CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Donna, that was the best meal I’ve had in a long, long time.” Jake placed his knife and fork on the plate, pushed his chair back, and smiled with satisfaction. “I’m surprised you remembered lasagna’s my favorite. Thanks for having me over.”

“It’s a family favorite,” chimed in Lori. “And the toasted cheese bread was full of garlicky goodness.” She and Donna had been friends for years and had become ever closer in the past few months. Lori liked to say she was living vicariously through her happily married, soon-to-be-a-mother friend. “It’s just good seeing Jakey out of the house.”

Turning to Jake, Donna grinned. “It definitely is. You’re most certainly welcome for dinner, dear friend-whom-we-haven’t-seen-in-far-too-long. The lasagna was my Nana Russo’s secret recipe. I’ll send some home with you—no arguments. I’ll bet you haven’t had a decent meal in a month of Sundays.”

Drew squeezed Donna’s shoulder. “Yep, folks, I like to keep ’em barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen cooking gourmet Italian food.”

Donna punched him in the arm. “Just for that, you’re doing the dishes, and I don’t mean maybe.”

Grinning, Drew kissed Donna on the cheek to make up. “I’m kidding, sweetie. That was a wonderful dinner. Thanks for slaving over a hot stove for us peons. I’d also like to thank your grandmother personally someday for her culinary contribution. I’ll take you to visit her in Italy when we get rich.”

Drew raised a brow at Jake and cocked his head toward the tiny kitchen. “Maybe Jake would like to help me with cleanup, since I’ve been banished to the kitchen. Why don’t you ladies go into the family room and chill out? Jake and I will take care of everything.”

Lori helped her hugely pregnant friend out of her chair. The two took Drew up on his offer and sat on the nearby couch in the family room. Jake stood with a stretch and helped Drew clear the table. After arranging the dishes in the dishwasher, Jake wiped down the counters while Drew put the away the food and brewed a pot of coffee.

Laughter echoed from the family room. Drew and Jake walked into a room overflowing with the assorted baby items Lori and Donna had spent the day buying.

“Whoa, Donna.” Drew knocked the heel of his hand against his forehead. “How much did all of this stuff cost?”

“For your information, we went to a new thrift store in town called Second Time Around. All of these clothes were only $46.42. That includes six t-shirts, five pairs of booties, three onesies still in their packages, two bibs, four shirts, three darling pairs of baby boy pants, and three sleepers.”

“Are you sure they’re all the right size? Everything’s mighty small.” Drew picked up a pair of booties and held them up in the air. “And wait a doggone minute here. Lavender socks for my man-child?”

Donna humphed. “For your information, Mr. Macho, those are periwinkle blue, not lavender, and the clothes you see here range in sizes from newborn up to six months. I thought Lori and I did a great job.” She sniffed, picked up a pair of tiny booties, and rubbed them against her cheek.

Drew lowered his eyes. “Oops. Sorry, honey. You did a great job, and thanks for not spending too much. I know we needed a lot of things.”

After scrutinizing each and every item, the guys made appropriate—if not entirely sincere—oohs and aahs, then none too soon escaped back into the kitchen to fix the dessert and coffee.

Jake placed the chocolate chip cookies he’d bought from Higher Ground on a frosted glass serving dish. With a flourish, he carried the piled-high plate into the family room. Drew whistled a tuneless ditty and followed close behind with the coffee pot.

When Donna spotted the chewy confections, her eyes locked on the platter in Jake’s hands. She scowled at Drew and propped a fist on her hip. “You beast. You didn’t tell him, did you?” Donna huffed and shook her head.

Drew laughed with abandon, his face turning crimson. Jake and Lori exchanged puzzled glances.

“Okay, Drew, what gives?” Jake suspected he’d been set up, but he couldn’t imagine what the joke was.

“You tell him, Donna.” Drew roared, cheeks flaming from the exertion required to hold in his laughter. “I…I can’t.”

“Poor Jake.” Donna sighed. “Your sophomoric friend is cracking up because, well, because I made the cookies. I’m sure he thought it would be hysterical to have you bring me back a plateful.”

