Page 17 of Grounded
Evelyn reached for the percolator. “Who wants more coffee?”
“Can I get started on the dishes? I need to pick up the kids at three, and I promised them cookies when we got home,” Mary Beth said, standing.
“I’ll do your part this week,” Lindy said. “You better get a move on if you have to be in Rutherford by three.”
“I’ll owe you one. Thank you both so much. Annie, it was nice to meet you,” Mary Beth said before waving goodbye.
“Annie, if you want to go riding, all my horses are shod and ready to go,” Woody’s loud voice reverberated through the kitchen.
“Thanks,” Annie said.
“Speakin’ of horses, I better get going.” He gulped down a swig of coffee, setting the mug hard on the wooden table. “I’m due over at the Barretts’ at two for my saddle club’s Sunday ride. Beulah, I’ll bring you over the tomato plants this week. I’ve got to get mine, so I’ll get yours too.”
“Wait. I’ll send you home with some meat,” Beulah called, but Evelyn was already hunting out a Tupperware container from the cabinet.
Lindy washed the dishes and Annie dried, while Beulah and Evelyn fixed up another meal for Woody to take home.
“Maybe we can go to a movie sometime,” Lindy said to Annie.
“That would be nice.”
“There’s also a coffee shop in Rutherford where they roast their own beans. You’ll feel like you’re back in New York,” Lindy said. “As long as you have a good imagination.”
After Lindy left, Annie folded the dish towel and draped it over the edge of the sink to dry. She filled her coffee cup and Beulah’s and sat down at the table with the two other women.
“Evelyn, how do you feel about Jake turning down that promotion?” Annie asked. “It seems like a big opportunity.”
“I think he made the right decision. He’s worked hard in the last ten years, taken little time off and saved most of what he made. Now he wants to take a break and examine the possibilities of how to best use his skills and passions. Taking that promotion would have set his life on a course he didn’t want.”
“Not many young people think that hard about things,” Beulah said, both hands cradling her cup. “Most just take what’s doled out without a question of whether they should or not.”
“Jake always was a deep thinker,” Annie said.
“He may spend awhile thinking on something, but once he’s decided, he’ll give it his all,” Evelyn said. “The next couple of months are critical, and Camille plans to spend some time down here as well, so it will be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other better.”
“So you’ve met her?” Annie said.
“Only once since they started dating last fall. But Jake has known her father for years. He’s been a mentor to Jake through the banking connections.”
“At least he knows he likes the family,” Beulah said.
“Yes, he certainly does.” Evelyn stood and slowly untied the apron and folded it, staring out the kitchen window deep in thought.
“If you all do this every Sunday, shouldn’t you think about getting a dishwasher, Grandma?”
“I never minded washing dishes,” Beulah said.
“But it would save you so much time.”
“I do some of my best thinking while I wash dishes.”
Annie saw the faint trace of a smile on Evelyn’s lips. “That’s what I always told Suzanne, then I finally did break down and get one a few years ago.”
Suzanne was Jake’s dark-haired sister, five years older than him. “Are they still in Phoenix?”
Evelyn nodded while she put on her coat. “She and Steve are doing well. The kids keep them busy.” Evelyn paused at the door. “I’m glad you’re home, Annie. I hope you and Jake can spend some time together while you are both here.”
After Evelyn left, Beulah settled into a kitchen chair. “It feels good to be off my feet,” she said.
