TO LOVE AGAIN by ARTHUR KERNS

Author:ARTHUR KERNS [KERNS, ARTHUR]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Old Ballard Press, Manchac, Texas 78652
Published: 2024-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Another Farmers Market

On this sunny, brisk Saturday morning, Taylor and Zoe drove into the market’s parking lot. Mike’s pickup truck was there. She parked her car two spaces away. Then she and Zoe took their time and strolled toward the vendors’ stalls, looking for her mother and a glimpse of Mike and his family. It didn’t take long. The same group that clustered last week now stood in front of a flower stand.

“Are you going to kiss Mr. Monroe again?” Zoe asked in a way only smart-alert pre-teen could. “In front of everybody?”

Taylor stopped and squeezed Zoe’s arm. Where did that come from all of a sudden? Zoe had mentioned nothing about the kiss. Taylor assumed she hadn’t seen it. “I don’t think so,” Taylor stammered.

They started walking again and Zoe asked, “Is he your boyfriend now?”

Again, she stopped. “Zoe. Mr. Monroe and I are just old, good friends. Let’s talk about it later.”

“Whatever you say,” Zoe grumbled.

As they neared, the group turned and smiled greetings. Cora came up and gave them quick hugs, and Mike’s mother did the same. Mike hung in the background. Then, as the conversations progressed—Liam Monroe asking Taylor about her visit to the office the day before—Mike eased in and put his arm around Taylor’s shoulder. The two mothers flashed smiles at them. His sister, Donna, gave Taylor a quick wink. Taylor felt her face flush.

The discussions now drifted toward what produce they would purchase for the weekend meals. Everyone mingled and changed places, chatting. Taylor pulled out her list, and the idea came. She’d ask Mike to dinner on Sunday. He intended to drop off his submission then, so why not have him stay?

She returned to his side and said, almost in a whisper, “Mike, on Sunday when you drop off your story, would you like to—”

Mike’s cell phone rang and, holding up his finger, asking, ‘one second,’ he raised the phone to his ear. “Oh, hello Rachel.”

Taylor inched back and turned and saw Donna looking at her. The two came together.

Donna asked, “Who’s on the phone?”

“Someone named Rachel.”

“Oh, that woman. She’s his boss at the police department. Has a crush on him. Let’s move closer to listen.”

Taylor motioned they shouldn’t, but Donna nudged her nearer.

“I can’t today,” Mike said, walking in a circle. “I’m tied up.”

“What were you about to ask him?” Donna whispered in Taylor’s ear.

“Oh, it was nothing,” she said, holding her hand over her mouth. Then she relented and told her about wanting to ask him over to her place to drop off a story and stay for dinner.

“Tomorrow?” Mike stopped pacing. “That might not work either.”

“Interrupt him and ask him to dinner!” Donna said, pushing her toward Mike. “Hurry.”

“I shouldn’t, but I’ll try.” Taylor moved toward him with her hand raised.

“Probably later in the day,” Mike said, sounding a bit annoyed. “I’ve got to drop a story off. What? We’ll meet at the assembly hall next to the restaurant. We’re not setting up chairs yet, are we? The dance isn’t for two weeks.

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