Page 6 of Searching for Love

“Yeah.” Wyatt nodded. “We can talk details later. If you think you can handle cooking for two hundred guests just over a month from now?”

“Sure, no problem.” He frowned. “However, I’m not sure I’ll have a working kitchen at my place yet.”

“That’s no problem,” Hannah said. She looked around and shouted, “Kara!” She waved towards a brunette woman sitting across the sand with a group of others, including a couple of kids. The woman stood up and started towards them. “Kara, this is Lucas. Lucas, Kara.”

The pair of them laughed.

“What?” Hannah frowned.

“We’re…” Lucas started.

“Cousins,” Kara finished.

“You are?” Hannah blushed.

“Lucas Jenkins,” he said easily. “Kara and Robin are one of the main reasons I picked Pride to open my new restaurant.” He threw an arm over his cousin as he motioned towards the rest of the family, who he’d been hanging out with when Avery and Hannah had emerged from the water.

Robin was seven months pregnant and had yet to stand up from her spot under the umbrella. She appeared as if she was fast asleep at the moment. He was only at the beach that day because they’d invited him along.

“Of course you are.” Hannah took an elbow in the ribs from Avery.

“I told you this like a dozen times,” Avery hissed.

“Right.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “Well, we’re having our wedding at your cousins’ venue in a little over a month. There’s a large kitchen. We’re thinking of having Lucas cater the wedding,” she told Kara.

“Oh, how wonderful.” Kara gasped. “Of course, you can use our kitchens. Just let us know what you need.”

He nodded. Was this happening?

Had he just secured a big job before he even had a chance to open his restaurant doors?

“I’d like that,” he said eagerly. He hadn’t expected to work before the restaurant was open. Then again, the extra money would be worth it. And if he pulled the wedding off, the entire town of Pride would get a taste of what he had to offer.

Just then, Robin crossed the sand towards them, holding Kara’s daughter, Reagan, in her arms. His cousin’s round belly stuck out in front of her, and she looked very uncomfortable, even after Kara took her daughter from her sister’s arms.

Immediately, Reagan’s chubby hands reached for him and he easily took her into his arms and put her on his hip.

“Lucas has just secured the catering gig for their wedding,” Kara told Robin.

“That’s wonderful.” Robin smiled as she laid a hand over her belly. “He is by far the best cook in the family.”

Kara laughed. “He got that from his dad’s side of the family.”

“We can’t wait,” Hannah said.

“Maybe you should prepare some samples?” Avery added as she ran a fingertip down Reagan’s chubby cheek. “You know, to narrow down what you want?” she said to Hannah.

“That’s a great idea,” Kara chimed in. “How about… dinner.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “We don’t have an event on Saturday after three o’clock. We can meet with you to go over a few more details and then you can enjoy dinner after.”

“This weekend?” he asked, and she nodded quickly.

“Are you both available?” Kara asked Hannah and Wyatt. They both quickly nodded.

“You should come too. As my maid of honor, your say in the food is important.” Hannah took Avery’s hand in hers.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Avery said, her eyes locked with his.

It was obvious why he was drawn to her. The kindness was clear in her eyes. Beyond her outer beauty, Avery was pure goodness to her core.