Romi looked at each of us. “Are you three not hungry?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Gram-Gram patted her on the arm. “They aren’t going to eat until you take the first bite.”
Romi’s mouth fell open, and she leaned forward a bit. “Is that true?”
“Yes,” I answered. “Where we come from, an alpha doesn’t eat until the omegas at the table start. It’s just good manners.”
“Old school,” Romi murmured. “Okay.”
Gram-Gram laughed. “Sometimes old school is good. Like me. I’m the oldest school around here.”
Romi filled her plate, not taking nearly enough, but at least she got some food, and then took a bite. Game on. We all filled our plates and instantly were in heaven.
“This meal is fantastic. Really. You two did a lot of hard work.”
Even Gram-Gram blushed at that one.
“Thank you,” Romi said. “I made all my favorites. Thank goodness it’s my day off.”
I felt like shit. She spent her day off working and cooking for us. Probably cleaning as well since there was a hint of lemon-and-lavender cleaner beneath the rest. “You two outdid yourselves.”
I also took note of her favorites. Meat loaf. Roasted vegetables. Green beans cooked with onions and bacon. Yeast rolls. That meal would be on rotation when we had a home.
“This potato salad is great. Who made it?” Gram-Gram asked.
“I did,” James answered. “Glad you like it.” His eyes flicked to Romi. I knew my bond brother. While he was glad the older woman approved, Romi’s opinion mattered more. “Do you like potato salad, Romi?”
She nodded. “I do. I’ll have to get the recipe from you.”
“No need. I’ll make it anytime you want.”
Gram-Gram laughed. “I’ll bet he will.”
Romi shook her head. “You’ve got to stop.”
“It’s true. These three are looking at you like you’re the dessert instead of that apple cobbler.”
Romi’s blush got deeper. “There’s a child in the room.”
Gram-Gram looked down at Maddox who had meat loaf in each fist and was putting it away. “I suppose I need to simmer down a bit.”
“Please.” Romi’s tone was firm, but she smiled the whole time.
We ate the rest of the meal making small talk. Gram-Gram told us how long she had been in this town and how she came to live here and own the cabin. Maddox ate almost as much as the rest of us but was soon yawning.
“It’s his bedtime. I have to give him a bath first. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Don’t worry about it. Take your time,” Seth offered. “We’ll clean up.”
“You will?” Romi and Gram-Gram shared a look.
“Of course. I’m sure Gram-Gram will tell us where everything goes so we don’t mess up the order of your kitchen.”
Romi, with Maddox on her hip, opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She stopped and turned around and then moved a bit more. We’d stupefied her.
Her scent was all over the place. Trust. Comfort. Concern. Fear. Confusion. Adoration.
I walked over and put my hand on her shoulder and took Maddox’s hand in mine. “Nothing is wrong. We are just doing dishes and helping out.”
