“Sandra Dristoll, mother of the groom.”
“At least you’re not the mother of the bride. They’re much harder to please.”
“Angie’s mother is deceased. Suppose I’m all she has now.”
“Aha – so you’re double my trouble.”
Sandra saw the smile behind his eyes. “You won’t have any problem with me, Mr. Fredricks. Trevor and Angie have minds of their own and will work with you. It is their wedding, not mine.”
“And are you married, Sandra Dristoll?” he asked as he chanced a glance at her naked ring finger.
“Widowed,” she said. Noticing the suitcase on the floor beside him she changed the subject. “Let me show you to your room so you can get a good night’s sleep. You’ve an important wedding to plan tomorrow.”
She opened the door to his room and nodded for him to enter. “The accommodations at the Inn are excellent. You will sleep well.”
He looked back. “What if I’m not tired?”
“I’m sorry,” said Sandra. “I should have asked if you’d eaten?”
“I haven’t. Any recommendations for a diner in small-town Pineville?”
“You can stay here. I know the chef and he will not mind me raiding his refrigerator for leftovers – if that’s suitable.”
“If you join me, it will be perfect.”
“I’ve eaten, but I will splurge on another slice of lemon meringue pie and a cup of coffee.” Sandra turned to leave. “Come to the kitchen after you’ve settled.”
Robert hurried out the door and closed it behind him. “I can settle in later. Let me help you invade the cook’s kitchen. It all sounds so deliciously naughty.”
Sandra laughed. “A man after my own heart.” After the words escaped her lips, she wished she could bite them back. What a rude thing to say to a stranger.
“So where is the happy couple?” Robert asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Sandra said. “Probably hiding out. Trevor just arrived and they are making up for lost time. These young folks with careers that separate them for long periods. Hope that changes after the wedding.”
“I have two daughters who are taking over the family business. I leave them to it most times and indulge in my secret passion – planning weddings.”
“So, this is a relatively new business for you?” Sandra asked as she pushed open the kitchen door.
“Five years,” he said. “My wife died, and I took to roaming the countryside. Made the passing easier.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Sandra said. “Mine died one year ago. Trevor is my only son and looking after him has kept me busy enough. But soon Angie will take over that job. Perhaps I’ll take to roaming the countryside as well.”
“Don’t bother. The escape was good at first, but now it’s just lonely. Watching all these happy couples cross the bridge of matrimony makes me jealous. I loved being married.”
Sandra looked at Robert as a familiar shadow marred his happy-go-lucky features. She’d managed the facade for a year. Sandra took a plate and went into the cooler and filled it with leftovers. When she brought it out, she waved it under his nose. “Cook makes a wonderful lasagne. I added some veggies on the side and now we’ll let the always-on-duty micro wave heat it up for you.” After setting the timer and pushing start, she re-entered the walk-in refrigerator and returned with a bowl of Cesar salad and a bottle of house dressing. She started to fill a tray. From the shelf she grabbed two large cups and smiled. “Always a pot of coffee simmering in the dining room – decaffeinated for those of us who need our sleep.”
Robert stood and watched the woman move about the kitchen as if it were her own. “You stay at the Inn often?” he asked.
“Since July, I’ve been here three times. Mostly when my son drops by to nurture his new-found love. Once I stayed away. A mother can meddle too much. He keeps reminding me he is a grown man and capable of running his own life. But breaking the habit is hard. Did you find it difficult?”
“I think it’s more of a woman problem. My girls are in their late twenties – one married and the other divorced. Two children each, but they still manage to keep the family business afloat. I bowed out gracefully, but drop in on them occasionally to help or just to see my grandchildren. Youngsters tend to wear me out these days.”
Sandra laughed. “Grandchildren are my dream. Trevor is taking his sweet time walking the aisle. I hope babies will not take as long.” She placed the hot plate of food on the tray and passed it to him. “Go find a seat. I’m right behind you with the drinks and dessert. Hope you like apple crisp? Doesn’t seem to be anything else left.”
“Heated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream,” said Robert.
“That’s the plan. You get started on the main course. I’ll be right out.”
Sandra hummed as she heated the crumbly dessert and topped it with the cook’s secret stash of homemade ice cream. She put it on a second tray and carried it into the dining room. At the refreshment center, she filled the cups with hot coffee and threw creamers and packaged sugars on the tray.
At the table she grinned at his near empty plate. “You must have been half starved.”
“Suppose I was,” he said looking up as he plopped the last piece mouthful of garlic bread into his mouth. “Besides, I wanted to eat the sweet treat with you and didn’t relish the cold ice cream melting together with the apple crisp. Creates a warm, soupy mush.”
“Which I love,” Sandra said.
His gazed lingered on the coffee. “Now that is what I’ve been waiting for.”
Sandra passed him a cup and a bowl of dessert before she sat across from him. She turned her focus
