"I'm delighted.” Alice placed two ceramic plates steaming with the chicken dish on the table next to the matching bowls filled with salad. There was an iced mug at Theo's setting.
"Would you like a beer?" she asked.
Theo was flattered Alice remembered what he enjoyed. "Do you have any of that good amber ale?"
"I certainly do." Alice brought him the bottle and poured herself a little bit of a light peach-colored rosé before sitting down.
“You are quite the cook,” he said.
“You haven’t even tasted it yet,” Alice said.
Theo lifted his mug for a toast. "To the wonderful people of Moonwater Lake and its new dog park."
Alice clinked. "And to good friends."
Theo enjoyed the malty flavor of the ale. Friends, Alice had said. Was that a message to him that he was in the “friend category” with her? Why was he even thinking about this? What did he really want from their relationship?
Theo wasted no more time digging into the wonderful meal. Their conversation flowed easily, from town politics to volunteer opportunities. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this comfortable and relaxed. It was as if they’d known each other for a very long time. He looked over at Alice and recognized a part of himself. This was a woman who had also known love, a soulmate relationship, and ultimately great loss. Was it possible to feel that way again?
“Penny for your thoughts,” Alice said.
“Only a penny,” Theo said.
Both of them laughed at the trite and overused phrase. How much was he willing to share? What did he have to lose at this point? “I was thinking how enjoyable and easy it is to spend time with you.”
Alice hesitated and he hoped he hadn’t said too much.
“Guilty,” she said with a grin. “Me too.”
Their eyes met and Theo’s heart did a little jig.
After dinner was devoured, Alice offered dessert. Even though home-baked strawberry pie sounded incredible, Theo asked politely if they could have dessert later. Theo insisted he take a look at the problem faucet next. It would be an easy fix, he determined and asked if she had a wrench. Alice produced her husband’s old tool kit, and Theo found replacement washers that allowed him to fix the leak right up.
“Shall we sit outside for a while?” Alice asked.
Out on the porch, they sat side by side in the wicker chairs. Theo reached over and took Alice's hand. Her soft, warm fingers gently squeezed back. Blazing through the branches of the manzanita trees were strands of indigo and burnt umber sky. Moments like this stirred hope in his heart and brightened the path of his future
They sat in silence for a little bit, enjoying the moment. Theo thought about how important each day was, especially later in life, when we had to count them. As the sun moved out of sight to another time and place, a splattering of stars welcomed the night sky. Perhaps he should leave soon and let Alice get some sleep.
"Thank you again for a wonderful dinner,” Theo said.
"And thank you for fixing my faucet. I must admit,” Alice said, “I am not used to having to deal with things like that myself. My husband took care of so many things. I've had to learn quite a bit since he passed."
"I'm sure you have," Theo said. “It’s not easy.”
"But it's good for me. It's helping me grow," Alice said. "I need to be more independent."
Theo squeezed her hand gently. "Well, it's also good to have friends and people who are there when you need them.”
He basked in her gentle smile.
"You're right,” she said. “It's been wonderful having Shelby here, too. I wish she could stay. I've never seen that girl so happy and confident, and we have wonderful schools at Moonwater Lake.”
"Well, why can't she?" Theo said. "From what Shelby has confided in me briefly, her mother is off with a new boyfriend and may not return.” He could feel Alice’s hand stiffen in his and hoped he hadn’t said anything to upset her.
“You don't know her mother,” Alice said with a deep sigh. “Dana has been unpredictable for a long time now. Shelby has had very little stability in her life because of it. I'm sorry to say that about my own daughter. Sometimes I blame myself and my husband. She was our only child and was very ill as a baby. We never stopped coddling her, giving in to her. And did she ever learn how to manipulate us.