He leaned in close and kissed her on the cheek. “You’ve got nothing to worry about, Elizabeth.”
When he left the room, Elizabeth knew that wasn’t true.
The innocent kiss had left a blazing imprint on her skin. She touched her cheek and could still feel his lips there.
She had a lot to worry about.
At six-thirty, Elizabeth had just put the finishing touches to a very good meal and called her son to the table.
“You’ll sit by me, sweetheart. And don’t worry about the stranger. I don’t think she’ll pay any attention to you.”
“Who is she?”
“A friend of your daddy’s.”
“Jack said my daddy was bad.”
“No! He shouldn’t have said that.” She’d have to talk to Jack about that. “Your daddy was—Well, he didn’t grow up, that’s all.”
“Will I grow up?”
She smiled at her son. “Of course you will, sweetie. You’ve already grown a lot. You always help when I need help, and you never complain.”
“I’ll help you anytime, Mommy.” He threw his arms around her neck and squeezed her tight.
How she loved these spontaneous little-boy hugs. “Thank you, sweetheart. I always count on you.”
“I’m hungry. When are they going to come?”
“I don’t know. If you want to go out on the porch and look for them, you can. But don’t get off the porch.”
“I won’t, Mommy.”
Brady went out to the porch. After he went, Elizabeth thought about what she was going to tell Jack. She didn’t want Brady to feel that there was something wrong with him. He was a good boy and he would be a good man.
By the time she had the roast on the table, Jack came in the door. “Sorry. Brady said we were late. Did we keep you waiting?”
“No, of course not.”
“I intended to be in earlier but she—” he nodded toward the door and rolled his eyes “—wanted to spend some time with me.” He snickered. “Yeah, right!”
“You didn’t believe her?”
“No. She’s only looking for a new fish to hook now that Reggie’s gone.”
“But surely she—” Elizabeth stopped talking as Kim came in the door. “Kim, will you knock on Tom’s door, please?”
Kim frowned at her. “You want me to knock on his door?”
She looked at the woman, then she shook her head and walked past her to knock on Tom’s door. “Dinner’s ready, Tom.”
Tom came out at once. “Glad to hear it. I was getting kind of peckish.” He took a seat at the table. “This looks good, Elizabeth. This is what I’m talking about, Kim. Elizabeth here does a fine job of cooking and taking care of us.”
“So she wouldn’t get to eat if she didn’t work?”
“Of course she would. But she willingly offered to keep the house and do the cooking. It’s like she joined in with us, making life better. Believe you me, me and Jack got tired of those danged sandwiches.”
“Well, you should have gone out to eat. That’s what I would’ve done.”
“Maybe,” Jack said. “But you might not’ve had enough money.”
“Why, I wouldn’t have paid. Reggie always paid for me.”
“There wasn’t someone to pay when he was out with another woman. That must’ve made things difficult.”
“Awkward might be a better word.”
Elizabeth didn’t like the conversation. She’d known women like Kim. She didn’t like them then and she didn’t like them now.
Looking for an excuse to call a halt to the line of dialogue, Elizabeth asked if Brady wanted more milk.
“No, thank you, Mommy. I’ll wait for dessert.”
He beamed at her, and she gave thanks for having such a good son.
Taking the shortcake out of the refrigerator, Elizabeth squirted whipped cream on each piece she cut and covered each with fresh-cut strawberries.
“This is great, Elizabeth!” Tom exclaimed when he took a forkful of his.
“Thank you, Tom.”
“It is, honey. You did a great job.” Jack sent her a special smile.
“Thank you.” She looked at Kim. “I hope you like the dessert, Kim.”
“It’s fine but I would’ve preferred fresh whipped cream.”
“It’s great just like it is!” Tom said forcefully.
Kim stared at Tom, startled by his words. “Well, of course,” she said as she gave Elizabeth a fake smile.
Brady reached out and claimed his mother’s hand. “I like it the way Mommy made it.”
“Thank you, Brady.” Elizabeth squeezed Brady’s hand.
Elizabeth couldn’t wait to get away from the dinner table and Kim. When dessert was finished, she reminded Tom of a TV program he wanted to watch.
Tom and Brady immediately got up from the table.
“Is that show all right for Brady to watch, Tom?” Elizabeth hurriedly asked.
“Sure is. They don’t hardly even have any women, much less ones in skimpy clothes.”
“All right. Mind your manners, Brady.”
“I will, Mommy!”
Kim looked at the disappearing pair and then turned back to Jack. He, however, had begun carrying dishes to the sink. Finally, she said, “I guess I’ll go watch television too.” She paused at the door, apparently hoping Jack would offer her an alternative, but he didn’t.
“I think you disappointed Kim,” Elizabeth told him when Kim was out of earshot. “She was waiting for an invitation.”
Jack looked at her blankly. “To do what?”
“I’m not sure, but I think she was hoping for something more romantic to do.”
He snorted, an inelegant sound, but Elizabeth seemed pleased. “Unless I was paying through the nose, I don’t think she’d be pleased.”
They continued to work for a few moments before Elizabeth said, “Did you talk to Tom again about buying the ranch?”
“He sounded like his mind was made up.”
“I’ll talk to him. I don’t think it’s okay for you to be denied the right to buy the ranch just because Brady is here.”
“That’s what I like about you, Elizabeth. You don’t just think of yourself. Or your kids.”
“I favor my children, Jack. But I also know what’s fair.”
“Well, I like your style, but I can fight my own battles.” He put away the last dish, then asked, “What do you have planned for the morning?”
“Nothing, other than fixing breakfast and doing laundry.”
“I think you need to plan on coming to town with me.”
“Why?”