Rena couldn’t help laughing at that, but to her surprise, Dave laughed as well.
“Sorry. Can’t help it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t know my manners.” He winked at Rena. “I’ve been wanting to meet you all before now, but Caroline wanted to wait. I figured four months was long enough.”
Rena gaped. “You’ve been dating for four months?” And her mother hadn’t said a word.
Caroline entered carrying a large casserole and set it down on the trivet in the middle of the table. “That’s right. Dave and I have been taking things slow.”
“Well, he does have a job at least,” Liam muttered, saying exactly what Rena had been thinking.
Sophie smacked him on the arm. “Liam Webster. You be nice.”
Rena coughed so she wouldn’t be caught laughing.
Dave didn’t seem to mind. “Your mother isn’t used to a good man in her life. I’m here to change that.”
“I’ve heard that before,” Rena couldn’t help adding.
He shrugged. “Truth is in the doing. Come by for the next family dinner and see.”
Caroline glared at Rena and Liam. “You two, behave.” She sat and fluffed her hair. “Now, let’s eat.”
Dinner passed in a surreal haze of laughter, good-natured teasing, and an amazing beef casserole—which was no surprise. Caroline Jackson could cook her tail off when she chose to.
Rena didn’t know what to make of it all. But if they could get through a meal without her mother having a hissy over something Dave did or didn’t do, she’d be impressed.
When Dave stood to clear the table, insisting everyone else sit and talk, she didn’t believe the show of good manners was sincere. A nice act, was all she could think. He returned a moment after he’d cleared the table and apologized for having to leave. “I’m so sorry, but I have to get to work. We have a situation on a current contract I’m in charge of.” Apparently Dave worked for a tech company with contracts to the U.S. Army. He leaned down to kiss Caroline then nodded at everyone, his smile wide. “It was a pleasure to meet you all. I hope to see you again.” Rena thought his gaze settled on her while saying that.
When her mother stood to walk him to the door, he shook his head. “No, honey. You stay and catch up with everyone. I’m so sorry about this. I’d love to stay, but I can’t.”
“Okay. Well, good luck. I’ll talk to you later.” Caroline kissed him, and Rena saw a tender look on her face, something totally out of character. Her mother usually only looked at Rena, J.T., or Del like that.
“Well, Caroline,” Sophie said after the door had closed behind him, “Dave seems like a real catch.”
Caroline beamed. “I know. He’s such a sweetheart. So sincere.” She stood. “Let me get the coffee and dessert going.”
“Oh, let me help,” Sophie insisted. “This isn’t dinner. It’s okay to get help with coffee.”
Caroline laughed. “Good point.”
The two chatted while Rena and her uncle sat together.
“Dave is a mistake,” she whispered.
“I don’t know,” he answered as quietly. “He was different than the others. More respectable. Less…”
“Obvious conman?”
“Yeah.” Liam blew out a breath. “Your mother confuses the hell out of me. She’s got money, a great kid—”
“Yep.”
He grinned. “And she’s prettier than a golden goose.”
“Weird, but okay.”
“So why does she pick such sorry-ass men?”
Rena had a sudden thought. “Hey, how come you and Mom never hooked up? Or did you?”
