Page 39 of Slow Kind of Love

Poppy giggled.

Elise blushed.

And they got on with their night.

Elise had decided on Mexican and she’d made chicken and steak fajitas, with fresh peppers and onions, homemade guacamole, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and salsa. It was the perfect meal to spend sitting around a table, fixing your fajita, talking, eating and drinking.

At first she could tell Boone was a little reserved, but that was her boy. He liked to observe and listen and let things marinate before jumping in. She knew he finally warmed up to the idea of Link when he mentioned Manchester United and the talk turned from hockey to soccer. A lively discussion ensued and with the guys insisting on cleanup, Reg doing most of the insisting (an obvious ploy to please his wife) the ladies relaxed in the living room.

“He’s trying so hard,” Heather said watching her husband from her perch on the big chair next to the bay window. “I don’t know what to think.” She glanced over to Poppy, who was curled up on one end of the sofa, the dogs fast asleep on the other. “I suppose you’ve heard customers talking, or worse asking what you know.”

Poppy shrugged. “There are a lot of people in this town who spend half of their life wondering and talking and gossiping about their neighbors. The more scintillating the better. I think it makes them feel better about their own boring lives.”

“I’d give anything for boring right now,” Heather replied.

“I’m sure you would.” Poppy offered a small smile. “It’s a shit thing he did. I know it is. But I’ve known both of you guys my whole life and while I want to punch him in the stomach for what he did—”

“Stomach?” Heather chuckled, though there was no laughter in her eyes. “Go for his pecker. That’s the organ that got him into all this trouble.”

Poppy looked pained and Elise sat down beside her best friend. “You either give it your all or you don’t.” She swung her gaze back to the kitchen. “He’s trying and he’s owned up to what he did. If you guys are meant to work you’ll make it happen. There’s no right or wrong. Whatever you decide we’re here for you.”

“Thanks.” Heather shuddered. “It’s been a crappy few weeks. On top of our situation, the kids know about Vicky and our daughter isn’t talking to Reg. The twins aren’t either. Makes it hard.”

“I’m sure it does.” Elise had dealt with her own husband’s infidelity by ignoring it completely. She wasn’t sure what that said about her other than the fact that at some point she stopped caring.

“But that’s enough about me,” Heather said, turning to Elise. “You and Link are giving Reg and I a run for the money, at least in Crystal Lake’s gossip circles.” She glanced at Poppy. “Please tell me they’re getting more coverage than I am.”

Poppy giggled and sipped her water. “They’re getting their fair share. Shelli Gouthro was in today, buying a shower gift and asking a bunch of questions about Link and Elise. She seemed genuinely happy for you guys.”

“And what about Boone?” Elise watched her daughter-in-law closely.

“He’s okay with it. I think it was weird for him at first and his financial guy kept calling about business and then spent half the time talking about you and that day at the fundraiser when you disappeared—”

“Is that when you and Link did the nasty in the back of Poppy’s shop?” Heather asked.

“I knew it,” Poppy exclaimed, eyes wide like saucers.

“Knew what?” Link asked, coming to stand beside the sofa.

Poppy looked up at him and made a face. “Remember that thing I asked you about that day in the shop?”

“Thing?” Link grinned.

“What thing?” Boone asked, tossing a dishtowel over his shoulder.

“Nothing,” all three women said at the same time.

“Huh,” Boone said, gazing at each of them before landing on Link.

“You don’t want to know, mate.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Take his word for what?” That was Reg, who looked confused when they all burst out laughing. It made the moment light, and took away from some of the sadness in Heather’s life. Poppy had brought a new board game she was considering stocking in the store and they played an adult form of charades until after midnight.

Heather and Reg were the first to leave since Reg had to take his son to a hockey practice at five-thirty in the morning, and then Poppy couldn’t stop yawning so Boone grabbed her jacket and kissed Elise goodnight.

“I had a great time, Mom.”

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