Page 17 of Summer Weddings
“Have you ever noticed that Mr. Camden never mentions he had a son?”
Robin set the paring knife on the cutting board. “It’s probably painful for him to talk about.”
Jeff nodded, and, with the innocent wisdom of youth, he whispered, “That man needs someone.”
* * *
The meal was finished, and Robin was standing in front of the sink rinsing off the dinner plates when the doorbell rang. Robin knew it had to be Cole.
“I’ll get it,” Jeff cried as he raced past her at breakneck speed. He threw open the door. “Hi, Mr. Camden!” he said eagerly.
By this time Robin had smoothed her peach-colored sweater over her hips and placed a friendly—but not too friendly—smile on her face.At the last second, she ran her fingers through her hair, striving for the casual I-didn’t-go-to-any-trouble look, then wondered at her irrational behavior. Cole wasn’t coming over to seeher.
Robin could hear Jeff chatting away at ninety miles an hour, telling Cole they were renting a movie and how Robin insisted that every show he saw had to have the proper rating, which he claimed was totally ridiculous. He went on to explain that she considered choosing the film a mother’s job and apparently a mere kid didn’t have rights. When there was a pause in the conversation, she could envision Jeff rolling his eyes dramatically.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the entryway and smiled. “Hello, Cole.”
“Robin.”
Their eyes met instantly. Robin’s first coherent thought was that a woman could get lost in eyes that dark and not even care. She swallowed and lowered her gaze.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” she asked, having difficulty dragging the words out of her mouth.
“If it isn’t too much trouble.”
“It isn’t.” Or it wouldn’t be if she could stop her heart from pounding so furiously.
“Where’s Blackie?” Jeff asked, opening the screen door and glancing outside.
“I didn’t bring him over. I thought you’d be tired of him by now.”
“Tired of Blackie?” Jeff cried. “You’ve got to be kidding!”
“I guess I should’ve known better,” Cole teased.
Robin returned to the kitchen and took mugs from the cupboard, using these few minutes to compose herself.
The screen door slammed, and a moment later Cole appeared in her kitchen. “Jeff went to my house to get Blackie.”
She smiled and nodded. “Do you take cream or sugar?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Just black, thanks.”
Robin normally drank hers the same way. But for some reason she couldn’t begin to fathom, she added a generous teaspoonful of sugar to her own, stirring briskly as though she feared it wouldn’t dissolve.
“I hope your trip went well,” she said, carrying both mugs into the family room, where Cole had chosen to sit.
“Very well.”
“Good.” She sat a safe distance from him, across the room in a wooden rocker, and balanced her mug on her knee. “Everything around here went without a hitch, but I’m afraid Jeff may have spoiled Blackie a bit.”
“From what he said, they did everything but attend school together.”
“Having the dog has been wonderful for him. I appreciate your giving Jeff this opportunity. Not only does it satisfy his need for a dog, but it’s taught him about responsibility.”
The front door opened and the canine subject of their conversation shot into the room, followed by Jeff, who was grinning from ear to ear. “Mom, could Mr. Camden stay and watch the movie with us?”
“Ah…” Caught off guard, Robin didn’t know what to say. After being away from home for several days, watching a movie with his neighbors probably held a low position on Cole’s list of priorities.
