DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.
Just love writing about them!
Chapter Ten
Fresh coffee brewing woke me in the morning. I made my way down the stairs and found Shannon filling a plate with some eggs. A plate of toast already sat on the table. Bacon waited on the counter as well.
"This is a pleasant surprise," I greeted.
"Just another way to thank you for inviting me and putting me up for the night."
"Pleasure is all mine. Especially considering the news you came to share," I smiled warmly at her.
Brushing the sentiment away with her hand, she softly ordered, "Sit down and eat while it's hot."
Only too happy to oblige I did as she bid.
"Will you be staying much longer?" I asked hoping she'd remain at least for lunch.
"Actually I'm going to stop by to visit Aunt Arlene and then head back. Next time I visit I'll try to plan for a longer stay."
"I'd like that. And not just because you're a good cook, "I smirked at her.
She laughed lightly cleaning the plates. "You should get dressed and open the store," she suggested eying the clock.
"Nice thing about being your own boss, starting time is flexible." He rose seeing her about to argue, "I'm going. You will make a fine wife. Leroy better get used to taking orders and not only from his superiors."
She pushed me toward the stairs. "Oh you," she tittered. "Get going."
I couldn't keep the laughter from escaping my lips as I imagined my stubborn son being commanded by such a sweet looking woman. 'Oh yeah. She is going to be very, very good for him. She is the one to break through his hard shell and bring him back to life.'
When I went to grab a quick lunch to take back to the store I wasn't completely surprised to find a sandwich and some fruit in a container set next to it in the refrigerator. A short not from Shannon simply stated: Thank you. Enjoy.
She was spoiling me; I thought to myself, not that I minded.
Word spread around fast in a small town and soon my customers were sharing congratulatory words on Leroy and Shannon's engagement. Some asked for me to pass along their sentiments, as well. It was a wonderful feeling to have so many show their kindness for my son and me.
Ms. Hannigan made her weekly visit and invited me to have dinner with her. Feeling in a celebratory mood I agreed to come by her place after closing. She was making her special pot roast.
Our not so frequent meals together were spread far enough apart that it left little room for rumors that there was anything developing between us. Margaret may have contemplated starting one on her own, just to see how receptive the town would take the news, but she wasn't really that type of woman. One reason I didn't mind spending some time with her.
It was a nice dinner and I shared the engagement details with her knowing she wasn't going to take off blabbing it to the whole town. She was becoming an even closer friend. I was determined that she would never be more than a friend, regardless of all her best intentions.