They laughed as the server offered dessert. Declining, they held hands across the table as they waited for the check. Eric turned his hands in such a way that he could hold Donna's down firmly. "If there weren't any people around, do you know what I would do to you right now, you naughty, naughty girl?"
Donna leaned her head back, closing her eyes to get a visual. "Oh, yes." She looked at Eric with sudden somberness. "Jessica says you're different with me."
He laughed at her serious expression and withdrew his grip. "I am! Not just in bed—but I think our differences there colored every aspect of my relationship with Jessica. We tried, but it's tough feeling like you're a disappointment all the time. I think she felt like that. I know I did." He frowned. "What is taking that server so long? We may not be unpacking the crop tonight, but I think I can come up with something quiet but…satisfying."
Chapter 19
Blended
Thursday night had finally arrived, and Jessica couldn't wait to spring the news of her upcoming wedding on her mom. She had taken Donna to lunch, as promised, and heard an outline of their weekend away, thankfully lacking in detail. She was genuinely happy for them. And happy that Donna's the one he's marrying, not me. They are much better suited for one another, it seems. Donna had been honored and excited when Jessica asked her to be a bridesmaid. Neither couple had set a date, but it was likely that Donna and Eric would wait until the following year.
Worth had arrived early to pick her up, and they were enjoying a glass of iced tea on her balcony. Somehow, it felt right to wait to move in until after her mother knew.
"I've started going through my things and packing," she told him as they relaxed in the Adirondack chairs.
Worth was pleasantly surprised. Leave it to Jessica. Once she made a decision, she didn't dilly-dally. "Really? I can take some boxes to my place whenever you have them ready," he said. "If I need to get a truck, or some men and a truck, let me know."
Jessica laughed. "Most of the furniture stays with the apartment, anyway. I haven't given notice to my landlord yet. I thought I should wait until we've set a date."
"Let's do that after we tell your mother tonight. How does that sound?"
Jessica nodded with a happy sigh. Setting a date to get married. It still amazes me. "It might be a little weird tonight, having Chet's family there too. I mean, don't get me wrong, I've known Chet and his kids since I was little. But back then, their dad wasn't dating my mom."
Worth finished his tea. "When you've had as many stepfathers as I have, you get used to that sort of thing. But since you know them—"
"Yes, I'm sure it will be fine. I gather they haven't been here often in the last few years. A happy occasion all around. I'm so happy for Mom. She needed someone in her life." Jessica glanced at her watch. "Still early. I've always adored Chet. He was my dad's boss, you know, but they were good friends. Mom was close to Chet's wife, too. They used to go out as a foursome. It seems like forever ago, but it really wasn't. Chet's wife went first, of course. Then Dad, a few years after that."
As they drove to the restaurant, Worth suddenly asked, "Are you nervous? I should have asked earlier, so we could have relieved that problem."
Jessica laughed and gave him a little punch. "We sure could have but hold that thought. I plan to be feeling 'nervous' later."
When they walked into the restaurant's lobby a few minutes later, the hostess recognized Jessica. "Hi, Jess, your mom and some of the rest of your party are already here. Right this way," she said.
"Thank you, Rose." The woman was a former classmate of Jessica's.
Rose whispered as they walked, "I'm glad to see your mom getting out again. Chief Henderson is so handsome! You aren't doing so bad yourself." She grinned as she nodded her head toward Worth, who was following along behind them.
Jessica smiled. "I can't argue with you there. You're doing well?"
"Married, two kids. His family owns this place. Life is good." Rose left them with Carol and Chet, saying someone would be around to take drink orders as soon as the party was complete. Chet's daughter and her husband smiled in greeting.
Jessica went through introductions for their sake, and for Carol's. Chet and Worth had spent hours together the night Todd Granger was arrested, but to Carol, he had only been the hope for good things to come and a smiling face in the photo gallery app on Jessica's phone.
As Worth held out his hand to Carol, she stood and walked around the table to hug him warmly. "I am so glad to finally meet you!"
"Likewise, ma'am," he said.
Carol shot him a look. "Carol. I insist."
"Welcome to our first blended get-together, Jessica, Worth. We're hoping to do this more often in the future if I can talk the kids into moving closer." He looked directly at his daughter. "I miss you guys!"
Jessica talked to Chet's daughter and her husband Jon while they waited for his son and daughter-in-law to arrive. "Layla is expecting, just found out! So I'm sure that's the excuse she'll use for being late," daughter Kari said with a laugh. She leaned toward them conspiratorially. "But trust me. Layla is always late." It was obvious as she went on that Kari adored Layla, as pleased to be seeing her as she was seeing her father and brother again.
Kari's husband joined in, "First niece or nephew, you know; we'll all very excited." He looked at Kari. "We're not quite ready yet, so we're hoping to spoil their little one until we are. Get in some kid practice without all the diapers and earaches."
Chet's son Keith and his wife arrived
