Page 46 of Half Baked

“The proceeds from the sale of our house and my aunt and uncle. But I got loans for my master’s in library science.”

He stared at the wall behind my head. “Let’s go talk to Rebecca Hennessy and then the next teacher on the list.”

“Okay.”

Noah had arranged for us to meet Ms. Hennessy, a history teacher, at her home at four-thirty and then Carolyn Dunhurst at five-thirty at Déjà Brew. Neither interview was eventful. Both teachers remembered my mother fondly and extolled her virtues as a teacher and as a person. Noah asked Ms. Hennessy about my mother’s volunteer projects, but she couldn’t remember anything about them other than she was always quick to volunteer to stay after school to give students extra help. Ms. Dunhurst said she remembered the women’s club and that my mother was always willing to take part in teacher skits for assemblies. Neither woman could remember my mother having a boyfriend. Other than Martin Schroeder, neither one could think of anyone who’d even disliked her.

After Ms. Dunhurst walked out of the coffee shop, Noah and I sat in silence as we took in what we’d just heard: a whole lot of nothing.

“The only person who told us anything useful was Dawn,” I said in frustration. “That was pointless.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Noah said earnestly. “All three teachers said pretty much the same thing about her, so we know it’s probably true. It’s good to have a story corroborated by multiple sources.” He rested his forearm on the table as he turned to face me. “Did you go to church when you were a kid?”

“Everyone who had the slightest bit of character went to church. You were definitely looked down on if you didn’t.”

“So, did you go to church?” he asked with a deadpan look, then grinned.

“You’re the worst,” I said with a laugh, and I felt dangerously close to kissing him. This was the Noah I loved, the carefree happy man who wasn’t running from me.

I sat back because Noahdidrun, and while I’d promised to wait while he did, now that I’d experienced three weeks of it, I wasn’t sure I could deal with it again. One night? Sure, I’d need a night away from time to time, but not lengthy breaks, and right now, he couldn’t promise that he wouldn’t run.

“So what now?” I asked.

He noticed my change in demeanor, and some of the sparkle left his eyes, almost making me regret my decision to pull back. Almost.

“I have nothing else scheduled for today other than the dinner with my mom.” He glanced at his phone. “It’s nearly six. We should figure out a time to meet her.”

“I need to go home and change,” I said. “I’m wearing jeans and a sweater that smells like coffee.”

“I like that you smell like coffee. It’s one of my favorite scents.”

I laughed, letting some of my hesitation fade. “So now I know what reeled you in. It wasn’t my charming personality or my looks. It was my aroma.”

“Not true,” he teased, leaning back in his seat, and looking like he was in no hurry to leave. “I was captivated by both, but I’m not complaining about your perfume either.”

“Well, I doubt your mother will be so appreciative.”

“I’m not so sure about that. She can appreciate a good cup of coffee and is not-so-secretly thrilled at my expanding coffee tastes which Lance attributed to you.”

“Lance?” I asked with a laugh.

“He poured on the charm this morning.” His smile faded slightly. “So about dinner…how does seven sound? That gives you time to change, check on your aunt, and get to the tavern.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Don’t look so worried,” Noah said. “My mother’s going to love you.”

“I’m not worried. I’m sure we’ll get along just great.”

* * *

I walkedinto Lucky’s Tavern at 7:02, my stomach a ball of nerves. I hated being late, and I had no idea if Noah’s mother would hold it against me. I may have told Noah I wasn’t nervous, but that was a lie. I didn’t know why, especially since the parents of my previous boyfriends had all loved me.

Noah and a middle-aged woman resembling him were sitting in a booth in the back. He’d been watching the door when I walked in, and a bright smile lit up his face. It was impossible not to smile back.

I slipped off my coat as I approached the booth and stopped next to the table. Noah had climbed out before I reached them, and he drew me in for a hug as his mother got out and stood behind him.

“You must be Maddie,” she said with a smile, but I could see the reservation in her eyes. “I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”

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