by Debby Mayne
She turned her head to look out the window, giving him a nice view of her profile. Mandy was very pretty, but what he liked most about her profile was the way her chin jutted when she was deep in thought.
Before the light turned green, she turned and looked him directly in the eye. Everything around him seemed to swirl out of focus—everything but Mandy. At that moment, he knew he was falling in love.
She pointed to the light. “You can go now.”
“Oh, yeah.” His voice came out scratchy. “I was distracted.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed her every movement. He wanted to reach over and take one of her hands in his, but he didn’t dare do it—not until he had some idea how she felt about him. The last thing he needed was to make their situation awkward as long as they had to work together.
As they walked up the sidewalk to the Pruitts’ house, Christina flung open the door. Brent was right behind her, grinning.
“Hey, you two,” Brent said. “Don’t tell me you’re an item now.”
Tony felt like someone had stolen the air out of his lungs. He stopped in his tracks and waited to see Mandy’s reaction. To his dismay, she let out a nervous giggle but didn’t say a word. Instead, she walked right past Christina and Brent.
Not knowing what else to do, Tony followed her through the house, to the kitchen, where her parents stood on either side of an island. Her dad was peeling fruit, and her mother was garnishing a vegetable platter.
“We’re just about ready to eat,” her mother said as she pointed to the counter behind her. “Why don’t you each grab one of those bowls over there and carry them into the dining room?”
Mr. Pruitt chuckled. “This is the first time Mandy’s young man has been to the house, and you’re putting him to work already?”
❧
Mandy wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. Her young man? How could her dad do that to her?
Tony reached for a bowl. “I don’t mind.”
Avoiding his gaze, Mandy grabbed a bowl and led the way to the dining room. Once they were alone, she turned to him. “Sorry about that, Tony. I don’t think my dad meant anything by that.”
“Too bad.” He set the bowl down on the table and closed the distance between them. The only thing in their way was the bowl in her hands. “I was kind of hoping he knew something I didn’t know.”
“Huh?” She tilted her head as she waited for him to explain.
For the first time since she’d met Tony, he looked ill at ease. After shuffling his feet and looking around the room for a couple of seconds, he blurted, “Mandy, my feelings for you are growing. I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable, but no matter how hard I try to keep our relationship strictly professional, I feel myself falling in love with you.”
sixteen
Mandy stood there and stared at Tony, not believing what she just heard. Here he was, one of the best-looking guys she’d ever seen in her life, his future mapped out by the good fortune of being born into a family with a growing business, exuding kindness like she’d never seen before. Why would he be interested in her?
“Um. . .” She nervously glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone else was behind her. When she turned back around to face Tony, she didn’t know what to say.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down at his feet. “Well, I guess I just got my answer.”
“Your answer?”
Emotion sparked in his eyes as he met her gaze. “You don’t feel it, do you?”
“I—I just don’t know what to say.”
He let out a small snicker of resignation. “You don’t have to say anything, Mandy. I just took a big risk that didn’t pay off.”
Mandy set the bowl on the table and turned back to face Tony. She was about to let him know that she felt the same way when her sister and Brent burst into the room.
“Hey there!” Brent made a snorting sound. “So they put you to work, huh?”
Mandy’s heart sank. She couldn’t very well discuss her feelings with Tony with other people around.
Tony nodded and motioned for everyone to follow him. “Let’s see what else we can do to help.”
After all the food was on the table, everyone bowed their heads. Mandy’s dad said the blessing. When she lifted her head afterward, she thought about how cozy they were—her whole family here, and everyone part of a couple.
“Mom, this looks and tastes wonderful,” Christina said after she ate a couple of bites. “I didn’t know healthy food could be this good.”
“I know,” their mother replied. “When the doctor first told me I needed to change my lifestyle, I wondered if it was worth living for.” When everyone groaned, she gestured for them to quiet down. “But once I found some fun activities and your father brought me some new cookbooks, I see how much better life can be.”
“I need to start eating like this,” Tony said. “Maybe you can share some recipes.”
Mom smiled and tilted her head as she looked at Tony. “You cook?”
“Not much, but I think I should probably start.”
“I didn’t cook before,” Dad said. “But now I like to putter around in the kitchen, and it’s kind of fun.”
If someone had told Mandy about this conversation a year earlier, she never would have believed it. In fact, this whole scenario seemed unreal—with her sister coming back from Hollywood and fawning over geeky Brent, her boss Tony having dinner with her family after admitting he had romantic feelings for her, and her parents eating fresh, natural food that they cooked together.
Christina clearly hung on every word Brent said, which obviously pleased him to no end. Mandy studied them with interest. When she turned to Tony, she saw that he’d been observing her.
“Want some applesauce cake?” her mother asked after everyone put down their forks. “It’s low cal, low fat, and delicious.”
“I’m stuffed,” Mandy said. “But I’ll be glad to take some home for later.”
Everyone pitched in to clear the table. Tony volunteered to do the dishes, so Mandy could spend some time with her family. Brent took a hint and joined him in the kitchen.
