Page 102 of An Unexpected Love

His father handed him the platter of chicken and Jason thought he might have read sympathy in his eyes.

“Generally, when your brothers are here for dinner, I get so involved with the grandchildren,” his mother said conversationally. “You and I don’t have much of a chance to talk.”

“We talk,” Jason said, reaching for the rolls and adding three to his plate, along with a thick slab of butter and a spoonful of strawberry preserves. His mother would have to wait for her information while he enjoyed his dinner.

“Gravy, son?”

“Thanks, Dad.” A look of understanding passed between them.

“I hardly know what’s going on in your life these days,” his mother continued, undaunted. “I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays.”

“That’s not true, Elizabeth. Jason was over two weeks ago. Now, let the boy eat. You can drill him about Charlotte later.”

His father was nothing if not direct. His mother didn’t even pretend to be affronted; she simply sighed and nodded. “If you insist.”

“I do,” his father muttered, ladling gravy over a modest pile of mashed potatoes. He set the gravy boat aside and shook his head. “I don’t understand you, Elizabeth. You’ve been half starving me for months, claiming we’ve got to start eating healthier. I’ve been eating salads and fish and broiled chicken. Nowthis.I’m beginning to feel like it’s my last dinner before facing the executioner.”

“This is Jason’s favorite dinner!” Elizabeth declared righteously.

“Don’t be fooled, son,” Eric Manning said, his elbows on the table. “Your mother’s after something big this time.”

“Eric!”

“Sorry, dear,” Jason’s father said contritely, then winked at him.

If his mouth hadn’t been full of homemade bread, Jason would have laughed. His mother was in quite a mood. His father, too, but he was well aware of the love they shared. They had the kind of relationship he’d always hoped to have with a woman himself. For the first time in his life, he felt that might be possible.

They ate in relative silence with short discourses from Jason as he answered their questions about the veterinary hospital and his practice. He noticed how carefully his mother steered away from the subject of Charlotte and his social life.

No sooner had Jason and his father cleared the table than his mother brought out a deep-dish apple pie. Even the dessert was Jason’s favorite.

While she dished up heaping bowlfuls and added ice cream, his father poured coffee.

“Now, Eric?” she asked, looking expectantly toward her husband.

“If you insist.”

Jason glanced from his mother to his father, realizing his reprieve was about to end.

“I most certainly do. Jason,” she said, shifting her attention to him, “as you probably know, your father and I are curious about you and Charlotte.Verycurious.”

“Yeah, I had that impression.”

“We both liked her very much.”

“She’s a likable person,” Jason said.

“How’d you meet her?”

He finished his pie, tipping the bowl on its side and spooning up the last of the melted ice cream. When he was convinced he’d gotten every drop, he wiped his mouth with the napkin, set it aside and reached for his coffee.

“She lives in the apartment complex.”

“Widowed?”

“Divorced.” He wasn’t going to volunteer any more information than necessary.

“Are you in love with her?”

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