Chapter 3

James turned off the highway so glad to finally see the Welcome sign to his hometown. This was definitely a trip he was glad he didn't make anymore. In his real competing days he traveled so much, it was second nature but having not done it in 16 years, it was definitely wearing on his older body. Lily laughed as she read the sign. She would be living in a place called Beaver. Vivian never told her exactly where she was going, it was possible she didn't know. James smiled at the girl's laugh, as he pulled over to the side.

"Okay kiddo, your turn." Lily had almost forgotten his promise. They still hadn't spoken very many words since lunch. She excitedly walked over to the other side of the truck. When she sat in the seat she could tell this was going to be way different then the go karts she was use to driving. She adjusted the seat so she was able to reach the pedals. She looked around to check everything and the put her hands on the wheel and stepped on gas. "Whoa there kiddo! First check your mirrors then you've gotta switch gears. I take it your go karts don't have different gears."

"No." Lily answered, embarrassingly. There was only forward and reverse. She put a shaking hand on the rear view mirror not a hundred percent sure what he exactly meant by checking the mirrors. She silently cursed her self for not paying closer attention when others got in their cars to drive. James could sense her uneasiness.

"Hey," he called out to get her attention, accidentally startling her instead. "It's okay kid. I'll help you. Move your mirrors so you can see behind you." Lily did as he said, easing up a little at his soft tone. "Okay once you're ready that stick right there on your right side is the shifter, pull it down till you're on the D on the dashboard but you have to push in and hold the brake. Do not let off of the brake." She nodded in acknowledgment. She remembered she was suppose to hold the brake. Sometimes the other guys would get in trouble for letting the brake go on the go karts. She moved the shifter down to the drive position and tensed when she felt the truck move a little. "You're fine, you're doing great. Check your mirrors and make sure no one is near and pull on to the road." Lily and James both looked around to check for other cars. The road was deserted. Lily slowly let her foot off the brake and steered the truck on the road. James released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding in once he realized Lily would be okay for here. "It's basically a straight shot from here kiddo. You'll only make one turn, a left but it won't be for a few miles and I'll let you know. So just relax and go the speed limit and follow the road." Lilly eased her foot on the gas pedal and followed the road as it curved a bit. Once she got the truck to the speed limit she relaxed and just focused on keeping the truck straight. "You're doing great. I'm just gonna call Grace and let her know we'll be there soon okay? I just don't want to startle you again." He smiled at Lily and she returned the same smile. Though James saw his self in Lily just then he also saw so much of her mother in the younger girls face. He dialed the number to the farm like second nature and waited for it to ring.

"Jay! I didn't know if you were ever going to call honey."

"Sorry dear I was trying to get back as soon as possible. Our stops were quick and few. And you know I don't like to drive and talk."

"Yes I know. Where are you now? Close I hope, dinner is almost done."

"Yes ma'am. Down by the windmill. Just off the highway. I'm letting her drive in. Hoping it will help her remember how to get here in case she gets lost."

"Well good for you! Must mean you're bonding 'cause you won't even let me drive that dumb truck." Lily could hear a little bit of the conversation from the driver seat. She blushed in embarrassment. Her grip tightened on the wheel. She couldn't believe her dad was trusting her with something that he didn't trust his own wife with.

"I know Grace. I was being nice. We'll be there shortly. I love you dear." Lily couldn't hear what Grace had to say. "Your next left kiddo. You're doing a good job."

It seemed like it took forever for the road to come up. Lilly made a smooth enough turn on to the gravel road. Her eyes widened as she saw the farm about 3 miles in front of her. The farm house looked simple enough. A two story house with a wrap around porch like you'd see in the pictures. The barn was at least two times bigger then the house. Lily had slowed the car to almost a stop. James laughed as Lily took in her surroundings.

"We added on to the barn about 5 years ago. Needed a bigger place for the horses and we've added pigs. My father, you're grandfather, wasn't big on pigs. Didn't want to slaughter them but we don't plan on killing them. They're our pets. My dad didn't believe in pets." Lily nodded in understanding.

"Mom didn't let me have pets either. Always wanted a dog or something."

"Well you're in luck kiddo. One of our herd dogs got pregnant. You can keep one, we'll sell the others." Lily bounced around in excitement. She felt like a little kid.

She pulled up to a gate and James pushed a button on the visor above her head. The gate swung open and the dogs mentioned before came running. Lily froze, afraid to run over one. She heard a loud whistle and the dogs took off towards the house. She continued to pull forward till James told her to stop and turn off the truck. Lily jumped out of the truck and took another look around. Once she looked back at the house she saw James walk up to a woman of his height. She was slender, not as small as Lily but not an inch of fat on her, all muscle. She looked younger then her mom. She was the complete opposite of her as well. Vivian was shorter than Grace and had blonde hair where Grace had a honey color. Lily thought the woman was very pretty and could see why James fell for her beauty. Lily blushed as she watched them kiss. She walked over to the passenger side to grab her small backpack that held her smaller belongings, James had her other bags. Grace smiled as Lily walked up to the porch. She didn't know how much Lily was going to look like her husband but the resemblance was there no matter how small.

