“Hi,” Jane said. “Checking up on me?”
“A little bit,” he admitted. “I’m doing an interview for a cook.”
“Oh, good. Because I’ll do my best, but I don’t normally cook for twenty...” She made a face, and Colt chuckled.
“We’ll see how it goes. You okay, there?”
“I think so.” She hit a button, opened the oven and stuck her hand inside, then nodded. “There we go. That was the oven this time.”
She was handy. Was that even something a woman wanted to hear? But she seemed to take on a challenge without too much fuss, and that was a quality that Colt was forced to admire. He’d half expected Jane to be a bit helpless—widowed, mother of twins, overworked and needing a break somewhere—but she wasn’t and he realized he liked that. She was not just an extra responsibility around here—she was actually helping out, and right now that took a load off his shoulders.
Colt went back into the dining room where Paul was waiting. Colt sat down and went over the résumé with him, asking him some questions about his certifications and cooking experience. He was calm and collected, answered all the questions after a brief pause and a furrowing of his brow.
“We need someone who could start right away,” Colt said. “When are you available?”
“I could start tomorrow.”
“It’s a live-in position. That a problem for you?”
“Nope. I could do that.”
Too good to be true? Colt wasn’t sure. He didn’t know this fellow from Adam, and for all he knew the résumé might be a complete fabrication. But he didn’t have a lot of time to be picky, either. He’d check his references, but he wanted Peg’s opinion, too.
“There is one more person I’d like you to meet,” Colt said, and he pulled out his phone and tapped in a text then pressed Send.
“The current cook?” Paul asked, raising his eyebrows.
“No, she’s just standing in,” Colt replied, glancing back toward the kitchen. “Let’s head back to the house.”
This was where Colt needed Peg’s insights. She’d never been stingy with her opinions before, and he’d be glad for them today. He got a return text and glanced down at it. Peg was at the house, as he’d been relatively certain she would be, considering that Jane was here in the canteen.
Colt drove Paul back up the winding drive, and Paul made small talk as they went. Colt learned that Paul was widowed and had two married daughters. He currently lived in town with one of them.
“You sure a live-in job is going to work for you?” Colt asked him as they hopped out.
“I’ll be level with you,” Paul replied. “I love my girls and I love those grandbabies, but I miss horses and cattle and some quiet in the mornings. I think my daughter’s marriage could use a bit of space, too, truth be told.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“They need time alone. That’s all. And having me kicking around isn’t helping. A live-in position would give me an excellent excuse to get out from underfoot. I’m supposed to be retired, but I’d rather work another couple of years yet. I’m not worn out yet.”
“That makes sense,” Colt admitted. “Come on inside.”
Colt parked in his regular spot and hopped out. Paul followed him to the side door, and they went inside together. The kitchen was empty, but he could hear a toddler’s wail coming from deeper inside the house. Peg had her hands full this afternoon, it would seem. A patter of little feet came through the living room, and one of the toddlers ran at full speed into the kitchen, a new diaper clutched in one hand and a beaming smile on her face. She lurched to a stop when she saw the men, looked between them for a beat, then launched herself at Colt with a squeal.
Colt didn’t have much choice but to bend down and scoop her up, or she’d have collided with his dusty jeans. The toddler squirmed around and reached for his hat with one pudgy hand.
“Hey, there,” Colt said to the girl. “Where’s your sister?”
The wailing from the other side of the house stopped, and Colt looked over at Paul and shrugged. “Kids, right?”
“Don’t I know it. I’ve got a grandson a little younger than this one, and a granddaughter a little older. But they keep you busy.”
The girl managed to get a hold of his hat at that point, and Colt took it off and dropped it on her head. It covered her face completely, and he could hear the hollow echo of her giggle from inside. He pulled it up so he could see her face, and she giggled again. Man, this kid was cute. And he still couldn’t tell if it was Suzie or Micha. If Jane were here, she’d clue him in.
“Again!” the toddler squealed, pulling the hat down. Colt chuckled, and then the second toddler erupted into the kitchen, Peg a few steps behind.
“How old are they?” Paul asked.
“Two,” Colt replied. That was one thing he was certain about.
“Enjoy this. They grow up and get married faster than you’d think,” Paul said with a chuckle.
Colt realized that Paul was assuming the girls were his, and he was about to correct him when Peg came forward with a smile.
“I’m Peg Melton,” she said, and she shook Paul’s hand firmly. “So you’re here about the cook position?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Paul pulled off his hat and tucked it under his arm.
“I’m going to cut right to the chase here,” Peg said, narrowing her eyes. “You’re older than we usually get applying. Why aren’t you retired on a porch?”
“Retired?” Paul eyed Peg for a moment, and Colt could see them both sizing the other up. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“I’m needed,” she retorted.
“Well,
