The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [99]
“I know he would.”
“So do I,” Melissa agreed. “Have you two ever talked about it?”
“Marriage? No. He hasn’t brought it up at all.”
“Mmm,” Melissa said. “I’ll try to find out what he’s thinking, all right?”
“You don’t have to do that,” Denise protested, flushing.
“Oh, I want to. I’m as curious as you are. But don’t worry, I’ll be subtle. He won’t even know what I’m getting at.”
“So, Taylor, are you gonna marry this wonderful girl or what?”
Denise almost dropped her fork onto her plate. Taylor was in the middle of taking a drink and he inhaled a bit of it, causing him to cough three times as he expelled it from the wrong pipe. He brought his napkin to his face, his eyes watering.
“Excuse me?”
The four of them were eating their meal—steaks, green salad, Cheddar cheese potatoes, and garlic bread. They’d been laughing and joking, having a good time, and were halfway done when Melissa dropped her bombshell. Denise felt the blood rush to her cheeks as Melissa went on matter-of-factly.
“I mean, she’s a babe, Taylor. Smart, too. Girls like her don’t come along every day.”
Though obviously said in jest, Taylor stiffened slightly.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” he said almost defensively, and Melissa leaned forward, patting his arm as she laughed out loud.
“I don’t expect an answer, Taylor—I was kidding. I just wanted to see your expression. Your eyes got big as saucers.”
“That’s because I was choking,” Taylor answered.
She leaned toward him. “I’m sorry. But I just couldn’t resist. You’re easy to pick on. Just like Bozo over here.”
“Are you talking about me, darling?” Mitch broke in, trying to offset Taylor’s obvious discomfort.
“Who else calls you Bozo?”
“With the exception of you—and my three other wives, of course—no one really.”
“Mmm,” she said, “that’s good. Otherwise I might get jealous.”
Melissa leaned over and gave her husband a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Are they always like this?” Denise whispered to Taylor, praying he wouldn’t think she’d put Melissa up to the question.
“Ever since I’ve known them,” Taylor said, but it was obvious his mind was elsewhere.
“Hey, no talking behind our backs,” Melissa said. Turning toward Denise, she moved the conversation back to safer ground. “So tell me about Atlanta. I’ve never been there. . . .”
Denise took a deep breath as Melissa looked right at her, an almost imperceptible smirk on her face. Her wink was so inconspicuous that neither Mitch nor Taylor caught it.
And though Melissa and Denise chatted for the next hour, Mitch joining in whenever appropriate, Taylor, Denise noticed, didn’t say much at all.
“I’m gonna get you!” Mitch shouted as he ran through the yard, chasing Jud, who was screaming as well, the high-pitched shrieks alternating between delight and fear.
“You’re almost on base! Run!” Taylor yelled. Jud lowered his head, charging, as Mitch slowed down behind him, the cause lost. Jud reached base, joining the others.
It was an hour after dinner—the sun had finally set, and Mitch and Taylor were playing tag with the boys in the yard out front. Mitch, his hands on his hips, looked around the yard at the five kids, his chest heaving. They were all within a few feet of each other.
“You can’t get me, Daddy!” Cameron taunted, his thumbs by his ears, fingers wagging.
“Try to get me, Daddy!” Will added, his voice joining his brother’s.
“Then you’ve got to get off base,” Mitch said, bending over and putting his hands on his knees. Cameron and Will, sensing weakness, suddenly darted in opposite directions.
“C’mon, Daddy!” Will shouted gleefully.
“Okay, now you asked for it!” Mitch said, doing his best to rise to the challenge. Mitch began trudging toward Will, heading past Taylor and Kyle, who remained safely on base.
“Run, Daddy, run!” Will teased, knowing he was agile enough to stay well away from his father.
Mitch chased one son after the other, veering course as he needed to for the next few minutes. Kyle, who had taken a little while to pick up on the game, finally understood it well enough to run