Second Chance Dreams

by Agnes Alexander

  It wasn’t long until the buzz of friendly conversation filled the room. Jude was the only one close enough to have noticed the pain in Kay’s eyes when she said there were no children in her life. He wondered about her reaction, but decided it wasn’t the time to ask her about it.

  It was almost seven-thirty when Cole said they had to leave. Kay looked down at the baby in her arms. She’d relinquished Judy to Mavis earlier. She now held Jane. “I guess Mommy and Daddy are going to take you away, sweetheart. I sure have enjoyed holding you and your sister.” She glanced up and added, “And I enjoyed getting to know your big brothers, too. You’re lucky to have bothers like that. I know when you get older, you’ll be as proud of them as they are of you.”

  The boys smiled at her and she returned it as she handed the baby to Alisa.

  “I wish you’d stay. We’ll drag out the food again in a bit. I bet everyone is ready for a snack by now.” Mavis gave Judy to Cole.

  “Mavis, we just had pie a little while ago. I don’t think I can hold another thing tonight.”

  “Cole’s right, Mavis,” Alisa said, “but we appreciate the offer.”

  “Dad gave us most of the leftovers from his house. We’ll take a rain check and come another time.” Cole smiled at her.

  Jude stood. “Come on boys. I’ll walk to the car with you.”

  “When can we come back, Grandpa?” Paul asked.

  “Anytime you want to, big boy.”

  “We didn’t get to take the horses out today.” Taylor looked up at his grandfather. “Can we do it next time?”

  “Sure. As long as your mom and dad don’t mind.” He glanced at Kay. “Excuse me. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She nodded and bade the boys good-bye. Before she could stand or say anything else Billy climbed on the sofa beside her. “Will you play with me, Aunt Kay?”

  Putting her arm around the little boy and looking at his tired face she said, “Maybe later. Right now, why don’t you sit here with Aunt Kay and we’ll both rest?”

  •♥ •

  Jude followed his family to their van. He was helping the boys into the third seat when Cole turned from buckling Jane’s carrier in the back seat. “You boys settle in and buckle up. We’ll leave in a minute. I need to say something to Grandpa.”

  He moved to let Alisa buckle Judy in and walked over to his father. “I think you should go for it, Dad.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Alisa joined them. “Don’t play dumb, Dad.” She laughed. “I agree with Cole. It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t come to your shoulders, she’s a keeper and you two make a neat couple. Of course, I can’t help agreeing with Neil, it’s obvious you’re very smitten with the pretty little lady.”

  “You kids don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “No? How about the way you looked at her when she asked to hold Judy? You put the baby in her arms and looked as if you wanted to take her in yours.” Cole put his hand on Jude’s shoulder. “She seems like a nice lady even if she is a tiny little thing. I bet she can handle you, and you have my permission to court her, as the saying goes.”

  “Cole, for heaven’s sake. I only met Kay a few days ago. She’s a high-class lady, and I’m sure she’s not at all interested in a farmer like me.”

  Alisa joined the conversation. “I don’t agree with that. She looked pretty interested to me, and a woman can tell these things. As for having known her long, at your age, you need to move fast.”

  Jude chuckled. “You kids get in the car and take off. Let me handle my own love life.”

  “Okay, but I don’t want to hear that you let a good one slip through your fingers.” Cole had a twinkle in his eyes as he put his arm around his father’s shoulder. “I’d really rather not have Minnie Cox as a stepmother.”

  “No danger of that. Now, head out of here.” Jude hugged him then gave him a gentle push toward the car.

  “Well, I’m at least thankful you’re not considering Minnie.” Cole began walking to his side of the van. “No kidding, Dad. I do like Kay. I was impressed with the way she spent time with the boys. Usually people swoop down on the babies and ignore the guys, but she was careful not to leave them out. It takes somebody with class to do that.”

  “I noticed that, too.” He glanced at them. “Okay, I admit I like Kay, but that’s it. She’s going back to Washington in a few days and I’ll probably never see her again. Besides, she’s way too classy for me.”

