“I sure do. Weall go way back.”
Franny hurried out of the kitchen. “Great, you made it just in time. How was your trip?” She pulled Olive to the kitchen. “You can help me serve.” She grabbed her friend by the arm and chided, “Do you know how hard it was for me to keep our friendship secret while I visited the coffee shop? Don’t ever do that to me again.”
Drinda watched them walk away and couldn’t help but grin, even as she dashed away tears of joy at seeing her Oma for the first time in nearly a year. What were the odds that her new friend Franny was also her Oma’s friend? Life was bizarre.
“Are you okay?” Ford asked, striding up and laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Never better. That’s my Oma. I loved the summers I spent on her farm when I was a kid.” She stared into the doorway to the kitchen, hoping for another glimpse of her beloved relative. She’d missed her dreadfully.
“That’s awesome. Come on. Let’s get you a tissue, then we can eat.”
Ford helped her, Franny, and Oma into their seats and pushed their chairs in before pouring wine. Hesaid grace with an eloquence and gratitude she hadn’t expected. She sat between her grandmother and Franny. Being across from Ford was both torture and relief. She was glad she didn’t have to sit close and smell his clean soapy scent but watching him smile and laugh was hazardous to her heart and equilibrium.
Dinner was a laughter-filled rowdy event. Drinda slowly lost her self-consciousness around the cheery group and laughed along with everyone else.
She couldn’t keep her eyes off Ford. The man was dangerous. She wanted to flee from his vicinity, and she wanted to crawl into his lap and cuddle.
This was not good.
Not good at all.
She put up a mental wall and another around her heart. She wasn’t going to let Ford in. There was too much between them, the least of which was her reluctance to enter another relationship with a man who had an erratic schedule. She’d been down that road before and had no intention of going there again.
She’d find a man with a stable nine-to-five position. Someone she could counton to be home when she needed him there. With her crazy early schedule, a man with a regular job was the only way having a family would work, and she fully intended to have at least two children. She loved kids.
“How about you Drinda?”
“I’m sorry. What was the question? I guess I’m a bit overtired. I was up extra early.” She faked a yawn and picked up her water.
“Do you have a date for the Valentine’s dinner?” Franny asked.
She choked on her water. After half a dozen rough coughs she managed to catch her breath. “Goodness, no. I can’t date that day. I’m not opposed to dating in general, but I cannot possibly date on the night I’m serving dessert.”
“What are you serving?”
“Something traditional,” Ford blurted. She glared at him.
“Something different. Maybe even innovative. I’m testing several new recipes. I intend to bring samples to the next planning meeting. We can let the board decide.” She gave Ford a take that look. He opened his mouth to protest but Oma interrupted him.
“What a great idea!” she enthused. “I can’t wait. Nothing breaks up a boring meeting like a good dessert.” She rubbed her belly in anticipation.
“You’re on the committee?” Drinda asked. How had she not known this? They’d had two meetings and not once was her grandmother mentioned. She gave Franny a questioning look.
“Of course. I started the whole event. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”
What else didn’t she know?
After entirely too much food and maybe one too many glasses of wine, she struggled into her coat.
“Here, let me help,” Ford offered. He held the shoulders of her jacket and helped her slide her arms inside. He stepped around her and straightened her lapels. She looked up at him.
Their eyes locked for a heartbeat. Then two more. The bright blue of his eyes darkened. Her breath rushed out in a soundless gasp. She leaned toward him. She had to taste to see if he was as delicious as he looked.
His pupils dilated andhe bent closer.
“Leaving already?”
They jerked apart.
