“Yeah, they aren’t pretty,” she confirmed. “I’ve had the unpleasant experience of joining him for a few of the meetings.”
“Is Claymore there now?”
“Here at the office? No, he’s gone for the day but I don’t see why you should miss a dinner because he can’t go.”
Liam met her reasoning with silence. It was quite obvious to him why he couldn’t-shouldn’t join in for one of the big Claymore/George family bashes. His feelings for Erica George Lewis were already morphing into something that could prove very dangerous.
“Are you there at the office on your own?” He heard himself asking.
She laughed again. “You’re just like my uncle-he gets worried if I even stick my head out the door.”
“It’s a very pretty head,” Liam said before he could stop himself.
Silence made another foray into the conversation.
“How are you getting home?” Liam asked finally.
“A cab, like usual. We’ll be eating around six.”
“Don’t call a cab,” Liam realized he was in no shape to control the words coming out of his mouth. He didn’t seem to care. “I’ll be there to get you by four.”
“Liam, no, please, traffic will be terrible that time of day. Besides, it’s the middle of the week and a pretty bad time for a family meal, but it’s been planned for a while.”
“Special occasion,” Liam guessed.
“Something like that.”
“Don’t call a cab. I’ll drive you.”
“I’m sorry for the short notice on the invitation. I understand if you-”
“I’ll see you by four,” Liam said.
~~~
“Promise you’ll reach over and take the wheel if my stomach gets in the way,” Liam was saying to Erica during the drive to her place much later that evening. His belly was full of the tender roast beef, cabbage, saffron rice, macaroni and cheese casserole and cornbread Bettina George had put out for the night’s dinner.
The gathering was indeed a special occasion. A homecoming celebration for Bettina George's youngest brother Mitchell Claymore, honorably discharged from service at the close of the war.
“Your uncle Mitch seems like a nice fellow,” Liam said as he guided his truck through the late evening traffic.
“He is.” Erica’s dark, lovely face was softened by an adoring smile. “He wants to be a policeman.”
Liam raised a brow. “That’s different. Don’t see many of those, do you?”
“There aren’t any. Not in New York,” Erica shared. “My uncle isn’t one to easily take no for an answer.”
“Good for him...”
Erica glanced across the seat at Liam. “What?”
He frowned. “Scusi?”
“Sounded like you had more to say.”
“You’re a careful listener.”
“Pays to be. So?”
“I’m just wondering if you’re okay with leaving your children with your mother overnight like you did.”
“Ah...” she rested her head on the seat. “One of the nicest things about parenthood. Outstanding grandparents,” she gave a delighted giggle. “My mother watches over Jo and Sere when I work and their school is closer to where she lives so...”
“Wouldn’t you like to live closer to her as well?”
“It’d make more sense to just move in with her if I did that and...it’d just feel like I was moving backward. Besides,” she puffed out a refreshing sigh. “We were lucky to get them into such a good school. The location is good for them-that’s all that matters.”
“I understand Erica,” Liam pulled to a stop before a traffic light. “Do you know when your husband is expected back this time?”
“The rest of my family won’t admit it, but I’m not certain he will be back.”
“Your family likes him. I know Claymore does,” Liam noted, moving the truck forward when the light changed to green.
“Only because Paul’s a seaman. Otherwise...like Uncle Earn says ‘it’s a hard, unforgiving life lil’ girl’,” she lowered her voice to mimic her uncle’s ocean deep tone and joined Liam when he laughed.
She turned on the seat then. “If everyone were as understanding as my uncle regarding a sailor’s life, I could use my breathtaking salary to buy a new wardrobe.”
Laughter exploded once again in the truck cab.
