“He had one lined up, but she got a better offer somewhere else.” Matthew poked at his potato, then looked his father in the eye. “I thought I could go and help him out for the summer.”
The eyebrow dropped. “Why would you want to do that?”
Matthew held his father’s steady gaze and decided the straightforward approach was best after all. “Because I’d like to try a smaller practice for a while. Because I’ve realized that working in a large law firm doesn’t appeal to me.”
Clifton said nothing, his expression unchanging. His lawyer face, thought Matthew.
“And when did you come to this realization, Matthew?”
If his face didn’t show his feelings, his voice did. McKnight and McKnight was as much a part of Clifton as his marriage, his family. In many ways it was even more important and Matthew could hear his hurt.
“I’m not saying anything definite right now, Dad,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “Nathan mentioned he needed help. I liked the idea of working in a smaller practice for the summer. It would be a nice break.”
“But you just had a break,” his mother said, laying a hand on his arm.
Matthew smiled at Nancy. “I know, Mom. I guess it hurts me as much to admit that I can’t keep up to Dad.” Nor did he have any desire to. He loved both his parents, but he knew he no longer desired their lifestyle or the type of relationship that came with it.
“And how long would you be gone?” his father asked.
“I thought I could help out until August. You could hire an extra law student…”
“Much as you think you can’t keep up to me, I would need about three in order to cover your workload,” Clifton said, ending his words with a slow sigh.
“You’re a part of the firm,” his mother chimed in. “You can’t just leave.”
“I don’t have complicated cases, Dad,” Matthew said, concentrating on his father. He was the one he had to convince. “Any one of them could be easily handed over to any of the other associates.”
Clifton shook his head. “I don’t know if I can spare you,” he said heavily.
“It would just be for the summer.” Matthew knew he should be more firm, but it seemed easier to work this one step at a time. Besides, he didn’t know what would come of this whole venture. It was a risk, and he wasn’t used to taking risks. He had never had to.
But every time he thought of Cory, he figured it was a risk worth taking. August would bring its own conclusion.
“Besides, it would help Nathan out. When I was there for his anniversary he seemed quite tired.” It was a bit of a low blow to bring up the anniversary. His parents still felt guilty about missing it, but Matthew knew that with his father he needed all the ammunition he could muster. “Think of it as a service project.”
“And what about Tricia? She will be so disappointed if you were to leave for three months.”
Matthew shrugged. “Tricia and I broke up a number of weeks ago. She’s not a consideration.” And she wasn’t. He thought more about Cory who he had only spent a few moments with than he had of Tricia who he had been dating for nine months.
“And you’ll be back in August?”
“Nathan’s law student was just going to be around for the summer as well.”
“I see.” Thankfully Clifton hadn’t caught Matthew’s evasive reply. “Well I guess we could work with it.”
Matthew was pleased. He was going to go one way or the other, but having his father agree just made it a whole lot easier.
Why was Matthew McKnight back in her restaurant? Again. She thought he was gone. However, there was one way to find out what he was doing here. Cory approached the table.
“Coffee, Matthew?” she asked as she stopped by his table.
He looked up and grinned at her, dimples firmly in place, eyes fairly sparkling. “Yes. Please.”
“If you’re back about the will, a simple phone call would have done,” she said as she poured him a cup. She wished she didn’t have that silly jittery feeling around him. Two weeks ago she had felt a sense of relief when he left and now he was back mixing her up again.
“I don’t have anything more to do with it. It’s in my father’s hands right now.” He tilted his head as if to see her better. “I’m here to help Nathan for the summer.”
“Nathan Stanley?” she asked, feeling suddenly weak.
“Yup.”
“For the summer?”
“Starting tomorrow.”
“I see.” She clutched the coffeepot a little too tightly.
“And I’ll have the special,” he said.
“Okay.” She turned and hurried back to the kitchen, her heart doing double time.
“Hey, wassup?” Kelsey caught her as she barreled past her.
Cory skidded to a halt and stood facing Kelsey, embarrassed at her headlong flight. “Nothing,” she said, forcing a nonchalant tone. “I’m in a rush.”
“Why? It’s not that busy.”
Cory ran her thumb along the edge of the order pad and shrugged. “I just…don’t want to keep a customer waiting.”
Kelsey frowned and leaning sideways looked into the dining area. A slow smile spread across her mouth. “Well, well. The inimitable Mr. McKnight is back. And my friend is rushing around just for him.”
“Oh, knock it off.” Cory felt a slow heat warm her neck.
“And she’s blushing.”
“Stop it,” she fumed. “I’m just warm.”
Kelsey gave her a considering look, nodding her head. “Of course. I’m wearing a sweater ’cause I’m freezing and you’re warm.”
This would get her nowhere but deeper. Ignoring her, Cory turned and walked back to the kitchen with Matthew’s order. She had better learn to settle down if he was going to be here for the summer like he said.
And how was she going to get through that?
By the time Cory brought Matthew his breakfast, her cheeks were a normal pink and she managed to exude an aura of control. Or fake it, anyhow.
“Thanks, Cory. I appreciate the service,” he said as she set the plate of steaming pancakes in front of him.
