slice of her apple coffee cake on the counter in front of me. I wasn’t going to turn down a piece of Mo’s specialty, so I dug in.
On purpose, since Big H was sitting there, I looked up at Mo and asked, “Mo, didn’t you have a date the other night with a new guy?”
She smiled and said, “I sure did. He was a sweet talker, too. He took me to dinner and then to a show at the Granite Theatre in Westerly.”
I asked, “What was the show?”
“It was Gypsy . It’s one of my favorites so he got special points for that. I had a great time. He’s a really nice guy. I think we’ll go out again soon.”
I took a quick peek at Big H’s face, and he didn’t look too happy. He put his coffee cup down and stood.
He said, “Well, ladies, I’ve gotta go change the oil in my boat. Meggie, give my regards to Mac.”
“I will, Big H,” I said.
As soon as he left, I said to Mo, “Well, he didn’t look too happy about your date. Maybe Big H will come around. It’s pretty obvious he likes you.”
“Yeah, but the Mo is gettin’ old. I’m not gonna be this gorgeous forever. Father Time is an asshole and he’s sneakin’ up on me.”
We both laughed.
I said, “Well, I’d better get back to the salt mines. See you later.”
“Sure thing, honey.”
I went back to work and around 5:00, Ian stopped by the office. I was filing some paperwork when he appeared at my office door. I looked up at his frame, which filled the doorway, the sun behind him outlining all his yummy features. As my eyes adjusted, I saw he had on a dirty T-shirt, dirty work pants, and he smelled like lobster bait. I’d never been more turned on in my life.
“How’s Mac?” he asked. His level of concern was written all over his face.
I updated him. “I went to see him this morning at the hospital and he looked good. They were going to release him around 11:00. Mo whipped him up a few meals, so I’m going to take them over after work.”
He suggested, “How about I run home and get cleaned up? Then, I’ll stop back, get you, and we’ll go together? I should be back here by 6:30?”
Trying not to sound too eager, I agreed. “That would be nice.”
He smiled. “Okay, see you then.”
He left and I plopped down in my chair. I thought to myself, Oh boy, I’ve got it bad. I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.
I ran home after I closed up the store and jumped in the shower. I was just finishing putting on some lip gloss when Ian knocked on the screen door. God, does he clean up good.
He asked, “Are you ready to go?”
I waved him in. “Let me just grab the food out of the fridge.”
I went into the kitchen to get the meals Mo made and put them in a bag. Ian followed me into the kitchen, took the bag from me, and we left. It only takes about three minutes to get to Mac’s house. When we arrived, we could see Mac through the screen door, sitting in a recliner. Ian knocked and Mac looked up and said, “Come in, you two.”
We went in and I went over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Mac said, “Meggie, if you keep kissing me, all the young fellas are gonna be mad at me.”
We all laughed, and I blushed.
Ian held up the bag of food. “Mo made some meals for you and Mike.”
Mac grinned. “Oh, that was really nice of her. Mike and I had something to eat a little while ago, but we can have Mo’s good cooking tomorrow. Ian, can you just put it in the fridge?”
Ian went into the kitchen.
I asked Mac, “Where’s Mike?”
He said, “He went home to get some clothes and should be back in a little while. I feel bad taking him away from his family.”
“Well, I’m sure he’s glad to be here for you,” I said.
Ian walked back in the room and inquired, “How are you feeling, Mac? What did the doctors say today?”
Mac told us, “They gave me some medication and told me I had to get plenty of rest and lay low for a while. I’m feeling better already. I probably do too much sometimes. Once in a while, I guess I have
C. J. Cherryh
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