CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The sunshine on this mid-October Saturday was behaving like a teacher’s pet, making an unabashed bid for Leah’s favor as it slid through the front window of Sugar Maple Kitchen to burnish Tess, Rudy, and their breakfast table.
Tess continued updating Leah on her son. “Trey and Carla have their bags packed and plan to start driving as soon as they hear that Sasha’s in labor so they can arrive in time for their grandchild’s birth.”
“So exciting.”
“I have a photo.”
Leah chewed her waffle, and Rudy poured extra syrup on his pancakes while Tess fussed with her phone. After a moment, she showed Leah the picture of Trey’s very pregnant daughter and her husband.
“Sasha looks both adorable and uncomfortable,” Leah commented.
“She really does look very uncomfortable,” Rudy seconded. “Poor thing!”
“This will be your third great-grand, right?” Leah asked.
“Our fourth,” Rudy answered.
Tess jabbed him with an elbow. “Our third.”
Rudy bobbled his fork. It clattered onto the floor. “Oops.”
“Rudy,” Tess scolded.
He scooped up the errant fork and held it out in front of him like a flower as he approached the coffee bar to ask for a replacement.
Tess gave a long-suffering sigh.
Leah told herself to eat her waffle and her two strips of crisp bacon more slowly. Breakfasts at Sugar Maple Kitchen were meant to be savored.
Tess took a ladylike sip of coffee. “Update me, please, on Dylan’s college applications.”
“He’s decided to pursue a degree in art, but so far he’s only submitted one college application. One!” She could bemoan Dylan to Tess and Rudy because she was certain of their adoration of her brother.
“Even I know that he ought to have a portfolio of applications, so to speak,” Tess said. “Some schools that are aspirational, some practical, some you can be sure he’ll get into.”
“Precisely.”
“Don’t lose heart. Everything is going to turn out beautifully for him.”
“It’s hard to see how, with him so ... recalcitrant.”
“The main thing is to find a school that suits him, a place where he’ll be appreciated and inspired to learn.”
“I agree, of course. It’s just...” She blew a tendril of hair out of her way. “He’s maddening!”
“Leah,” Tess said.
Leah met the older woman’s eyes.
“It will work out. You’re doing an excellent job.” The force of Tess’s will was not to be quibbled with. “It will work out.”
Rudy sank into his chair. “I’m just going to keep this here from now on.” He stuck the new fork behind his ear. He grinned at Leah, and she smiled back. He looked both ridiculous and cute.
“Rudy,” Tess warned.
Cowed, Rudy held the fork properly, then regarded his plate with awe. “I’d love some chocolate sauce to top this off.”
