Page 70 of Harvey

“It’s fine. We can go another time. I will wait up.”

“I appreciate that.” There was a pause, and she waited. “I don’t do fancy words or anything like that, but- “she heard when he took a deep breath. “I miss you. Christ! I left you a few hours ago and am missing you like crazy. This is crazy; this entire thing is bizarre.”

She had to laugh at his disgruntled tone.

“It’s not funny.” He grumbled. “Anyway, I got to go and look forward to seeing you later.”

“I love you so much.” She told him softly.

There was a pause again, and she waited. “I know you do.” He said roughly. “See you later, baby.”

She hung up and pressed the phone to her jittering stomach. It was a few minutes before she was composed enough to return to work.

*****

“Why don’t you join me for coffee in the blue salon?” Julia suggested that her husband and son excused themselves after the meal as soon as the table had been cleared.

“It’s better than going upstairs to wait for Harvey,” Kendra admitted ruefully as she pushed back her chair.

Giving the signal to the maid, Julia led the way out of the dining room and along the passageway until they were inside a lovely blue-and-white room with a medium-sized fireplace and several blue-and-white-patterned sofas. “This is my favorite room in the entire house.”

She gestured for her daughter-in-law to have a seat and waited for the tea service to be rolled in before she spoke.

“I guess everything is all right between you and your husband?” Julia poured tea into delicate cups and handed her one.

“Amazingly well.” Kendra agreed with a smile. “We made a breakthrough, and he called me twice today.”

“I am so happy, my dear.” Julia beamed at her as she sipped her tea. “I have been praying for this since he became an adult. He would find a wonderful woman who would love and appreciate what he offers. And the good Lord sent you most mysteriously.”

Kendra laughed and shook her head. “It must be him. I never liked Harvey. The few times I saw him when he visited Silas at the chapel, he was rude and abrupt, and I thought they could not be brothers; they were so unlike.

I also prayed that the Lord would provide a man who shares my love of the church and would be with me whenever I serve.”

Julia gave her an anxious look. “Is that a problem, that Harvey is not?”

“No.” Kendra shook her head immediately. “I love him, and it does not matter if he accompanies me. I am not going to force my beliefs down his throat. I love who he is, and I Admire his qualities greatly.”

“Wonderful.”

They both looked up at the sound in the doorway to see the man under discussion coming into the room.

“Mother.”

“You look like you are ready to drop.” She exclaimed.

His eyes went to his wife, and Julia saw the incredible softening of his expression.

“I am a little tired.” Moving towards Kendra, he bent and kissed her softly on the mouth.

“Are you hungry?” she asked, touching his arm.

“I already ate. Finish your tea and come up. I am going to take a shower. Goodnight, Mother.”

“I should go pour him a drink or something. He looked so tired.” Kendra said worriedly. “Or perhaps he does not want me fussing over him.”

Julia waved a hand and rose. “You go and see to that husband of yours. Fussing is what we do for our men.”

*****

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