I Love You Again by Kate Sweeney

confused. “Oh, you mean ‘Mood Indigo’?”
    “What?”
    “I suppose you’re too young to know who Duke Ellington is.” Helen sighed unhappily. “And no, he is not the queen’s uncle.”
    Kit looked at the beamed ceiling, wishing for something, anything. A small nuclear device, perhaps an avalanche…
      “I’m starving.” Bess announced as she walked into the room. She glanced at her watch. “And my dinner companion is late.”
    “He is not,” Kit said, absently playing the piano. “I understand he’s already at the table.”
    Bess grinned and looked in that direction. “He is? A man who’s punctual? My, my…” she asked happily. “Well, see you in the dining room.” She took two quick steps, then slowed down as she nonchalantly walked away.
    “Don’t break a leg,” Helen said over her shoulder. “Now we’re only waiting on my dinner companion.” She looked past Dale. “And there he is. Right on time.”
    Kit’s eyes widened as the largest man she’d ever seen walked into the room. She glanced at Dale, who leaned toward Helen. “Mrs. W., you dog.”
    “The doggiest ,” Helen said with a superior grin.
    “ Eww .” Kit grimaced.
    Helen ignored her as Stan walked up. “Good evening, Helen.” He smiled and offered his hand while absently looking around.
    “Good evening, Stan. Give me a hand, if you please.” She groaned as Stan easily assisted her. “She’s in the dining room already,” she whispered to him.
    The blush that crept up from his neck was adorable. It made his cheeks, which were clean-shaven, blotchy and red. “Thank you,” he said. “But I think I got the better end of the deal.”
    Helen laughed as she slipped her arm in his.
    “You say that now,” Kit said to him and offered her hand. “I’m Kit Weston, Helen’s daughter.”
    “Oh,” Stan said, “so you’re Roz’s wi —”
    “And this is a friend of mine, Dale Caldwell.” Kit saw the blush once again spread across his cheeks.
    “Nice to meet you,” he said, shaking Dale’s hand.
    Kit ignored Dale’s questioning look while she and Dale followed them to the dining room.
    “This should be an interesting evening,” Kit said to no one in particular.
    “Indeed,” Helen said over her shoulder.
    “Indeed,” Dale mimicked Helen and chuckled. “I love the way she talks. She sounds so old…”
    Helen stopped and looked back.
    “I-I meant cultured. Old and cultured,” Dale said with a nervous laugh.
    Yep, Kit thought, this should go well.
    Where was that avalanche when you needed it?

 

    Chapter 7

    “Where would you like to sit, Helen?” Roz asked, avoiding how Dale had her paw hanging on Kit’s waist.
    “I think I’d like to be right where I can see everyone, er everything,” Helen said.
    “The dining room is small,” Roz said. “You’ll get to hear everything. Don’t worry.” She led them to one of two tables by the fire.
    “Oh, Kit’n Dale?” Helen called out. She leaned into Roz. “I love calling them that.” She motioned with her cane. “Come sit here, children.” She pointed to the table right next to hers.
    Kit held her ground and smirked. “We’re fine right here, Mother.” They took the far table by the entrance of the dining room. “And it’s not quite far enough,” she added as they sat down.
    Roz had to laugh at that. “I can move it onto the patio if you prefer.”
    Kit grudgingly smiled, hating the old feeling that crept back just at the sight of Rosalind Maguire.
    Dale looked from Roz to Kit but said nothing.
    “I love that daughter of mine.” Helen laughed as Stan held her chair. “She got her wit from me.”
    “I’m sure she did.” Stan took the chair opposite Helen. “And I’m starving. Thanks for inviting me.” He glanced over his menu at Bess’s table. “That’s her date, huh? He’s okay-looking.”
    “He’s almost too handsome. I don’t trust someone who has no physical flaws.” Helen nodded as she grinned at Stan. She held up her cane.