Chapter 4
Iopened the door to an immediately dumbfounded Mabel when she caught sight of Travis sitting on the couch. “You have company,” she stated in shock.
“I know. The pigs flying by are calling your bluff,” I replied dryly as she stepped in, eyeing Travis with blatant appreciation and curiosity.
“He’s a handsome one, honey.” She winked.
“He also has ears, May.” I sighed as she plopped on the couch, clearly planning on staying a while.
“Mabel Anderson,” she introduced, holding a hand out to Travis.
“Travis McAllister. Pleased to meet you. I’ve heard good things,” he replied as he shook her hand.
“Lies.” She waved a hand, eliciting a laugh from both of us.
“Would you like a glass of wine? I was just going to open another bottle,” I offered.
She pinched her fingers together. “I’ll have a smidge, honey.”
I laughed to myself. She always said that and almost always had far more than that.
“So how do you know my girl?” I heard her ask Travis as I poured her wine.
“She’s my nephew’s teacher,” he replied.
“Were you out with Charlie?” I asked as I handed her a glass of wine and pulled a chair over to sit in.
She shook her head. “Harry.”
I shot an incredulous look at Travis before looking back at Mabel. “Are you two-timing Charlie?”
She scoffed. “We aren’t exclusive.”
Travis let out a chortle that he tried to muffle by taking a sip of wine.
“Okay, fair enough,” I replied. “Where did he take you?”
“Bingo. Can you believe that? What does he think, that I’m just ready to wither up and die?” she demanded.
“I’m sure he thought it would be fun,” I put in, unsure why I was defending an old man I didn’t know.
“That man wouldn’t know fun if it bit him in the ass.” She snorted.
Travis barked out an unrestrained laugh, and she shot him a look. “Sorry.” He waved a hand with a grin.
“Don’t be sorry. As long as you take my girl here on a proper date, you have nothing to be sorry for.”
“May,” I groaned.
“Will do, Mabel,” he agreed easily.
I tried to hide my response. Until now I hadn’t been sure if tonight was a fluke, despite desperately hoping it wasn’t.
“Were you in the service?” she asked, her gaze on Travis as she sipped her wine.
“SEALs, ma’am.” He nodded.
“My Benny was in the Army.” She sighed with the same blissful tone she always had when she spoke of her late husband. “We traveled the world. It was so exciting.”
