“It has to be healthy!” his mom called, following him into the kitchen.
“I know,” Noel said, his voice trailing away to a quieter murmur.
Ed looked at me. “Well, god knows what that boy will try to feed me now. Probably those awful mashed cauliflower things.”
I snorted. “You reap what you sow.”
“Yeah, yeah…an old man should be allowed to bitch about his heart-healthy food. It’s not natural.”
I smiled, used to Ed’s moaning. “Your heart says differently.”
“Are you on their side, too?”
“Of course not,” I said. “A man deserves a pound of salt with dinner.”
“Damn right!”
Noel emerged quicker than expected, and Maggie followed, a nervous smile on her face. WhathadNoel done? I leaned forward, eager for the show, though wincing internally for poor Ed.
He eyed the plate. “Is that gravy? I thought I couldn’t have gravy.”
“Healthy version,” Noel said.
Ed wrinkled his nose, then cautiously took a tiny bite. He cocked his head in thought. “It’s not terrible.”
Noel’s expectant smile drooped. “Well, it’s better than nothing, I hope.”
He returned to his seat and started dishing up food.
Ed took another, larger bite. “Hmm. Whatisin this? It’s actually not bad.”
Noel’s lips twitched. “Do you really want to know my tricks or just enjoy the magic?”
Ed chuckled. “Fair enough. So long as you teach them to your mom before you leave.”
I leaned over toward Ed. “Is it really any good?” I asked under my breath.
“Well, it’s not cream gravy and a pound of butter, but it’s not bad. Try it, if you like.”
I surreptitiously took a spoonful and stuck it in my mouth. Huh. It tasted like…broth and garlic. Savory and flavorful. Definitely not bland.
I glanced across the table to find Noel’s eyes boring into me.
Right. Eating the food he prepared for his ailing father. Probably not the wisest move.
I retreated to my plate. “Maggie, you’ve outdone yourself tonight. This chicken is delicious.”
“Now you’re just being mean,” Ed complained as he cut a small bite of white chicken breast.
Noel raised one eyebrow, and I could perfectly read the thought going through his head.Does Hopper even know how to be nice?
I lowered my eyes to my plate, cleaning it of every bite and having seconds. Maybe I hadn’t given Noel the warmest reception. But he hadn’t exactly given me many openings for kindness. Maybe when he asked about his dad, I could have been more sensitive…
But no. What was I doing? Noel had been sharp and prickly ever since I greeted him at his car. He’d refused to let me help with his bags. He’d shot me the dirtiest looks I’d ever gotten from a guy who wasn’t an ex-hookup.
He didn’t want me here. That much was clear. I just didn’t knowwhy.
I helped clear away the dishes, pack up leftovers, and wash up. Noel went upstairs as soon as dinner was over, probably tired from traveling all day.