  Alisa locked her arm in his. “That’s not so. You’ve got plenty of class, so don’t let her leave until she has a good reason to come back to these mountains.”

  “Listen to my wife, Dad. She knows how to catch a person who doesn’t think he wants to be caught. Look at me.”

  “Your son’s right. I took one look at his charming self and said ‘that’s the man for me’ and though he gave me a million reasons why we shouldn’t marry until he was out of medical school, six months later, we were going down the aisle.”

  “Well, I don’t plan to go down the aisle anytime soon.” He opened the car door for Alisa.

  Cole was getting into the other side of the car. “Don’t wait too long to make your move, Dad. I heard Neil say Brock Pendleton and Seth Armstrong were both interested in her. You don’t want to see one of them walk off with the woman you want, do you?” He started the motor. “We’ll see you soon.”

  Alisa leaned out the door, kissed his cheek and whispered, “Listen to your son. He makes sense. She could be just what you need in your life.”

  Jude shook his head at them as the boys were calling, “Bye-bye, Grandpa.”

  Jude watched them pull out of the drive. As he turned to go back into the house he couldn’t help picturing Brock Pendleton with Kay. He then saw her with Seth Armstrong. He didn’t like either picture. Before he could stop himself, he muttered aloud, “Brock and Seth are my friends, but I’ll be damned if I let either one of them have her.”

  •♥ •

  Mavis put most of the leftover food in plastic containers for Red and Darlene to take home. “There’s no way your Pop and I can eat all that’s left. It’ll be to throw out,” she said when Darlene protested.

  “Well, Aunt Kay, it looks like you’re going to be fed leftovers tomorrow,” Red said with a laugh.

  “I don’t mind at all.”

  “I hate you all have to leave,” Neil said. “I thought we might drag out the cards and have a round of poker or something.”

  “Neil, for heaven’s sake. We never play poker.” Mavis looked at her husband. “Sometimes, I don’t know what gets in this man’s head.”

  “I know we don’t play poker, but I thought Kay might enjoy it. Don’t all people in Washington play the game of chance?”

  “They sure do, Neil.” Kay laughed. “But unfortunately, they play with people’s lives instead of cards.”

  “Aunt Kay, are you sure you want to stay here with this father-in-law of mine?”

  “As long as Mavis and Jude are here, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  “Kay, honey.” Neil put his arm around her shoulder. “You’ve been here long enough now that you’re part of the family. If the rest of them have to put up with me, you do, too.”

  “It’ll be my pleasure to put up with you, Neil. All of you sure have made me feel welcome.” She glanced at Jude who hadn’t said anything for a while.

  “Well, we better get these kids home so we can put them to bed. Billy has had an exciting day and he’s about to conk out. Of course, Sammy is already asleep.”

  There were good-byes as the door closed. Mavis turned to them. “Anyone want coffee?”

  “That’s a good idea, honey. I wouldn’t mind having a piece of pie to go with it. How about you, Jude?”

  “I don’t mind if I do.”

  “You all go on in the den and I’ll get it.” Mavis waved them toward the door.

  “I’ll help you, my dear.” Neil came around the bar. “Like Mavis said, Jude, you and Kay go
on into the den and we’ll serve you.”

  “That sounds good. I like to be waited on, don’t you, Kay?” Jude put his hand on the small of Kay’s back and gently guided her toward the living room. He hoped she didn’t notice the slight quiver that went up his arm as he touched her.

  “I agree it’s nice to have someone pamper you at times.”

  Jude ushered her to the sofa and sat beside her. He was thinking how he’d like to pamper her in more ways than one. “It has been a good day, hasn’t it?” He said. He wished he didn’t feel nervous, but there was something about Kay that made feelings he couldn’t squash rear up at strange times. He wasn’t sure why, but he knew it was because he reverted to the shy high- school student who was always a little awkward with the girls.

  “It was a lovely day.” She smiled up and him. “I’m glad I got to meet your son and his wife. They were charming and I’m sure you’re proud of the work Cole does.”

  “I’m very proud of him. He’s a good doctor and he’s a good family man, too.”

