A healthy spray of tea from her mouth was Sherris reaction to Arethas remark. She was closer to Aretha than to her own mother and she was used to the older woman speaking her mind on any and every topic, but she was surprised by her frankness in front of the other ladies. They didnt seem to think anything was amiss. Delilah was more than happy to join in the conversation.
You dont have a young man? Honey, that doesnt make any sense at all. Do you prefer women, dear? Im not judgingIm just curious, she admitted.
Mother! Thats rather personal, dont you think? Vanessa shook her head as she chided her outspoken mother.
Aretha and Alexis were trying hard not to laugh while Sherri blotted the tea off her face and chest. She was totally accustomed to being around older women who spoke their minds, so she wasnt insulted, but she did feel the need to explain herself.
Well, Ms. Delilah, its not that I prefer the company of women or anything like that. Its just that being a single mother is something I take very seriously. I made a decision not to date until Sydney is out of high school. I dont think its a good idea to have a bunch of random men parading in and out of her life.
Delilah raised a delicately arched eyebrow. Well, honey, nobody wants you to be a hoochie. Theres no need for a whole parade. If you get the right soloist, youll have all the music you need, she said with a wicked grin.
Sherri had to laugh. Ms. Delilah had a point, even if it didnt really apply to Sherris situation.
* * *
The sounds of laughter floated into the kitchen, where Lucas VanBuren was making more iced tea for the ladies while Sydney, his self-appointed sous chef, was seated at the work island arranging his freshly baked tea cakes in a flat wicker basket lined with a big cloth napkin. She looked completely absorbed in her task, but her mind was focused on something else. She looked just like her mother; she was tall for her age, slender and fair-skinned with a light dusting of freckles across her nose. Her hair was the same reddish-brown as her mothers, but unlike Sherris, it wasnt in a short, fashionable bob. Sydney wore her hair parted in the middle with two long braids that were currently covered with a bandanna so she could look like Lucas, her idol. Her round glasses didnt disguise her big, bright eyes; they just made her look even cuter.
As she carefully placed the last tea cake in the basket, she dusted the light coating of sugar off her fingertips and looked intently at Lucas. He was so tall and so handsome that it was easy to overlook the things she really liked about him. He was funny and nice and kind and he was the best cook in the world, even better than his brother Jared, in Sydneys opinion. Shed had several months to observe him, and she was more convinced than ever that hed be the perfect husband for her mother. Now was the perfect time to launch her plan.
Uncle Lucas, do you like my mommy? she asked innocently.
He smiled down at her as he stirred simple syrup into the tea. Of course I do, sweetie. I like you, too.
Sydney smiled back, flashing her deep dimples. I like you, too. A whole lot, she confided. But do you really, really like my mommy?
Lucas finished stirring the tea and added slices of lemons and pineapple to the pitcher. He sat on the stool next to Sydney and crossed his arms as he met her intelligent gaze.
Yes, I really, really like your mommy. Shes very pretty and smart and she has a lovely personality. Why are you so curious about this all of a sudden?
Sydney crossed her legs and linked her hands around one knee. Because I think you should marry her.
A year ago, even six months ago, Lucas would have had a different reaction to her words. He was far too busy dating a wide variety of women to even think about settling down with one. Many ladies had tried and failed to slip a matrimonial noose around his neck, and he had evaded them all with ease. But that had all changed when his brother married Alexis and Lucas met Dr. Sherri Stratton. The first time he saw her smile, he was captured. Her smooth skin, those dimples, and the intelligence and humor that sparkled in her eyes all got to him in an instant. When he finally got around to observing the rest of her, he was even more impressed. Sherri was brainy and accomplished, in addition to being a real beauty.
In his younger years the brains and accomplishments wouldnt have meant as much as the fact that she was a certified dime piece, but now they did. However, one of the things that made Sherri superlative in Lucass eyes was sitting next to him with her eyes locked on his. Anyone who could raise a child as sweet and engaging as Sydney had to be an amazing person.
So are you going to do it, Uncle Lucas?
He had to focus quickly in order to give her an intelligent response. Why do you think I should marry your mom, sweetie?
Because she should have a really nice husband like Uncle Todd and Uncle Jared. She should have someone to be sweet to her. My auntie Emily is really happy now that she has Uncle Todd, and Auntie Alexis is really happy with Uncle Jared, and I want my mommy to be happy, too.
