Landon startled when someone knocked on his front door. He looked at the clock, noting it was only a little past five p.m. He pulled his hands from the batter mix and rinsed them quickly in the sink, flicking the water off as he walked to see whoever was knocking for a second time.
He smiled in happy surprise to see Jay standing on his front porch holding a couple of brown paper bags from the small grocery store in their neighboring town. “Hey, you. I didn’t expect you so early.”
Jay grinned in greeting, his easy demeanor putting Landon at ease. He wondered if their first encounter after their unexpected phone conversation the night before would make things awkward between them. Obviously, Jay was as interested as Landon in getting on with life. Not that the conversation had been unwelcome or horrible, just uncomfortable. Landon had to admit, he was glad to know Jay could still be his friend. It was nice feeling like he had an ally in their small town.
“Sorry. I finished up the yard work and went into town. Stopped off at Greenlee’s and grabbed a few odds and ends groceries to contribute, thought I’d swing on by, see if you needed any help.”
Landon reached for one of the bags and led Jay into his home. “You didn’t have to do this. My mama will probably bring more than what we need.” Landon placed the bags on his kitchen island and Jay followed suit.
“Not a problem,” Jay said. “You helped me yesterday, so it’s the least I could do.”
“You’re welcome to a beer or soda. Anything you can find. Cold stuff’s in the fridge in the garage. I’m gonna finish getting the catfish ready.”
“You need me to do anything?”
Landon thought on it. “Actually,” he opened the door that led to his garage and pointed out the fryer. “You know how to work one of those?”
Jay gave him an exaggeratedly pointed look. “Boy, you insult me.”
Landon threw up his hand and dipped his head. “Pardon my offense, sir. I meant nothing by it. Didn’t know if town living all these years had made you go soft.”
“You’re a smartass,” Jay said with a laugh. “Where do you want me to set up?”
“Just take it out back there. Set up on the patio. Figured we’d eat outside tonight. I got some wood together for a bonfire.”
Jay smiled. “You trying to reintroduce me to country life all in one night?”
“It’s not an official fish fry if there isn’t a bonfire, Mr. Hill.”
“That it isn’t,” Jay replied. “You got propane?” Landon scoffed and pulled out the new propane tank and slid it into place in the fryer.
“Just wheel it out through the back door. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
They both went about their separate duties. Jay returned shortly and opened the fridge, pulling out a beer. “I swear I drink more around you.”
“That’s me. Enabler,” Landon teased, plating some of the battered fish.
“Mostly it’s because I don’t have grown-up company that much anymore. Nice to unwind. I love my kids, but shee-it, it’s nice to have a break.”
“I bet. Don’t worry. You’ll get to unwind plenty with this crew. My friends will probably bring hard liquor. They usually even talk my mama into cutting loose and having a few.”
“I’ll be damned. Your mother drinks?”
Landon chuckled. “Not usually, but she makes an exception around Brittany and Mitch. They have that effect on people.” He turned and looked over his shoulder at Jay. “You’ll like them. They’re absolutely city kids, but they’re good people.”
“And you can talk them into coming here?”
Landon shrugged. “Sometimes you just get tired of the same-old-club, same-old-bars, same-old-parties. It’s nice to just hang out and not have to yell over people to talk.”
“Probably easier on your voice, too.”
“Spoken like a true dad.”