Chapter Text
When she finally met him, this man who appeared to have cast a spell on her daughter, she didn't even recognize him at first, only partially because she hadn't been expecting him on the doorstep out of the blue like that.
"If you're the termite man…" she began, only to have him interrupt with a chuckle.
"I'm Lee Stetson, Mrs. West," he smiled at her as she tried not to look as flustered as she felt. "I work with Amanda?"
"Oh yes, of course… you look vaguely familiar."
Familiar? That was an understatement. If he only knew how often she'd studied that photo in the month since Amanda had run off with him, he'd be blushing much harder than he was now as she gazed up at him.
"You, uh, have a lovely home here." He was an odd mix of confidence and schoolboy blushes, as nervous as any teenage boy who'd come by looking for Amanda.
"Oh thank you," she replied as she led him further into the house. "So why am I wondering why you've never been in it? No wonder Amanda's been so happy at work these past few years."
She thought maybe she'd said that out loud, the way he laughed with embarrassment and later, she'd wonder what she actually talked to him about, so busy mentally comparing him to that picture, that she was sure it had all been gibberish. He was tall – much taller than she'd imagined – and handsome… gosh, his eyes were mesmerizing, twinkling down at her she rambled on about the boys. And then suddenly, his attention was gone – what was that phrase the boys used? Oh yes, zoned out… it was the perfect way to describe him as he stared off into space with a look of such sadness that she felt compelled to distract him.
"Why is it you said you were here?"
When his attention returned to her, the sadness was still there but the warmth in his eyes still shone through as he laughed at himself. "I'm sorry – I was just thinking…"
"I was just staring," she said with perfect truth before she could help herself. "You have no idea how many times I've wondered about you."
It was obvious he knew exactly what she meant and he begun to blush again and stammer out something about Amanda being away. She could have cursed that phone ringing just then.
"Well, she's usually with you," she pointed out and watched him flush with guilt again. She took the opportunity to study him while he was on the phone – she wasn't a fool, he was antsy about something and she wondered if maybe he and Amanda had had a fight. That, she thought, was why she hadn't recognized him at first; without a smile and with that furrow of worry between his eyes, he looked older than he did in the photo. But what could worry a film director so much?
When he finished his call though, and turned back to her with a smile, he seemed slightly more at ease, so perhaps that concern had been work-related after all.
It was odd though – he obviously needed to get back to work, even starting making excuses to leave but he lingered, chatting with her, even absent-mindedly helping her pick up the mess from the boys' dance party, seeming to know instinctively where things belonged. He stopped for a long time in front of the shelf of family photos, studying them before turning to her and physically shaking off whatever odd mood he was in.
"You have a lovely family, Mrs. West," he said in the deep honeyed baritone she'd only ever heard on the phone. "I'm sure Amanda can't wait to get home."
"Well, we certainly miss her when she's away," she answered pointedly.
Mr. Stetson shuffled in place just like Phillip and Jamie did when they were in trouble. "I know you do," he said, abashed. "And that's usually my fault, I'm afraid."
"Indeed. Some time I'd like to hear all the details of that grand adventure you went on with my daughter."
"Ah, now that was just a big mistake," he answered hurriedly. "Nothing much to tell, really."
"Or not much you can tell me, I bet what with all the 'government secrets' involved. You sound just like Amanda!" She couldn't resist twisting the knife a little. "She hasn't told me enough about her job to fill a postcard – but then she comes home soaking wet, or scorched, or doesn't come home at all." She gave him a look that swept him from head to toe. "Although perhaps that last one makes a bit more sense now."
"Well, location work is always throwing up the unexpected," he stammered, running a finger along the inside of his collar, obviously uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken. "You know how it is."
"I don't actually – like I said, Amanda doesn't tell me a lot about her work. But perhaps since you're her boss, you could make sure she gets home safe and sound to her family a little earlier from now on?" she lectured him.
There was no mistaking the look of panic she'd caused with that last comment and without thinking, she reached up to straighten the tie he'd knocked out of kilter and give it a pat to try and ease his tension. She heard his swift intake of breath and then he grabbed her hand – to pull it away, she thought, but then he held onto it, close to his chest.
"I will do everything I can," he said fiercely. "I promise."
It made her a little nervous, watching him turn so serious, and she pulled her hand away. "I was only teasing, Dear – Amanda's a grown woman, I'm sure she can look after herself. She may seem scatterbrained sometimes, but you must know she's surprisingly strong-willed."
Mr. Stetson gave a choking laugh. "That she is. I'll try and remember that" It was amazing what a difference laughing made to his face – it was like watching a cloud lift, seeing those dimples deepen and his eyes warm up.
"Well, maybe she'll listen to you, since she doesn't to me. Get married again, I tell her, put on a few pounds, enjoy a routine for a while – would that be so bad?"
"Actually, that sound pretty good," he smiled at her. "I'll be sure to bring that up next time I see her."
"You do that." There was a long pause and she thought maybe he was about to say something else but then he shook himself again and gestured to the front door.
"I guess I better get going," he said, gaze sweeping the room as if he was trying to memorize it.
"Well, if you must. I imagine there's an editing room calling your name." She simply couldn't help teasing him – it really was exactly like having one of Amanda's high school sweethearts back on the doorstep.
"Not today," he replied. "Today, I have a much more important project to get wrapped up." He held out his hand. "It was nice to finally meet you, Mrs. West."
"Nice to finally meet you too, Mr. Stetson. Feel free to come by anytime."
She stood in the doorway, watching him pull away in his silver sports car.
"Who was that in the cool car, Grandma?" Phillip was racing up the front path, Jamie trailing behind.
"Well, Darling, I'm not entirely certain, but I think that just might have been Mr. Right."