A Family At Last Read online

“Being too busy, for starters. You look tired, you sound tired. There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t want to be like your dad. Or your grandfather.” Nathan sighed lightly, clasping his hands between his knees. “I went through the same thing. Wondering what was wrong with me that I couldn’t keep up with your dad. But you know what? I think right now, I’m a lot happier than he is. And I can’t imagine your dad taking time to do this.”

  Matthew acknowledged the truth of that as he rested his chin in his hands, staring out at the spatters of light bouncing on the river. It was hypnotic and restful.

  A young couple strolled by, hand in hand, a baby strapped to the man’s back. Nathan greeted them by name and they replied.

  “You’re right about my dad,” Matthew said finally. “Most holidays he took his work along to the cabin we had at the lake. My mother would help him. Made things difficult as an only child. When I was eight, I got asked to Bible camp. Soon I started going there instead.” Matthew laughed. “Now that sounds like whining. I love my parents and I know they care about me. It’s just…”

  “Not the life you want for yourself,” Nathan finished for him. “And it’s good that you can admit that.” He got up. “Let’s walk a little more.”

  As they walked, they talked about inconsequential things. The weather, life in Stratton, mutual acquaintances. But Matthew felt as if a burden had been eased. Nathan was the first person he had dared speak to about the very thing that had been slowly eating away at him over the past year or so. He didn’t know how he was going to work his way around the problem. Lawyers at McKnight and McKnight pulled their load. And as the son and grandson, he felt the pressure most keenly.

  He just wished there was a way around it all.

  “How far does this park go?” Matthew asked as they rounded another corner. The trees were higher here, arching over the path, creating a welcome coolness.

  “It follows the river on this side,” Nathan replied. “It goes all the way to downtown and past that.”

  “It’s great,” Matthew said, slipping his hands in his pockets. “Very relaxing.”

  “I thought you’d appreciate it,” Nathan said with a smile.

  They strolled around another curve. A young woman walked toward them, looking down as she swished a branch of leaves beside her. Even from this distance they could hear her humming a soft tune. As they drew nearer, she lifted her head, then stopped in the middle of the path.

  It was Cory.

  She now wore blue jeans instead of the skirt she’d worn to church this morning. Her hair was pulled back, accentuating the delicate lines of her face.

  Matthew couldn’t look away even as the gentle smile on her face was replaced by a frown.

  “Hello, Cory,” Nathan said jovially. “Out for a Sunday afternoon stroll?”

  She nodded, slowly walking toward them. She looked warily at Matthew, then back at Nathan. “It’s lovely out today, isn’t it?” she said.

  “That it is.” Nathan turned toward Matthew. “I believe you’ve already met Matthew? I understand that thanks to me he was able to find you.”

  Cory’s glance skidded over him, then returned to Nathan. “So he told me.”

  “And how’s your mother?”

  Matthew was glad he didn’t mention the will. At least not in front of Cory.

  “She’s fine,” Cory said. “She was tired after church so she’s having a nap right now.”

  “And she’ll still be able to cater our function on Monday? The forecast is for warm weather. So we are going to take a chance and have it outside.”

  “Sounds wonderful. My mother is counting on being there.”

  “Excellent.” Nathan turned to Matthew. “Cory and her mother do some catering on the side. They’re very good. We were fortunate to get them to do our anniversary supper tomorrow.”

  Matthew watched Cory while Nathan spoke, but she kept her eyes resolutely on Nathan.

  “I guess I’ll find out for myself tomorrow,” Matthew said.

  Cory gave him a startled glance. He guessed she didn’t know he was going to be attending.

  “Are you going to be helping?” Nathan asked.

  “Uh…just for the first half hour. I’m working all day tomorrow.”

  “You’re not going to be too tired?” Nathan asked solicitously.

  “No. No. I’ll be fine.” She favored Matthew with a tight smile, Nathan a friendlier version. “I should go. Have a nice day,” she said.

