Page 179 of The Holy Grail
“He really did beat me,” Malcom replied. “I would have thrown the game if I thought it would make him like me more, but none of my trips to the sand trap were on purpose. Golf just isn’t my game. It’s not really his, either, but he’s better than me.”
“What did you guys talk about? Body disposal?”
Malcom chuckled. “Yes. He’s kind of scary one-on-one.”
“Yes, he is, but … I really like him.”
“Me, too.”
“He’s a hell of a dad. Jules is lucky to have him.”
Malcom nodded, then asked, “Do you think he thinks Jules is lucky to have us?”
“God, I hope so.”
Edie accompanied them on the ride to the airport, with Jules, Evan, and Malcom all sitting in the back.
This time, Richard kept his glances toward the backseat to a minimum, and the conversation was much more relaxed and easy.
After quick hugs all around in the departure lane, with the car idling, Jules, Malcom, and Evan grabbed their suitcases, waved to Richard and Edie, then hurried into the terminal.
Jules had said her family was not big on long, drawn-out goodbyes at the airport and she was right.
When they were out of sight, Edie put an arm around Richard’s waist and asked, “Well, what do you think about her two men?”
“I think she could do worse.”
She gave him a reproachful glance. “Just admit you liked them.”
“I admit nothing,” he returned. “Now, why don’t we go home and have some fun?”
“Do you meanfunfun, or the kind of fun where I hand you tools while you work on a car?”
“I meanfunfun.”
Chapter 59
Two birds, one stone
It was decided the ‘Meeting with the Mothers’ would be a combined affair, partly because it would save time, but mainly because both Evangeline and Beverly had expressed a great deal of interest in wanting to meet each other as well.
It was held at Malcom’s place on a Saturday night, and he spent much of the day preparing the meal, wanting it to be perfect.
Good food tended to bring people together—as did really good liquor, so he’d stocked his cabinet with the premium stuff.
When the doorbell rang promptly at 6:30 p.m., Evan went to answer it, and was surprised to see both Evangeline and Beverly standing there on the front porch. They had apparently arrived at the same time and had already introduced themselves to each other, so after ushering them inside and giving his mom a hug and a kiss, he turned his attention to Beverly.
“Hi Beverly,” he said, holding his hand out. “I’m Evan.”
Beverly disregarded his hand and gave him a hug, instead. “It’s nice to meet you, Evan.”
He then led the two women down the hall to the kitchen, where he introduced his mom to Malcom and Jules.
“Mom, this is Malcom and Jules,” Evan said, motioning to each one, even though it was obvious who was who. “Mal, Jules, this is my mom, Evangeline.”
There was a round of hugs with Evangeline, followed by a chorus of “It’s nice to meet you’s”, and then hugs for Beverly. Once all that was out of the way, Evan began taking orders for drinks.
“I’ll try a gimlet,” Beverly said. “I know Jules is a gimlet girl, so let me see what that’s all about.”