  “And the children are all wonderful. I can tell the boys really love their grandpa. Of course, the babies were precious. I can understand why they cause a scene everywhere they go.”

  “Grandpa is crazy about all of them.” He grinned. “I hope I’ll be able to be as good with the girls as I am with the guys. Boys seem to be easier to relate to.”

  “Don’t give me that. I saw the way you handled the babies. You were so gentle and you seemed very natural. You’re a wonderful grandfather.”

  “Thanks. You seemed to be good with them, too.”

  “I love children.”

  Before he could say anything further, Mavis came in the room with a tray of filled coffee cups with a pitcher of cream and a bowl of sugar. She sat it on the coffee table. Neil followed with a second tray of dessert plates of pie and napkins.

  They were about halfway through with the pie when a pickup truck came into the drive way. From his lounge chair, Neil could see out the window. “It’s Heather and Alex.”

  When they came inside, they sat on the love seat near the fireplace. After bringing coffee and pie for them, Mavis sat on the sofa with Kay and Jude.

  Heather took a bite and said, “Mavis, this is wonderful. I wish I could make pumpkin pie like this.”

  “Thank you, but I have to confess, Kay made the pies.”

  “Kay filled the pies with the filling Mavis had already prepared. Don’t give me credit for the cooking. I could never pull this off.”

  “A woman after my own heart. My baking is known to be way below par in this area, Kay. I don’t think any outsider can bake like the born and bred Coverton Mills women.”

  “Honey, I’ve had worse baked goods than yours.” Alex laughed. “I don’t know where, but I’m sure I have.”

  “Boy, you’d better watch it. I know Heather. She’ll get you back for that.” Neil eyed his friend.

  “Nah. She knows it’s the truth.” He put his arm around his wife and kissed her cheek.

  She leaned against him. “Unfortunately, he’s telling the truth when it comes to cakes and pies and I do know it.”

  “Have you all had as much to eat as we have today?” Mavis asked.

  “We sure have, and like everyone else, I’ve stuffed myself all day. If I keep eating this way, I’m going to pop out of my clothes.”

  “Hey, this I gotta see. Mavis, go get Heather a whole pie and let her keep eating.”

  “Wait a minute, Neil. This is my wife you’re talking about.” With a chuckle, Alex shook his fork at his friend. “There will be no popping out of clothes.”

  “Darn.” Neil looked toward the sofa. “How about you, Kay? Do you feel full enough to pop out or does Mavis need to get you a whole pie?”

  “Neil, hush your mouth. You’re embarrassing these women.” Mavis had a grin on her face as she shook her head at him.

  “Don’t worry, Mavis.” Heather took a drink of coffee. “I’m used to the old coot. I’m sure it won’t take Kay long to get used to him, too.”

  “I think I’m beginning to, already.”

  “See, Neil,” Heather went on. “We both know you’re full of big talk, but you’re only interested in one woman and that’s Mavis.”

  “That’s true, but I don’t want the old girl to get too sure of me. She might take advantage.”

  “Yeah, right. After all these years, if I hadn’t taken advantage of you, I guess I’m not going to.” She looked at Heather. “I suppose you all have had a big day just like we have.”

  “We sure have,” Alex put in. “Since Tim and Juanita moved into their house a few weeks ago, they insisted we come there. Tim and Luke were settling in to watch another ball game and the kids were all asleep. I got the feeling Brenda and Juanita wanted to snooze, too, so we decided to slip out and check on you folks.”

  “I wanted to go for a ride in the snow in Alex’s truck. Isn’t the snowfall pretty?” Heather gestured toward the window.

  “It’s wonderful,” Kay said. “It doesn’t snow like this at home on the ranch. Did you see the snowman Billy and I built this afternoon?”

  “I did. It’s cute.”

  “Kay is as excited as the kids about the snow. I could hardly get her inside to help with the cooking,” Mavis teased.

  “You and Darlene were doing a good job, and you didn’t need me.”

  “How about you, Jude? Did Cole get over to see you?” Alex asked.

  “Yes. They spent the night last night and we had a good time.”

