Chapter Three
Even though he was a little uncomfortable with all the attention his homecoming was generating, Kevin was secretly excited about meeting that new woman in town, Kate. Had it not been for the banner, she might not have spoken to him. And her little girl was a darling, asking if he was famous.
It had been very chaotic at the church, and Kate seemed a little overwhelmed, but Kevin sensed she would do just fine in their little community. She sure was pretty enough—even with those geeky-looking glasses. He laughed when he thought about her little tumble outside in the courtyard. She seemed to have become slightly unglued, but he was thoroughly amused at her self-deprecating reference to herself as “Dr. Klutz.” A doctor. Interesting. An orthopedic one at that. Kevin wondered if he should make his requisite appointment with her, ask her for a date, or do both? Was that allowed? He reeled himself in—he was getting too far ahead of himself. But she did say she wasn’t married. That was a plus. Although she didn’t say anything about a boyfriend, either. He guessed he would eventually find out what the situation was. He’d do a little of his own intel gathering when she came by for the tree. He’d offer to deliver it. Yes. Good solution.
When Monday evening rolled around, Mrs. Matthews had her well-known chicken potpie cooling on the stove top.
When Kevin opened the front door, he thought he would faint from the sheer pleasure of that welcoming aroma. The savory tang was wafting through the house.
“Is that what I think it is?” Kevin kissed his mom on the cheek. Grabbing a fork, he was about to dig into the pie before it cooled enough to eat.
Mrs. Matthews swatted his hand away. “You go wash up first, then you can eat like a person. At the table. Now shoo . . .”
“But, Mom! It’s been years since I had some of that deliciousness! Give a guy a break!” He feigned desperation.
“You stop that now. You may be able to charm some of those girls at church, but you’re not going to ruin my beautiful crust!”
Kevin stopped in his tracks. “What girls?”
“Oh, I heard you met the new member of the church yesterday. Kate, is it? Lovely doctor with a little girl?” Mrs. Matthews was fishing.
“Uh, yeah. I met that new woman when we were delivering the trees. So?” Kevin was still feigning indifference.
“And you helped her up after she took a tumble?” More fishing.
“Mother. What on earth? Who have you been talking to? Or are you stalking me?” Kevin was amused but found himself even more curious.
“Betty Palmer said you gave her a note to give to Kate.”
“Yes. It was the address to the farm. She needs a tree.”
“Huh. Well, of course she needs a tree. But she could have found her way there without a personal invitation, no?” Kevin couldn’t tell if his mom was teasing now.
“She’s new in town. I was just trying to be friendly and drum up some business.” Kevin attempted to be convincing, but his fingers were raking his hair—another sign that he was either thinking or talking his way into or out of something.
“Oh, son. I think it’s sweet of you to take an interest in a newcomer. Especially a pretty one. And
a doctor.” Mrs. Matthews wanted her son to feel as if he could discuss anything with her. They had always had a good, open relationship, but as boys became teenagers, then men, they didn’t share their feelings very easily. Unless it involved rooting for a sports team, or a heated argument over something trivial, she knew men did not easily express themselves when it came to their feelings. That was a given.
“Yes. I think she said she was an orthopedist. I suppose that could come in handy.” Kevin was still trying to maintain a facade of nonchalance.
“Aren’t you supposed to make an appointment with an orthopedist to get your leg checked?” Mrs. Matthews was indeed prying while attempting to sound blasé.
“Well, Mother. If she’s my doctor, I don’t suppose I could ask her out on a date, now, could I?”
“A date?” Mrs. Matthews tried to sound incredulous, but it came off as more of a cheer.
“Yes, Mother, a date. Isn’t that what you were getting at with all these questions?” Kevin looked her smack in the face, grinning from ear to ear.
“Kevin Matthews, I do declare you are being a bit direct.”
“Yes, ma’am. Di-rect. She seems like a very nice woman. But I don’t know her relationship status, so before you get all ‘dating game’ on me, let’s just take it slow. Is that all right with you, Mama?”
“Of course, dear. I was just making an observation. New, attractive woman comes into town. That’s all.” She picked up her glass of sweet tea, trying to mask her enthusiasm.
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough. She’s supposed to come by the farm to pick out a tree. Tomorrow, I think.”
“And, of course, you will deliver it to her home?”
“Of course, Mother. You didn’t raise no dummy!” Kevin gave her a peck on the cheek and turned to the chicken potpie again. “You don’t suppose it’s cool enough to eat now? I can’t tell you how many times I dreamed of this!” Picking up the fork, he jammed it into the middle of the potpie, pulling out a big hunk of chicken.
“Kevin Matthews! What did I say about eating like a person?”
“But I am
a person! And this person is hungry!” He got a big serving spoon and took what seemed like half the pie and plopped it into a dish. “Happy now?”
She threw her arms around her son. “I am so happy. You cannot imagine how much.”