The Trouble with Angels (Angels Everywhere #2)(10)

"We each have our own apartment,” Catherine explained for Blythe’s benefit when they reached hers. "I have a small kitchen, although I rarely cook these days. However, I did manage to bake a batch of Ted’s favorite cookies this morning.”

"Chocolate chip?” Ted asked, his eyes as round and eager as a five-year-old’s.

"Chocolate chip,” Catherine said, and laughed softly. She motioned toward the overstuffed sofa. "You two make yourselves comfortable while I put on the water for tea.”

"Let me help,” Ted insisted, following Catherine into the kitchen. The moment they were out of earshot he snatched a cookie off the silver platter and leaned his hip against the counter. "Isn’t she beautiful?” he asked, looking at Blythe as if he’d located buried treasure the day he’d met her.

"She’s as lovely as a fashion model,” Catherine agreed, delighted to see his dark eyes sparkle. Her grandson was in love. Catherine had been waiting years for this moment. Ted was thirty, and it was time he started thinking seriously about settling down.

Catherine looked across her compact living room to Blythe. She had crossed her long legs and leaned back against the sofa, but there was a restlessness about her. Of course she might be wrong, but Catherine sensed a sadness there.

With a shake of her head, Catherine pulled her gaze and her thoughts away from her female guest. It was too soon for her to make such sweeping judgments, she chided herself, wondering why she would think such thoughts about a woman she barely knew.

Ted carried the tray into the living room for her.

Sitting on the edge of her cushion, Catherine served them each a cup of tea. Ted helped himself to a second cookie.

"Should you really be eating that?” Blythe asked Ted.

"Eating what?” he asked innocently, and winked at Catherine.

"I thought you said you were watching your fat intake.”

"I am.” He reached for another and handed it to her. "No one makes chocolate-chip cookies the way my grandmother does. When I was a kid I used to wonder how she could make them taste so good. I still don’t know her secret. Perhaps she’ll give you the recipe.”

"I’d be happy to, Blythe,” Catherine volunteered.

"I can’t possibly eat that,” Blythe said about the cookie.

"Ted,” Catherine chastised, "leave the poor girl alone.”

"I want her to try just one cookie. Then she’ll know what I mean. Come on, Blythe, just one bite.”

"No,” she said sharply, and when Ted frowned she laughed. "Oh, all right, if you insist, but I really shouldn’t.”

"It’s only a cookie,” Ted reminded her.

Catherine agreed. She was health conscious herself and would never bake anything for her family she seriously believed would harm them. As it was, she generally baked the cookies for Ted only on his birthday.

Blythe nibbled on the cookie as if she suspected it were laced with arsenic, then placed it on the delicate china plate.

Originally Catherine had thought to send the rest of the small batch home with Ted. Now she decided against that, not wanting to cause a problem between her grandson and his lady friend. The literary tea would need cookies, she mused, and she’d save the leftovers for then.

"So tell me how you two met,” Catherine asked, and sipped her tea.

"At work,” Blythe said matter-of-factly.

"Are you an engineer as well?”

Blythe nodded. "With nuclear certification.”

"Congratulations.” Blythe sounded proud and pleased, and Catherine wanted her to know she was happy for her accomplishments.

"I’m hoping Ted will see fit to do what’s necessary to acquire his certification as well.”

Ted stiffened slightly. "Let’s not talk about this now.”

"You’re right,” Blythe said sweetly. Looking to Catherine, she continued, "It’s just that there are so few engineers with nuclear certification that they’re in demand all across the country. Ted could work anywhere he chose.”

Personally, Catherine was hoping he’d stay in Los Angeles for the time being, but she didn’t want to seem proprietorial. Ted, after all, was his own person. Catherine wouldn’t dream of holding him back because of her own selfish wishes.

Blythe made a point of looking at her watch. "What time did you say the dinner reservation was for, Ted?”

Ted glanced at his own watch. "We have plenty of time.”

"I was hoping to change out of these heels,” Blythe said.

"Go on, you two,” Catherine said hurriedly. "The evening’s young yet. Enjoy yourselves.”

Ted hesitated. "You’re sure? We’ve barely spent any time with you.”

"I’m positive,” Catherine assured him, gathering up the china cups.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Goodwin.”

"Please, you must call me Catherine.”

Blythe smiled and stood, eager, it seemed, to be on her way. "All right, then, I will. Thank you for having Ted and me over.”

"The pleasure was all mine.” Catherine stood with Ted and walked the couple to her door. After a few short words of farewell, they were gone.

A bit dazed, Catherine returned to her favorite chair and sank onto it. This visit hadn’t gone anything like she’d wanted. It was clear Ted was enthralled with Blythe. It also seemed clear, at least to Catherine, that her grandson’s relationship with Blythe was becoming serious.