Chapter Forty

The last thing Kathy expected to see when they pulled up in Charles’s driveway was him standing on the porch, waving a cookie sheet as clouds of smoke billowed out of the windows. As soon as the car stopped, she was out. “Charles?”

“It’s okay. Just a little… mishap. I think it’s mostly cleared out,” he said around a cough as she hurried up the steps.

She touched his cheek. “You’re okay?”

He kissed the back of her hand. “I’m fine. I’m not sure dinner can be salvaged though. I’m sorry.”

“Let’s see what we have.” She glanced over her shoulder at the car. “Do you mind greeting them while I see what I can save?”

“Of course not.” He groaned. “What a way to say hello. Thank you.”

Once in the kitchen, the scale of the disaster had her gasping. Several blackened rectangles were on the stovetop, a couple of them still smoking, and the stench emanating from the mess was a strange mix of appetizing and painful.

“Holy mother of pearl… what in the world happened?” She picked up a pair of tongs from the counter and carefully lifted the foil that covered one of the boxes.

“It’s probably best if Gilly and the baby stay outside until the air clears. Those were the baked beans,” Charles said apologetically as he and Eliza came into the kitchen.

Jack wasn’t far behind, peering into the room with curiosity.

Kathy stood there, tongs still in hand, and stared at him. “Um. How in the world did you manage this?”

“I didn’t do anything I don’t usually do. I put them in the oven to heat up the same way as always. I’ve gotten food from this place a dozen times at least. I’ve never had this happen.” He shrugged, his face so endearingly dejected that she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

Eliza came over to look at the ruined food. She used the tongs to completely remove the foil. “You say you’ve gotten food there in the past?”

“Yeah. It’s really good grub when it’s not torched beyond recognition.”

Eliza grimaced as she removed the foil from one of the other boxes. “It looks like they used a paper-lined tray to put this stuff in. How high did you have the oven?”

“Four-fifty. Paper? Are you kidding? They’ve always used foil before.”

She held up a thin piece of charred cardboard. “Paper. Foil lined, maybe, but definitely paper. I’m so sorry.”

With a heartfelt groan, Charles covered his face and leaned against the counter. “That’s just lovely.”

Eliza chuckled as she looked over the mess. “Well, it certainly makes for a memorable evening. Charles, you need a wife.”

“Mama!” Kathy choked back horrified laughter, her cheeks heating with embarrassment even as her stomach leapt.

“Am I wrong?” Eliza asked pertly, winking at her. “Unless you have a second dinner up your sleeve, young man, I believe we need to find another way to feed ourselves.”

Charles sighed. “I’m so sorry.”

Jack was grinning, and he laughed softly. “Mom’s right. We won’t forget this one any time soon. I’ll check on Gilly, let her know what’s going on.”

“It is practically family tradition these days to have a disaster when introducing someone special,” Eliza said as she washed her hands. “Now, do you have any box fans? We can set them up in these windows to help get the smell of smoke out of here.”

“Sure, I’ll grab them.” Charles looked down at himself and grimaced. “I hate to ask, but do you think I could jump in the shower and change clothes? I feel like I’ve been in a smokehouse.”

Kathy’s laughter bubbled up. “I’m sorry. I held it in as long as I could.” The more exasperated his look, the harder she laughed until she was doubled over, holding onto the counter.

Charles shook his finger in her direction. “I’ll remember this, Ms. Browning.”

She grinned cheekily and walked straight up to him, hands on her hips. “I’m counting on it, Mr. Kelly. You know, you’re really going to have to learn to cook.”

He winked and tapped the end of her nose. “Not if I marry someone who can. I think your mother is right. I’m starting to get ideas.” Taking advantage of her surprise, he dropped a kiss on her lips. “Let me get those fans, and I’ll get cleaned up.”

Kathy stared down the hall after him, her hand at her throat. “Mama?”

Eliza squeezed her shoulders. “Help me find some vinegar, and we’ll boil that in some water while he’s getting showered. That will help with the smell. So will fresh coffee grounds.”

Shaking off her bemusement, Kathy got the coffee down, poured some into small bowls, and placed them around the kitchen. Charles returned with the fans, and she took one to the living room while Eliza took care of the kitchen.

Jack stepped back inside. “Need help?”

“Thanks, but no. I have it. I’m sorry about this.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around. “No worries. This is a nice house. Not what I was expecting from a stuffy, blue-blooded lawyer.”

Kathy crossed her arms and glared at him. “A what?”

Her brother grinned and slung his arm around her shoulders for a loose hug. “Relax. He seems perfectly nice. He’s sure taking that mess in there better than I would have expected. Better than you would have.”

She sighed. “He is nice.”

Jack tugged on her hair gently. “I remember a time when you thought nice was boring.”

As he was right, she could hardly argue. “There’s nothing boring about Charles Kelly, nice guy or not. I’m very thankful I met him when I did and not before.”

A glance at Jack told her that he understood what she was saying. To her surprise, his eyes were full of approval.

“Then I’m glad too.”

She knew then things would be okay, at least between her and Jack. Given Charles’s reaction to her mother’s comment, Kathy figured she was right about the impending proposal.

For the rest of the evening, as she watched Charles with her family—as he wooed Gilly, made goo-goo eyes at the baby, and won Jack over—she was faced with the growing realization that she was utterly head over heels in love with him. This time, however, the knowledge didn’t scare her or make her feel guilty. Instead, she felt steady and solid, sure of her choices and wants for the first time perhaps in her entire life.

By the time dinner at the diner was over and they were walking to the car, she’d made a decision. She pulled her brother aside. “Are you going to be upset if I stay with him tonight?”

Jack studied her closely then sighed and looked across the lot at where Charles was holding the baby for Gilly as she got in the car. “I like him. I’d prefer things be done in the proper order… but I also realize that’s a rather simplistic view to take of things. I won’t make a fuss. Are you planning to accept his proposal, assuming he asks? Which I think he will, by the way. He’s as besotted with you as Owen is with Sarah.”

Kathy smiled. “And you with Gilly?”

Jack grinned. “Yeah.”

She let out a breath. “Maybe… maybe I’ll ask him. It is a leap year after all.”

The sound of Jack’s laughter followed her to his car.

“What’s funny?” Eliza asked.

“Life is, Mama. Don’t you think?”

Eliza gave her a puzzled smile. “It can be.”

Kathy patted her hand. “Yes, it certainly can.”