Page 20 of Yesterday's Tomorrows

"It smells really good. Where did you learn to cook?"

"My grandmother was one of those natural kinds of cooks," she replied. "I don't think there was anything she made that wasn't the best you could imagine, although maybe

not the healthiest." She grinned and looked sideways at me. "Nothing fancy, but lots of butter and baked goods. Very country."

"Sounds delicious."

"My favorite memories all happened in her kitchen by her side." Her smile faded.

"What happened to her?" I asked gently.

"She died." She said it so matter-of-factly, but I didn't miss the flash of pain that whispered across her face before it was gone.

She blew out her breath. "I think dinner's ready."

She whirled around and grabbed some potholders and pulled the cornbread from the oven. She dumped them onto a plate and set it on the table along with the cheese and gestured for me to sit. I recognized deflection when I saw it, but I accepted it. I waited until she was settled and took a bite. Whatever else I didn't know about Madelyn, I knew she could cook. The masterful blend of flavors infused in the meat was amazing. If she could do this with chili, I hoped I had more opportunities to sample more of her cooking.

"So, tell me, did you always want to become a lawyer?" she asked.

I chuckled. "No. I used to want to be a cowboy, but my mom wouldn't buy me a horse, so I eventually lost interest. Then I wanted to be a paleontologist, but my mother once again put a halt to it." She raised questioning eyebrows at me. "Apparently she wasn't impressed by the holes I dug in the backyard in search of the great Holtasaurus."

She giggled. A real honest-to-god happy sound that went along with a huge smile that lit up her face. "A Holtasaurus?"

I shrugged my shoulders and grinned back. "Well, I figured if I did the work, I deserved the credit."

She leaned back in her chair and raised her eyebrows. "Why do I suspect you were a handful growing up?"

I winked at her, wanting to keep that smile on her face. "What makes you think I'm not still?"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you are."

Long after the chili was gone, I was still making her laugh with stories from my childhood.

"Your poor mother," she gasped after a particularly funny story about my and Cal's plan to become firemen heroes. "At least you didn't burn the house down."

"No, but after the lecture from the real firemen, we were pretty much scared straight, and life got a little easier for her." That is until I was an adult and put her through pure hell.

Madelyn suddenly yawned, although she tried to hide it behind her hand. I glanced at my watch. It was after ten. Not overly late, but I couldn't believe the two hours I'd been there had passed so quickly.

"I should be going," I announced. I stood and carried my dishes to the sink. "Thank you for the late dinner. It was delicious."

She joined me at the sink. "You're welcome. I enjoyed it."

"You sound surprised."

"A little. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect tonight, but you did a good job hiding your assiness."

I choked. "My assiness?"

"Yeah. You said you wanted to prove you weren't always an ass." She gave me an innocent look, but there was a certain glimmer in her eye. "I had my doubts."

At first, I was insulted, then suddenly I burst out laughing. "You'd make a good lawyer, Madelyn. I recognize that tactic. Trying to make me throw my game to see if it was all just a ruse. I'm impressed." I walked to the living room and put my jacket back on.

"Maddy."

I turned to her, confused.

"My friends call me Maddy, not Madelyn."

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