She nodded. “You didn’t. It just brought back some bad memories, that’s all.”
“Did he have a gambling problem?” Chris asked. He knew Eric had some problems, but he’d never known to what extent.
Corra snorted. “That’s putting it mildly.”
Chris could have shot himself in the foot for taking her to the track when her ex had a gambling problem. “I’m sorry I brought you here. I didn’t know.”
“Oh, no. Don’t be sorry. I like it here. I don’t have a problem, do you?”
Her wide-eyed facial expression said it all. She wanted to make sure she wasn’t getting involved with another gambler.
He put his arm around her shoulder for reassurance. “The only serious gambling I do is in business. And even then I don’t make a move unless the odds are in my favor.”
She took a deep breath and her shoulders relaxed.
“However, I’m willing to bet that nothing short of miraculous is about to happen between us. Something that should have happened a long time ago. You were meant to be mine.” He leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead.
* * *
The Greek Alumni crowd had checked out on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s group was a little more reserved, which left the house nice and quiet.
After church, followed by Jamie’s baseball game, Corra and the kids were wiped out. But that didn’t stop her from getting them dressed and out to the house for dinner.
This Sunday evening’s dinner at the Coleman House was extra special. Tracee had prepared a new dessert which they always sampled on the staff before serving to guests. Rita’s husband, Wallace, owned an auto body shop that was closed on Sunday, so he often joined them around the large kitchen table for dinner.
Tracee pulled her apple-gingerbread cobbler from the oven. “If you like it, we’re adding it to the menu.” She scooped generous portions into each bowl.
That’s what Corra had been smelling all through dinner.
“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Rollin said as he dug in.
“Tracee, this cobbler is delicious. I vote we add this to the menu,” Corra said, casting the first vote.
“Oh, I definitely agree with Corra,” Tayler added.
“Me too,” Rollin added.
“I fourth that,” Kyla added.
Everyone turned to Wallace who was still eating. He stopped once he realized all eyes were on him. “Hell yeah, add my vote.”
Tracee clapped. “It’s unanimous then.” She turned to a beaming Rita. “We have a new menu item.”
After dinner, Corra rounded up Jamie and Katie who were stretched out in Rollin’s bedroom watching a movie. She poked her head in. “Okay you two, time to go.”
They slowly began to move with their eyes still glued to the television. Rollin walked up behind her.
“I heard about your day at the races. I’m glad to see you and Chris are hitting it off.”
“Yeah, and he told me about all the years you wouldn’t let him ask me out.”
“In high school Chris was your typical jock, and you were one of the good girls. Trust me, I did you a favor. No doubt he’s a good man, but back then I wasn’t going to let him mess around with my little sister.” Rollin pulled the door to his bedroom closed.
“I bet you saved yourself for your husband, didn’t you?”
Corra’s mouth fell open. “That is none of your business.” Although he’d been right. “You don’t know what I was doing, or who I was doing it with, thank you.”
“Hey, all I’m saying is I know how you were raised. That’s why I said you weren’t ready for Chris.”
She tilted her head. “Regardless, I bet I’m ready now.”
Chapter 9
“Girl, if these kids don’t stay in bed I’m going to have to get out my belt.” Corra held the phone down. “Jamie, where you goin’?”
“To get some water,” he said from the hallway.
“You’ve had enough water. Get back in bed. I don’t know why y’all want to test me tonight. If I hear you come out of that room one more time I’m coming in there...”
Jamie poked his head into her bedroom. “My throat’s dry.”
Corra sat on her bed with her feet up unwinding from a busy Sunday while detailing her day at the races to Sharon.
“Okay, go get you some water and bring it up with you.”
“Is he okay?” Sharon asked through the phone.
“Yeah, he’s fine.” Corra frowned as soon as Jamie left the room. He looked fine, but he also breathed as if he’d run up the stairs already.
“So finish telling me about your date,” Sharon said.