Giving the dog a last annoyed glance, KC’s eyes narrowed as he turned toward the counter.“Why would you think that?”
“Brian stopped back here on his way out of town.”That was all Dan needed to say.KC could figure out the rest on his own.
He shrugged his shoulders.“Apparently, my idea of the morning after differs from Maura’s.She barely said two words to me this morning and went back to bed after Brian left.Told me she didn’t feel well, but I don’t think that’s what’s going on.”
“Shoot, boy, what’d you do wrong?”
Shaking his head, he stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans and leaned against the counter.“I haven’t the damnedest idea.”
“Well, then, figure it out, son!I like the little lady a lot and think she’s good for you.I mean, she’sperfectfor you!”
He gaped at the man.“What?Do you have us eloping already?I’ve only known the woman a week.”
“I’m not getting any younger.Unless I help you boys, I’ll be waiting forever to become a great uncle.I want to enjoy the little ones while I can.And don’t you dare elope,” Dan added, pointing his finger at his nephew.
“Holy crap!Not only do you have me marrying her—you have us having kids already?What the fuck, Dan?”
The man sighed.“I know when two people belong together.It was obvious how y’all looked at each other last night that you two were made for each other.Now, go buy Maura some flowers and apologize for whatever the hell you did, even if you don’t have a fucking clue what it is.”
KC just stared at his uncle as he walked toward his office at the back of the store.Shaking his head, the younger man stepped over the snoring canine and ambled outside into the bright sunshine.Thinking his uncle might be right, he headed to the florist up the street.
Not long after KC left, Jinx lay in the middle of the third aisle, where he’d moved to continue his nap.But he jumped up, his tail wagging furiously as he trotted over to Bonnie Whitman as she strode through the front door of Malone's Hardware store.The older woman laughed as she bent down to scratch the dog's ears."Well, hello there, good boy.You always know who walks in with dog biscuits in their pockets, don't you?"
Reaching into her jacket, she pulled out a giant bone-shaped treat.The dog promptly plopped his butt on the floor and offered her a paw.She shook Jinx's outstretched limb and handed him his gift.Even though his mouth was full, the dog gave her a gratefulwoofand retreated to the back of the store with his prize.Behind the counter, where he had been paying some bills, Dan snorted and shook his head at his deceased wife's best friend."You spoil that dog."
Bonnie smirked."Oh, and like you don't.Besides, I don't have any grandchildren to spoil yet, so Jinx reaps the benefits."Her only son and daughter-in-law were newlyweds who lived in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.Much to her chagrin, they decided to put off having children for a few years."I hear you've been doing some matchmaking lately, you old coot.How did their date, which wasn't really a date, go last night?"
He grinned widely."Pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.Dinner was fantastic, and apparently, so was the rest of the evening.They might have hit a small bump this morning, but KC is picking up some flowers to smooth things over.I'm telling you, Bonnie, those two were meant for each other.I can feel it right here."He tapped his hand over his heart."You know, she reminds me a lot of Lori, the boys' mother, which works out well since KC is the spitting image of his father.It's a shame Tommy never had a chance to know his sons as men.He would have been so proud."
"Just like you are.You did an excellent job with those boys after their parents died, and they love you for it."
"Thanks," he replied sheepishly."So, what can I do for you, or did you just come in to make my dog fat and me happy?"
As if on cue, Jinx came running back to beg for the second biscuit he knew Bonnie had for him, and she handed it over."Actually, I came by to see if you could come over to the house sometime in the next few days and look at the toilet in the spare bathroom.I want to know if it's an easy fix or if I need a new one before I call the plumber.I don't trust contractors anymore since that electrician tried to cheat me last year.Thank God you came by before I signed anything, and he started working.They think they can get one over on dumb, single, old ladies like me."
Dan scoffed."You are certainly not dumb, most definitely a lady, and don't look a day over forty.I would be happy to swing by and take a look, as long as you make your famous meatloaf as payment for my professional services."
Grinning, Bonnie winked at him."You’re on.Is tomorrow night okay?"
"Sounds perfect."
After she left the store and headed toward her boutique, Dan returned to his bills and started whistling a silly tune.
Chapter15
When he returned to the little cottage, KC pulled into the driveway.After much debating, he’d picked out a large bouquet of flowers in various colors.He then decided to make a picnic lunch for Maura.Women loved romantic gestures like that, he told himself, and he’d do anything to get out of the proverbial doghouse.
He’d also stopped at the food mart and picked up some fruit, crackers, pepperoni, and an assortment of cheeses.Then he selected a bottle of merlot at the liquor store and drove home, feeling much better about the day.
Carrying his purchases into the kitchen, he placed them on the counter before searching for a platter to put the food on.After everything had been prepared, he set the meal on the porch table, in addition to a vase filled with the bouquet.
He re-entered the house and strode down the hallway, stopping in front of Maura’s room and hesitating for just an instant, suddenly unsure of himself.Knocking softly, he waited for her to open the door.Instead, he heard a soft, “Yes?”
“I made us some lunch.Are you hungry?”
There was no answer for a moment.He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until she finally replied, “Give me a minute to freshen up.I’ll be right out.”
They ate a quiet lunch, verbally dancing around each other, talking about the same safe subjects they had discussed at dinner the first night KC had been there.It was almost as if they had never made love ...had never rocked each other’s world.
