“Doing what? Accounting?” Kate said to herself. She was fine with basic addition and subtracting, especially if she had a calculator. Start placing numbers in labeled columns, though, and she was a lost cause.
Kate had chosen the small liberal arts college her mom had attended, and it had been a good fit. She figured the love of history and art was something in her genes, something that she had inherited from her mother, but her mother might be right about changing times. Kate admitted to herself that she was struggling career-wise.
Ella joined Kate at the counter. “I’ve come kx20imes to offer you safe passage.” She hitched her thumb at Deena. “She seems to be lurking.”
“No biggie. I’m getting pretty good with the end run when it comes to Deena, but I’m still not so good with this stuff.”
Ella smiled and tapped the letter, which lay on the counter, just begging to be read to the very end. “Pretty handwriting, but I’m guessing it’s not from a great-aunt leaving you a fortune?”
“It’s from my mother, offering her perspective on where I went wrong. It seems I should have gotten a business degree in college.”
Ella shook her head. “But you hate numbers.”
“You know that, and I know that, but Mom considers it a trifle in the Appleton scheme for world domination.”
“And yet you read on.”
“Yes. Because my mom is probably right.”
Ella pulled the letter from the counter.
Kate made a grab for it. “Hey!”
Ella held the letter in the air above Kate’s shorter grasp.
“Seriously,” Ella said. “I’m taking custody of this. I’ve known you since we were kids. That means I also know how good you are at beating yourself up whenever your mother makes a comment, no matter how well intended. What constructive thing would come from finishing this letter right now?”
“I could learn something.”
Ella handed her the letter. “Learn something later. Put off reading the rest of the letter and come with me for loaded nachos at Bagger’s. It’ll be just like the old days. We can pig out, then go home and sleep.”
Kate stuck the letter in her purse. “So long as I get extra sour cream and guacamole, it’s a deal,” Kate said.
ELEVEN
Matt wasn’t wholly anti-tradition. For example, he got a real kick out of Christmas, especially now that Maura had given him twin nieces to spoil and had another baby on the way. Thanksgiving was a winner, too, since his dad and he had a turkey hunting contest each year. Spaghetti Tuesdays, however, had to die.
The rite had started in junior high, and he’d always been on the losing side. Even when he was backed up by half the football team, they were no match for his sharp-witted sisters. Over the years, Matt had developed empathy for those poor, wild Thanksgiving birds looking down the barrel of a shotgun. It had been a while since he’d attended Spaghetti Tuesday, but he had no delusions. His sisters would cut him no slack. And heaven help Kate if she wasn’t on her toes. His sisters weren’t mean, but they were mercilessly honest.
“Let me know the second you start feeling tired, and I’ll get you out of here,” he said to Kate as they approached the house.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but we’re not even inside yet.”
“The offer still stands.”
She laughed. “Come on, Matt. How bad can it be?”
“It all depends on whether you’re the diner or the main course.”
They reached the porch, and Matt held the door open for Kate. The sounds of laughter and conversation rolled from the back of the house, along with the scents of garlic and spices from his mom’s amazing spaghetti sauce.
Kate ran a hand over the oak banister that had been scratched and worn by generations of tough Culhane kids. “This house is awesome,” Kate said.
“It is.” Matt ushered her past the entry, through the living room and into the dining room, where everyone always tended to gather.
All eyes turned their way. Matt could feel Kate hesitate. He didn’t blame her. His sisters were quite the crew.
“Everyone, this is Kate. Kate, this is… everyone.”
His mother laughed and approached them. “Matthew. Have you lost all your manners?”
Matt gave his mom a hug. “I just didn’t want Kate to feel like there’s a quiz at the end of the introductions.”
Matt’s mom smelled of the rich, flowery perfume she’d worn for as long as he could remember. She looked great, too. Her silver-threaded dark hair had been twisted into a knot, and while her khakis and blue sweater were standard mom-clothes, she wore them with flair.
She held out a hand to Kate. “I’m Matt’s mother, Mary, and you’re Kate Appleton. I remember you as a youngster. You were such a cute little thing with all those blond ringlets!”
Kate shook his mom’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Culhane.”
“Please, call me Mary.”
“Okay.” Kate handed Matt’s mom the shiny gift bag she’d been tightly gripping. “I brought a little something. It’s not much, but my mother taught me never to arrive with empty hands.”
His mom pulled a bottle of Chianti from the bag and laughed. “This is exactly what Barb would have brought, too.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “You know my mother?”
“Of course. It’s been years since we’ve had the opportunity to spend any real time together, though. Back before we all got too busy with children and life, there was a group of us that would get together at Bagger’s now and then during the summer.” smmebus She smiled. “In fact, I recall one night when your mother and I had a contest to see who could get the most tips while dancing on tabletops.”
Kate was dumbfounded. “My mom? At Bagger’s?”
Matt’s mom nodded. “Harley’s place was very different in those days. It was the trendy spot to go, like Matt’s is today.” She gave Matt’s arm a little pat.
Matt liked that his mom was proud of him. He was proud of her, too. “Are you thirsty, Kate?” he asked.
His mom eased into hostess mode. “We have water, milk, soft drinks, coffee, tea, wine-and Patrick, my husband-he’s out back with the men-mixes a mean dirty martini.”
“Thanks for the offer, but a soft drink would be perfect.”
“I’ll be right back. Matt, introduce your sisters before the other guests arrive and it gets too confusing.” Matt’s mom gave Kate a sunny smile. “You know, I’m so happy Matt decided to bring a girl along. It’s been forever!”
He just hadn’t had the right incentive, Matt thought. For Kate, though, he’d be willing to do a year of Spaghetti Tuesdays. And that was just for starters.
MATT TURNED to the family table, where a hugely pregnant woman-and Kate thought that in the very kindest of ways-sat with a woman identical to her, except for the burgeoning belly. Opposite them sat Lizzie and a twenty- something woman with wildly curly light brown hair.
“Kate, you know Lizzie,” Matt said. “Next to her is Rachel, and across from them are my sisters Anne and Maura. Maura’s the-”
“Don’t you dare say I’m fat,” Maura cut in, then winced. “Sorry, rogue hormones. I know I’m only having one this time, but I swear I feel like it could be three. Especially today. Just call me Supercrank.”
“I was going to say that you’re the oldest among us, but I’m guessing that wouldn’t have scored me any points,
