She walked into her bedroom and dressed. While the thought of getting all fancy and sexy for their visitor was fun, it simply wasnt going to happen. For one thing, she wasnt the sexy type. For another, she didnt actually own anything that fit that category. She was a single mom who worked for the mayor. Her clothes were either casual or for business. There wasnt room for much else in her life. She didnt date, so there was no LBD in the back of her closet.
She did have on a nice pair of dark wash jeans and a deep brown sweater with flecks of gold and green in the weave. The cotton blend was just thick enough to be warm but not so heavy as to add bulk. She thought maybe the colors were good for her complexion and brought out the green in her eyes. Of course while she was cooking she would be wearing an apron with a turkey on it. Not exactly a pattern designed to bring a man to his knees.
Bailey stepped in front of her dresser and started to take out the hot rollers. She was determined to have pretty waves in her hair. It was the best she could do. Not that Kenny would notice anything more than the fact that they were friends and he liked her kid. She was clear on that. Any crushes went strictly one way. But that was fine because her giddiness was enough for two.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Chloe got up and ate her breakfast while Bailey got the stuffing together. The scent of sautéing onions and celery filled the small kitchen. The turkey was already out of the refrigerator and in the roasting pan.
Shed made the sweet potato casserole the night before. It only had to be reheated, which would happen after the turkey had come out of the oven and was resting. The potatoes were peeled and sitting in water. Shed prepared the broccoli for the steamer. All that was left was for her to make her famous cheese biscuits and she would do that after the parade. They only took twenty minutes, which meant they would share space with the sweet potato casserole.
She would make gravy while Kenny carved and, with luck, they would sit down to a perfect dinner. Or just a good one, she thought happily. Because perfect was seriously overrated.
Shed already set the table, as well. The centerpiece was a sterling silver bowl with a candle in it. While they werent going to decorate for Christmas until after the move, shed put her favorite gingerbread-men cookie jar on the old sideboard shed picked up at a garage sale when theyd first moved to town.
I dont remember the parade from last year, Chloe told her as she carried her cereal bowl to the sink.
We went.
Although they hadnt stayed long. Chloe had said she wasnt feeling well and Bailey had brought her home. Shed known that what was bothering her daughter had little to do with a virus and everything to do with the loss of her father.
Chloe had come a long way, Bailey thought gratefully. She would always miss her dad, but shed remembered how to be happy again. She had friends, she loved school and she was thriving. No mother could ask for more.
Im really excited to see it again, Chloe told her. Were going to meet up with my friends, right? I told you where that was?
Bailey smiled. Yes, you did. About fourteen times. I know the exact corner where were all watching the parade.
Because the Sprouts were going to view the festivities together. Bailey had a feeling there were going to be several speculative glances when the other mothers caught sight of Kenny.
Their guest arrived right on time. Bailey did her best to quell the butterflies practicing a two-step in her tummy. She drew in a breath for strength and maybe courage while Chloe raced across the carpet, yelling, Ill get it! Ill get it!
Her seven-year-old flung open the front door and beamed at Kenny. You came! Were going to the parade and the turkeys in the oven and its going to be delicious. You get to carve, which means youre going to make the slices for us.
Kenny stepped into the living room. He was tall and broad and the living room seemed smaller than usual with him in it. Bailey had the sense of being all thumbs and feet as she tried to smile and greet him.
Right on time, she said with a smile.
I heard theres a parade.
At noon, Chloe said.
He wore a leather jacket and a scarf around his neck. In one hand he had a bottle of white wine and in the other, the promised pie. Only she didnt recognize the color of the box. Shed assumed he would go to Ambrosia Bakery, but their boxes were white with silver stripes.
At noon, Chloe said.
He wore a leather jacket and a scarf around his neck. In one hand he had a bottle of white wine and in the other, the promised pie. Only she didnt recognize the color of the box. Shed assumed he would go to Ambrosia Bakery, but their boxes were white with silver stripes.
He held up the wine. This should go in the refrigerator.
Sure. She motioned to the kitchen.
He walked in that direction and she followed. Once there she took the wine from him and fit it into her small refrigerator. He set the pie on the counter.