The Love List by Jean Joachim Page B

the first floor and gradually warmed
their bedroom.
    "I'm starved. Come on. Something smells
good." He reached for her hand.
    Carrie left the bed, slipped on her jeans and
joined him, yawning as they descended the stairs.
    "Another item for the love list..." she
began, stopping on the stairs.
    "Oh?" Grey lifted his eyebrows as he faced
her.
    "An important one." Carrie placed both hands
on his shoulders.
    "They're all important."
    "When your lover tells you she won't go down
to the lake, because you asked her not to, believe her. I wouldn't
violate your trust like that."
    Grey paused and hung his head. "You're saying
if I had believed you I wouldn't have gone down there, wouldn't
have almost died?"
    "'Bout sums it up." Carrie stepped closer and
slipped her arms around his waist.
    "Damn…correct on that one, too."
    "List is growing fast."
    "Question is, can I remember them all?"
    "Betting you can."
    Grey smiled at her vote of confidence.
"Afraid to think how long it's going to be by the time we get
married." His fingers played with the ends of her hair.
    "You've got a few more months…think you can
make it?"
    "I will…or die trying."
    "Not funny!"
    Grey shot a grin at her. "Thought it was." He
leaned over and gave her a slow kiss.
     
    ****
     
    The house was quiet. When they reached the
first floor they hesitated at the archway into the kitchen. Grey
peeked his head in and noticed the kitchen table was set for five.
Obviously Fran expected them for dinner. John and Colin sat in
their usual seats drinking beer from bottles while Fran bent over
the stove. A big casserole dish rested on the oven rack.
    "John, could you help with this, please?"
    Her husband went to the stove, donned two
heavy-duty oven mitts, lifted the heavy dish out of the oven and
placed it on the trivet on the table. Fran retrieved serving spoons
from a drawer. Her face broke into a big smile when she looked up
and noticed Grey and Carrie.
    "Where is everybody?" Grey ran a hand through
his hair.
    "Jenna and Bill, Barbara and Earl all went
home."
    Grey scratched his stubbly face and smiled.
Fran wiped her hands on her apron and crossed the room to give her
son a hug.
    "I'm so glad you're okay. You are okay,
aren't you?" She looked up at him, her brow furrowed.
    "Fine, Mom." He gave his mother an
affectionate squeeze before releasing her.
    "Please visit the doctor this week to make
sure…"
    "I'll make sure he does, Fran," Carrie put in
when she saw Grey raise a hand in protest.
    "Missed the football game," Colin
remarked.
    "Crap! I slept through football?"
    Colin nodded.
    "Who won?"
    "Jason and I tied Gavin's team. Cause you
weren't there!"
    "Love how it's my fault even when I don't
play."
    "Here we go," John put in, "Let's eat."
    Grey held out a chair for Carrie then sat
down next to her. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. Her eyes
widened a little, then an impish smile crossed her lips. She nodded
to Grey before taking the bowl filled with the delectable casserole
Fran handed her and setting it down on the table.
    "Grey, whispering at the table is rude."
    "I'm thirty-four, Mom. Needed Carrie's okay
on something. I'm going to make it public."
    "Still breaking the rules." Colin grinned at
his brother.
    "School is out until the day after New
Year's, right?" Grey turned to look at Colin after setting down a
bowl filled with the savory casserole. He toyed with the food with
his spoon while it cooled, keeping eye contact.
    Colin nodded, taking a small spoonful of food
to his mouth.
    "Carrie and I were wondering if you'd come
back to New York with us tomorrow. The backseat in the Jag isn't
great, but it can hold your sorry as…uh…butt. Why don't you come
and stay with us through New Year's. Carrie has the guest room
almost ready, right, hon?"
    "The guest room is in better shape than our
room. Come, Colin. Come back with us."
    "Through the New Year?"
    "Carrie's aunt Delia is throwing some fancy
party on New Year's Eve. Be lotsa hot chicks there…"
    "Grey…"