Jake set the cookies on the coffee table and scratched his head. “You made the cookies? I don’t get it.”

“Well, we’ve been trying hard to make extra money where we can. Buying this house was definitely the right thing to do with a baby on the way, and though it’s small and on the older side, being right in downtown Frederick is worth it.” Donna shrugged. “Anyway, since Drew and I’ve been talking over quitting my job at the office when the baby comes and Higher Ground needed someone to bake desserts…we thought we’d try it out. Every dollar helps.”

Jake plunked into a club chair and chuckled. “I suppose you could count it a compliment. I liked your cookies so much I wanted to share them. Did you make the brownies I had there, too?”

“Uh-huh. And next week, I’m graduating to blueberry muffins. From there, who knows?” Donna passed the dish of homemade cookies around.

“That’s terrific.” Lori poured herself a cup of coffee and stole a chocolaty treat. “I’d be happy to help you with the baking if you need it, especially when you get closer to delivery. Classes will be over at the end of May, so I’ll have some free time. That is, assuming I make it through the next few weeks.”

“Of course you will. And congrats. A master’s in psychology is a big deal.”

“Thanks. With a career as a social worker, I should be raking in the big bucks soon.” Lori rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her short, blonde hair. “But you never know in this job market. I might be asking customers if they want fries with that.”

Donna grinned and positioned a plump throw pillow behind her back. “Let’s hope not. I might need a hand with the baking. Thanks for the offer. Drew and I also considered what else we could do to keep me home with the baby. I’ve always wanted to teach piano lessons. What do you guys think?”

“That’s a great idea. You could work from home and dust off that music degree.” Lori picked up a blue striped baby blanket and folded it. “I wonder how hard it is to get students. Maybe you could post a notice at your church or the local elementary schools.”

The four discussed Donna’s new career choices, Drew’s part-time job at Higher Ground, and the high costs of having a youngster.

“Speaking of new developments,” Drew piped up, “you ladies might be interested to know something. Can I have a drum roll, please? Our very own Jake Montgomery is ready to date again.”

The announcement was met with stunned silence. Then the girls both spoke up at once. “It’s so nice to hear that,” Donna said. “It’s about time,” Lori responded simultaneously.

“Yep, it’s true.” Drew graced them all with an impish grin. “Jake has decided to rejoin the land of the living.”

Lori rose from her chair and wrapped her brother in a big hug. “You’ve been alone too long.”

“Yeah, well, now that I’ve decided, I’m keeping my eyes open.” Jake stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles. “Good women don’t grow on trees, you know. It’s been so long since I was out with one I hardly know where to start.”

“Well, let’s get back to basics,” offered Lori. “Where do you go on a regular basis, and are there any available women?”

“I’ve considered that very question, but there’s no one at school I can think of, and all of the single females at church are creepy.” Jake screwed up his face and chuckled. “Just kidding. Well…mostly. But there is a good reason why most of the single ones aren’t married already.”

“I know I’ve mentioned my friend, Annabelle.” Lori pursed her lips. “She’s attractive, and she’s liked you for years.”

“As I said, there’s a real reason why that girl isn’t married, Lori. She’s weird.” Jake sneaked another cookie and shrugged when Donna winked at him.

“Jake’s right. Annabelle’s weird.” Drew’s face was back to its normal pasty color, and he downed the rest of his coffee in two gulps. “Sorry, but it’s true, Lori. Why don’t we look at this from a guy’s point of view? Jake, think long and hard. Have you noticed anyone hot lately?”

Donna folded her hands on top of her belly and glowered at him.

Quickly, Drew added, “Besides my lovely wife, that is. She’s already taken.”

“If you ask me, I think what a nice guy like Jake needs is someone who’s sweet, not a sleazy hottie.” Donna shook her head in disgust and added sugar to her coffee.

“He might need somebody sweet, but what he wants is somebody hot.”

“Hush, Drew. He wants a nice girl he can talk to—someone who can love him for the man he is…”

Jake let the chattering swirl around him but only half listened as the three debated his ideal woman. Hot and sweet. Someone he could talk to… His mind drifted back to yesterday when he’d met that very woman.

