Page 32 of Loving Lizzy

Catherine leaned forward and searched her mother’s face. “Did you want him to kiss you?”

Carol slowly raised her eyes to meet her daughter’s. “Honestly, I didn’t expect it. He’s a great kisser and one thing led to another and?—”

“Stop.” Catherine held her hand up. “Mom, please don’t say what I think you’re getting ready to confess. I don’t want the image in my mind. You and Jake, huh, I didn’t see that coming.”

“We didn’t go that far young lady.” Carol shot Catherine with a stern glare. “But we’ve made out a few times and I thought he had feelings for me.”

Kassie sat her teacup on the table. “Jake’s very fond of you, Carol. He mentioned the other day how he missed your cooking and what a great job you did taking care of him.”

“Ahhh, I believe Carol’s feelings for Jake turned into more than friendship. Did Jake tell you he didn’t feel the same way?” Victoria’s brow arched in her direction.

“I went over last night and brought an apple pie with me. He made stew and we enjoyed a nice dinner together. Then he asked me to move in with him.”

“What did you say?” Catherine shifted to the edge of the couch and picked out another ham and cheese sandwich and a cookie.

“I told him I didn’t intend to live with him without a ring on my finger.” Carol burst into tears.

“Mom, you’ve lived with him for almost six months, why does a ring change anything?” Catherine bit into her cookie and sighed in contentment.

“I lived with him because I nursed him back to health. He informed me last night he only loved one person in his life, and she perished in a car accident years ago. He didn’t intend to ever propose to another woman in his lifetime.”

“Chase told me Bonnie passed away in a car accident on her way home during a snowstorm. Jake took it hard and moved off the mountain because he can’t handle all the reminders of her there.” Kassie scrunched her nose as she thought about the issue.

Victoria sighed heavily. “Did Jake say he cared for you the same as you do for him?”

“He told me at our age, we didn’t need a marriage certificate. It didn’t make any sense making a commitment to one another when we each have one foot in the grave.” She sipped on her tea as she hiccuped her disappointment.

Kassie’s eyes narrowed, “Jake said you two have one foot in the grave?”

Carol nodded. Catherine walked over to her mother and rubbed her shoulders consolingly.

Victoria’s mouth firmed into a straight line. Her pointer finger tapped her cheek lightly as she mulled over the conversation.

“Jake’s set in his ways, I’m sure he didn’t mean to upset you. I know he’s gushed about your wonderful care, and he’s enjoyed all those home-cooked meals.” Kassie sympathetically offered as she passed another tissue to Maddie to give to her friend.

“I can’t picture him acting rude to you after all the glowing compliments,” Maddie chimed in as she held her friend’s hand.

“If Jake proposed to you, would you say yes?” Victoria poured another cup of tea and sat back on the couch already plotting.

Catherine leaned forward to hear her mother’s answer.

“If he truly meant it, I’d consider it. I’ve stupidly fallen in love with the old coot. I envisioned us traveling with Maddie and Joe. Watching our grandchildren grow together.” She turned toward her daughter. “Honey, I loved your father. Since you and Leo married, you’re raising your family, and it gets lonely sometimes. Not in the sense of you neglecting me, but in the ways a woman can love a man.”

“Oh mom, I’m sorry, I guess I never thought of you having needs of your own,” Catherine confessed as she moved back to her seat beside Kassie.

“How do you feel about dating other men?” Victoria proposed as she bit into her cookie.

“Oh, I don’t know. I didn’t set out to date anyone. Jake’s and my relationship developed because I stayed with him.”

“Oh, I know where you’re going with this,” Kassie exclaimed as she leaned forward ready to hear the plot Victoria had brainstormed in her head.

“I think you say something about buying the store when you can go out in the field and get the cow for free.” Victoria rose and paced the room.

Kassie shook her head, “No. The saying goes why buy the cow when you get the milk for free.”

Victoria stopped and stared at Kassie before shaking her head, “You women think too small. Let’s make a list of eligible bachelors.”

“I don’t want to date. My heart’s broken at the thought of Jake dating anyone new.” She began to rise from the couch. Maddie tugged her back down.

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