1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [79]
“I’ll take mine in the bottle,” Linc told her, fearing the housekeeper would feel obligated to serve it in a fancy crystal glass.
“Me, too,” Kate said.
Dinner wasn’t such a painful affair, after all. The beef Stroganoff was incredible and he went into the kitchen to personally thank the cook and praise her work. Dessert was homemade angel food cake, served with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The real stuff. The last time Linc had tasted real whipped cream had been the Thanksgiving before his parents died.
The evening ended on a companionable note, with Kate suggesting they do it again. All controversial topics were avoided, which certainly made for a more comfortable visit. On the drive home, Lori leaned her head against Linc’s shoulder. “You were right about Mom wanting to build a bridge.”
He’d guessed that early on when Kate had insisted on having a beer with him. Although she’d never tasted one before, she’d liked it and had a second with dinner.
“I found out Mom didn’t tell Dad we were coming to dinner until this afternoon,” Lori said.
“I hope that didn’t cause a problem between your parents.” He couldn’t help feeling guilty if that was the case.
“Mom didn’t say, but I told her make-up sex is the best—and that I was speaking from experience.”
Linc nearly drove off the road. “Tell me you didn’t.”
Giggling, Lori wrapped her arm around his. “You’re right, I didn’t, but I was tempted.”
“Where did your father go?”
“I don’t know, and neither did Mom.”
“He refused to join his family for dinner because of me?” Linc almost felt sorry for the other man whose stubborn pride had prevented him from enjoying a wonderful meal and a good time. And Linc knew a little something about pride.
“It isn’t about you,” she said softly. “This is about me. Dad still hasn’t forgiven me for what happened with Geoff.”
Linc felt her cringe just saying the other man’s name.
“He’s convinced I have no judgment whatsoever. And then you and I married so quickly, it sent him over the edge.”
Linc realized this was the crux of the problem. He hoped he’d reassured Kate and that she’d share what he’d said with Leonard.
“The fact that you apologized for excluding the family from our wedding went a long way toward winning over my mother.”
Linc had broached the subject between courses. His own family hadn’t been invited, either, he’d explained, and he’d said that in retrospect he regretted it. If at some point Lori’s family wanted to throw a formal wedding, that was fine with him. From the smile Kate sent him, Linc knew he’d scored a few points.
“Remember what I said about make-up sex? Well, I heard there’s an even better kind.”
“Oh?” Lori straightened. “Is there really?”
“Yup, it’s the I-told-you-so-and-I-was-right kind of lovemaking.”
Lori’s smile filled her entire face. “Are you making that up?”
Linc grinned from ear to ear himself. “Tell you what, my wonderful wife, I’ll let you be the judge.”
Twenty-Two
In the past six months, Shirley Bliss had had a few so-called dates. Spending time with a man other than her husband had felt wrong in the beginning, but she’d gradually begun to accept that Jim was gone and she needed to—as Miranda put it—“forge a new path in life.”
Not that Miranda was a great example…
Shirley didn’t count Will Jefferson as a real date. The only reason she’d accepted his invitations was out of gratitude, and in truth, she rather hoped Miranda would start seeing Will. In her opinion, her very forthright friend was perfect for the man who seemed to consider himself a gift for women to appreciate and admire.
This date with Larry Knight was in an entirely different category. For one thing, it was a real date. She felt as if she was in high school all over again, waiting to be picked up for the senior prom. That afternoon, before Larry arrived, she must have checked her reflection in the mirror a dozen times, as giddy as a schoolgirl. Thankfully Tanni had gone out with friends for the day.
She’d had several conversations with Larry