Chapter 2
Caleb kept one ear on the date going on behind him. It was a train wreck, poor girl.
The man had already mentioned his mother a few times, and now she’s shown up. It seemed to be planned that way.
Worse was that the woman didn’t seem to have any idea about the date. He’d met her briefly, but he heard her get introduced to the stick-in-the-mud behind him. Everything had been rough since then.
“Fries are not good for you. Why aren’t you eating the sensible salad Benjamin ordered for you?” The mother was saying.
He didn’t hear Grace reply. Caleb wanted to turn around, but resisted.
“So how long do you think you’re sticking around?” Mike asked.
“I’m not sure. Didn’t really have any plans, just knew it was time to leave.” He ignored the date behind him and turned his focus to his buddy.
“Yeah, it’s strange how you just know one day that this is it.”
Caleb nodded. That was pretty much how it was. He was getting close to making a decision about reenlisting and had just decided he didn’t want to do it anymore.
“You have a job lined up anywhere?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. I’m not too pressed about it. I’ve got a lot saved and can decide what to do from here.”
“Well, if you need one, I could always use some help.” Mike had a whole construction company he was running.
“I’ll let you know. Not sure this place is where I’m staying for good, but I wasn’t sure where to start.”
“Here is as good a place as any. It’s a good town, just avoid those ladies.” Mike discreetly gestured at the older ladies, one he’d met earlier.
“Why?”
“They’re horny.” Mike shrugged.
Caleb choked on his drink. A coughing fit started, and it was all he could do not to spray the table with the drink that had been in his mouth. “What?”
“It’s true. They don’t act on anything, but they’ll set you up with someone even as they check you out. You won’t even see it coming.”
He rolled his eyes. No old woman was getting the drop on him.
“I know what you’re thinking. You’re wrong, I promise you.”
“Sit up straight,” the mother from behind him was saying. “You need to always be ready for anyone to see you and want them to think you are always at your best.”
Grace didn’t say a word.
“Anyway, maybe you’ll decide to stick around for a bit. Gonna snow soon, and it’s a pain in the ass, but pretty to see. You can snap some photos.”
Caleb nodded. Photography was his thing, but few outside of his close buddies knew that. He’d even been able to sell a few.
“I will probably be around through this season. It’s a nice town, even if it is a bit small.”
Mike laughed. “It is, isn’t it? I kind of like it, though.”
“Well, yeah. Your wife is here. I still can’t believe all of you went and got married.”
“Not David, turned out he was married the whole time.”
“That’s wild.” He knew the story that had been told to him, but still couldn’t make it make sense in his head. That David had hidden something like that from all of them was crazy.
“Couldn’t quite believe it. But she’s nice, and their daughter is great.”
“Parenthood.” Caleb shook his head. These weren’t the guys who had gotten out only a year or so before him.
“When you know, you know. None of us were looking for it, just happened. I don’t regret it, though.”
“How long do you plan to teach? It’s an admirable enough profession, but surely you plan to do something else with your life? Public servant for life doesn’t have a real ring to it.” The mother was still at the date behind him, and her voice was a little further away. Had she sat down?
“I actually really like teaching; this is what I went to school for.” Grace’s voice had a little more spine to it.
“Of course, you plan to do something else later. No one plans to be poor forever.”
He winced. Grace was staying longer than he would.
“With all due respect, ma’am, this is what I plan to do,” Grace answered.
Good for her.
“I suppose it’s a bit noble. Wouldn’t look too bad to other people. I mean, at least you’re doing something, even if it wouldn’t support you seriously. That’s what Benjamin would be for, anyway.” The mother continued.
“Ma’am, with all due respect—” Grace was cut off before she could finish. Poor girl was still being too nice.
“What Mother is saying is that when we get married, you won’t actually need to work, but if you want to keep this little pet project, I’d allow it. I think it would keep you busy enough, and wouldn’t interfere with any social engagements.”
“Caleb, are you listening?” Mike snapped his fingers to get his attention.
He was listening all right, just not to Mike. He was seconds away from interfering with the date going on behind him. “Sorry, what?”
“What are you so distracted by?” Mike asked.
He thought about not being truthful, but instead tilted his head back to indicate the table where the date was happening.
“Is it that bad?” Mike leaned forward. “Grace is super sweet. She’s got a little bit of a people-pleasing issue, though.”
That much Caleb had gotten from the fact she was still at that table. “It’s worse.”
Mike made a face. “Let me see if I can do anything about that.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Have my wife call her and see if we can get her out of there.”
Caleb nodded. Hopefully, Kristen would be able to help because he didn’t want to get involved but wasn’t going to be able to stop himself soon.
Mike quietly explained the issue to Kristen and then ended the call. They both waited for Grace’s phone to ring but didn’t hear it.
“Bet she forgot it again. Not the first time.” Mike sighed. “Maybe I should go tell her Kristen needs to talk to her?”
Caleb started to agree, but Grace spoke again.
“I’m just going to go. Put my fries on Grandma’s bill. You two have a lovely night.” Grave was saying.
“Nah, she’s getting herself out of it,” Caleb explained, right before all hell broke loose.