Page 32 of Heart of a Hero

“Oh, a second date with a man who cooks? I’ve hit the jackpot!”

“Now, I’m the lucky one with a lady who thinks dinner cooked for her is the jackpot. You need to up your expectations,” he joked.

Her eyes still twinkled, but her expression morphed to one more serious. “Nothing is wrong with my expectations. I just know a good thing when I find it.”

She held his gaze with another smile and stepped inside the house. Mark stood there, watching her disappear inside, the soft glow of her smile lingering in his mind long after she’d closed the door. He didn’t want to leave, but as he walked back to his SUV, he knew this wasn’t the end—it was just the beginning.

Once home, he found his dad sitting in the living room recliner with the TV on low. “Hey, Dad. Did Benji do okay?”

Richard nodded. “Yeah, we had pizza, played a couple of games, and watched a movie. He read, and then I checked on him a few minutes ago, and he was already asleep.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t gotta thank me for spending time with my grandson.”

“I know, but you have my gratitude anyway.” He pulled off his jacket and moved to sit on the sofa.

“How was your date?”

The question was innocently asked, but Mark could hear his dad's interest. Chuckling, he shook his head. “Great. More than great.”

Richard lifted the remote and clicked the TV off, giving his attention to Mark. “Glad to hear it. She must be a nice lady.”

He thought back over the few weeks since he’d met Karen. She smiled often, listened carefully, and, from what he could tell with her girls, loved deeply. “She is, Dad. Karen is smart, a great mom, and was a devoted wife. I was around her girls at the run this morning, and they are funny, caring, and have a great relationship with each other and their mom. I can mention Sue without her getting uptight, just like when she mentions her husband.”

“When did her husband die?”

“Four years ago. Why?”

Richard shook his head and smiled. “No reason. I just… well, I guess I’m glad it’s been a few years.” He lifted his hands quickly and added, “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think time makes feelings disappear, especially if you’ve had a good marriage. But it’s been enough years for both of you that you know what you had and what you want in the future.”

Mark scrubbed his hand over his face and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“I don’t think it’s terrible for someone to take the time to grieve properly after the loss of the spouse they loved dearly. Ithink that gives someone time to recognize what they want and need without the overwhelming grief influencing their choices.”

“I remember a few women seemed to have their eye on you not too long after Mom died.”

Richard chuckled, rolled his eyes, then sighed. “I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready to have a relationship after all those years with your mom. But I sure as hell wasn’t ready early on. I’m glad both you and Karen have had the opportunity to understand who you are now.”

“I really like her. I haven’t felt this way about anyone since Sue. And I could tell she really liked me, too.”

“When’s the next date?”

“This next weekend, when you and Benji are gone, I’ve invited her over, and I’ll make dinner.”

Wiggling his eyebrows, Richard said, “When she finds out what a good cook you are, that just might seal the deal!”

Mark laughed, although the idea ofsealing the dealwith Karen had definite appeal. “I’m just glad Mom taught me to cook.”

His dad pressed his hands down in the arms of the recliner and heaved himself upward. “Well, Son, I’m heading to bed. I’m glad you had a good evening. No one deserves it more than you.”

With that, he said good night and walked down the hall toward his rooms.

Mark sat in the quiet room for a few more minutes, his mind going back over the date. Pulling out his phone, he sent a text to her.

Just wanted to say again that I had a great evening. Can’t wait to see you again. Sleep well.

A few minutes later, his phone vibrated with an incoming text from her.

---