Page 42 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Always better to face things head on.’
‘Rather like your cousin?’
‘Exactly.’ Tom popped another kiss on her mouth. ‘Come on, into the frying pan.’ TakingFee’s hand he steered them across the street.
‘This is so not funny,’ Mary-Jo protested as they reached her. ‘Why am I the last to know you two have something going on?’
‘Hold your horses, kid, you’re not,’ Tom insisted. ‘You’re almost the first.’
‘I thought you were my friend?’ She turned on Fee who didn’t know what to say.
‘Don’t pick on her.’
Mary-Joburst out laughing. ‘Oh, boy, you’ve got it bad. Sticking up for her already. How far have the mighty fallen.’
‘Is it alright if we go and get somethin’ to eat?’ he asked sarcastically.
‘Sure. On one condition.’ Mary-Jo folded her arms and glared.
‘Go on.’
‘I intend on joining you so you can tell me all about this secret romance. Plus I want every detail of Fee’sawesome warrior princess act. The whole town’s talkin’ about it.’
Fee’s cheeks flamed. She hadn’t bargained on that story getting out which was beyond stupid in this small, close-knit community.
‘Okay, I guess,’ Tom mumbled.
At least retreating inside would get them away from the other people standing around the street and watching them with unashamed curiosity. Tom yankedon Fee’s hand and pushed past Mary-Jo to drag them both inside the cafe.
The second his foot crossed the threshold every pair of eyes in the place turned to stare at them.
‘If it isn’t my renegade son. This must be the lady I’ve been hearing so much about. Come and join me, both of you.’
His mother’s blunt command silenced the buzz of conversation going on around them andTom squeezed Fee’s hand in an effort to reassure her.
‘Mama, what a surprise to see you here.’ He steered Fee in front of him towards his mother’s favourite table over by the counter.
‘Why? You know your Aunt Ina and I have coffee together most mornings.’
He wasn’t about to admit his brain was too mixed up to know what time it was or even the day of the week. Mentally crossinghis fingers he introduced the two women and caught a glimpse of the swift appraisal taking place on both sides. He and Gina grew up together so there were never any awkward “this is my girlfriend” moments to get through.Girlfriend? Could a man have a girlfriend when he was almost forty-one?
No sooner than they’d sat down, Aunt Ina emerged from the kitchen brandishing two cups of coffee.She set them on the table in front of Tom and Fee before pulling out a chair to join them. Mary-Jo dragged over another chair from the next table as well. At this rate he might as well make a public announcement.
Within twenty minutes Fee and his mother were chatting and laughing like old friends but instead of being grateful, Tom had the distinct sensation of being ganged up on.
‘Right, that’s settled,’ his mother declared. ‘You’re bringing Fee over to the house for supper tonight. Six o’clock. I’ll call your brothers and see if I can round them up too.’
Tom opened his mouth to protest but Fee stamped on his foot under the table. ‘Yes, Mama.’
‘That’s very sweet of you, MrsChambers,’ Fee added with a smile.
‘Oh, call me Sarah, honey. We don’tstand on ceremony around here.’ His mother patted Fee’s hand.
‘We’d be delighted to come, wouldn’t we, Tom?’ The mischievous glint in her eyes made him choke on his coffee.
‘Of course.’
‘I hope you’ll excuse us but we need to head back to Black Cherry.’ Fee pushed her chair back. ‘Tom has work to do, don’t you?’ She tossed him a lifeline and he grabbed it with both hands.
