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“Watch yourself,” Laredo warned.
“I will.”
When she placed the receiver back on its cradle, Trey pushed away from the window. “He’s carrying something real big, Mom,” he declared with big-eyed excitement.
“Maybe we should go see what it is.”
Needing no second urging, Trey galloped ahead of her to the entry hall. Jessy arrived as Monte walked in, toting a mammoth picnic hamper.
Trey stared at it. “Whatcha got in there?”
“As I understand,” he addressed his reply to Trey, but his sparkling glance kept sliding to Jessy, “your mother has yet to hire any kitchen help. So I thought I might treat you all to a special feast my cook prepared specially for you. Do you think I could persuade you to join me for a picnic supper?”
“Supper.” At last Trey heard a word that he understood. “Whatcha gonna have?”
“Fried chicken, potato salad, corn, a relish tray, and for dessert, I believe the cook said he included a chocolate cake.”
“Yum!” Trey proclaimed.
Monte laughed. “Is that a ‘yes’?” he asked Jessy.
“Avery definite one,” she replied, aware that her son’s reaction had left no room for refusal. She wondered if Monte had counted on that, then realized he couldn’t have known Trey would be on hand when he issued the invitation.
“I understand there is a picnic area down along the river,” he began.
“Yeah, it’s down where we go swimmin’. Is that where we gonna eat?” Trey asked, enthused by the idea.
“That was my plan, yes,” Monte told him, then said to Jessy, “In my opinion, a leisurely meal is best enjoyed far from the reach of telephones and the pressures of business. As beautiful as this home is, it has both.”
She wasn’t given a chance to reply as Trey pulled at her hand. “Let’s go, Mom. I’m hungry.”
“We need to get your sister first.”
“Do we have to?”
“Yes, we do. Why don’t you take Mr. Markham to the river while I get Laura.”
“Okay.” Quick to agree, Trey motioned to Monte. “Come on.”
As Jessy expected, the prospect of eating outside didn’t appeal to Laura. But she changed her mind when they reached the river and she saw the snow-white cloth that covered the picnic table near the gazebo. On top of it, china plates gleamed, reflecting the sparkle from the crystal tumblers. When Monte set out a half dozen votive candles, Laura was completely enthralled.
Trey’s mind ran along much more practical lines. “Why’d ya bring them? It won’t be dark for a long time.”
“I was told they would help keep the mosquitoes away.” Monte began lighting the votives one by one.
“They’ll bite ya anyway,” Trey declared and made like a mosquito, buzzing around Laura and reaching out to sneak little pinches.
As far as Jessy was concerned, the children were a godsend. For the first time she found herself unable to relax in Monte’s company. But the children’s lively presence eliminated any awkward lulls in the conversation.
She watched constantly for any change in Monte’s attitude toward her but he seemed exactly the same—friendly, considerate, and totally undemanding.
All too soon, Trey excused himself from the table and went off to look for frogs. Without her brother to torment her, Laura’s attention shifted to her doll. Suddenly it was left to Jessy to keep the conversation going. And she had never been adept at social chitchat.
Fortunately Monte took the lead. “Your children are a joy.”
“You haven’t seen them at their worst.”
“I suppose I haven’t,” he agreed. “Still, being around them makes me realize how much I have missed by not having a family of my own.”
