Poor Match

"Grace! Hello, dear." Lydia smiles as she stirs some batter in a mixing bowl. Today was cookies - a new family had come to church and they had very little. Someone else was taking care of main meals, so Lydia had offered to take care of treats, especially for the children. 

"Oh yes, Jared did mention you would be going to the lake today. It is such a fine day for it too. He could use the sunshine." She smiles at Grace before shaking her head and leaning in closer. "I think it will be better for him if it was just the two of you. Besides, I will stay plenty busy with my cooking today." 

She looks down at her bowl and laughs. "I think I am making more cookies in this batch than I thought." 

In his room, Jared waits quietly. He'd seen Grace pull up and had watched her come up the sidewalk. He could just hear her muffled voice, along with his mother's now, knowing that they  were in the kitchen. 

Looking down at himself, he sighs. Grace was so pretty today in her sundress with her hair falling over her shoulders and a spring in her step. He made a poor match for going out today.

Another small smile surfaces and Carson nods. "Good. I'll keep the oven warm for ya." He'd gladly have Katie back any time. Just having one of his friends in here was like a breath of fresh air... and he could use that right now. 

Once he's left alone again, he starts shutting things down for the night. He was so tired, but he knew he had much more to do before he could go to bed. Much more. 

"Good morning, sunshine." Jason leans over Misty's shoulder in the infirmary the next morning, planting a kiss on her lips. He was in a hurry, but, as was his new habit, he had to stop in and see her. "You're looking good this morning. I-"

"Hey, hotshot," Pete pokes his head into the room. "Reese is looking for you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." 

"Jase?" Gunner joins Pete at the door. "You got those files I asked about yesterday?"

"Crap. Yeah, give me five, I'll-"

"Jason," Reese's voice comes over the intercom. "In my office, please." 

Jason rolls his eyes and straightens, throwing up his hands. "I just got here, people!" 

Gunner and Pete hide their snickers as they leave, and Jason looks back at Misty as he heads for the door. "Guess I'll see you later for lunch." Walking at a brisk pace down the hall, he heads for Reese's office, trying to remember all he was supposed to do this morning.