Jessica pulled the pan of miniature chicken pot pies out of the oven and set it on the stove. Tonight was the annual gathering of the townsfolk to celebrate each other and get together at the start of the lobster season. It was tradition and Cabot Cove had been sponsoring a potluck and celebration for over a hundred years. There were many lobster fishermen in town and they could hardly wait to head out on their boats in the morning.
She put another batch of pot pies in the oven. She was making miniature chicken pot pies for the potluck as it was something she had done for years. She never mentioned it to others but she cheated by making them throughout the year and freezing them. Her dear friend, Seth Hazlitt, loved them so she always made a couple of dozen and gave him a few while freezing the rest. He was known to polish one off in three bites. Today she only had to warm them up and deliver them over to the church hall.
This year she had over a hundred and fifty of the pies to share. The last dozen would stay in the cooling oven until she returned. They would need to cool and she would give a few of them to Seth. She couldn't help singing as she worked. It was a lovely day, flowers blooming, birds tweeting, and a breeze chasing the last of winter away.
Seth let out a breath of air and picked up another chart. He wanted to finish his notes and set everything aside for his nurse, Beverly, so he could call it a day. Not really finished for the day since he had to walk over to the church for the potluck tonight. His mouth watered at the thought of the various food offerings he knew would be presented. If there was one thing the men and women in Cabot Cove did, it was to try to impress everyone that they were the best cook in town.
He sighed again and closed the chart. Before they could eat they would have to go inside the church to sing. Another tradition. It took another half hour before he was finished and went upstairs to change his clothes. Lately he had been feeling a little melancholy and hoped this evening would chase away the cobwebs in his mind.
Jessica and her cab driver, Dimitri, loaded up the boxes of the pot pies from her kitchen. Seth offered to take her but she knew he was working and she wanted to deliver the food to the church kitchen and the ladies setting up. It was always best to be early.
She wandered inside the church to settle in a pew after dropping off the food. It was important to select a seat not too close to the front but not near the back either. She moved over to the left side. Mrs. Barnsdale sat on the right side and aside from being tone deaf, she was also loud. Generally they only sang five or six songs, listened to a few announcements, then the annual prayer to keep the fishermen safe before they headed for the food. It had to be an early night since the boats were allowed to leave at 4 AM.
The church began to fill and Jessica smiled and/or nodded at friends arriving. The organist was playing softly and the people walking around inside began sitting in the pews. Jessica was about to look around for Seth when he slipped inside and sat beside her.
"Evening Jess," he said softly. She smiled in return then stood as the congregation rose to their feet.
Half an hour later the songs and announcements ended, the prayer recited, and there was an orderly rush for the door toward the fellowship hall.
"Why don't we let the crowd go first," suggested Jessica. She settled back in the pew and watched the people leaving. She looked over at Seth. His head was down and his arms were folded in front of him. Was he praying?
She waited a minute or two and relaxed when he lifted his head. She had felt something was wrong for the past day or two.
"Something wrong, Seth?" she asked. "Not working too hard, are you?"
"I was thinking about regrets," mentioned Seth. "Regrets seem to fall into two categories. Ones that are out of your control, and ones that were in your control so to speak."
She waited. He obviously had something specific on his mind.
He picked up her hand and held it between both of his. "I know you wanted to give Frank a child. You regret not being able to do it. It was out of your control."
Jessica remained silent but she thought about his words. She still regretted not being able to give her late husband a son or daughter. She was grateful they were able to raise his nephew, Grady, and give them a piece of parenthood they probably wouldn't have accomplished.
"When Margie was three or four, Ruth wanted another child." Seth sighed. "Jess, I don't have to tell you how much I love my daughter but I hadn't realized how much work was involved. When I worked late and didn't get home until after Margie was in bed, Ruth would be exhausted. She would feed me and clean up but usually she was in bed before me. Oh, Margie grew older and it wasn't an issue anymore but I was selfish. I wanted more of Ruth's time and the thought of going through the infant and toddler years again wasn't appealing. When she fell ill, I regretted that we never had that second child. A regret completely in my control."
"Seth, you were a very busy surgeon. You told me you didn't get home until eleven some nights. Of course, you needed some time with your wife." She patted his hand. "What puts you in such a pensive mood?"
"I don't want to have any more regrets." Seth raised his eyes to the ceiling. "What's life without regrets, huh?" He gave a small snort.
"A life hardly worth living," declared Jessica. "We learn from our experiences, you know that." She had a wistful look on her face. "I couldn't have a child but I tried to pour everything I had into Grady."
"Let's get something to eat," said Seth, hoping to change the subject. He didn't want her to feel bad.
It didn't take long to fill plates with food and eat heartily. As usual all of Jessica's pot pies were eaten so she didn't have anything to carry home. She learned years ago to pack everything in cardboard boxes.
"I walked over, but if you'd like I can go home and get my car to drive you home," offered Seth.
"It's a lovely evening. Let's just walk home and enjoy the view." They strolled out of the parking lot, waving goodbye to friends and declining rides. "For the last day or two I've felt something was on your mind."
Seth took her arm in his and turned in the direction of her house. They strolled slowly, enjoying each other's company without saying much. As they approached her back door, Jessica suggested he come inside so she could pack up a few pot pies for him to take home. He was not going to turn her offer down.
Entering her screened in back porch, Seth stopped her from turning on the light. She looked at him curiously.
"I don't want your neighbor spying on us," offered Seth.
Jessica lifted her head to try to see his eyes in the dark when she realized his head was moving closer. He was going to kiss her! Her eyes widened in surprise just before his lips descended on hers. The kiss started off gently and a little hesitant before shifting into something passionate. It was as though a spark had ignited inside her belly and Jessica couldn't extinguish the flame. Seth had her back pressed against the kitchen door and his hands pressed her shoulders making it impossible to move.
Coherent thought deserted her and she gave in to the feelings consuming her. The heat inside her traveled until it enveloped her completely. It had been several years since she kissed anyone and it was nothing like the kiss she was currently sharing. The moan escaping her caused Seth to pull back, breathing heavily.
"I didn't want to keep regretting not kissing you," admitted Seth. "I know you value your independence and I can't hold a candle to Frank, but I've wanted to kiss you for a long time." He leaned his forehead against hers. "Any regrets?"
"A couple," admitted Jessica. "I didn't know how much I wanted you to kiss me until you did it and now I regret we've stopped."
Seth chortled lightly. "I stopped because I feared I wouldn't be able to stop, if necessary."
"It wasn't necessary," admitted Jessica, before bringing her lips to his.
The second kiss was just as intense as the first kiss. They stood there in the dark, not caring about anything other than their actions. It was only when Seth was losing all self control that he decided they should slow things down.
"Shall we go inside?"
Jessica answered by opening the kitchen door and entering. Seth watched her as she wrapped up the pot pies for him and loaded them in a small box.
"Would you like to go fishing Saturday?" asked Seth. "I think Caleb is taking his boat out to Pelican Island or thereabout."
"Will I see you before then?" she asked. She didn't want to appear wanton but she enjoyed kissing him. Who knew?
"Definitely," assured Seth. He picked up the small box of pot pies and slowly walked to the door. He hesitated in the doorway and Jessica walked over to lock up after him.
"Should I turn off the light?" teased Jessica.
"Only if you want a good night kiss," retorted Seth. He smiled as she flipped the lightswitch.