He smiled inwardly but kept his thoughts to himself. He’d tell them everything they wanted to know after the first date. That is, if she ever called him back.

* * *

Didi plopped down on the bed, hard. It had been a long time since someone other than Kevin had asked her out on a date. But oh yeah, she remembered Jake.

When he’d come out of the church carrying the hot drink, she’d recognized him right away as the guy she’d seen at the Cat Clinic but hadn’t said anything until he’d brought it up. The sweet, chocolaty cocoa and the congenial conversation that followed had gone a long way toward warming her up. Jake had struck the right balance for a first real exchange. Her first glimpse of him at the vet’s office didn’t really count.

Jake steered clear of projecting that pickup artist vibe. He was thoughtful. There was a lot to be said for thoughtful.

Disappointment had washed over Didi when her overdue friend appeared at last. Kelly was a platinum blonde, tall, slender, and model perfect, but Jake hadn’t seemed to notice her. That fact alone had done a lot for her ego. Men always noticed Kelly. Jake had been polite to her friend, but he’d continued talking with her. Nevertheless, scads of teenage girls had been waiting, so she and Kelly had hurried away into the church.

Later, a twinge of guilt nipped at her. Two days earlier, she’d been an engaged woman, and yet she’d spent the entire evening with Jake circling in her head. She’d done her best to avoid “Mr. Gallant,” but from time to time, she hadn’t been able to keep her eyes from wandering around the gym. More than once, she’d caught him laughing and joshing with the kids. He’d seemed to be having a marvelous time. Didi couldn’t imagine Kevin ever giving up a Friday night to hand out hotdogs.

But now what was she going to do? Three short days ago, she’d woken up engaged to Kevin. Friday night, he’d flattened her world. Saturday, she’d talked to Pat and sorted some things out. Saturday night, an angry Kevin had shown up at her door. Sunday…well, she’d broken up with Kevin—even if he hadn’t quite caught on yet. Sunday night, she’d met a nice guy, and it had been fun to daydream, but she wasn’t ready to date yet. Was she?

Tonight…tonight, for the first time in over a year, someone who wasn’t Kevin had asked her out. A thrill tickled her spine.

She crossed her legs under her and hugged her pillow. Bouncing into the room, Maisie leapt onto her lap and kneaded her knee with velvety paws. She stroked the blissful cat, rewarded by her thunderous purr. The sound soothed her, and she squeezed her kitty tight. “What am I going to do, baby girl? What am I going to do?”

She glanced over, and a handsome Kevin smirked at her from a black lacquered picture frame. Positioning Maisie at the foot of the bed, she moved to her dresser. Why she hadn’t smashed the offensive thing into the wall already she had no idea. Didi picked up the photo, opened the top drawer of her bureau, turned the picture over, and dropped it inside. An 8 x 10 of Maisie took its place on the dresser. One final vestige of Kevin gone.

Lighter in spirit, she pulled in a breath of fresh air. She was free.

Now able to contemplate a date with Jake, she speculated as to how he’d found her. Didi was sure she hadn’t given him her last name. He racked up points for being resourceful, and though she’d never expected to hear from him, she was glad he’d called.

He was a great-looking guy with light brown hair, broad shoulders, and loose-fitting jeans. He’d had on a blue-gray sweater, highlighting his very blue eyes, and of course he had that “gallant” thing going for him. Add that to his wry humor and slightly shy manner, and Didi couldn’t help but find him sweet and endearing. In fact, what she remembered most was he was the nicest guy she’d met in a long time.

She sat back down on the bed and weighed her choices. She should call Pat. Pat would give her good advice and help her think through the pluses and minuses. They would review the situation, hash out the consequences, and come to a rational plan of action.

Didi was quite certain a “reasonable” person would tell her it wasn’t wise to leap from one relationship to another. Nor was it wise to go out with someone else so soon after a breakup. It didn’t make good sense and would most likely end in heartache.

Didi reached for the phone to call Pat but then wavered. Instead of being sensible, prudent, or reasonable, Didi listened to her heart. She dialed the number that Jake had left and waited for him to answer.