“Absolutely not,” Tess replied. “You’re borderline diabetic.”
Leah spotted a familiar face leaving the to-go line. “Connor!”
His expression brightened when he saw her. He neared, carrying a drink holder with two coffees in one hand and a bag of pastries in the other.
“Bringing breakfast home to your mom?” Leah asked.
“You guessed it.”
She introduced Connor to Tess and Rudy, who both sized him up with ill-concealed interest.
“Connor grew up here,” she told the older couple, “then went to college in California and stayed on the West Coast for several years.”
“I love Disneyland,” Rudy announced. “So much fun!”
“He started teaching art at the high school,” Leah explained, “the semester after I started there.”
“What brought you back to Misty River?” Tess asked.
“I came back to help my mom after she was diagnosed with ALS.”
“Ah.” Rudy’s demeanor radiated empathy.
“How’s your mom doing?” Tess asked.
“She has some mobility issues, but overall, as well as I could hope.” He asked Tess and Rudy questions about their history with the town. Tess provided answers before Rudy could.
Both Ben’s and Connor’s friendship had greatly enriched her work life. She was closer with Ben because she spent more time with him. But Connor was great, too. His mellow nature immediately put everyone at ease. He was the same age as Leah but more mature than most of the other men she knew in their late twenties. Simply put, he wasgood, through and through.
Connor’s kind gaze settled on Leah. “I’m glad I ran into you today.”
“Likewise.”
“I’ll see you Monday.” Then, to Tess and Rudy, “Really nice to have met you.” He threaded toward the exit.
“Leah,” Rudy stage-whispered loudly. “Have you been on any dates with that young man?”
“Rudy!” Tess rushed to say. “Of all the inappropriate questions.”
“Sorry.” Impishness sparked behind his glasses. “Well? Have you?”
“No, nor will I. We’re just friends.”
“Friendship can lead to love,” Rudy said.
“Connor’s interested in someone else, a woman he’s liked since middle school.”
“Oh?” Rudy asked. “That’s a long time to like someone.”
“A very long time.” So long that Leah had a hard time imagining it. She’d formed zero attachments to the boys at her middle school. “Connor’s steadfast.”
“Has the woman he likes given him a chance?”
“She’s had a boyfriend for years. They recently broke up, so she’s currently in mourning over that. I’m hopeful that once she comes out of mourning, she’ll give Connor a chance.”
“Have you been on any dates withanyyoung men recently?” Rudy pressed.
“It’s not nice to pry,” Tess said.
