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Melanie and I were in the kitchen finishing up Cord’s birthday dinner. She had made lasagna, which was Cord’s favorite meal, homemade bread, salad, and a chocolate cheesecake for dessert.
“Thank you for helping. I know the kids love to spend as much time together as they can. Especially with the two new little ones.”
“It’s my pleasure. I used to help me ma in the kitchen all the time. It’s how I found me love of cooking, helping her with all her recipes. Me da loved it as well because she was always trying something new out since he was the tester.”
Melanie gave me a warm smile.
“Well, you’re welcome in my kitchen anytime you’d like.”
I felt me face heat. “Thank you, I’d love that.”
“Your accent is just precious. I love to hear you talk.”
With a chuckle, I went back to mixing the lettuce up with the salad mixings I’d cut up earlier.
“Not everyone has a fondness for it.”
She frowned. “Who doesn’t like it?”
“Cord. He said it’s hard for him to understand me.”
She huffed. “That just means he likes you.”
“What?” I asked, confused. “How does him not liking me accent mean he likes me?”
Melanie didn’t bother to look up. “Trust me. A mother knows these things. You probably didn’t notice how he perked up when he saw you standing in the doorway of the family room. The boy nearly lit up the entire room.”
Hope bubbled in me chest. “I’m sure he was just surprised to see me here for your family dinner. Amelia didn’t tell me the entire family would be here or that you’d be celebrating Cord’s birthday.”
Her gray eyes met mine and a wide grin moved over her face. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?”
I frowned and was about to ask her what she meant, but she laughed and waved off her comment.
While cutting up the cucumber, I yawned.
“You poor thing, you must be so tired with the restaurant opening and all.”
“I am. I’m pretty wrecked and already longing for a holiday.”
“That means a vacation, right?”
I nodded.
Melanie stared for a few moments before she set her spoon down and placed her hands on the island.
“Maebh, I’ve got a great idea.”
“What is it?” I asked, matching her smile with one of my own.
“We have a house on LBJ Lake. It’s a few hours away, and it’s open next weekend. Four whole days of nothing but peace and quiet.”
My teeth sank into my lip, and I wanted more than anything to tell her I’d take it.
“Oh, I’m not sure I can leave the restaurant. I mean, we just opened.”
“Your father can watch it! I know he owns a successful business back in Ireland.”
I was tempted to take her up. I knew my da and Eric would be able to handle the restaurant for a few days.
“Just think about it. We’ll keep that weekend open for you.”
“Thank you, Melanie.”
Her face lit up. “Of course, my sweet girl! Now, go tell everyone to get into the dining room. Dinner is fixin’ to be served.”
I made my way through the kitchen and into the large family room. I loved hearing all the craziness coming from that room. Chloe was begging Mitchell to sing something from Frozen, while Gage was laughing. When I rounded the corner, me breath caught in my throat.
Cord was the one making Gage laugh hysterically. Me stomach dropped, and I instantly felt a throbbing heat between me legs.
Goodnight, nurse.
That man was so good looking. Hot didn’t even begin to describe how handsome he was. I could see his ripped muscles through his shirt as he grabbed his little nephew, pulling him across the floor and back into his lap to tickle him. I didn’t notice anyone else in the room, only him.
“He’s good with Gage, isn’t he?” Paxton asked, making me jump.
“Um, yes. Gage seems to really love his uncles and aunts.”
Paxton’s eyes were on me, but I didn’t look at her. I’d told the girls I was going to move on and forget about my feelings for Cord, but Paxton had caught me staring. And when I say staring, I mean me tongue was practically on the floor.
Shite. I needed to be more careful with my ogling.
I faced Paxton. “Your ma said that dinner was about to be ready and for everyone to come sit down.”
“Okay, I’ll make the cattle call!”
We chuckled and I headed back to the kitchen to help Melanie. I felt so terrible for crashing their dinner, so much so that I was trying me best to help with whatever Melanie needed. I stopped in the hall, watching the Parker parents together.
“Oh man, sweetheart,” John said, coming up behind Melanie and wrapping his arms around her. “It all smells so good.”
Melanie lifted her head to look back at her husband. The way they held each other made me heart melt on the spot. It was beautiful how in love they were. For a few moments, they seemed lost in each other’s eyes and me chest ached thinking about me own parents. I wanted a love like this someday. Not just wanted, longed for.
