They were standing close enough for him to smell the berry scent of her shampoo. She tugged at her lower lip again. This time the right corner.
She gazed up at him. It was clear her tongue was tied. “It’s really good to see you again, Old Man.”
“You said that already, Ace.”
“Well, it’s true. I really missed you.”
“Said that too.”
She smiled and then she moved to the door. Then she took a half step toward him. It looked as though she were about to give him another hug. But in the light of the open door, she retreated and stepped around him. “I’ll see you around, okay?”
Before she could cross the threshold, Ron blurted out, “Kylee, we should see each other again.”
She paused and turned. So did the phone receptionist, and the attendance receptionist, and the principal’s assistant.
“To catch up,” Ron clarified for the prying ears. “It’s been ten years. We’ve spent less than ten minutes together. How about dinner?”
“Dinner?”
“Buster and Eden’s is still open.”
“Are you serious? I can’t believe the health inspectors haven’t closed that place down.”
“What are you talking about? Best chili dogs this side of the Potomac.”
“I…”
“Principal Kidd?” said his assistant. “They need you.”
Ron looked from his assistant, then around the main office quickly filling with teachers, kids, and parents, and back to Kylee. He couldn’t press his pursuit of her front of all these people. “We’ll talk soon, okay.”
“Sure.”
And with that, she collected her daughter and headed to the main door. Molly looked over her shoulder and offered Ron a wink.
He’d seen Jason give that wink to many a girl. He’d seen it work to make Kylee stray. But on the kid, it was adorable, and it only made him like her more.
Chapter Five
The smell of burned broccoli filled the kitchen. Kylee pulled the back door open to let the smell out. But the wind didn’t dare venture inside the kitchen.
Kylee had never been the best cook. Jason had reminded her of that time and again. But now that she was back in her childhood home where her mom had placed so many delectable dinners on the table, she wanted to try and emulate that for her daughter.
“Mommy, can’t we just go to McDonald's?”
“No, we’re having a home-cooked meal.”
Molly moaned and whined and pretty soon the smoke alarm joined her. Kylee tugged off her checkered apron which read “Hot Stuff Coming Through.” She turned off the burners and yanked open the refrigerator.
Five minutes later, dinner was served. She’d slapped together some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with some orange slices and a glass of milk. All food groups were covered.
“Great cooking, chef,” said Molly around a mouthful of choke sandwich.
“Oh, hush you Molly-monster.”
Molly giggled. Kylee found herself laughing as she swiped a dollop of strawberry jam off her thumb. It might not be gourmet, but it sure was fine dining. This was just what they needed.
Dinners had been a tense affair the last few months of her marriage. Money had always been tight. Anything could set Jason off and launch into an argument that would end with a door being slammed and him being gone for the night, and sometimes into the next day.