Chapter Eight

While Christy and Kevin were away, Chad chose this opportunity to talk with Madison. He sat down next to her and kept his voice low.

“I think my mom likes your uncle,” he said softly.

Madison nodded. “Uh huh. I think he likes her too.”

“This is great! Kevin is so much cooler than Kyle. I wish my mom would marry Kevin.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Madison opened her mouth to say something when Christy suddenly came back. Her face was red. Kevin was right behind her. John hung up the phone and turned to them.

“Sorry about the shirt,” he apologized. “I’m not as big a guy as you are.”

Kevin waved his hand. “It’s fine, thanks.”

Christy forced herself not to look at him, at the way the white cotton clung to his chest, emphasizing his muscles...

“Argh!” she cried out loud.

Everyone gave her a funny look.

“Um, sorry. Ignore me.”

“So, everyone ready to go back to the stables? We left our lunch there, and that board still needs to be fixed,” Kevin said.

“You don’t have to, really,” John told him. “I can get someone else to do it, I don’t want you to fall again.”

“I’ll be more careful this time.”

John let it go. “Just as long as I don’t have to call 911 or anything.”

“You won’t.”

Kevin ushered the others outside. They waved to John and started back for the bridge.

“Are you sure about fixing it?” Christy asked.

“I won’t fall again.”

“Yeah.”

He gave her a sideways glance. “You were really scared, huh?”

Christy rolled her eyes. “You are a friend you know, of course I was scared.”

He nudged her in the side, and she saw him grin.

“I think a little bit of that crush is still there,” he said.

“You’re such a nerd, Kevin. You didn’t even know there was a crush to begin with!”

“Well, how would you feel if I told you I’ve got one now, on you?”

Christy skidded to a stop. Madison and Chad moved innocently off to the side, suddenly finding a patch of grass insanely interesting.

“This is a joke, right? Kevin, I’m engaged.”

“But not married yet. I still have a chance.”

“You’re being stupid.”

“No I’m not.”

“Yes you are! Stop it!”

Kevin looked her straight in the eye. She glared at him, her chin jutting out defiantly. But her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.

“I guess I better go fix that bridge now,” he said, breaking away.

Christy was stunned. “How can you do that?” she demanded.

“What?”

“Say something like that, and then just walk away, like it’s no big deal.”

“Well, obviously you don’t want it to be a big deal, so...” He started walking and then called to the kids.

They followed. When they reached the bridge, Kevin began again with repairing the loose board. Christy and the kids checked out the picnic basket, making sure everything was still there. Kevin finished twenty minutes later.

“Hey, we can cross it now!” he called to them.

Christy picked up the basket and let the kids go first. Kevin reached out his hands to help them.

“There you go, that’s it, watch your step,” he said. Once they were across, he walked back to Christy. “I’ll take the basket.”

“Okay.”

She let him take it, feeling uncomfortable at the sudden uneasiness that had dropped down around them. Together, they walked to the other side. Then they headed for the lake.

“This is so cool!” Chad exclaimed, running to the edge of the water.

Kevin smiled and set the basket down. Christy spread the blanket for them all to sit on.

“I’ll help with lunch,” Madison said, kneeling on the blanket beside Christy.

“Thanks, sweetie.”

Kevin joined Chad and they began tossing rocks across the lake, seeing how many times they would skip before sinking.

“I think it’s all set, guys,” Christy called to them.

They dropped their pebbles and went to the blanket.

“Wow, this is a gourmet meal!” Kevin said appreciatively, eyeing the chicken sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw and fruit.

“I try,” Christy said.

They enjoyed their meal, talking and laughing. The tension slowly left and Christy and Kevin found themselves apologizing for their behavior.

“I’m sorry, I know you’re engaged,” Kevin began.

“And I’m sorry for being so defensive and stupid. It’s just that...” Her voice trailed off and she looked at the children.

Chad took Madison’s hand. “I think the grown-ups need some time alone.”

They moved to the lake.

Christy scooted closer on the blanket to Kevin, who was lying on his side, propped up on an elbow. “It was always my dream to marry you. Do you know how many times I had to physically stop myself from smacking your girlfriends? Especially since they made it very clear they didn’t like me?”

“Really? Wow, makes me feel all special and manly,” Kevin said.

“You think you are.”

She reached into the basket and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of wine.

“Whoa, what’s that for?” Kevin asked, sitting up.

“I want us to celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?”

“Our renewed friendship. And I want you to swear that you’ll come visit me again. I don’t want to have to wait till another reunion to see you.”

“I swear,” he said, crossing his heart.

