Rick paused the television to go answer the door. He brought back a visitor with him into the living room.
“Max!” Faith exclaimed, shuffling over to hug him. “What a nice surprise!”
He hugged her back with one arm, then extended the flowers he’d brought her. “For you, my dear.”
“Thanks, Max, they’re lovely,” she said. “Let me go get these into a vase.”
“I’ll get it down,” Rick offered. “I put it on the top shelf.”
They all walked companionably into the kitchen.
“Max, you’re just in time for lemon bars and coffee,” she offered.
“That sounds wonderful,” he beamed.
“So how have you been?” Rick asked as they got comfortable around the table.
“Not bad,” Max answered, and sipped his coffee thoughtfully. “Not as much progress as I’d like on some things at work. But overall, not bad.”
“W
