Eric stepped into the kitchen early Saturday morning and was surprised to see Matt already up and eating breakfast. "You're up early."
Matt looked up and for a moment Eric caught a glimmer of guilt in his oldest son's eyes. Then Matt smiled. "Hi, Dad. I could say the same about you. This is your one day to sleep late, you know."
Eric was sure Matt was trying to hide something but he couldn't put his finger on what it could be. "I could say the same about you. Almost all week, you've been out until after one a.m. and gone before six in the morning. I expected you to sleep all day."
Matt drained the rest of his orange juice. "Can't. I have plans for today."
Placing the coffeepot back on the burner, Eric carried his mug to the kitchen table and sat beside his son. He tried to appear nonchalant as he asked. "Plans, what kind of plans?"
"Dad, I'm an adult. I don't really have to give you a detailed itinerary, do I?"
Eric shook his head. "No, no. I was just curious."
"Great, cause I have to run. I don't know when I'll be in but tell Mom not to expect me for dinner." As if he were afraid that if he stayed any longer, Eric would grill him farther, Matt put his glass and bowl in the
Just as the side door closed, Annie came into the kitchen leading Sam and David by the hand. Eric rose, gave his wife a good morning kiss and picked up Sam. Annie looked around him to the door as she settled David into his high chair. "Was that Matt leaving?"
Eric caught the disappointed tone in her voice as he deposited Sam into his high chair. "Yeah, he apparently has plans for today. Is it just me or did we see him more when he didn't live here?"
"You know," Annie began as she cut a banana in half and offered each twin a portion. "Heather was telling me in class yesterday about seeing Matt Tuesday night at the Pool Hall."
Eric was surprised. "Matt and Heather are dating again?"
With a grin, Annie fixed a cup of coffee for herself and joined Eric at the table. She seemed so excited that Eric couldn't help but smile himself – though he wasn't sure he'd be happy to hear that the former couple was no longer former. Annie continued. "Apparently, they are dating just not each other. Heather was at the Pool Hall with her new boyfriend and she says Matt was there with a very attractive young woman. Heather said it appeared that Matt and this girl seemed to be having a wonderful time. 'I haven't seen Matt so happy in a long time' were her exact words."
"So who is this mystery woman?" Eric mused.
Annie shrugged, returning to her coffee. "Heather didn't know. She's never seen her before. That's why I was hoping to have a chance to corner Matt today." Annie pursed her lips thoughtfully. "You know, spying on the kids is so much easier while they are still kids."
Eric laughed, managing with difficulty not to spew his coffee. "Spying on the kids? I thought we agreed to call it showing parental concern?"
Cutting her eyes toward him, Annie frowned. "To the kids, we call it parental concern but you and I both know it's really spying. He's an adult; we can't insist that he bring her to dinner so we can meet her."
"You know, this is probably exactly why he's avoiding us right now."
Annie nodded thoughtfully. "True but it's only a matter of time before he cracks. I'll get the family bloodhound after him. If anyone can find out who this new girlfriend is, it's Ruthie."
**********
"Ruthie is a sweetheart." Caldwell ran her hand lazily through Matt's hair as he lay on a blanket with his head using her lap as a pillow. She in turn was propped against a blanket-covered saddle.
Matt raised an eyebrow. "When did you meet Ruthie?"
"Last week at the academy. I was in charge of the riding class. She," she grinned mischievously, "wasn't afraid of the horse."
"I wasn't scared." Matt protested. "It's more like reasonably cautious."
Caldwell laughed. "You asked where the seat belt was." She took a deep breath and looked across the grassy plain. "Isn't the view beautiful?"
Matt didn't take his eyes off Caldwell. "It sure is."
Realizing he wasn't looking at the same view she was, Caldwell lightly punched his arm. "You're impossible, Matt Camden."
Matt pretended to look confused. "I thought I was a nut case."
Leaning down, Caldwell kissed Matt tenderly on the lips. "You are but I'll keep you anyway."
"As much as I griped about it, I'm glad you suggested this. You are a great cook."
Caldwell laughed, something Matt wished she would do all the time just so he could listen to her. Her laughter was a melody better than any song he'd ever heard. She glanced over at the remains of the picnic basket she'd packed that morning. "Matt, I would hardly call peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a gourmet meal. But I love your flattery."
"I've loved every minute of the time we've spent together." He paused, eyeing her with all seriousness. "I… I even think I'm falling in love with you."
"Matt, don't." Caldwell eased out from under Matt's head and walked over to where a majestic black stallion was grazing idly on the lush green grass. She ran her hand lightly across his silky side.
Matt stood and joined her. He lightly touched her shoulders. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"Matt, you can't be falling in love with me." She twisted around and looked at him, her eyes full of tears. "I'm dying, remember?"
Placing his finger over her lips, Matt silenced her. "We agreed not to let your illness come between us. Caldwell, when we are together I don't want our date to end and when we are apart, I'm counting the minutes until we are back together. But you know what? You're right; I can't be falling in love with you."
Caldwell lowered her head, disappointed more than she wanted to admit that she'd convinced him. After a second, Matt gently lifted her chin and kissed her. "It's too late; I already love you."
