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I called to him as I slipped off my sandals and padded toward the back of the house. “He’s good. Crab season opens soon, so he’s getting his pots ready. He was excited to try the slab of your chicken pot pie I left with him. I promised him cobbler once the blackberries came in.”
I stopped short. The kitchen was … full. The counters were covered with neat groups of ingredients and bowls, pots were on the stove, and Lucas was wearing the Michelangelo’s David apron, which fit him exactly, so he looked naked. Yum.
“What’s all this?” I asked.
“Dinner.”
“I thought I was making the mussels.” I lifted the little cooler.
“We’remaking the mussels. We’ve heated leftovers and eaten out lately, but we haven’t cooked something special together in a while. The resort opens in two weeks, and we’ll be busy. So, I’m taking this time with my girl.” He snaked his arms around me and pulled me to him with a big inhale.
His girl. I loved it when he called me that. Not because I wanted to belong to him in some middle-ages sort of way, but because he claimed me, he chose me, he picked me for his team. He was my man for the same reason.
He strolled back to the kitchen island. “I’m setting a precedent. I expect to come home and cook with you most nights of the week after all this crazy is finished.” He gave me a pointed look like he was laying down some law I had to comply with.
I nodded. “Whatever you say, Hot Shot.”
He gave me the dimples. “Thanks for letting me feel like I’m in charge sometimes.”
“What are we making?” I asked.
“Caesar salad with scratch dressing.” He gestured to a set of ingredients and my big wooden bowl on one side of the kitchen island. “Steamed mussels with angel hair pasta and sautéed asparagus.” He pointed to the stove. “French bread from Bread Farm. I cheated there because I know nothing about baking bread, and for dessert,” he beat his fingers on the counter’s edge, “almond cake.”
“Did you and Ed plan this?”
“What, no. How would Ed and I plan this?”
“Lucas, Ed told me about the little talk you two had before you flew to Nashville.”
“Ah, then yes, Ed and I planned this.” He grinned and snuck a quick kiss. “Oh, you taste good. One more,” he said, gripping my neck to hold me, and I melted into him. God, I loved kissing him.
He released me and moved back to the stove. I eyed the dining table along the back wall of windows, where a short glass vase overflowed with fresh flowers. “These are beautiful. What is this? Mint, oh and sage, blooming thyme, even chives and basil sprigs. You made a bouquet of dahlias and used herbs for the greenery?”
“Yep.”
“I love it. Thank you, Lucas.”
“All right. Get your apron, Chef. There’s a lot to do. Oh, did your folks get the information I sent about the plane tickets?”
“Yes. Thanks for reminding me. I talked to Mom on the way to Ed’s. She said she and Dad are looking forward to visiting and being part of the resort opening and not only because I’m cooking. They haven’t been out since the first grandbaby was born.”
I heard a knock and turned toward the back to see Miss Natalie from next door. A man I didn’t recognize hung back by a lounge chair on the patio.
Lucas opened the sliding door. “Miss Natalie. You look lovely.” He nodded to the gentleman in the distance. “Mr. Landers. What can we do for you?”
“Do you have a wine opener I can borrow? I broke mine yesterday, don’t know my own strength, and Jacob brought a lovely bottle to share with dinner and caught me with no opener.”
I winked at Luc, then headed to the drawer on the side counter that held several. Mine and his combined.
“Here you go, Miss Natalie.” I returned at a brisk walk. “That’s so nice of Mr. Landers to stop by and visit with you and Miss Nell.”
Miss Natalie’s eyes shifted. “Nell’s youngest had her first baby recently. She’s in Texas for a bit, helping, you know.”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. That’s so convenient—” I said and glanced at Mr. Landers, “—that she can be there and help. My mother was such a help to my sisters after their babies were born.”
“Yes, dear. It is convenient.” She winked. “Thank you so much for the opener. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.”
“Oh, no rush. You keep it ’til you have a replacement. I’d hate for you to be caught without one again.”
