Page 124 of A Matter of Time

She smacked his arm as she passed him, touched my cheek, and left through the swinging door with Cretia right behind her.

“So did you really take my dad to a head shop?”

I grimaced, and he smiled as he led me out into the living room.

Colton met us and invited me over to meet his fiancée, Channing Sinclair. Truman was right, she was very nice, and the way she looked at his son had to be very satisfying. Her father came over to meet me, and her mother followed, then cousins and friends, and the faces quickly became a blur. I was going to return to the kitchen, but when I tried, I was ushered back out and went to sit with Truman. For whatever reason I was comfortable with him, and we started talking about landscaping. I told him I would love to look at the backyard, and he took me up on my offer.

We walked out to the gazebo and then the rest of the way to the very edge of his property. His neighbor was out with his family, playing croquet, so we both leaned over and talked awhile. It was really nice, and I decided right there and then that someday I would own a house and have lovely neighbors as well. It had never occurred to me before.

When we got back it was time to eat, and I was seated between Cretia and Trip for dinner. It was fun; lots of conversation between people who seemed to all genuinely like one another. I had never experienced the whole family meal thing except for once before with Sam’s. This family and their friends weren’t loud, and everyone sat down together, no kids running around, just eating, drinking, talking, and lots of laughing. I was comfortable, and when Bette leaned over me, wrapping her arms around my neck, I let my head rest against hers.

“Mom?” Trip asked her.

“Your dad was right. I want to keep this one.”

“Sorry, man,” Trip said sadly. “I think you’re done for.”

“I like her,” I said, closing my eyes, leaning back, and letting her hold me.

“Come keep me company,” she commanded, and I got up and followed her into the kitchen, taking my plate with me.

I thought she’d have people there to do the cleaning, but no. She washed and I dried and then we abandoned our task to dance around the room. When Cretia came in, she was thrilled to find us swaying together.

“Oh, Mother,” she said suddenly. “Maybe Jory knows.”

“Maybe Jory knows what?” I asked, stopping our dancing to look at Bette.

“Darling, I’ve got to go to a reception tomorrow night, and they want me to get up and do the Electronic Glide.”

“The Electric Slide,” I corrected her and held out my hand. “Here, c’mere and I’ll show you.”

Her smile was mischievous, and Cretia watched us move to the middle of the floor as Cretia pulled up the song. I had her doing the steps and turns in fifteen minutes, always having been a good dancer. She was having a blast, and when Channing and Colton came in and joined us, I told them that we could all do the Hustle next.

Later, I went to get my coat out of the hall closet, and when I turned around Trip was there, not quite barring my exit, but he was close to me.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to work tomorrow for just a bit, and the last train’s coming pretty soon.”

“The train? You didn’t drive?”

I smiled at him, shaking my head. “No, I don’t have a car.”

“Stay,” he said seriously, hand on my shoulder. “I’ll take you home. I live in the city too.”

“Oh no, I don’t wanna put you out. I can just⁠—”

His hand moved to the side of my neck. “You’re not putting me out, Jory.”

I nodded, and his hand slid to the nape of my neck, his fingers threading through my hair.

“In fact.” He smiled gently. “Can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?”

I tipped my head and looked at him. “Your dad said you’ve got women all over you, you just haven’t met the right one yet.”

“My dad sees what he wants, and so far, I haven’t been serious enough about anyone to bring them home.”

“Meaning a guy.”