“Your young men are certainly thoughtful,” their dad said as they settled in the family room.
Christina beamed. “Brent is the sweetest, most wonderful man I’ve ever met.”
“He certainly seems to be into you, too,” Mandy said.
“Just like Tony is into you.” Christina grinned. “Looks like we both found love at the same time.”
Before Tony’s admission before dinner, Mandy would have argued that point, but now she wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to discuss it with Christina yet.
Mandy decided to change the subject. “Mom, dinner was wonderful.”
“Who knew healthy food could be so delicious?” Her mother beamed. “And you’ll be happy to know that your father and I have joined the Hundred-Mile Club.”
“Hundred-Mile Club?” Christina grimaced. “That’s a lot of miles. Are you sure you can do that?”
“Of course we can. We just had to sign a statement that we walked, ran, biked, or swam a hundred miles per quarter. It’s through our senior group. As long as we do that every three months, we can stay in.”
“Cool. Maybe I should do that,” Christina said.
“Sorry, sweetie.” Their mother gave her an apologetic look. “You have to be over fifty-five.”
Christina frowned. “That’s discrimination.”
The rest of the family laughed. Tony and Brent appeared at the door.
“We’ve been thinking about a way to start a fitness program for Small World,” Tony said. “It’s been a challenge since we’re spread out all over the country. Maybe we can start something similar.”
Christina’s eyes lit up. “I’ll be the first to join.” She turned to Mandy. “You’ll do it, too, right?”
Mandy shrugged. “If you can do it, I’m sure I can.”
“What’s that supposed to
mean?”
“Girls!” Their dad lifted a finger. “I’m sure your sister didn’t mean anything by her comment, Christina. And, Mandy, be more careful about how you word things, okay?”
Mandy looked over at Tony, who was obviously trying to hide a grin. “Okay, Dad.”
“All the dishes are done,” Tony said. “Anything else you need while we’re here?”
Mandy’s mom got up. “You boys are very sweet. Our daughters sure know how to pick ’em.”
Christina beamed at Brent, while Mandy felt her cheeks flame. She stood and walked over to the door. “We really need to go. Thanks for everything, Mom and Dad. Dinner was delicious.”
“Don’t forget your applesauce cake. I’ll get some plastic containers so y’all can take some home.”
Mandy and Tony waited for their cake then left. As soon as they pulled up to the stop sign at the end of the street, Tony glanced at Mandy. “Your family reminds me of my own. Very loving and fun.”
“And centered on food?”
He laughed. “Yeah, that, too.”
“Sometimes God lets things happen to get our attention.”
Tony slowed down for the stop sign, looked to see that there were no cars coming, and turned to Mandy. “Yes, I know—things we never expected.” He reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips for a light kiss.
Mandy gasped. She wanted to say something, but her brain wouldn’t cooperate. Her breath caught in her throat.
After Tony accelerated past the stop sign, Mandy studied his profile as she thought about what he’d said earlier.“Mandy?” He let go of her hand, sending disappointment surging through her. “I hope my admission of my feelings didn’t make you too uncomfortable.”
She cleared her throat. “You surprised me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be sorry. Please. I sort of, well. . .” Mandy had never told a guy she loved him. The very thought of doing so made her palms sweat.
“You don’t have to say anything. I understand.”
“No, I want to say something. It’s just that I’ve never been like this before.”
“Been like what?” he said, cutting his gaze over to her for a split second before turning his attention back to the road.
She sucked in a breath before blurting, “I’ve never been in love before.”
Tony immediately pulled into a business center parking lot and parked before completely turning around to face her.
“Are you now?”
Her ears rang, and her heart pounded as she nodded. “Yes, I’m pretty sure I am.”
He leaned back. “With me?”
She nodded.
“This is great news!” He reached for her hand again and dropped a kiss on the back of it.
“I hope it’s okay, though,” she said. “I mean, I love my job at Small World, and I don’t want to do anything that isn’t—”
“It’s fine, Mandy. We obviously don’t have a problem with family members working together. This is different. I’ll talk to Ricco and Uncle Ed about it, but I’m sure they’ll be happy.”
“What if they’re not?”
“I’ll be surprised, but we’ll deal with it then. Right now, I just want to enjoy knowing you feel the same way I do.”
She opened her mouth to thank him, but that seemed awkward, so she clamped it shut. Even during her last relationship, she knew the guy wasn’t the one. She liked him quite a bit, but she never felt that she was in love like she was now.
He pulled up in front of her apartment and got out to walk her to her door. “You weren’t kidding about there being plenty of food. I haven’t eaten this much since the last time I went to a family reunion. My mother and her sisters like to outdo each other.” He patted his belly. “At least after today, I don’t have to worry about all the cholesterol.”
“Would you like to come in?” she asked.
Tony hesitated then shook his head. “Maybe some other time. I need to get back to my place and clean up a bit then call my mother.” He took a couple of steps back. “See you tomorrow, Mandy.”
