Free Bonds Of The Heart by Maryann Morris

what it made her feel. “I hope you like cheese. Mom overdoes it.” She spoke as calmly as she could, though her heartbeat felt like that of a nun. And how lame was she? I hope you like cheese. If she could face-palm herself right now without looking ridiculous, she would.
                  Blake followed Erika into the dining room. The room, like the living room, was small. Cozy. The table, only big enough for four people, was directly in the center of the room. In the short time Blake had been there, Erika’s mother had managed to set a full place setting around the dining room table for each of them.
                  “Blake, you sit here next to Erika.” Brianne patted a chair.
                  Placing his glass on the table, Blake held out the chair for Erika. She hesitated a moment until her manners kicked in. Blake gently guided her chair in. He did the same for her mother after she placed the dish on the table in front of them before taking his own seat. So he has manners, Erika thought.
                  “So Blake,” Brianne began, trying to inject some semblance of noise into the quiet room, “I hear your dad is doing better.”
                  “Yes, ma’am.” Brianne handed him a large helping of the lasagna. Wow, this IS cheesy.
                  “When does he come home?” She handed Erika a smaller portion.
                  “As soon as the doctors let him. He has a way to go yet.”
                  Erika didn’t speak. It was never her place to butt into other people’s business. Erika waited for a clue since she knew her mother would elaborate. Surprisingly, she wasn’t given one this time. Instead she watched as her mother plated her own food and began to nibble. Picking up her fork, Erika dug in as well. Blake followed suit.
                  “I’ll keep him in my prayers,” Brianne said.
                  “Thank you.”
                  “You’re awfully quiet, Erika.” Brianne frowned at her daughter, who was picking at her food and taking small bites.
                  “I have a lot on my mind.” Work, Daddy, Blake ’ s touch…
                  “You always have a lot on your mind, dear. You need to get out more. Take a break.”
                  “Mom, please.” Erika continued to pick at her half eaten dinner, no longer hungry.
                  “Blake, are you working tomorrow?”
                  “No ma’am.” Actually he had planned to take his brother’s truck out. The folded flag in the living room had stirred his pain for his brother.
                  “It’s supposed to be beautiful out.” Brianne continued.
                  Blake nodded and Erika hoped that was the end of the conversation.
                  “You two should go out and enjoy the weather,” Brianne said. “Have a picnic. I’ll help you pack something. You come by tomorrow around noon, Blake. I’ll have it ready.”
                  Erika stared at the mangled mess of her dinner. She definitely wasn’t hungry any more. So what if she was a little pouty? She didn’t want to spend any more time with Blake than she had to. Now her mom was insisting that he take her out for a picnic? Maybe he will refuse and she’ll be let off the hook. Maybe someone’s car would be so terrible it needed both him and Ben to fix it. She tried to sneak a glance his way, but failed and met his eyes. He had managed to clean his plate and was shifting his glass in a circle on the table—staring at her. Why was he staring?
                  Blake wasn’t sure he wanted to be pushed into another date, though this was hardly a date with Erika’s mother there. However amusing the thought was, he wasn’t planning on anything more than just dinner with Erika—and the taste of her. Yet