Lucas was bemused by her astute analysis of the situation. Why do you think Id make her happy?
Sydney pushed her glasses up and started counting off reasons on her fingers. Because youre very nice. You talk to everybody and you treat everybody like theyre important. You make her laugh. Youre very handsome, but thats just a bonus. You have a nice family and they like me. And youre very nice to me.
Youve given this a lot of thought, Sydney. Are you sure Im the right guy? You realize that if I was to marry your mom Id be your stepfather, he said carefully. Did you think about that?
Of course I did. I think youd be good at it. Do you think Id be a good little girl to have around?
Youd be the best in the world, sweetie. But what would your own daddy think about someone else in your life? he asked gently.
I dont think he thinks about me at all, she replied with a shrug. Ive never met him. He and my mommy werent married and he went away when he found out about me.
Lucas felt his throat tighten at the idea of a man walking away from a woman like Sherri and ignoring an adorable child like Sydney. Hed often wondered if Sherri was divorced or widowedbecause there clearly was no husband in the current picturebut hed never asked Alexis about her marital status. Alexis was his sister-in-law, but he figured she wouldnt appreciate being interrogated about her best friend. He didnt have a chance to dwell on the information hed just received because Sydney wanted an answer. Right now.
So are you going to do it, Uncle Lucas?
She was totally seriousLucas could see that. He wasnt about to promise her something he couldnt deliver, but he was totally on board with the idea. Hed asked Sherri out a few times, and so far shed turned him down.
Its not just up to me, darlin. What makes you think your mommy likes me? I might not be her type. What kind of guys does she usually date? Wow, that was kind of sleazy. It was just wrong of him to use this situation to pump a six-year-old for information about her mother. But Sydney didnt see it like that at all.
She doesnt go out, Uncle Lucas. Not with guys. She takes care of me and she takes care of her patients and we go to church and we visit with people and we have picnics and things, but she doesnt have boyfriends.
Well, maybe she doesnt want one. Have you thought about that? Maybe shes happy with her life the way it is.
Sydney nodded her head. She says that all the time when Aunt Emily and Aunt Alexis try to get her to go on a date. She says shes happy and shes not going out with anybody until Im in high school. Thats a long time, Uncle Lucas! I dont think she should wait that long, do you?
The word no came out of his mouth before he could stop it. No, he surely didnt think that Sherri should deny herself the pleasure of having a mate for years to come. I can see that this means a lot to you, and youre really sweet to think about your mommys happiness, but I cant just walk up to her and ask her to marry me, he said.
No, you cant. Thats why you have to start slow. You have to take baby steps first, Uncle Lucas.
She sounded so wise and worldly that Lucas had to smother a laugh. Sydney, youre pretty sure of yourself. This is a big enterprise youre talking about. I like your mom a lot, but its going to take more than that for the two of us to start dating. I think this is something that you need to leave up to your mom. It has to be her decision, and you and I have to respect her wishes.
Uncle Lucas, dont be a chicken baby. No pain, no gain, no gain, no glory.
Where in the world did you get that from?
Sydney looked thoughtful as she told him shed heard it on the Food Network. I was watching Iron Chef America and Alton Brown said it. It made sense to me.
This time Lucas laughed out loud. Sydney, are you sure youre only six? Thats some mighty grown-up thinking for a little girl.
Ill be seven in a little while. And Im precociousmy teacher said so. So, what are you going to do first? We have to have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Thats on Mommys quote-of-the-day calendar, she informed him.
The first thing we need to do is take these refreshments to the ladies. Next I need to go to the store for some more provisions. Do you want to come with me?
Her face lit up and she agreed. Thats a good idea. We can make our plans on the way.
He scooped her up off the high stool and placed her on the floor. Lucas covered the basket of tea cakes with another cloth napkin and handed it to Sydney along with a stack of smaller napkins. After filling a clear ice bucket, he grabbed the pitcher of tea and they went out on the deck to replenish the drinks. They were greeted with joy when the plump, golden pastries were revealed. Sydney took her job as server quite seriously, making sure that each woman had a fresh napkin and a fragrant, vanilla-scented cake. Lucas refilled each glass with fresh ice and sweet tea, making sure that everyone was comfortable as he did so. He was complimentary and attentive to all the ladies, but he had a private remark for Sherri. He refilled her glass and handed it to her with a smile.