Angels at the Table (Angels Everywhere #7)(37)

“Apparently Lucie and her family volunteer at the shelter every year.”

“Really?” Even Josie sounded impressed. “How’d it go?”

Aren propped his feet on the ottoman. Leaning back, he closed his eyes as a rush of good feelings washed over him. “The truth is, if Lucie had told me why she needed my help I would probably have found an excuse to beg off. I feel bad and all about people living on the streets, but that’s about as far as my thought process goes.”

“Yeah, me too. It’s sort of overwhelming, isn’t it?”

“Yes, with such a huge problem what can one person do?”

“Right,” she agreed.

“Well, I found out. I can do a lot. I can dish up two hundred fifty servings of beef gravy and green beans. I can smile and wish everyone in line a Merry Christmas. And when I finish serving I can go around and ask if they need anything more to drink.”

“You did all that?”

“I did, plus I helped load up the dishwasher and get everything set up for the next meal, and while I’m tired, I’m feeling good, too.”

“Wow, and you say Lucie does this every year?”

“It’s tradition for her family. Apparently they volunteer several days in December. Lucie and her mother did the cooking, and if that wasn’t enough, Lucie had to hurry in order to get to the restaurant.”

“She’s working an entire shift after spending all afternoon at the shelter?”

“So it seems.”

His sister hesitated. “She’s special, isn’t she?”

Aren didn’t need to think twice. After his failed marriage, he’d been gun-shy when it came to relationships. It was bad enough that Katie had taken up with an old lover, but what really hurt beyond the deception was how he’d found out. Aren had walked in on Katie in bed with her lover … in the house and bed Aren shared with his wife. The scene that followed was one that would stick in his mind for the rest of his life. He’d filed for divorce and Katie actually seemed grateful to end the marriage.

The worst of it was the psychological ramifications. He felt like someone who’d taken a bad spill down a flight of stairs and forever after clung to the railing, no matter how few steps there were.

“I know you like Lucie,” Josie continued.

He couldn’t deny it. “I’ve finally met the woman I’ve been hoping to find. Lucie gives me hope that I can fall in love again. She makes me believe I can trust another woman.”

Josie expelled her breath in a deep sigh. “Katie really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

“You could say that.”

“But, Aren, Lucie doesn’t know the full truth about you.”

That was the one stumbling block in his way. He hoped he’d be able to clear the air on Sunday either right before dinner or after. “She will soon enough, and if she’s half the woman I think she is, then she’ll be willing to look beyond that review.”

“I don’t know what went wrong that first night at the restaurant,” Josie added.

“I don’t either.” Still, Aren would stick by his review of the dish he was served. As far as he was concerned it was completely inedible.

“I’ve been to the restaurant several times now,” Josie continued, “and the food is always incredible. I just don’t know what happened that night.”

“I don’t know either, and I agree with you. Lucie is exceptionally gifted in the kitchen.”

“She didn’t read Eaton Well’s column in today’s paper, did she?”

“No, thank heaven.”

“What happened? I thought your review was scheduled for next Saturday.”

“I did, too. Apparently Sandy Markus decided to put it in this week following the article I wrote about what happened at Angels at Christmas. It makes sense seeing that I casually mention that we went to that restaurant following the play.”

“She might have warned you.”

“She might have told me?” Aren snickered. “Sandy has a paper to publish and what happens to me when one of my pieces is printed means nothing to her. In her mind I should be grateful for my job. And I am grateful. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me.”

Josie hesitated for a moment and then asked, “You sure I can’t talk you into a movie?”

“Not tonight, sis.”

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll head to the theater on my own, then.”

Josie did sound a bit down. These days she rarely mentioned Jack, but Aren knew the breakup remained fresh in his sister’s mind although it’d happened over a year ago. “What about asking one of your friends?”

“It’s December; they’re all busy with shopping and family. Such is the life of a single woman.”

“You ever hear from Jack?” Aren ventured. His question was followed by a short, uncomfortable silence.

“Never,” she said without elaborating.

His sister quickly changed the subject. She wasn’t interested in dating again, it seemed. Seeing how sensitive Josie was about Jack, Aren regretted bringing up the other man.

They ended the conversation and, sometime later, Aren heated up a bowl of canned soup and made himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He couldn’t help thinking about Lucie and how tired she must be. He decided to call her in the morning and offer to take her out to dinner instead of having her cook. She needed a break. He hoped they would have some privacy to discuss the article and his role at the newspaper.