He glanced up and she managed a cool smile in reply, covering up the little bump her heart made when he winked at her. She tried not to rush away, as if she were afraid of him.
Then the door chimes jangled again, accompanied by a burst of noise as the first wave of the early-morning regulars started flowing in.
“Cory, honey, how about some coffee?” called out one man, pushing his billed cap farther back on his head as he dropped into one of the booths along the window and winked at her.
Somehow his wink didn’t have the same effect as the one previous.
“Be right with you, Anton,” she called out, thankful for the rhythm of her regular routine.
“You’re looking better and better, honey,” Anton said as she poured him his coffee. “No man yet in your life?”
“I don’t need a man,” Cory returned with a grin. “I can manage quite well on my own.”
“Oh, c’mon, men are a big help,” said his friend, slipping into the booth and pushing his cup toward her.
“Well, Louis, you know what a man’s idea is of helping with the housework?” Cory asked.
“I think I know this one,” Anton said pursing his lips in concentration.
“Lifting his feet so you can vacuum,” Cory said before he could remember the punch line.
“You’re a hard woman.” Louis scratched his head, frowning. “Some day some man is going to come along who is going to make you eat those words.”
“Or at least come up with some better jokes.” Anton laughed heartily at his own retort and Louis joined in.
“Has Bill at the back come up with anything new and dramatic since last we were here?” Anton said. “Seems like we’re always eating the same food.”
“Careful, Anton. The more you complain the longer God lets you live.” Cory grinned at him. “You come here so often, no wonder the menu
never changes. Now, what’s it going to be?”
They both ordered specials, the door chimes jangled again and Cory’s day began. People came in and some left but Cory knew the precise moment when Matthew got up from his table. When he fished in his wallet for a tip. When he looked around the restaurant and caught her looking at him.
Don’t blush, she reprimanded herself, looking away, keeping her hands busy with some idle task.
Then he was gone and she felt like she could breathe just a little easier. She hoped the summer would go by quickly.
“Most of the work is pretty straightforward,” Nathan said, as he gave Matthew a tour of his office. “I thought you could work in here.” Nathan pushed open the door to an office room that was even larger than the one he had in Riverview. “I was going to put that law student here, but I think it should work out okay for you.”
Matthew nodded as he walked slowly into the office. Two of the walls were bare, painted a soft peach. The other two walls were mostly windows, letting in extravagant amounts of light. The desk was oak, he figured as he ran his hands along its scarred yet gleaming top. The bookcases matched it as did the chairs. The honey-gold colors of the wood doubled the light, making the office glow. “This is just great,” Matthew said, turning to Nathan with a smile.
“The furniture is a little old. I figure if I hang on to it long enough it’ll be considered antique instead of garage-sale merchandise.” Nathan spun one of the chairs around, grinning.
“I like it a lot.” Matthew glanced back over his shoulder at the windows. They didn’t overlook a river, they weren’t situated in one of the tallest buildings in town, but when he looked outside he could see the park out of one window, Main Street out of the other. It would work out just fine.
“I’ll get you set up and then we can get some of the backlog out of the way.” Nathan laid a hand on his shoulder as they walked out of the room. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your helping me out for a while, Matthew. It’s been a real lifesaver.”
“It’s been for me, too,” Matthew said, thinking of the long nights he had put in the past few weeks even after he’d caught up from his holiday.
“I should get your dad out here some day. Maybe teach him to slow down a little.” Nathan shook his head at his friend’s folly. “He’s too driven. Too busy with things that don’t matter.”
And Matthew had escaped that, he thought. At least for now.
“I think we better all pitch in and buy Mr. McKnight a cookbook,” Kelsey said, dropping the box of sugar containers in front of Cory.
“What are you talking about?” Cory picked up one of the containers and unscrewed the lid. She handed it to Chris. “Here, sport. Hold this for me would you?”
Kelsey stopped short and gave Cory an old-fashioned look. “Oh, give me a break. As if you don’t know what I mean. The poor man has been here every day for the past week.”
“Well that’s the kind of customer you want, don’t you?” Cory winked at Chris and handed him another container.
“I think it’s the kind of customer you want.” Kelsey leaned her arms on the divider separating the counter Cory worked at from the rest of the restaurant. “And I think you like that man with the dreamy smile.”
“Oh, let’s not forget the dimples.”
“You can try to hide behind sarcasm, my friend, but I’ve seen you watch him.”
Cory said nothing, knowing that Kelsey would twist anything she said. Besides, Kelsey’s words hit a little too close to home. Matthew had been here for a week already, and it seemed that she noticed him each time he came into the restaurant.
Matthew was good-looking, no denying it. But looks were always deceiving. That much she knew. And men would always let you down. That much she also knew.
“What’s more,” Kelsey said leaning forward, trying to catch Cory’s eye, “I’ve seen how he looks at you.”
In spite of Cory’s bravado, Kelsey’s words gave her a jolt. “My goodness, Chris,” Cory said, covering up her reaction and ignoring what Kelsey said at the same time. “You are a big help. And look, it’s almost time for your mommy and you to go home.”
“Good try, Cory,” Kelsey mocked, sauntering around the counter. “But I know what I see.”
