"Hey Linda. Thanks for coming over. I'm going a little stir crazy here."
"No problem Kate. I've been looking forward to it."
"Did you have any problems picking up our order?"
"Nope. They had it all ready for me when I arrived. It smells delicious."
The phone rang. Dustin was at the gate. I buzzed him in and he drove up, and came to the door.
"Hey Kate. How are you feeling?"
"I'm good Dustin. Come in. I'd like to introduce you to Linda Woods."
"Hi Linda, it's nice to meet you."
"Thank you. You too Dustin."
"I won't keep you ladies from your lunch. I have a list of small projects that I'm working on. Do you mind if I come in and out as needed?"
"No, that won't be a problem. In fact after lunch we are headed out to run an errand. I'll let you know when we are leaving. Do you need anything?"
"No Elliot and I went over everything. I have what I need or I know where to find it in the garage."
Linda and I sat at the table. She seemed a little distracted as Dustin came in and out several times. I think I caught them looking at each other. A planned was hatched. They were the right age for each other and they were both single. Elliot had nothing but nice thing to say about Dustin, and he trusted him so he had to be a good guy.
"Linda, have you ever been married?" She had a sad look in her face when she answered.
"Yes, I was married but my husband died."
"I'm so sorry Linda."
"It's ok Kate, you had no way of knowing and it was a long time ago."
"Do you mind if I ask what happened?"
"No, I don't mind. He was my childhood sweetheart. We got married right out of high school, and he joined the Army. He was killed in Baghdad in December of 2004."
"Oh my god Linda. I'm so sorry."
"It's ok he died doing what he loved. He was proud to serve in the Army, and to serve our country. He was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Three men in his unit died that day. I still think about him all the time, but I've come to accept it. Luckily I had Beth and Liam in my life. She needed me as much as I needed her. When Liam was born it gave us both so much hope for the future."
I put my hand on my bump. "Yes, babies can do that. I hope I haven't dug up any bad memories. The dam reporter inside of me gets me into trouble sometimes."
"No worries Kate, but you can make it up to me."
"How?" She leaned in towards me and whispered.
"Tell me more about Dustin. Is he single?" We both giggled. I knew I saw something. Just then Dustin walked in as if on cue.
"Dustin do you have any plans for Halloween tonight?
"No, I'll probably just go home and eat left over candy from last night."
"Would you like to go to an adult party with Linda, Elliot, and I at my brother and sister-in-laws house?" His eyes lit up when I mentioned Linda.
"I don't have a costume."
"Linda and I are headed to pick up our costumes now. We can take care of it for you. It will be a lot of fun. I promise."
"Sure, I'll go with you. It sounds like fun."
"Great! It's a date." Shit I didn't mean to say that out loud. Linda and I finished lunch and headed over to the costume shop. Elliot and I were dressing up as a priest and a pregnant nun. Linda was going as a cowgirl, so we could easily get Dustin a cowboy costume.
"Linda, I think Dustin likes you. I saw him looking at you."
"Kate, I've never really dated anyone. Jamie was my one and only."
"Well cowgirl, you know what they say to do when you fall off the horse." We both began to laugh.
We were able to get everything we needed for Dustin's costume including chaps. I called Elliot to tell him what was going on and he was amused. We got back to the house and Dustin was still working. After a little urging, Linda took him a cold drink. They stood and talked for a little while. It was like watching two teenagers. I went in our room and called Elliot again.
"Hey baby"
"Hey"
"So what's the deal with Dustin? Why is he single?'
"Kate, believe it or not we don't talk about crap like that. We aren't girls. He did have a girlfriend a year ago or so but that's all I know."
"OK, but he's a stand-up guy right?"
"Yes baby. I'll be home soon. I love you."
I quickly jumped in the shower, and put on a sports bra and some yoga pants, and asked Linda to come in to my bathroom. She had agreed to help me with a surprise for Elliot, but I had to be dressed before he got home to pull it off.
After she left to go get ready herself, I decided to add one more element to my surprise for my husband by inserting those magical silver balls.
