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He set his dish on the table and came up beside Katie, catching sight of Beth. He shot a glance at Katie and back, recovering quickly. “Hi there.”
“Cooper,” Lisa said. “This is Beth Wallace, a friend of Katie’s. She’s doing wonders for our online marketing for Trail Days.”
“That’s great. Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“My pleasure.” Beth glanced between Katie and Cooper. “Well, don’t you two make the cutest couple.”
The temperature in Katie’s cheeks shot up by ten degrees. “Oh... no, we’re not—”
“Together,” Cooper finished.
“She’s dating our other son, Gavin, who can’t make it tonight.” Lisa patted Cooper’s shoulder. “We’re still working on getting this one to settle down.”
“I’m so sorry,” Beth said. “I just thought...”
“No worries,” Jeff said.
Avery dropped an arm around Katie’s shoulder. “Katie fits in around here so well we’re always happy to have her, Gavin or no.”
“She’s like family already.” Lisa beamed. “All right, the food smells great. And Cooper even made an actual dish.”
“Well, well.” Avery took her place at the table. “Green bean casserole. Where’s the standard bag of chips?”
Cooper sat across from Katie and gave Avery a mock scowl.
“Your recipe repertoire is expanding,” Jeff said. “Must be getting tired of pizza and Hot Pockets.”
“I can follow a recipe.”
“But it’s ever so much easier to have a woman cook for you,” Avery teased.
He probably had women inviting him over for meals all the time. Trying to impress him with their culinary skills.
After Jeff said grace they all dug in. As usual conversation flowed easily, quickly hopping from one topic to another. They did a good job of including their guest in the exchange.
After they finished eating there was a brief lull in conversation. Avery pushed back her plate. “Do you have any kids, Beth?”
Katie’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. Would her mother admit to having children? Or would she deny Katie’s existence? She was suddenly unsure if she wanted to know the answer.
Beth’s face had drained of color. She cleared her throat in the sudden silence. “I do, actually. But... I’m afraid it’s a little complicated.”
“Don’t mind Avery,” Cooper said. “She’s too inquisitive for her own good.”
Katie could’ve kissed him for smoothing over the moment. But she couldn’t help but wonder if Beth would’ve continued the story if pressed.
“Sorry,” Avery said. “Didn’t mean to be nosy.”
Beth gave her a warm smile. “Not at all.”
“It’s her curiosity that drove her into med school, I think,” Lisa said. “She loves solving problems. Katie, honey, would you mind getting the banana pudding from the fridge?”
“Of course not.” She wasted no time getting up from the table. Her face felt like it was on fire, and her legs trembled as she made her way up the steps and through the back door.
23
Cooper frowned at Kate’s back as she retreated. He couldn’t have been more surprised to find her birth mother here, and judging by Kate’s nervous demeanor, it hadn’t been her choice. Conversation at the table resumed, but he could only think about what Katelyn must be dealing with.
His mom fetched another water bottle. “Oh, Cooper, could you run inside and get the dessert cups? They’re above the stove. Katie won’t be able to reach them.”