Christy opened the bottle and poured some into each glass. They tapped the glasses together and then took a drink. Christy moved closer, into Kevin’s arms. They lay on the blanket, watching the kids play.

“This is what it should have been,” she murmured.

“Yeah.” He buried his nose in her hair. “You smell like raspberries.”

“My shampoo does.”

Kevin set his glass aside and tilted her face towards his. “Would it be all right if I kissed you?” he whispered.

“The kids-”

“Aren’t looking.”

Christy closed her eyes and then felt Kevin’s lips on hers. It was a simple, sweet kiss, but nothing like they had ever shared together before. He slowly parted her lips, dipping his tongue inside her mouth. She let out a little moan.

“I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she thought.

Chad watched out of the corner of his eye as his mom and Madison’s uncle kissed on the blanket. His heart leapt for joy at the sight. Maybe she would dump Kyle and marry Kevin! he thought excitedly. And then his happiness turned to fear. A tall, dark figure was coming towards them. He knew instantly who it was.

“Isn’t this romantic,” Kyle said loudly.

Christy gasped and jumped away from Kevin.

“Kyle! What are you doing here?” she asked, getting to her feet.

“I got out of my meeting early and decided to come and see you. There was no one home, but one of your neighbors told me where you’d gone.” Kyle’s voice shook with anger. “What’s going on here?”

“Nothing,” Kevin said, standing up. “Nothing at all.”

“Oh, I suppose Christy had some food stuck down her throat, and you went to get it?”

Christy placed a calming hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “Please, it was nothing.”

“His tongue down your throat is nothing?” Kyle demanded.

“It was just a friendly kiss! Kevin and I are friends!”

By this time, Chad and Madison had come back over to the blanket. Madison positioned herself behind Kevin, and Chad stood behind her. Kyle saw this and his eyes flashed. He took a step towards Kevin.

“Get away from him,” he ordered, pointing at Chad. “Chad, come over here, right now.”

Kevin looked behind him and saw the boy was shaking with fear. He looked back at Kyle. “I think you should calm down,” he said. “Before someone gets hurt.”

“I’ll show you hurt!” Kyle screamed as he lunged for Kevin.

Madison let out a scream, as did Chad and Christy. Kyle swung towards Kevin’s head, but Kevin ducked away.

“I mean it, man, I don’t want to hurt you!” Kevin said, stepping away from the kids.

Kyle growled and came at him again. This time Kevin shoved him to the ground. It was at this point that Kevin caught a whiff of alcohol. And it was much more than the little bit he and Christy had shared.

Christy grabbed Kyle’s shirt and pulled him up and away from Kevin. “Dammit, Kyle! Let’s go home! I’ll explain everything to you!”

Kyle stopped his fighting and looked at Christy. His vision cleared and a look of remorse crossed his face.

“I’m sorry, Kevin. Really I am. Lunch was ruined for the second time,” Christy said softly.

He noticed her voice was shaking. “It’s okay. I’m still in town for a few more days.”

She nodded. “Kyle, go back to your car. Chad and I will be there in a few minutes.”

“Christy, I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to...”

“Just go, all right?”

He sighed heavily and walked away. Christy hastily packed up everything. She folded the blanket and handed it to Kevin.

“I work tomorrow, but I’m free the day after. We can try lunch again.” She winced. “Or maybe breakfast would be better.”

Kevin hugged her. “Call me if you need anything, or just want to talk. I don’t care what time it is, just call me.”

“Thank you.” She picked up the basket by the handles. “Madison, it was great seeing you again. Chad, let’s go.”

Chad swallowed and took a tentative step forward.

“I can drive him home,” Kevin offered. “If you wanted to talk to Kyle alone.”

“Thanks, but this is a family thing.”

“You’re not his family yet,” Kevin said, without thinking.

Christy’s eyes narrowed. “We will be. Soon.”

That said, she and Chad began heading back towards John’s office. Kevin stood there and watched them go, his heart heavy. Chad half turned and gave him a small wave. He waved back.

“Well, ready to go, baby?” he asked, turning to Madison.

She nodded.

They took their time walking back to the car, letting Christy, Chad and Kyle leave before them. They said good-bye to John, who thanked Kevin for fixing the bridge. On their way home, Madison was unsually quiet.

“What’s wrong?” Kevin asked his niece.

She pursed her lips in thought. “Chad is scared of Kyle.”

Kevin frowned. “What do you mean, scared? Did he say that?”

“Yeah. He doesn’t like Kyle. He doesn’t want his mom to marry him.”

“That makes two of us,” Kevin muttered.

“You know what, Uncle Kevvy?”

“What’s that?”

“If they do get married, I don’t think you’ll be invited to the wedding.”