chapter 11
IT WAS A dreary, rainy day about fifteen minutes before noon when Morgan and Jake walked through the front door of the Old Waverly Clubhouse. The Sunday buffet, loaded with quintessential Southern cooking, was a family favorite, and they rarely missed it. With Katy at her grandparents’ house in Columbus, the couple was alone. Morgan requested a table near the grand piano.
The stately dining room was about half-full of mostly Baptists, since their church let out earlier than those of the Methodists, Episcopalians, and Catholics. The only other folks eating were golfing guests. Jake spent most of the meal daydreaming of slipping off to deer hunt that afternoon, but he didn’t know how Morgan would react, since the police hadn’t caught the Peeping Tom and didn’t have any leads. He knew deep down he probably shouldn’t go.
“That was delicious,” Jake said as he leaned back.
“As usual,” Morgan replied with a smirk.
“I ate too much macaroni and cheese.”
“As usual.”
“I love it.” He sighed as he tossed his napkin on the table.
“It’s on the kids’ buffet,” Morgan observed, smiling.
“So?”
“I’m just saying. It’s on the kids’ buffet; not all adults share your passion for mac and cheese.”
“It’s easier when Katy’s here. Folks just think I’m fixing her a plate,” Jake said, indicating he had thought this through.
Morgan was enjoying the moment. The dining room was elegant and the music enjoyable. “What if I told you that it was going to be easier to get in the future?”
“They’re moving it to the main buffet?”
“No. Not exactly.”
“You got the recipe?”
“No…yes…I do, but you know mine’s not as good.”
Morgan and her close friends weren’t known to be women of the kitchen. In fact, one of her best friends joked that her family ate out so much, when she announced, “Supper’s ready,” her kids would run to the car. Morgan had set off the kitchen’s smoke alarm more than once.
Before Jake could answer, a young waitress asked if they would like coffee. Morgan always enjoyed a cup, especially when it was cold outside. Today she politely declined.
“You don’t want any coffee?” Jake asked.
“No. I can’t have the caffeine,” she said, thinking he might connect the dots.
“Planning a power nap?”
“Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Jake was shocked. He stared straight at her and began smiling.
“We’re gonna have a baby,” she explained, glowing.