"It is very nice to finally meet you Lily." There was a slight accent in her voice, the same her dad had but more prominent in Grace. "Do you mind if I hug you? I'm a hugger. And it's just that I'm so excited to meet you." Lily laughed at the woman's excitement. She opened her arms and took a step closer to Grace. James smiled as the two embraced. He took a step closer to the door and Grace released Lily. "Oh Jay! Um before you go in there, there's something I need to tell you."

"What dear? Did you burn dinner or something?"

"Um well no. You see you're mother is here." James dropped Lily's bags.

"You're joking right?" Grace shook her head. "I thought we were waiting till later."

"I'm so sorry Jay. I'm really sorry to you too Lily. We wanted to wait to you were settled to let other people meet you."

"It's okay. I'm okay." Lily nodded at James to let him know it was fine. He let out a sigh and picked up Lily's bags. Grace rushed in front of him to open the door and waited for Lily to cross in after him. James put Lily's bags to the side by the staircase and walked to the living room where he knew his mother would be waiting. Lily however couldn't get passed the entry way. The house was ten times bigger then it looked on the outside. The foyer alone was bigger then her room back home. Grace smiled as Lily looked around in wonder.

"Come on, she'll be waiting." Lily followed Grace into the living room. James was giving Barbara a hug. When they separated and Lily saw the older woman a wave of recognition washed over her. "Well here she is Barb, the guest of honor." Barbara smiled at the younger girl.

"You've aged nicely child. Definitely bigger then the last time I saw you."

"Last time?" James stared at his mother confused. He never should anyone in his hometown pictures of Lily, though he had one or two tucked away from when she was born.

"I saw her when she was younger. About ten years ago. Do you remember that sweetie? At the park?" Lily nodded, suddenly remembering the woman from when she was little. She had thought she was just a nice stranger. "I went and saw them, after I had that heart scare, you remember that James Micheal?" His mother always called him by his first and last name. Said there was no point in giving you two names if you don't use them. "Well I wanted to see the girl for myself. Make sure she was a Truscott, because I was drawing up a will. James Micheal you should have seen this girl when she was younger. Looked so much like your father. If he had been a girl of course. Well I knew instantly and I had her mama sign the papers so Lily would have my half of the estate. I wanted our flesh and blood to have what your daddy built. No offense Grace." James couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that his mother went to California to see his daughter and didn't even think to mention it to him.

"Whoa! Your dad built this house?" Lily questioned James. He nodded. "Cool!" Lily exclaimed. James looked away from his excited daughter.

"Hey Lily, how about I show you you're room. Give you some privacy so you can call your mom. Let her know you made it." Grace asked as she walked back towards the foyer.

"Yeah okay." Lily felt a pit in her stomach. She had actually forgot about her mom for a minute. She followed Grace up the stairs.

"The whole upstairs is yours Lily. James, I mean your dad and I sleep in the master and there's another bedroom down there as well so when Barbara, I mean your grandmother comes to visit she can have a place down there. We're all to old to be climbing these stairs."

"Thanks Grace, I mean mom." Grace stopped midstride and turned towards Lily. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes.

"Lily as much as I would love for you to call me that, I want you to do it when your ready. If its now great, if it's ten years from now great. Just do it when it feels right to you." Lilly nodded. Grace was right, she wasn't ready. Say that to her gave her a pit in her feeling. It was nothing against Grace, she just wasn't ready. When they reached the top of the stairs Lily saw the bathroom. They took a right and there were two more doors. "This one," she pointed to the left door. "is the smaller room. Use it for whatever you please. This one," Grace turned the knob to the door on the right. Lily's eyes widened as she stepped into the room. Large windows covered one whole side of the wall. Grace turned on the light and Lily was sad to see the stars go. "Do you like it?"

"Definitely." Lily said breathlessly.

"Good." Grace smiled. "Dinner will be done soon, I'll send your dad to come get you. Take your time."

"Hey Grace." Lily called before she could leave. When Grace turned around she saw Lily standing there with her arms wide open. Grace stepped into them and embraced the teen. "Thank you." Grace pulled her in tighter before walking out of the room. Lily unzipped her backpack, grabbed her phone and plopped on the bed. It was softer then she had expected. She turned on her phone and gave it a minute to catch up. After several beeps Lily finally pushed speed dial 1 and waited for it to start ringing.

"Lily! I was starting to worry babydoll. Have y'all made it to the farm?"

"Yes ma'am. Mom it's so great here. You should see my room."

"I will honey, one day. I promise." Lily began to tear up as she heard her mom's voice crack.

"He let me drive his truck and he's letting me keep a puppy." Lily said trying to lighten the mood. Vivian let out a small laugh.

"Sounds to me like he's sucking up. Let him. I love you Lillian. Please never forget that."

"I love you too mom. I should get off, dinner should be ready soon. They actually cook here."

"Ha ha very funny, Sweet dreams baby."

"Bye mom." Lily hung up right before the tears started pouring out like a faucet.

AN: story is coming along nicely. Next chapter soon. Yay!