The Hypotenuse of Love by Sweeney Kate

Author:Sweeney, Kate [Sweeney, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Intaglio Publications
Published: 2014-10-08T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Dinner was held at an adorable restaurant in Galena. Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ernie sat at one end with Charlotte’s mother. A few younger cousins sat around the long table. Charlotte sat in between her mother and Parker, who gratefully sat next to Hank and Betty.

“So are they making a grand entrance?” Hank grumbled in a whisper, wincing when Betty slapped his arm in warning. He mumbled something and drank his beer.

Parker grinned as she drank her water. This should prove to be an interesting dinner—indigestion was sure to follow.

“Beer, Parker?” Hank held up the pitcher with an enticing grin.

“I have a feeling I’m going to need it,” Parker said, holding up her glass.

“Purely medicinal. That’s what I tell myself, anyway.”

“Hank Greeley, medicinal or not,” Betty said in a warning voice.

“Nag.” Hank winked at Parker over his beer mug.

“I want to thank you again, Hank, for allowing me to take the bike out. I’ve forgotten how much I love to ride.” Parker glanced at Charlotte, who smiled.

“It was my pleasure. I know the feeling. I don’t get on the bike much, but when I do, it’s a great feeling of freedom.”

“My ass.” Betty snorted sarcastically. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I say that out loud?”

Parker laughed. “You don’t like to ride, Betty?”

“Not really. But I like that Hank likes to. He doesn’t have many hobbies, and he’s pretty useless around the house.”

“Hey. Didn’t I just put in that new toilet?”

“Yes, dear, and it leaked all over the bathroom. I told you to call a plumber.”

Hank pulled a sour face. “Well, I fixed that, too. And I’m not paying some guy a hundred dollars to do what I can do.”

“Yes, but you… See what I mean?” Betty said to Parker. “Are you handy around the house, Parker?”

“Not really, I suppose. I live in a loft apartment in the city, and if something goes wrong, the landlord takes care of it.”

“But she keeps it clean,” Charlotte said, laughing at the playful glare she received.

“She’s a neat freak?” Hank asked Charlotte, who nodded emphatically.

“That’s too bad,” Hank said.

“Don’t listen to them, Parker. My niece takes after Hank. They’re slobs.”

“We are not. We’re an organized mess,” Charlotte argued in vain.

“We’re just forgetful. It’s a sign of intelligence,” Hank said.

“It is,” Charlotte agreed. “And we can remember things.”

“Before or after I bash my head on the corner of the cabinet door?” Parker said, wagging her finger.

Charlotte held up her hand. “I warned you…”

Hank and Betty exchanged smiles. “Yeah,” Hank said. “They’re in love.”

“And I’m handy,” Charlotte said in protest.

“My ass,” Parker said. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I say that out loud?”

Betty threw her head back and laughed, along with Hank.

“I’ll get you for that,” Charlotte said while Parker laughed.

They talked absently for a few minutes when Charlotte heard Aunt Lucy’s exclamation. “There they are!”

“And we’re off,” Hank mumbled into his beer. “Has someone notified CNN?”

Parker watched all the commotion, which had her captivated. She’d never seen such a spectacle over two women. She had no clue what to expect, so she wanted to get a good look at the lovebirds.

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