“You see what you want to see.” Cory set the sugar containers aside and wiped the countertop. “Doesn’t matter what I say.”
Chapter Six
“Lift me up, Cory,” Chris demanded, holding out his arms to her.
Cory ruffled his hair and pretended to stagger as she set him down. “You’re such a heavy boy, you’re going to wallop that baseball once you start playing.”
He grinned up at her. “Are you going to be my T-ball coach?”
“Sure am.”
“You don’t really want that bossy lady for a coach, do you?” Kelsey asked in mock horror.
Chris grinned and laughed. “I do. She’s not bossy.”
“Thanks for sticking up for me,” Cory smoothed his hair with a smile. Chris was such a cute kid. She really didn’t have time to coach him, but she had gladly made time when she found out Kelsey needed a coach. Kelsey had done so much for her, making Cory feel at home, befriending her and Chris was very taken with her. She turned to Kelsey. “Did you find another coach yet? I’m not too eager to try to handle sixteen five-year-olds on my own.”
Kelsey gave her an apologetic grin. “Not yet.”
“What? You told me I’d have help.”
“One of the mothers backed out. But I think I’ve got another mother willing to help,” Kelsey added quickly.
Cory glanced down at Chris who was starting to frown. “You start phoning tonight, my girl,” Cory said to Kelsey, smiling to cover up her clenched teeth. “Our first practice is tomorrow.”
“I’ll find someone. Don’t worry.” Kelsey patted her on the shoulder. “It’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know anything about T-ball.”
“There’s not much to know, Matthew.” Kelsey set his breakfast of eggs and toast in front of him and slid into the chair across. She flashed him a coy smile, her elbows on the table. “It’s only five-year-old kids, so it’s pretty low-key.”
“I don’t know anything about five-year-olds, either.” Matthew frowned at Kelsey. “Why did you ask me anyhow?”
“Well, you’re new to the community, and it’s a good way to get to know people.”
“I guess so,” he conceded the point as he picked up the salt shaker. He salted his eggs, then paused.
“If you want to say grace, I’ll be quiet for a while,” Kelsey said.
“Thanks.” He bent his head and gathered his thoughts. He didn’t like to just jump into his prayer, but knew that God understood his situation. When he was done, he waited a moment, then looked up. Kelsey still sat there, still grinning.
“You know it takes a real man to pray in a public place.”
“Not really.”
“Yes, really. I know a dozen guys who are Christians but put food in front of them and they just dive right in.”
“So give me your sales pitch,” Matthew said, wanting to change the subject.
“It’s pretty low-key.”
“Will I be doing this on my own?” Matthew picked up a fork, wondering if he was crazy. He had no experience whatsoever with young kids.
“No. I’ve got another coach lined up. You can meet each other tonight.”
“Tonight?”
Kelsey bit her lip and nodded. “Yes.”
“But, I’ve got work to do. I came here to help Nathan….”
Kelsey patted him on the shoulder. “That work can wait one more night, I’m sure. Besides,” she added with a coy grin, “You shouldn’t be working nights. You should be out enjoying the vast and varied social life of Stratton.”
Matthew laughed in spite of himself. “And T-ball is part of it?”
“Hey, baseball is very big out here. You have to start small, though. Do a good job with this and we’ll have you p
laying competitive softball yet.” Kelsey glanced back and got up. “I gotta go back to work. So we’ll see you tonight?”
“For sure.” Matthew watched her leave, still wondering how she managed to bamboozle him into doing something he had no experience with whatsoever. He turned his attention back to his breakfast. Since he had come to Stratton, he had eaten almost every meal in this restaurant.
The food was good here, and he liked the busyness of the place, the sense of community. This morning it was as full as usual, chatter and noise competing with the country music thumping out of the speakers set around the restaurant. He knew a few people by name. One of them was a current client of Nathan’s.
And Cory worked here.
As he ate his eggs and toast, he couldn’t help but look around. A group of truckers sat in one corner, a few families were scattered around, a couple of single men and women, some of whom he recognized already. Regulars.
“Hey, Cory, honey, my cup’s empty,” one called out.
“I’ll be by in a minute, Anton,” she said. And then she was hurrying past him, her arms holding an impossible number of plates full of food. With a smile she set them down in front of her customers, asked if they wanted anything else and then gave them their bill.
She was all politeness and business, yet Matthew knew with them her warmth wasn’t put on, her smile was genuine.
Except when she dealt with him. Each time she looked at him, he sensed banked antagonism and it frustrated him. As a lawyer he was used to adversarial situations. It was what gave him his job. But he had wished for a little more from her. Especially after their time at Nathan’s.
Cory walked past him, but didn’t even spare him a sidelong glance.
He finished his breakfast, dropped some money on the table and walked out, suddenly angry with Cory and angry with himself. It was going to be a long summer.
It was one general scene of noise and confusion, Matthew thought as he stood on the edge of the baseball diamond and watched the group of children milling around. Baseballs were flying through the air willy-nilly. Some children were trying to catch the balls, others stood around looking confused holding baseball gloves half their size, others were running around in meaningless circles.
A Family At Last Page 7