Finding a Family by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Maggie had talked Kate into staying for lunch. She hoped things would work out and Kate wouldn’t feel she had to leave.

Kate was helping her put things on the table when the two men came in. Timmy jumped down from the table and ran to meet them.

“Hank! I haven’t told!”

“Good, Timmy. I knew you could keep a secret,” Hank said, rubbing Timmy’s head.

Maggie pursed her lips, trying to ignore the exchange.

“What’s for lunch?” Hank asked, as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Carl didn’t appear as happy. Maggie wondered if his son had shared his feelings with his father.

The two men sat down and Timmy crawled back in his chair. Then Maggie and Kate joined them. They passed around the food without speaking.

After everyone had been served, Kate said, “I wanted to thank you for letting me come visit Maggie and Timmy. Now it will be their turn to come visit me.”

Hank’s head snapped up. “You make it sound like you’re leaving.”

“Yes, I’m leaving after lunch. I don’t want to outstay my welcome,” Kate said with a sweet smile directed toward Hank.

Carl scowled in her direction. “Kind of sudden, isn’t it?”

Kate didn’t respond. Maggie got up and poured more tea.

“You’re okay with Kate leaving?” Hank asked, frowning.

“I’ll miss her, of course, but I wouldn’t want her to stay if she feels uncomfortable.” Maggie looked at Hank, letting him know that it was all his fault.

“Do you think Hank’s responsible for Kate’s leaving?” Carl asked.

“Yes, I do,” Maggie replied, keeping her gaze on her plate.

“Kate must’ve fed you the same malarkey she tried to feed me,” Carl said. “But Hank would never try to stop me from enjoying life. He worked too hard the past year trying to bring me back to life.”

Neither lady said anything.

Neither did Hank.

“Why is everybody mad?” Timmy asked quietly.

“Don’t worry about it, sweetie. No one’s mad at you.” Maggie encouraged him to eat his lunch.

“Is Aunt Kate leaving?” Timmy asked.

“Yes, but she’ll wait until you go down for your nap. She’ll come tuck you in.”

“Will you, Aunt Kate?”

“Of course I will, honey.”

The rest of the meal was eaten in silence.

When he’d finished, Hank stood and thanked Maggie for the meal and bade Kate goodbye. Then he walked out of the house.

Carl stood, too. “I can’t talk you out of leaving, Kate?”

“No, but I’ve had a lovely time, Carl.”

“Will you come back?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Maggie and Timmy can come see me in Denver.” Kate ducked her head, not meeting his gaze.

“Then have a nice trip!” Carl ground out and stomped out of the house.

“So, what just happened?” Kate asked.

“I think Carl let Hank know that you had said he would object to you and Carl finding happiness. Hank realized he didn’t have to say anything. So he kept his mouth shut and watched things work out the way he wanted them to. I’m sorry, Kate, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No, I’m glad you did. I wouldn’t want to cause problems between Carl and his son.

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