  They stepped aside for her as she walked past, her pace somewhat quicker than before.

  “Nice woman, that Cory,” Nathan said when she was out of earshot. “Hard worker. She and her mother just started their catering business a couple of months ago, and they’re already getting quite a reputation. I imagine the money from her stepfather’s will should help her business out.”

  “I’m sure it should,” Matthew replied vaguely. He wasn’t about to discuss the situation with Nathan. He still had hopes that Cory would sign the papers before he left. Knowing that he would see her tomorrow helped a great deal.

  “It always surprises me when a woman like that doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Nathan said.

  “She doesn’t?”

  “Nope. Can’t understand it. I think half of the single men in town are in love with her.”

  “She’s quite attractive,” Matthew conceded, curiously pleased to find out that she was still single.

  “Oh, she’s more than that,” Nathan said, giving Matthew a knowing look. “She’s got a snap and vigor to her that catches your attention right away.”

  Matthew wasn’t about to dispute the snap. He’d been on the receiving end of it enough times.

  Nathan glanced at his watch. “Well, we’d better go home. Mary should have had enough time by now.”

  They turned around and as they walked back, Matthew wondered if they were going to run into Cory again.

  The idea was appealing and confounding at the same time.

  “Coffee?”

  Matthew took off his glasses, and looked up at Cory who wasn’t any happier to see him than before. “Sure. Thanks.”

  “What would you like for breakfast?” she asked, while she poured the cup full, her eyes avoiding his.

  “Brown toast and two eggs. Over easy.”

  Cory’s curt nod was the only indication that she heard him. He tried to superimpose the picture he kept of her talking to Chris yesterday on this grim-looking woman who listened to him and yet ignored him at the same time.

  Yesterday he had seen the first genuine smile on her face since he had come here. As she knelt beside Chris, taking care of his scrape, Matthew saw the same side of Cory he had first seen many years ago. The part of her he only saw with Deirdre, his cousin.

  Animated, genuinely happy.

  This was the woman he wanted to see again. And that was what drew him to the restaurant this morning.

  But he was dreaming if she would show that side to him.

  With him she was detached, businesslike and efficient. He didn’t know why he even bothered.

  Without another word, she walked away, stopping at the table of some men who had just come into the restaurant.

  She was much friendlier with them. Spunky, Nathan had said yesterday. Well, she was that all right.

  When she returned with his order, he tried to catch her gaze as he smiled. “Thanks, Cory.”

  “You’re welcome. Enjoy your meal.” The words held no inflection. They were automatic and, he supposed, spoken hundreds of times during the day.

  It bothered him and some niggling sense of annoyance goaded him into asking, “Have you thought any more about the will?”

  Her eyes met his, tentative and unsure.

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” she said, carefully. “But I haven’t changed my mind on it.”

  He stifled a sigh, confounded by her stubbornness. “But, Cory, think of what you could do with the money. You could do something with your life, make it better…”
>
  As Cory’s eyes grew hard, Matthew could have kicked himself. Wrong thing to say, he thought, as she glared down at him.

  “There’s nothing wrong with what I do.” Cory held his gaze a moment, as if challenging him.

  Matthew held it, remembering what Nathan had said about the business she and her mother had just started up. “No, I’m sure there isn’t. But you’re an intelligent woman, Cory. I’m sure there are other things you would like to do with your life.” He felt like he was taking advantage of her, using information she didn’t know he had, but he wanted to get this job finished. He had work waiting in Riverview, and he didn’t have time to hang around here until she decided what she wanted to do.

  “So only dumb women work as waitresses?” she said, her mouth curving in a sardonic smile.

  “Of course not.” He couldn’t believe she was getting him tangled up in his own words. He was paid to use words, for goodness sake.

  “I just think that you have potential beyond serving people food. I remember that you were a very good student in school.”

  Cory’s expression didn’t change. “You know a lot about me, Mr. McKnight. But not as much as you think you do.”

