“Food kitchen?”
“It’s a place downtown where people on a budget can learn to cook simple meals.The peaches and other fruit”—she waved at the yard behind her—“are canned or frozen for later use.”
“What a great service.”
“Yes,” said Mrs.Field, who stepped back when Sarah got closer.“Hello.”
“Hello, Mrs.Field.”The woman looked at her warily, and Sarah blushed, knowing Simon’s conversation with the woman was probably longer than any she and her neighbor had ever engaged in, but she was familiar with Mrs.Field’s life.Her mother kept her up to date.
“How is Eileen?”
“Mom’s doing well.Still on baby watch, though the twins should be here any day now.”
“You must miss her,” said Mrs.Field.
“Yes, we do.”
“Especially Grandma’s cooking,” said Riley, grinning.
“Hey!”said Sarah.“I make a pretty good salad, I’ll have you know.”
Riley just laughed and ran toward the car.
“We should get going,” said Simon, “before the pier gets overcrowded.It was nice to meet you, Mrs.Field.”
“Thank you.And I was serious.If you want some peaches when they’re ready, I’ll let Sarah know.”Her gaze flitted from Sarah to Simon, silently assessing them.Great.She hoped Mrs.Field didn’t know anyone Graham knew, but she also knew small towns had few secrets.
“I would appreciate that,” said Simon.“And if there’s anything I can do to help in return, let me know.I love to garden.”
“I may take you up on that,” said Mrs.Field, waving them off.
“You made a new friend,” said Sarah, as she sat in the seat beside Simon.
“She seems nice.Lonely, maybe.Says her husband only passed a couple of years ago.”
“Yes, that’s right.”Sarah remembered her mother telling her about Mrs.Field’s husband.He had been in a care unit for several years, and she’d visited him regularly.“She seems to be doing pretty well.”
“Yes.But it never hurts to reach out,” said Simon.“You never can tell who might need a friendly greeting.And besides, she has peaches.”He grinned at her as he twisted to back up the car.“And a friend with peaches is a friend indeed.”
“Mom makes a good peach cobbler,” said Riley.
Sarah laughed.“I’m glad I have your approval on one thing I cook.”
“I love peach cobbler almost as much as fresh peaches,” said Simon.
“Perhaps I’ll make you one,” Sarah said.Then, realizing his gaze held heat, or longing, as well as mild surprise, she turned her face to the passenger window.“It’s a good day for crabbing.”
“Yes,” said Simon, his voice gruffer than usual.“I think it’s going to be a wonderful day.”
They arrived at the pier a quarter hour later, and, to Simon’s relief, were quick to find a spot to park.
“Looks like everyone else is on holiday hours today,” he said, climbing out of the car to pay for parking.“I’ll be back in a minute.”
When he returned, he found the trio already out of the car.Sally was standing close to Sarah, explaining that they came crabbing every summer and that this was their first trip.
“What do you use for bait?”Sarah asked.
“Fish heads.Dad gets them from his friend at the butcher shop.”