  “They came by here and I got to meet them. Their children are wonderful,” Kay added. “The boys were so polite and nice, and the babies were sweet enough to eat.”

  “I bet they were. I’d love to see them.” Heather looked at Kay. “Do you have any grandchildren, Kay?”

  Jude felt her tense beside him, but her voice didn’t give anything away when she said, “No, but I have the privilege of enjoying other people’s grandkids.” She changed the subject quickly. “I hear you have four.”

  “That’s right.” Alex smiled. “We have two boys and two girls. Couldn’t ask for better than that.”

  “Our sons each have a boy and a girl. We’re crazy about them of course. I hope you can meet them while you’re here.”

  “I’d like that.”

  The conversation drifted into a discussion of the children, and talk about people Kay didn’t know. Eventually, Mavis got out the Trivial Pursuit game and they played women against the men. The women won.

  CHAPTER 9

  The next day, Jude called Kay and asked if she’d like to go to the Friday night fish fry at Bed, Breakfast and More. He said he’d had so much rich food he was in the mood for fish and would enjoy her company. She was surprised at the invitation, but pleased. She tried on several outfits before she finally settled on one. This was unusual for Kay. She normally could grab the right outfit off the hanger as soon as she opened her closet, then be ready to go to any kind of function, formal or informal, in less than thirty minutes. As she got dressed this evening, she only hoped Jude would like what she wore.

  •♥ •

  When he picked her up, Jude’s eyes quickly traveled the length of her body, then he smiled. He was glad to see she’d dressed in jeans for the occasion. He couldn’t help thinking she filled them out as well as any woman he’d ever seen, but the expensive cashmere sweater set and the lined Italian dress boots she wore with them couldn’t help letting everyone know she wasn’t a plain old country girl. He was glad she wore the sweater, though. It emphasized her breasts and showed her petite, but well-proportioned figure, and the aqua color brought out the same aqua in her eyes. When he held her coat for her, he couldn’t keep his eyes off the scooped neckline. He hoped she didn’t notice as he ushered her to his Mercedes.

  She seemed surprised Bed, Breakfast and More had a dinner menu, but she said she liked the charming atmosphere and the setting. As they were being served big plates of fired flounder she looked at Jude. “As Neil sa
id yesterday, if I keep eating like this I’m not going to be able to get into my clothes.”

  Jude lifted an eyebrow. “If I remember correctly, Neil said something about you popping out of the clothes, not getting into them.”

  Kay eyes darted to her plate. “I shouldn’t have brought it up because I really wasn’t fishing for a compliment.”

  Jude didn’t answer. He was wondering if he’d said the wrong thing. He began eating his fish and changed the subject. “What do you think of this place?”

  “The decor is lovely. I love the wild flower theme because I’ve always appreciated wildflowers. I’m surprised they serve dinner though. I thought bed and breakfast places were just that. No meals except breakfast.”

  “Normally they are, but this one is different. That’s why it’s called Bed, Breakfast and More. They serve dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and lunch on those days plus Sunday.”

  “I can see by the crowd it does a good business.”

  “Yes, it does well.” He started to tell her he’d just bought the place, but changed his mind. He didn’t want her to think he was bragging.

  Before they could talk further, Bertie and Bruce Williams came up to their table. “Well, I see somebody else wanted to eat something besides leftover turkey.” Bruce nodded at them.

  “Sure did, Bruce.” Jude smiled at Bertie.

  “Would you like to join us?” Kay asked.

  “We would, but we’re meeting our daughter, Leigh, and her husband,” Bertie said. “She called and said she’d been in Asheville Christmas shopping all day and was too tired to even put out the leftovers. She and her husband and kids are meeting us here.” Bertie had a twinkle in her eye as she looked at them. “It’s good to see the two of you together. You make a cute couple. Hope you all are enjoying the fish.”

  “We are,” Jude said. He didn’t comment on the fact she’d referred to them as a cute couple.

  “Leigh’s already here.” Bruce indicated a strawberry blond in the corner with a man and three children. “Guess we better go before the grandkids come running.”