  And with that she turned and walked away.

  Matthew watched her go, shaking his head at his lack of tact. At this rate he would be leaving for Riverview without accomplishing his mission.

  He had only today and tomorrow to hang around here. Then he was due back at his office where the work was piling up now, even as he sat. He couldn’t afford to alienate Cory. If he wanted to wrap this up, he had to use other tactics. Try to turn on the charm that usually worked with the other women he had dated.

  Like Tricia, he thought wryly. Tricia who, in tears, had asked him why he couldn’t spend more time with her.

  He dismissed that memory. Tricia was sweet and had been a patient girlfriend, putting up with dates that were canceled when a big case suddenly needed extra attention, when Matthew left for hearings in other towns and would only talk to her on the phone. He just had to face the fact that his life up to now wasn’t conducive to maintaining long-term relationships. Late hours at the office and working weekends just didn’t mesh with having a girlfriend.

  He pushed the depressing thoughts aside. He had things on his mind. And right now all he had to focus on was getting Cory to sign the papers. Once that was done, he could put Stratton and Cory Smith, correction, Luciuk, behind.

  She came by later with his bill and without another word, set it on the table. Matthew didn’t even look up at her, annoyed that she could make him feel ashamed.

  He had every intention of finishing his breakfast and leaving. He didn’t have much to do today. He’d promised Nathan and Mary that he would stop by this afternoon and help them set things out for the party this evening. But that was it.

  And how was he going to fill the rest of his time, he wondered? He’d never had to face that prospect before.

  He finished off his toast, swallowed down a last gulp of coffee and wiped his mouth, getting ready to leave.

  “Cory, Cory, look at my bandage.”

  The voice of a young boy broke through the muted hum of the restaurant. Matthew couldn’t help but look up at the little boy running through the restaurant toward Cory who was waiting on a customer.

  It was Chris, the young boy Cory had helped yesterday after church. He ran up to Cory, proudly showing her the bandage on his elbow.

  Again, she squatted down to get on his level, expressing her admiration.

  He gave her a quick hug.

  Once again Matthew saw the change in her. Once again, he saw a smile soften her features.

  And Matthew found himself slightly jealous of a five-year-old boy.

  Chapter Four

  “Matthew, would you mind moving some of those chairs over there? I know some of us old folks will want to get out of the sun. I can’t believe the day turned out so beautiful.” Mary Stanley pointed to a spot shaded by tall pine trees. “I’m going in the house to get something cool to drink. Why don’t you join us? It will be a while before the caterer comes.”

  “I’ll do that.” Matthew smiled his acceptance.

  Mary nodded once as if signifying her approval and then left.

  When Matthew was done, he looked around the yard, checking everything one more time. Tables were ready for the caterer, chairs had been set out around low tables, on the patio, on the grass and in the shade of the trees that sheltered the large yard. Pots of flowers were scattered through the yard, adding a splash of color.

  Matthew remembered his parents’ twenty-fifth anniversary celebration. It had taken his mother months to arrange and had taken her another month to relax from all the stress of the organization.

  He couldn’t imagine his parents celebrating an important occasion such as a fortieth wedding anniversary with a simple supper and reception served outside.

  And he had to admit, this was much more appealing. Thankfully the weather had cooperated, obliging the day with sun and the faintest breeze to keep any bugs away.

  Now all they had to do was wait for the caterer.

  Matthew checked over his khaki pants, making sure they weren’t too badly wrinkled. Thankfully the supper was a very casual affair and he didn’t have to wear a suit.

  He gave the yard a quick once-over, then walked toward the house. The patio doors were open to the large family room but it was empty.

  Probably in the kitchen, he thought, walking through the open doorway. He stopped suddenly.

  Nathan and Mary Stanley stood by the kitchen counter, arms wrapped around each other, exchanging an ardent kiss.

  He should leave, Matthew thought, yet he couldn’t look away from the sight of a man and woman, sixty-seven and sixty-five, obviously enraptured with each other.

