walking arm in arm down the aisle, their heads together, just like they always did in school.
    Probably laughing, he thought. Probably talking about what just happened just like they always did.
    He turned back to Sophie, part of his attention on her chitchat.
    But another part of his mind couldn’t forget Daphne’s puzzling comment.
    “...it took you a while to get over him.”
    What did she mean by that? And would he find out?

Chapter Seven
    “I ’d love to hold our banquet here at the inn, Garret, but we’re figuring on about thirty people staying overnight,” Pete Boonstra said, tapping his pen on the table tucked into one corner of the inn’s office. “I’m not sure you can accommodate us.”
    “We have thirty rooms,” Garret said, leaning back in his chair, trying not to get pulled into the trepidation in Pete’s voice.
    Pete’s sigh seemed to reverberate around the room. “Yeah and about half of them need work.”
    Before Garret could respond to that the door of the office opened and Larissa slipped in. “Sorry I’m late,” she said with an apologetic smile. “Had to help Emily with a supply list.” She glanced at Garret and for a moment their gazes held, creating a surprising awareness, sparked yesterday at church and wavered between them.
    I know it took you a while to get over him.
    All day yesterday Daphne’s comment had stayed in his mind, raising questions he wasn’t sure he wanted answered.
    He had come here to build a future, not cling to a past Larissa was a part of. The emotions she created were just an echo of old unresolved feelings. Nothing more.
    Yet, as she sat down across from him, he had a sense of homecoming. Of rightness.
    He brushed the feelings aside as leftover emotions from a past he was trying to leave behind.
    “No problem,” he said, his voice brisk and professional. “We had just got started.”
    A frown creased Larissa’s forehead, as she wondered at his tone, but then she turned to Pete, holding out her hand. “Nice to see you again, Pete.”
    Pete’s smile grew as he stood and he grasped Larissa’s hand with both of his in, what looked to Garret, too friendly of a display. “Great to be here. You’re looking as beautiful as always.”
    Garret resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the obvious flattery.
    “I’m sorry you missed the last Chamber of Commerce meeting,” Pete continued, pulling out a chair for Larissa, making Garret suddenly feel gauche and inconsiderate. He should have done that. He should have stood when Larissa came into the room. His nana taught him better than that.
    But being around Larissa put him on the defensive and seemed to make him forget his manners.
    So he gave her a quick smile, by way of apology.
    Her answering smile was supposed to simply grant him absolution, but it settled into his soul creating an unwelcome reaction.
    “I heard you’re thinking of the inn to