❧
Tony had been tempted to abandon everything just so he could spend more time with Mandy, but it was time to call his mother. He hadn’t missed a Sunday afternoon yet. One thing he knew was that he needed to clean his apartment before the call because the first question out of his mother’s mouth was if he was living in a pigsty. It was funny, but he also knew she was serious. His mother had always been a neatnik. Her motto was: “A cluttered house means a cluttered mind, and you can’t get anything done in either.”
Since he hadn’t been home much, it didn’t take long to straighten up, dust, and vacuum. Before he punched in his mother’s phone number, he prayed that he’d be able to say the right things that would ease her mind. After his last move back to Atlanta, she’d begged him to stay. When his uncle asked him to work in West Virginia, she’d been upset, until he assured her Tony’d likely be back in a year or two.
He expected that she’d be waiting by the phone, so he was surprised when she didn’t pick it up until after the third ring. “What took you so long?” he asked.
“You think I wait by the phone every Sunday?”
“Um—yes.” He laughed.
She clicked her tongue. “Maybe I do sometimes, but today, I’m busy. I had a bunch of people over for Sunday dinner. I heard some good news from Ed and Ricco.”
“You did? Wanna share?” He expected to hear something about their opinion of Mandy, since she’d made such a good impression during her trip to the home office.
“I don’t know if I’m supposed to tell you this, but they didn’t say not to, so I might as well.” She paused for a few seconds to catch her breath before blurting, “You’re coming home soon!”
“I’m what?”
“You heard me. Ricco said he thinks you’ll have someone to take over the studio in West Virginia, and he needs you in the home office.”
“But. . .” Several months ago, before he had a chance to develop feelings for Mandy, Tony would have been elated. But now, West Virginia was beginning to feel like home to him.
“I’ll be so happy to have you back home where you belong.”
Tony didn’t want to upset his mother, but he also needed to let her know how he felt. “Mom, I really like it here.”
He expected an argument or at least one of her signature gasps. Instead, he got a giggle. “It’s that girl, isn’t it?”
“What girl?” So Ricco or Ed had mentioned Mandy.
“You know exactly what girl I’m talking about. I hear she’s very pretty.”
“She is, Mom. Very pretty. But more important than that, she loves the Lord.”
“I wouldn’t expect otherwise, Tony. You have a good head on your shoulders.”
“I had dinner with her family today. They remind me a lot of our family.”
He could practically hear his mother smiling through the phone. “So tell me all about them.”
Over the next five minutes, Tony talked nonstop about Mandy’s family, the food, and how her parents drew closer in the kitchen after her mother’s heart attack.
“They sound very sweet.” She sniffled. “I wish your father was still alive. I think he would have enjoyed something like that.”
Tony knew that once his mother got on the subject of his dad, she was likely to wind up in a full sob. Sometimes that was fine because she needed the release, but he wanted her to be happy now.
“Mom, is there any way you can come up here for a visit soon?”
“Now that you’re inviting me, yes. Ed said I could come with him and Cissy next week—that is, if it’s not too soon.”
Tony laughed. “I’m fine with that. I’d love to have you.”
“So is your apartment a pigsty?”
“I’m keeping it clean. Not as clean as you would, but I think you’ll be pleased.”
“As long as you don’t leave your underwear on the floor and dishes in the sin
k overnight.” She paused before adding, “You don’t, do you?”
“No, Mom, I’m good about picking up after myself.”
“So tell me more about your girlfriend.”
“Haven’t I told you enough?”
“You told me about having lunch with her family, but I want to know more about her. You said she loves the Lord. You’ve been to church with her, right? What is her church like?”
“It reminds me a lot of the church I went to when I was in Atlanta.”
“The one you took me to?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“Good. How about her cooking skills? Is she a decent cook?”
“I really don’t know, but that doesn’t really matter to me.”
“Ya know, I couldn’t cook when I first married your father.”
He’d heard this story many times. “Yes, Mom, I know.”
“But he married me with the understanding that I’d learn from his mother because my mother was German, and she couldn’t cook the kind of food he liked.”
“So what are you saying?” he teased.
“I’m not saying anything you can’t figure out for yourself. Just make sure she’s willing to bend a little before you get too serious.”
“Don’t rush this thing. I just told her how I felt this afternoon.”
“Your father and I got engaged three months after we met. How long have you known this girl?”
“Four months.”
“How much do you see her?”
“Almost every day.” He smiled as he pictured his mother calculating the amount of time they spent together.
“And you’re with her all day at work. That’s long enough.”
“Long enough for what?”
“This mother didn’t raise a fool, Tony. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
seventeen
Tony had to hand it to his mother—she didn’t hold back. After he got off the phone, he sat and stared at the wall, thinking of what to do next. Even though Small World didn’t have a policy against their employees marrying, there was the matter of logistics. He couldn’t very well ask Mandy to give up the career she clearly wanted just to make him happy, and their positions were likely to take them to very different places.
