Page 65 of Quintessentially

Despite offering myself as a sacrificial lamb for the evening, the conversation stays benign as we discuss the delicious food, fresh vegetables, harvest season, and the Cardinals’ chances at a pennant. Molly chimes in on topics I never thought a five-year-old would understand. Then again, she’s lived her life with these adults and adult conversations.

Throughout the meal, I find myself obsessed with the beautiful woman at my side. There is an ease and realness about Kandace that is addicting. Her smile and laugh had me googly-eyed as a teenager, and each minute I spend with her, I realize that feeling isn’t gone.

“I made peach pie for dessert,” Bridget announces.

I’m not sure I can eat more, but I won’t turn down homemade peach pie. The last one I had was made by Grandma Ruth.

“I can help,” Kandace says as she stands, picking up plates and leaving Randy, Justin, Molly, and me alone in the dining room.

Justin sits back and crosses his arms over his chest. “Tell us about Chicago.”

Molly’s eyes are on me. “Do you see the dinosaurs?”

“The dinosaurs?” It hits me. “The museum. Have you been there?”

She nods quickly.

I’m transfixed by the way her hair looks down, so much like her mother’s.

Molly is talking a mile a minute. “…and we went to the lake. Its name is Michigan, but it’s in Illinois.”

I scoff. “Only parts of Lake Michigan are in Illinois.”

“Is it someplace else too?”

“Maybe you and I,” Randy says, “can look at a map later and figure this out.”

“Okay. I’m going to go tell Mom.” She gets down from her chair and goes toward the kitchen.

Watching her disappear through the archway, I say, “I’m blown away at how much she knows and wants to learn.”

“Yeah, she’s five,” Justin says.

My smile disappears. “I wish I’d known.”

“You know now,” Randy says.

Dessert and coffee stay friendly. When Kandace announces that it’s time for Molly to get ready for bed, I’m torn between one of the reasons I came here tonight and offering to help. My first choice is the latter. “Do you need help?”

Kandace shakes her head. “Not yet. Molly, tell Dax good night. Remember, he’s going to Chicago for a while.”

“But you’re coming back?”

“I am.”

“Good night,” she says as she waves her fingers.

Taking a deep breath, I look at Mr. Sheers. “Randy, could you and I take a walk?”

He nods as his gaze meets Bridget’s.

“I can join you,” Justin volunteers.

“No,” his mother interjects. “You’re on dishes duty with me.”

The sky is a kaleidoscope of colors as the sun settles toward the horizon, and Randy and I step out to the porch. He stuffs his hands deep into his jeans pockets as he rocks back on his heels. “I don’t expect you’re wanting a tour of the barns.”

“I wouldn’t mind a tour.”

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