Page 216 of Cowboy Daddies

Chapter Twelve

The Wilder house was gorgeous.

She’d grown up in a big house that had been stately and cold. The Wilder house was large but it had a much warmer feel to it. It was lived in. You wouldn’t be scared to eat food while sitting on the sofa. Or wear your shoes inside. Or touch the walls.

Still, she’d decided that she was going to be on her best behavior while she was here. This job was a lifeline. Not only did she not have to pay for the motel or food, but the money she’d earn could help pay the mechanic’s bill. Which meant that she wouldn’t have to call one of her brothers and beg.

That was definitely worth having to put up with Jeb Wilder.

Not that she’d seen him or Wyatt since she’d arrived a few hours ago. Jeb had put of all her stuff into this really cute spare room with the admonishment that she was to stay off her foot and not do too much. Then he’d gone to work. Now it was after six and her tummy was growling.

She hadn’t been eating much lately.

Well, Jeb had told her that she was in charge of meals. Which was going to be interesting when she couldn’t actually cook.

But, really, how hard could it be?

Opening the fridge, she hummed and danced as she drew out cheese and cold meat. Awesome. Oh, and there were grapes. And crackers.

She had the beginnings of a feast.

“Are you making a snack?” Wyatt asked as he stepped into the room. “So close to dinner? Papa won’t like that.”

“This isn’t a snack! It’s dinner!”

Wyatt’s eyes widened as he watched her put everything together on a wooden plate she’d found.

“Dinner?”

“Yep.”

“But for dinner we usually have things like steak and mashed potatoes or roast meat with potatoes. Or fried chicken with mashed potatoes.”

“That’s a lot of potatoes, sugar. Not that I mind potatoes. Hey, look! Here we are!” She picked up a packet of chips. “I’ll put these on. And potatoes! Voila!”

She set it down in the middle of the table just as she heard a door open and shut.

“And just in time.”

Wyatt just stared at her. Then down at the food. Then he shook his head.

Obviously, he was basking in her magnificence. She’d stolen his ability to talk.

It happened a lot.

“Evening,” Jeb said as he walked in and moved to the sink to wash his hands. “What’s this? Snacks before dinner? We don’t usually do that.”

“No, this is dinner. Have you guys never seen a charcuterie board before?” she asked.

“A what?” Wyatt asked.

“Like with cheese and meat and fruit. Crackers. Sometimes dips. Sorry, no dips tonight.”

“Snacks for dinner?” Jeb repeated incredulously. “Uh, we usually eat proper meals. I work all day and Wyatt is a growing boy who needs vegetables and protein.”

“I’ve got meat on the board. And dairy. That’s good for growing boys, right?”

“I think it looks yummy,” Wyatt said.