Part 39 (1/2)

Thirty-Three.

Andrew got to the house early on Thursday evening, the day after Bethanne had seen the Lake Was.h.i.+ngton house with Grant. Courtney would be joining them later. She had a dinner meeting with her bridesmaids, including Annie, who'd most likely come to the house with her afterward.

Bethanne had Andrew's favorite made-from-scratch black bean soup simmering in the Crock-Pot and corn bread baking in the oven. She'd purposely put on the ap.r.o.n Andrew had sewed in his high school Family and Consumer Science Education cla.s.s. When she was in school, the cla.s.s had been called Home Ec and it was for girls only. Times had definitely changed. Andrew had done a good job on the ap.r.o.n and she wore it with pride.

Her son breezed into the house, hugged her and then immediately lifted the lid on the Crock-Pot. ”I was hoping you'd make the black bean soup.”

”I've already pa.s.sed the recipe on to Courtney.”

”What about the one for rhubarb crunch?”

”That, too,” Bethanne said, unable to hold back a smile. In fact, she'd put together a small family cookbook of recipes for every season. The black bean was Andrew's all-time favorite, and she used to have a huge batch going every college break. That soup alone was practically enough to bring him home.

He slid onto a stool at the kitchen counter and watched her for several seconds. ”I got a surprise phone call on Monday.”

”Oh? Who from?” she asked absently as she stirred the soup.

”Your friend Max.”

Bethanne dropped the spoon, which clanged against the side of the ceramic pot. ”Max called you?” She wondered how he'd gotten Andrew's number, then realized it wouldn't have been difficult. called you?” She wondered how he'd gotten Andrew's number, then realized it wouldn't have been difficult.

”He wanted to send a case of champagne for the wedding.”

Bethanne's mouth went dry. She tried to speak but couldn't get her tongue to cooperate.

”First, I told him I'd talk it over with you, but then I went ahead and made a decision. I hope you don't mind.”

”Of course I don't mind. Whatever you decide is up to you and Courtney.” Bethanne managed to speak, although her voice echoed oddly in her ears.

”It's really generous of him to offer. We haven't met, but I like him, Mom. He sounds like a cool guy.”

Bethanne just nodded.

”When I mentioned that you and I were getting together tonight to discuss the rehearsal dinner, he offered to send a couple cases of wine for that, too.”

Bethanne paid an inordinate amount of attention to the soup. ”Your father might not appreciate your accepting either offer.”

Andrew considered that for a minute, then shrugged. ”I say if Max wants to send us wine as a wedding gift, we should let him. Courtney agrees. I wouldn't turn down anyone else's gift-why should I reject his?”

He had a point.

”Does it bother you, you, Mom?” Mom?”

”No...I think it's a wonderful gesture.”

”Me, too.” Andrew slid off the stool and got two bowls, which he carried to the kitchen table, setting them on the quilted place mats.

”Did...did Max ask about me?”

Andrew appeared to find her question highly amusing. ”He did.”

Apparently, her son was going to force her to beg for every sc.r.a.p of information. Andrew pretended interest in collecting silverware from the drawer.

”Are you going to make me ask?” she demanded.

He grinned. ”I shouldn't be so cruel, should I?”

”No, you shouldn't,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. She waited impatiently for him to fill her in on their conversation.

”He told me some more about how the two of you met.”

She smiled at the memory.

”You didn't tell me you rode on the back of his bike.”

”More than once,” she admitted proudly.

”Now that's something I'd like to see.”

In the beginning she'd been terrified by every b.u.mp and curve in the road, but gradually she'd learned to relax and enjoy the sensation of freedom. If the relations.h.i.+p between Max and her developed, and that remained a huge question, she might eventually learn to ride herself.

”He didn't ask how it's going with you and Dad, if that's what you're wondering,” Andrew said. ”I think it's been difficult for him not knowing, but he said he promised you this time with Dad and that he's a man of his word.”

”Your father gave him the same opportunity,” she reminded Andrew.

”Well, sure, but he had Annie reporting to him every ten minutes. Max doesn't have anyone feeding him information.”

That was true-and probably just as well.

”We only spoke for a few minutes. I told him I'd discuss the wine and champagne with Courtney and get back to him in the morning. But basically we've decided to accept.”

She felt her son's scrutiny as if he expected her to weigh in with an opinion. Like she'd already said, the decision was up to him and Courtney.

”You're sure you don't have anything to say about this?” he pressed.

The doorbell chimed just then, and to her surprise it was Grant. Andrew tensed as his father followed Bethanne into the kitchen. She returned to the other side of the counter while Grant leaned against it.

Father and son eyed each other, and Bethanne sensed the sadness in Grant. He missed his son and wanted the situation to be different.

”I hope you don't mind my dropping in like this,” Grant said casually. ”Annie told me you were discussing the rehearsal dinner tonight and I thought I should be here, too. I'd like to be part of this wedding.” He risked a glance in Andrew's direction. ”If that's all right.”

Andrew didn't comment. ”Mom and I were just talking about the wine.”

Bethanne sent him a warning look, which he ignored.

”I have a couple of friends who are familiar with wine varieties. Should I check with them?” Grant asked.

”I believe we've already got the drinks covered, Grant,” Bethanne said pointedly. ”Thanks for offering, though.”