“Yes, Mother. I like him.”
“Good.”
“I have to go now, Mother. My other phone is ringing.” There was no phone ringing.
“Teddy, you are coming to your dad’s lecture today, right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“You can bring Adam.”
“I’m not sure. Adam has overseas contacts and he may not be available.”
“Give him a call and see. We’d love to see him again before we go back home.”
“I’ll see. Gotta go now.” Teddy hung up, not giving her mother time to stop her.
Pushing the cover aside and untangling her legs from the bedding, she swung her legs to the floor and stood up.
She was naked.
Adam had covered her with his body and kept her warm during the night. But without the cocoon of heat the two generated, she felt the chilliness of the room.
It didn’t take her long to shower and dress. Pulling on gray wool slacks and a bulky sweater, Teddy headed for the kitchen and her first cup of coffee for the day. On the counter sat a note propped against a mug with a single red rose in it. Teddy smiled. She lifted the note and read.
Sorry to leave without waking you, but you looked so adorable with your hair spread across the pillow.
It was signed, “Adam.” There was a P.S. that read, “You smile in your sleep.” Teddy’s hand went to her hair and she pushed it through with a smile. She picked up the cup and smelled the rose. Where could Adam find a rose at this early hour or at whatever hour of the night he left?
Minutes later Teddy poured herself a cup of coffee and carried it to the table. Her phone buzzed as she sat down.
“I guess this means you’re awake,” Adam said.
“My mother woke me, but I got your note and your rose. Thank you.”
She heard the smile in his voice. “I’d have left you a bouquet if I could have found one.”
That would be romantic, Teddy thought.
“But I’m calling for a different reason.”
Teddy listened, waiting for him to continue.
“My mother called this morning, too,” Adam said.
“What did she want?”
“She invited us to Thanksgiving dinner.”
“We knew we were going to have to be somewhere for the holiday. Although I thought that would be when our parents met. Ah, too late. We’ve already done that.” Teddy lightened the moment she felt was getting heavy. “I guess we can split the day—do the meal with one family and dessert with the other.”
“It’s at least a two-hour drive to Bentonburgh and my mother had another suggestion.”
Teddy set the coffee cup down and bit her bottom lip. “What is it?”
“Joint families. She’d like to invite you and your family, sisters, brothers, spouses, significant others—everyone—to Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Does she know how many people she’s talking about?”
“I told her you had a brother and two sisters and they may have dates. She’s okay with that.”
Teddy sighed.
“Are you all right?” Adam asked.
Teddy ignored his question. “I suppose she’s already contacted my mother?”
“She didn’t say that, but I had the feeling the deal was already done. We’re the only two wild cards in the mix.”
Teddy laughed. “I guess we’ll be having dinner with your parents.” Even though they were on the phone, Teddy thought she heard relief in his voice.
“I’ll let her know.”
“One more thing,” she said.
“What’s that?”
“My father’s lecture today. My mother asked me if you would come with me. I told her you had duties at work.”
“What time’s the lecture?”
“Three o’clock.”
“I’ll pick you up at two.”
“Are you sure? I mean, you—”
“Will you be ready?” he cut her off.
“Sure.” This deception hadn’t set well with her in the beginning. Now they were acting as if it was real. Combined families for Thanksgiving, joint invitations. Complications were setting in. These were minor. She couldn’t imagine what was in store for them as the holidays approached.
“Teddy?” Adam said.