“Oh, no worries.” I step aside so they can enter, berating myself for letting my feelings show in my expression. I don’t want to offend her before I even say a single word to her.
Coach glares as she moves in front of him and I look down, embarrassed. He went through a lot of trouble for me. I need to get it together.
Mom comes down the stairs, dressed in one of her nicer dresses with her hair brushed out and light makeup on. Mom’s in her forties, but she’s still a looker. Like Daisy, I don’t think she’s aware of how beautiful she is, which makes her inner beauty shine out. This new boyfriend better understand what a catch Mom is. Collin and I will make him understand if he doesn’t.
“Hello.” Mom smiles warmly at our guests and shakes their hands. “Nice to see you again, David.”
“You too, Kathleen. Allow me to introduce you to Gretchen Morris. She flew out from LA to meet our boys. Gretchen, this is Kathleen Hutchinson, Jonathan Hutchinson, and Collin Mendoza.”
This time I remember my manners and shake her hand, earning a nod of approval from Coach.
“Nice to meet you,” I say. “Thanks for coming all the way out here.”
Coach sniffs. “Is that your pot roast, Kat?”
Mom laughs. “I know it’s your favorite.”
Coach and his wife have joined us for dinner several times over the last few years. His wife and Mom are good friends.
“Gretchen, you are going to love Kathleen’s pot roast. It’s better than my mother’s.”
“High praise,” she says softly, looking around as we walk into the living room. “I ate your mom’s pot roast on more than a few Sundays.”
Collin and I exchange a look. Coach must be really good friends with her.
Gretchen caught the look. “I grew up next door to David and his wife. My dad was away a lot and I stayed with them more often than not. They became Uncle David and Aunt Molly to me.”
Wow. No wonder he recommended her. Nepotism isn’t a bad thing as long as she’s good at what she does.
“I’m sure you three want a chance to talk. Dinner won’t be ready for a good hour, so feel free to use the living room to talk. I’ll make myself busy finishing dinner.”
Of course Mom would move it along. She knows how nervous me and Collin are. I guarantee we could eat dinner as soon as the rolls come out of the oven, but she’s making sure we get the hard part done so we can actually enjoy dinner.
“The rolls…” Collin looks toward the stove.
“They’ll be in the warmer.”
“Can I steal one while we talk? My stomach is hangry.”
Mom laughs. “As soon as they come out, I’ll bring you one.”
“With the honey butter?” he asks hopefully.
Shaking her head, she turns back toward the kitchen. “I’ll bring out rolls and butter for all of you and make more for dinner.”
Collin and Coach grin like Cheshire Cats.
“Don’t mind them. They’re both simps for my mom’s cooking.”
“I might be too by the looks on their faces.” Gretchen smiles. “Uncle David’s mother makes a mean pot roast, though.”
“Kat’s is better,” Coach reaffirms.
“Uncle David, can you get my bag out of the car, please? I left it and it has all the necessary paperwork in it.”
He nods and hurries out of the house while Gretchen takes a seat. Collin and I sit down as well, nerves settling into my stomach.
“I’m sure you guys must be more than a little nervous. It’s got to be exciting, but a little terrifying getting a call from a major NHL team.”
