her feel welcome—inviting her into the inner circle of Blessings. To be accepted in this way was a gift, and she wasn’t taking it lightly.
Finally, she finished her shopping and went up front to pay. LilyAnn was still chatting when Cathy finally had to cut her off.
“I guess I’d better get back home. I have a roast in the oven,” she said.
“Umm, sounds so good,” LilyAnn said. “My husband, Mike, loves pot roast and veggies. Oh…by the way, have you made plans for Thanksgiving?”
Cathy nodded. “Duke invited me out to the farm to spend it with his family.”
“Oh really?” LilyAnn said, and then grinned. “So, any chance that fall you took might turn into another kind of fall…as in falling for one of our eligible bachelors?”
“You are so jumping the gun,” Cathy said, and laughed. “He’s just a friend who’s been super-nice to me. I think he felt sorry for me because I don’t have any family.”
LilyAnn shook her head. “Nope. Duke has never been much of a social person. I think he’s a little fascinated by you, and that’s a first.”
Cathy didn’t comment because she didn’t know what to say, but she liked the validity of knowing her invitation wasn’t just an afterthought.
“Like I said, I need to get home and check on the roast. Have a nice day,” Cathy said.
“You too,” LilyAnn said, and then waved as Cathy left.
Cathy took a shortcut home through an alley and could smell the roast as she walked up the steps onto her porch. She hurried inside to check it.
“Another five minutes and you’re coming out,” she said as she put the lid back on it and took her purchases from the pharmacy to her room, then went back into the kitchen to finish up the meal.
The roast was out and resting when her timer for the potatoes went off. She took them off the burner and was draining the water so she could mash them when her cell phone rang. She set the pan aside and went to answer, happy when she saw it was Duke.
“Hi, you,” she said, unaware of the big smile she’d put on Duke’s face.
“Hello to you, too. You sound like you’re in a good mood.”
“I’m always in a good mood,” she said.
“Are you in a good enough mood for a drop-in visitor?” Duke asked. “I had to pick up some chicken feed and didn’t want to leave Blessings without getting a chance to see your pretty face.”
“That flattery will certainly get you in the door. Are you on the way?” she asked.
“I’m already in town at the feed store loading up.”
“Well then, if you don’t have other plans, come eat dinner with me. It’s roast and vegetables, and it’s almost done.”
“I have no plans beyond you, and I would love to eat with you. Can I bring anything?” Duke asked.
“Just yourself,” Cathy said.
“Then I’ll see you soon,” Duke said, and disconnected.
She was still savoring I have no plans beyond you, when it dawned on her she needed to hurry. All of a sudden, her solitary meal had taken on a whole new vibe.
She threw some butter in the potatoes and started mashing them, adding seasonings and cream, then turned the fire off from under the pan of green beans and made a dash to the refrigerator to get the makings for a salad.
Cathy hadn’t planned on all of this, but she wanted everything to be nice. This was the first thing she’d been able to do for him as thanks for all he’d done for her.
She had everything ready except dressing on the salad when she heard his footsteps on the front porch. Her heart skipped with anticipation, and she paused in front of the little mirror in the hall to eye her appearance.
A few curls had taken flight, and the sprinkling of freckles across her nose could have used a little powder, but the long-sleeved blue T-shirt she was wearing matched the color of her eyes, and her cheeks were flushed with excitement.
Then she reached toward the mirror and touched her reflection.
“Calm down, girl,” she whispered. “Don’t let your heart outrun your good sense here.”
And then he knocked, and she stuck her tongue out at herself and hurried to the door.
“As always, your timing is perfect,” she said. “Come in, come in.”
Duke took one look at her and wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Instead, he crossed the threshold, letting her shut the door behind him. But