“I’ll tell you a secret,” she said, putting off saying what was really on her mind. “Icancook, but when I first came to work for Uncle Jack, I figured the guys would all expect it of me since I’m a woman. I made a point of telling them, like I did you, that I can make soup out of a can and bologna sandwiches.”
“But…” Knox started to argue.
“Icanmake those things, but I’m also a pretty good cook when it comes to plain old country food. I’m probably not on the scale that you are in the kitchen, but my meals are edible. My grandmother saw to that and…” She paused. “I am a crackerjack baker. I love to make cakes, pies, cookies, candy, and desserts of all kinds.”
“I do have a sweet tooth, so I will make the food if you do desserts,” he said. “We’ll make a wonderful couple until this job ends and we go our separate ways. I won’t even tell the rest of the guys that you brought a chocolate cream pie to my house.”
He pulled a plate from the basket and handed it to her. “Any more secrets a fake boyfriend…no…afriendshould know about?”
“A couple, but I’m starving, so let’s eat and enjoy the sunset,” she answered. “Look at that. The ducks are here. They probably got a whiff of what’s in that basket.”
Knox removed the lids from several containers. “Finger foods and lots of napkins.”
He brought out a small charcuterie board and arranged still-hot chicken strips on one end with cheese cubes and two kinds of dip, and fresh-cut vegetables and fruit on the other. Then he pulled out a bag of corn chips, along with a small bowl of salsa, and a basket of rolls to set to the side. “I started to get a bottle of wine, but…”
“I’d rather have root beer,” she said. “This is too pretty to eat and enough to feed six or seven people.”
“I’m glad you think so, but I’m too hungry to just look at it. So, dive in. Like I said, I brought plenty of napkins. And honey, if there are leftovers, we can always use them for something later.”
She twisted the top off a soda, set it beside her, and filled her plate. “This is more than a picnic. It’s a romantic feast.”
“Friends with romance. I like that.” He made a sandwich by cramming two pieces of chicken into a roll, and then loaded his plate with cheese, vegetables, and fruit.
The door is open. Say something. Tell him how you feel.The voice in her head sounded like something her last therapist would say.
“I got word this evening that the papers will be ready for me and Geneva to sign a week from Saturday. I told her I would fly down to New Iberia that day so she wouldn’t haveto drive. Want to go with me?” Knox asked. “We could stay overnight if…”
She didn’t give him time to finish the sentence. “I’d love to.”
“Great,” Knox said. “Now about those other secrets.”
She drew in a breath, but before she could get a word out, Cheeto lit on the blanket, stole a piece of chicken from her plate, and hopped away a few feet to peck at it.
“That is more than a little bit cannibalistic, isn’t it?” she said with half a laugh.
“According to my research, chickens and other birds will eat anything,” Knox said.
Was that an omen to keep her mouth shut, that this was not the time or place to say anything more about their relationship/friendship? She was still pondering that when a duck came out of the lake and waddled toward them. Cheeto spread out his colorful wings, fluffed up all his feathers, and went in for the battle. The duck retreated to the water, and Cheeto went back to eating his stolen chicken strip.
“He thinks he’s all that and an order of fries, but he backs down from rattlesnakes,” Lottie said.
“That means he’s a mean critter, but he picks his battles,” Knox told her.
Lottie wondered if she looked up her name, would it say that she was mean enough to hold a shotgun on some vandalizing kids? And yet, not wise enough to back down from this battle that will only end up breaking her heart? But if she spoke up, their friendship could be ruined, and the work situation would be in shambles if he didn’t feel the same way.
Cheeto finished eating and eased down to a sitting position.
“Look at that. He’s guarding us,” Knox said.
“He’s just making sure the ducks don’t come around begging for handouts that could be his later on this evening,” Lottie said, glad for anything to take her mind off her feelings.
Cheeto stood up when the ducks took flight. He threw back his head and crowed, then started toward the trailer.
“We are safe now.” Knox chuckled. “He told them to stay away. Hey, we were talking about secrets. I’m surprised that you can cook, but what else have you been hiding from me?”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I believed you. Not many people can fool me.”
