Page 100 of Lone Star Longing
“It will be fun. And your dad is excited about getting to help you. I’ve already got a couple of baby quilt patterns in mind. I’ll run them by you before I make them, of course. Are you having a baby shower?”
“I...don't know. I hadn’t thought about it. I’m still a few months away. Aren’t baby showers closer to the due date?”
“Well, sure, but I didn't know if any of your friends were planning one. If not, I’d be happy to host one for you.”
“That’s incredibly sweet, Marianne. Thank you so much.”
“Well, sure.” Marianne smiled first at Lacey’s dad, then Lacey.
Lacey tensed when she heard the crunch of tires outside. “Oh. Beck and his mom are here. I’m sorry. Inviting Beck was kind of spur-of-the-moment, and I thought he probably wouldn't want to leave his mom.” She rose from the table, and hurried to the front door to see Beck walking up the sidewalk alone.
“Mom didn't want to come,” he said when she opened the door. “Some days it’s easier to convince her than others. I knew if I pushed too hard, she’d just be unpleasant all night. It was just better this way. I left her with something to eat and her shows. But I came anyway. Is that okay?” He took a step up on the porch. “I didn't know what to bring. If the grocery store had flowers, I would have brought some.” Instead, he handed her a bag of chips and a container of dip. “The grocery store doesn't have a lot in the way of things to bring to a dinner party. This town needs like a bakery or a deli or something.”
She relaxed a little knowing she didn't have to entertain Mrs. Conover. Beck was easy. “Oh. I didn't expect you to bring anything. We’ve got it covered.”
Not knowing what to do with her hands once she took Beck’s offering., she turned back to lead him into the house. She stepped back as he shook hands with her dad and Marianne, apparently meeting her for the first time.
“Your mom didn't come? I thought Lacey said she was coming?” Marianne asked.
“Yeah, she decided she wasn't up to socializing tonight.”
Lacey wished she had known Mrs. Conover wasn't coming and she would have reset the table with one set. At least she’d give the appearance that she had her act together.
As Beck took his seat at the table with the mismatched dishes, Lacey poured the tea, then sat awkwardly beside him, on the edge of her chair, not sure exactly what to do next. They hadn’t had people over for dinner ever, that she could remember, and tonight they had two important people. She exchanged a look with her dad. What had they done?
“Shall we say grace?” Marianne asked, reaching for her dad’s hand.
Lacey and her father exchanged a glance before they bowed their heads.
Conversation turned to small talk as everyone dug in. She couldn't help glancing at Beck to see his reaction to the food, to the conversation. As usual, he was affable and seemed to be having a good time. Her dad and Marianne had wine, but Beck held a hand declining it, and she wondered if that was because he was driving, or because he knew she couldn't have any.
“So Marianne, you make quilts?” Lacey asked.
“Oh, yeah, nothing fancy, though. I just started when I retired from teaching. I kind of taught myself from videos online.”
“So you’re a retired teacher?” Beck asked. “Did you ever teach Conrad Conover? That’s the youngest in my family.”
“No, I didn't come out here until about five years ago, when they were offering incentives. I’m from San Antonio, originally.”
“I guess this was kind of a culture shock to you.”
“In a way, but I’ve really come to love it here. I don't have any plans to go back. I’m on the council with your dad, and it’s fun to make decisions that will make Broken Wheel better for families.”
Lacey had so many questions. Was her family back in San Antonio? Didn't she want to live closer to her family, since she had grandkids? And if she’d only lived here five years, she might lose interest, like Lacey’s mom had. But she didn't want to grill the woman in front of Beck.
“What kind of dessert did you make?” she asked instead.
*****
“YOU GOTTA ADMIT,” BECKsaid as he stepped into the stock tank beside Lacey. “The woman can make a mean cake. Maybe we can get her to open a bakery and a deli.”
“I think she’s pretty content with her life. But that was a really good cake.” Lacey leaned back against the side of the tub and looked up at the stars overhead. “I like her.”
“That’s good, because I think your dad is in love with her.”
That gave her a jolt, and she snapped her head up to meet his gaze. She’d seen the affection between them, but for Beck to come to that conclusion surprised her. “I’ve been teasing him about marrying her, and making her a grandmother again. But you think he really is?” She had to wonder why he hadn’t mentioned Marianne to him before, why he’d let her discover their relationship on her own. Was it just because he was working it out? Working out how he felt?
Were she and her father so damaged they didn't know how to handle adult relationships?
