Fools Rush in(35)

“Well! It’s great when kids like to read!” I blurted idiotically.

“Sam, remember when we saw you at the market last week?” Katie asked, finally initiating some conversation. “Well, Mikey wanted to know if they could take a ride with you in the cruiser. I told them it was probably against the rules and stuff, but that I’d ask.”

Sam grinned, his eyes crinkling in the corners most attractively. “Well, for your boys, I think we could sneak a ride in around the block.”

I smiled, relieved that the ball was rolling. Soon I would be picking out my maid (or perhaps matron?) of honor dress for their wedding, planning Katie’s shower…

We ordered dinner and while we waited, I entertained Katie and Sam with stories from the clinic. “I saw eleven poison-ivy cases in two days,” I said. “Eleven! I had to put five of them on steroids, the hives were so bad. I think we should hang giant signs from the bridges. A big picture of poison ivy and the words Don’t Touch in ten-foot letters. Jeez. Is it really that hard to recognize? And why do people feel the need to bathe in it?”

My audience laughed. Sue brought us our dinners and we dug in. Sam had ordered what Katie referred to as “man food,” stuff that most females wouldn’t touch: a huge bowl of mussels and clams and scallops, complete with shells, atop a mountain of linguine and drenched in garlic and olive oil. Katie and I ordered the Barnacle’s famous gourmet pizzas. Mine had shrimp, mustard and pinoli nuts on it; Katie’s had clams, bacon and basil.

“What’s new on the Eastham P.D., Sam?” I asked as we ate.

“Oh, not much,” Sam answered. “Neighbors complaining, dogs barking, kids speeding, the usual stuff.”

At that moment, Joe Carpenter entered the building, wearing faded black jeans and a soft-looking T-shirt. He glanced around and saw us, waved and walked over.

“Hey guys,” he said amiably. “We meet again.”

“Hi, Joe,” I said, trying not to sigh.

“Great season for Notre Dame, hey, Sam?” Joe said.

“Sure was,” Sam answered.

“Go Irish,” Joe said, grinning.

“You got it. Want to sit down?” Sam offered.

A great idea leaped into my head. “Joe! You know what? My dad wanted to ask you something…um, listen, I can barely hear myself think. Are you going to eat at the bar? Let’s go over there.” I stood up and took Joe’s arm and steered him away from the table. Looking back at Sam, I widened my eyes and scowled, my personal sign language for Ask her out, stupid!

“What’s up, Millie?” Joe asked. He leaned against the bar and looked at me.

“Well, nothing, really,” I said. “I just wanted to give Sam a minute with Katie. Alone.” I smiled conspiratorially, supremely pleased with my quick thinking.

“So, are they going out or something?” Joe asked.

“No, Joe. Not yet. I’m hoping that will change any minute, though.” I laughed, and Joe smiled back at me, causing my knees to soften.

“Millie the matchmaker,” he said teasingly.

“That’s me. Now let’s watch.”

Sam was fidgeting like a kid in church. He toyed with his silverware, then glanced up at Katie. He said something, managing to make eye contact, though with great effort, it seemed.

“Here we go,” Joe commented. After all, he was quite an expert in courtship rituals of the Barnacle.

Uh-oh. Katie’s face had turned to granite in her classic “Don’t mess with me, boy” look. Sam was talking to the tablecloth, glancing up guiltily.

“Doesn’t look good, Mil,” Joe said with a laugh. “Sam is going down.”

“Don’t be mean, Joe!” I pretended to scowl at him. “How could she shoot him down? He’s such a great guy.” Honestly! Didn’t Katie want him coming through the door every night, catching the boys in his arms, giving her a kiss? Didn’t she want the stability and kindness he offered? And he was tall and lean and had those nice lines around his eyes that were so…And let’s not forget his union benefits! What the hell was wrong with her? She was leaning closer to him, but definitely not in a good way. In a “Go to your room” way.

“Glad I’m not Sam right now,” Joe said. “Hey, Chris, can I get a beer?”

Chris obliged. “What are you guys watching?” he asked.

“Nothing!” I said, squeezing Joe’s warm, hard bicep. Oh, boy. I drew a quick breath. “Nothing, right Joe?”

Again he smiled at me. “Right, Millie.”

With difficulty, I turned my attention back to Sam and Katie. Hey, this was good. Katie and Sam were laughing! She patted his arm. Oh, hooray! And Sam looked infinitely more relaxed.

“Okay, I think I can go back,” I said. “Have a good night, Joe. Bye, Chris.”

“Nice to see you, Millie,” Joe said before turning to the bar.

Yes! I had spoken with Joe, we had shared a mildly intimate moment, and oh, Lord, I had squeezed his arm! And what a lovely arm it was! And Sam and Katie chatting away! Making my way back to the table, my heart was full of joy.

“So what’s up?” I asked innocently, taking my seat.

“We’re getting married,” Katie answered, and she and Sam burst into laughter.