Tacoma Falls: Homeland

Hello, complication

Morgan

Aunt Jessap and I arrived at Momma's house to find a silver F-150 truck parked out front.

"Where are you expecting anyone?" Aunt Jessap asked from the driver's seat.

I shook my head. "No. Few know I'm home."

"Let's see who it is." Aunt Jessap parked the car and got out.

I followed suit. We walked toward the steps to find Mary and Hank sitting on the porch swing.

Mary spotted me, and her face lit up. She rushed toward me and got me in a bear hug. "Oh, my God, Morgan! I'm so happy to see you!" She pulled back and looked at me. "I'm not happy for the reason you came home."

I nodded. "I know."

"I'm so sorry to hear about your momma. Ma sent us with food if you were hungry."

Hank stood up and sauntered toward us. I couldn't help but check him out. He was wearing Wrangler jeans that hugged his lower body and a tight-fitting white tee shirt that showed the outline of his muscles. His dark brown hair flopped around as his boots scuffed against the porch's wooden planks.

"Hey, Morgan," Hank spoke in that deep southern drawl.

"Hey, Hank." I smiled slightly.

"Sorry to hear about Josephine."

"I appreciate that."

Hank handed me the covered casserole dish. "Ma said you can reheat it later if you're not hungry right now."

I took the dish from him. "Thanks."

Hank glanced at Mary. "We need to get back."

"Right." Mary turned to me with a grin. "Call me later."

"Okay," I said.

Hank and Mary moved past us, headed to the truck, and climbed inside. Hank backed out and drove off as the dust kicked up from the truck.

"Now that is a good-looking man," Aunt Jessap said.

I looked at my aunt like she was crazy. "Hank is Mary's older brother. I doubt he's single, and you're too old for him."

"I wasn't talking about me." Aunt Jessap shrugged.

"No." I turned and headed into the house to put the casserole in the fridge. I would have some later if I got hungry. Right now, food or men are the last thing on my mind.

*******
Hank

Mary rambled in the passenger side as I drove the truck. I expected Morgan to look good. I wasn't expecting to see a beauty when we brought Ma's casserole to her. Morgan wasn't one of Mary's friends. She was all woman in every sense of the word.

"I wonder how long Morgan is staying," Mary said.

"Probably until after the funeral."

"I hate to see Morgan leave again."

You and me, both.

"Maybe she'll stay longer."

Hopefully.

"I wonder why we didn't see Rodney."

Who cares why we didn't see him? I don't.

"I'll ask Morgan."

My brow raised when Mary said that. I was curious to find out why Morgan was here without that toad. A woman like Morgan shouldn't be alone.

******
Morgan