Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
D inner had been a quiet affair, which Blaise hadn’t minded too much. Better than sitting with someone who talked about themselves nonstop. Even so, it was mostly her making small talk and Brick answering with a grunt, a nod, or a shake of his head.
Those appeared to be his favorite forms of communication. Words apparently were a distant fourth.
More surprising was that he’d taken a serving of her vegetables and eaten all of it. She didn’t know if that was just him being polite, something that seemed unlikely, or because he’d actually enjoyed it. He hadn’t said.
He didn’t talk much. About anything. Ever. At least not a topic she’d come across yet.
She dabbed at her mouth with the paper towel he’d set out as a napkin.
“That was a great steak.” She’d already complimented him on it, but maintaining a one-sided conversation was hard.
Repeating things was inevitable and if she brought up the weather one more time, she was just going to get up and leave.
Beau had occupied himself by exploring all the new scents in Brick’s yard, then finally falling asleep next to Brick’s chair.
Blaise would be lying if she said she wasn’t slightly put off by her dog choosing Brick. She decided it was because he gave off pack-leader vibes and left it at that.
Brick set his fork down. “Vegetables weren’t bad.”
High praise. “Thank you. I appreciate that you tried them. Would you like me to help you clean up?”
Brick scooted his chair back. “I’ll get it. Coffee?”
She shook her head. “I wish I could, but the caffeine will keep me up.”
He made a noise like he understood. “Dessert?”
That offer surprised her. She wasn’t generally a big dessert person, but turning another offer down might mean shutting him down, and she didn’t want to do that. Not when he’d gone to the trouble of picking something up. “Sure. What is it?”
“Coconut cake.”
“From Publix?”
He frowned. “No. Homemade.”
Her mouth fell open, and she was powerless to close it for a moment. He really had gone to some trouble. “You made a cake?”
“Wife’s recipe.” His perma-scowl seemed to relax. “Don’t think men can bake?”
She went with straight-up honesty because she was still too shocked to come up with anything else. “I know men can bake, but I didn’t take you for a baker.”
He snorted, clearly amused. He gave Beau a scratch on the head, then stood, gathered the dishes, and went inside.
She sat there, pondering the enigma she’d just had dinner with. He obviously wanted company, or he wouldn’t have asked her. But he didn’t act like he wanted company. Not much, anyway.
But then, he’d made a cake. Would he have made that if she wasn’t coming over? She didn’t know what to make of it. Unless Brick was just using her to get to Beau.
The thought made her smile.
When Brick returned, he had two plates of cake, each with a clean fork on it. He set one in front of her, then sat down with his.
The slice of cake looked and smelled delicious. Two layers of vanilla cake covered with snowy white frosting, heavily dusted in coconut flakes. She took a bite. The cake was soft and super moist, fragrant with coconut, the icing sweet but not overly so. Even the coconut tasted fresh.
She pointed at the cake with her fork. “This is good .”
“Surprised?”
“Yes. Sorry, but I am. Pleasantly.” She smiled. He looked happy that he’d thrown her. She wondered how far that would get her and decided to test the waters. “You don’t talk much. Why not?”
He shrugged. “Not much to say, I guess.”
“Why did you invite me over for dinner if you didn’t have anything to talk about?”
He went quiet, seemingly stumped for an answer.
“Or was it really Beau’s company you wanted?”
That got him to smile. “I’ve been alone too long maybe.”
“That can be really hard. My husband passed away three years ago. Some days are close to fine. Others, it’s like I just came home from the funeral.”
Brick nodded. “My wife’s been gone a bit longer. Kids thought I should move here. Make friends.”
“How’s that working out for you?”
He glanced at her and shook his head.
She felt like they’d broached new ground. “Talking more would probably help. Also, maybe not staring at people like you’re sizing them up for a body bag would be good.”
He huffed out a short, quick laugh. “My son tells me I have a mean resting face.”
“You do.” Her turn to shrug. “Just being honest. But so do a lot of people, so it’s not like you’re the only one.”
“Don’t know how to fix that. My face is my face.”
“You could practice.”
“What?” He frowned. “Smiling? Don’t want to look like a dang fool.”
“Smiling doesn’t make someone look like a fool.”
His brows arched. “Harry Grovsner.”
She laughed louder than she meant to. Harry Grovsner was the president of the CCC—the Colony Citizens Committee—and everyone knew who he was. The man never stopped smiling, and, honestly, it did make him look like a bit of a simpleton. “Okay, point made. Do your kids live close?”
“Half-hour or so.”
She’d yet to see anyone visiting him. Maybe she should avoid that topic. She went in for another bite of cake. “This really is good. Your wife must have been a phenomenal baker.”
“Mm-hmm.”
She looked up, sensing he wanted to say more but might not know if she was interested in hearing it. “Tell me about her.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Doesn’t matter what. Tell me your favorite story about her. What you loved about her. A memory. Anything.”
That seemed to set Brick back. “You want to know?”
“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise. If you don’t want to talk about her?—”
“No. I do.” He took a breath. “She was…good at everything she tried. House was always neat. Meals better than a restaurant. Kids looked after. She could sew anything. Knit. Bake. Managed the household budget. Cut the boys hair. Gardened. Canned.” His eyes had taken on a faraway gaze.
“She taught Home Economics, so made sense.”
Blaise nodded. That was the most she’d ever heard him say. He’d obviously loved his wife very much. “No wonder her cake tastes like this. How did you meet?”
“Friend introduced us.” He sliced off another bite of cake with his fork but didn’t eat it. “She didn’t like me at first. Thought I was too quiet.”
“I can’t imagine.”
He shot her a look, realized she was teasing him, and his expression softened. “I grew up with deaf parents. Didn’t talk at all until school made me. Didn’t need to talk much being a Marine.”
“You were a Marine?”
“Still am. You never stop being one.”
“I see.” She smiled. “I’ll remember that. You’ve led an interesting life, haven’t you?”
“Not more than most. Bet you have stories.”
It was the first time that night he’d reminded her that he knew who she was. Or rather, who she’d been. She appreciated that. “Your wife sounds incredible.”
He nodded solemnly. “She was.”
Beau got up, stretched, then put his front legs on Brick’s thigh.
Brick looked at him, then at Blaise. “What’s he want?”
“To get up on your lap. It’s okay, just tell him to get down.”
“No. I don’t mind. Okay if I pick him up?”
“Absolutely.”
With great care, Brick bent and got his hands on Beau. One under his backside, the other supporting his body. He lifted the dog and gently placed the animal on his lap. “There you go, boy.”
Beau looked extraordinarily pleased with himself.
“Watch he doesn’t eat your cake. He’s sneaky like that and it’s too rich for him,” Blaise said, smiling. It was such a sweet scene, she wished she could take a picture, but she doubted Brick would like that. Something told her he didn’t go in for photos.
Brick pushed his plate out of the way. “Sorry, boy. Your mama says that’s not for you.”
He petted Beau and soon, Beau curled up in Brick’s lap. Blaise wondered why a man who clearly liked dogs didn’t have one of his own.
She smiled. “Are you all right to sit out here for another hour or so? Because when he curls up like that, it generally means he’s in for a good bit.”
Brick smiled. “That’d be all right. Long as you stay, too.”
She nodded. “I’m not going anywhere.” She still had cake left. And a lot more to find out about the man across from her.