  He was about to turn, when Nathan lifted his head and grinned over his wife’s shoulder at Matthew. “Hello, there. I’m afraid I’ve distracted Mary from getting your drink.”

  Mary’s head whipped around and color flooded her cheeks as she pulled away from her husband. “Oh, dear.” Her hand fluttered over her hair, as she turned to the fridge. “I’m so sorry, Matthew.”

  “Oh, don’t fuss, Mary. It’s not like he’s never seen an old married couple kiss before,” Nathan chuckled.

  But he hadn’t, Matthew thought. Never, in all the years he had lived at home had he ever seen his mother and father exchange anything more than a dry peck on the cheek.

  “No, I’m sorry,” Matthew said. “I’ll go and wait in the family room.”

  Nathan winked at him. “Your drink will be coming in a minute, I promise I won’t distract Mary anymore.”

  Matthew nodded, bemused.

  As he walked back to the family room, he couldn’t help but compare what the Stanleys seemed to have with his parents’ relationship. He loved his mother and father and was sure they both loved each other. Otherwise, they wouldn’t still be together.

  But in spite of that, he always knew that he wanted more from a relationship than what his parents had.

  He thought of the girlfriends he had in the past. They all had what he thought would be the necessary qualifications for a good relationship. Most of them were sincere, Christian women. Good-looking, cultured. Tricia was the first one, however, that he had dated more than a couple of months. She had been unfailingly patient and understanding.

  Their dates were enjoyable. They had much in common and never ran out of things to talk about.

  Yet he always felt something was missing. If he had truly cared about her, he would have found time for her. He didn’t know if it was a problem with him or his job or the women he chose.

  Or maybe a bad combination of both.

  “Here’s your juice. Finally.”

  Matthew turned and took the tall, cool glass from a still-flustered Mary. “Thanks,” he said, raising it to her in a mock salute accompanied by a smile. “And here’s to many more years together and many more stolen kisses in
the kitchen.”

  “Hear, hear,” Nathan said jovially, dropping into his recliner. “Come on, Mary. Don’t look so embarrassed. It’s not like we’ve never done that before.”

  Mary declined to comment and instead sat down in a chair across the room from her husband, primly smoothing out her skirt. But Matthew caught the secret smile she sent her husband.

  “So back to the grind tomorrow?” Nathan asked.

  “I’m afraid so.” Matthew couldn’t help but sighing.

  “So what did you do today?”

  “Went for another walk along the river. Found a nice quiet spot and just sat there.”

  “Watching water is good for the soul,” Nathan said. “Do you ever go fishing?”

  Matthew shook his head. “No time.”

  “That is almost sinful, my boy.”

  “You should talk,” Mary reprimanded him. “You haven’t been fishing yet this year.”

  Nathan acknowledged the comment with a shrug. “I was hoping to do some this summer, but that’s out of the question now.”

  “Why?” Matthew asked.

  “I was supposed to get a summer law student to help me out, but she changed her mind when a city firm made an offer. Just can’t get many young lawyers to come out here. So looks like I’ll be working McKnight hours.” He laughed, but Matthew could tell the prospect didn’t please him.

  “Why don’t you retire?”

  “I should,” he agreed. “I’ve made my money. I’m past retirement age. If that partner I had three years ago would have worked out, I would have quit already.” He looked at Matthew with a grin. “I should sell the practice to you, Matthew. Don’t you think it would be nice to live in a small town? And deal with people you know?”

  Matthew smiled politely, acknowledging the question, allowing himself a few moments of “Why not?”

  Because you already have a busy practice. The words jumped into his head, intrusive.

  But it wasn’t making him happy.

  He didn’t want to live here, in this small town. A practice like Nathan Stanley’s would be a step down, a lesser position. No prestige.

  But it was peaceful and living in a small town could give him something that staying in Riverview under the steady watchfulness of his father couldn’t.