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She nodded in agreement. “Are you really going to do it all yourself? It’s been a while since I’ve been inside the house, but it seems like a lot of work for one person.”
“I’m going to try. I have friend I can call if I need some help.” He’d met Ed in the first carpentry class he’d taken. At the time the older man had been approaching retirement, and his wife wanted him to have a hobby so he didn’t sit at home all day driving her crazy. Despite the age gap, they’d hit it off. Ed had helped him more than once on projects. “And I can always call you, right? Priscilla said you worked alongside your father.”
“My dad did teach me a thing or two about hammering a nail. I guess I could help if you get into a jam. But it’ll cost you.”
“Name your price.”
“Mmm.” She tapped her fingers against the tabletop. Today her nails were painted a dark purple. “I’ll need to think about it and get back to you.”
“How about we start with dinner some night this week?” He would’ve said tomorrow, but he’d already made plans with his cousin.
The corner of Taylor’s mouth inched upward. “Weeknights can be tricky. Things come up sometimes. Like last night, I didn’t get home until well after midnight. I even ended up having to skip Reese’s soccer game today.”
Her job might be essential, but it sounded terrible. “How about next Saturday night, then?” A week would give him plenty of time to scout out a nice place to take her. He knew plenty of five-star restaurants in and around Boston, but he’d prefer to avoid them all, for numerous reasons.
“I’ll pencil you in for next weekend.”
Chapter Four
Taylor tried to steal the ball as Reese dribbled it across the backyard Sunday afternoon. Before she could intercept it, though, her niece kicked it toward the goal. She missed, and the ball rolled past the goal and toward the woods.
“I’ll get it,” Reese called out, sprinting after the runaway soccer ball.
“While you do, I’m going to take a water break.” They’d been out there for at least an hour. Reese didn’t look even close to tiring out. The child had an endless supply of energy.
When they’d come out, she’d left two bottles of water on the patio table. Opening one, she took a long swallow, the cool drink immediately perking her up. A few feet away, her mom checked on the chicken and burgers she’d put on the grill. The house had no central air conditioning, only window units, so once the weather turned warmer they cooked outside as much as possible to keep the inside temperature down.
“Maybe we should see if Curt wants to join us.” Priscilla closed the grill cover and took a seat at the table. “We have plenty of food.”
This was the first time Mom had mentioned Curt since their conversation early yesterday afternoon. She’d expected a million questions as soon as she came home from having coffee with him. Oddly, Mom never said a word except a thank-you for bringing home the pie. She should’ve known that was too good to last.
“He has plans today.” He hadn’t given her any particular details and, it being none of her business, she hadn’t asked.
“C’mon, Auntie. I got the ball.” Reese walked past the goal, carrying the pink-and-white soccer ball in her hands.
Just what she thought; Reese wasn’t ready to quit for the afternoon.
“Why don’t you practice by yourself for a little and give Aunt Taylor a break,” Mom suggested. “I think you wore her out.”
Yep, the reprieve from questioning was over. Mom planned to start her interrogation now.
Reese shrugged and dropped the ball to the ground. “Okay.”
Having no siblings or friends next door, Reese was used to playing alone. She dribbled the ball across the yard toward the goal, leaving Taylor alone with Mom.
“Go ahead and ask away,” Taylor said. Mom had questions. The sooner she asked, the sooner they could talk about something else.
“Can you blame me for being curious?” Mom asked.
Blame her? No, not really. Wish she’d mind her own business on this? Yes, most certainly.
“Considering you only went for coffee at the Java Bean, you were gone for a long time yesterday.” Mom refilled her iced tea from the pitcher she’d brought outside earlier. “I assume t
hat means he’s not a serial killer who runs around at night wearing a clown costume.”
The statement rubbed her the wrong way. “Mom, I didn’t interrogate him. We just talked.” They’d talked so much they’d both lost track of time as one coffee turned into another. In the end, they’d each had three cups.
“Relax. I’m kidding. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” She paused with her glass almost to her lips. “You did enjoy yourself, right?”
