“I’m glad. They’re such cute animals.” Her lips twitched. “And they taste good with red wine.” Lena leaned back in her chair and laughed, the sound filling the kitchen.
* * *
It felt good to laugh again, something that had been missing for the past few weeks. She hardly knew Adam but he was easy to talk to. No wonder Kyle was at ease with him. She looked up as the front door opened. “Sounds like the family’s back.” It was nice with the two of us. How weird is that?
Kyle, Sophia, and Ben walked into the kitchen and Lena watched as they all greeted Adam.
“So you two are getting on fine, I see.” Sophia put her hand on Lena’s shoulder and squeezed.
Mama, don’t even go there.
“Can I pour you a wine, Sophia, Ben?” Adam was on his feet reaching for wineglasses.
“Thank you, I could do with one after that walk.” Ben pulled out a chair and sat down. “Tell me, how are those new animals you had delivered the other day? Settled in yet?”
Adam sat back down and poured them a glass of wine each, passing it over before he replied. “They look like exceptional stock. You must come and have a look soon. So pleased to have come across them too. I need to keep them apart from the others for about a month, then we can start pairing them off and hoping for a good season with lots of new fawns. I might cull some of the ones I already have and sell them off or send them to the works for meat. I don’t think they’ll all be good breeding stock and I can carry only so many boys anyway.”
“I’d be interested in a side of venison if you have one to spare.” I didn’t mean to say that out loud. Lena spoke up before she could think and the look she got from her parents was enough to make her want to take back the words. She’d just set herself up for more cooking. So much for taking the time to sit back and think about it.
“Sure. I’ll make certain you get some. You might want to show me the best way to prepare it too. I’d hate to be the one to ruin good meat when a world class chef was living next door.”
“I’m not world—”
“Stop selling yourself short, Lena. You know you are. The only reason that restaurant did so well was because of you and that award you got not so long ago. Best Restaurant in Australia as voted on by the public.” Ben scowled before his wife tapped him on the knee.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause any problems.” Adam looked at her apologetically.
What a stuff up. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault, Adam, honestly. I’m not dealing with this very well.” And the last thing I need is to show my insecurities in front of you. She wiped moist palms over the legs of her jeans and plastered a smile on her face. “Kyle and I would be happy to show you how to cook venison our way, won’t we?” Back me up here, buddy. Help your mama save face. Lena glanced at her son sitting beside Adam looking apprehensive.
“Yeah, sure. I’m keen.” He fidgeted in his chair. “Uh, how come you didn’t bring over Spencer? I was telling Mum about him.” He leaned his chin on his arm and stared up at Adam, waiting for an answer.
“I didn’t think it was appropriate to bring him to dinner when he wasn’t invited.”
Lena watched the twitch of Adam’s lips and hid a smile. Such manners, he’s kind of cute and so different from Cole. “I’d love to meet him anytime. He’s more than welcome here, isn’t he Papa?”
“Of course he is. Go and get him if you want to, there’s time before dinner isn’t there, Lena?”
She nodded her head and watched her son bounce up from the table, grabbing at Adam’s arm. He was never like that with his adoptive father. “Come on then, let’s go get him.”
“If you’re sure he won’t be a problem? He kind of thinks he owns my place; I’d hate for him to take over here as well. Comes with attitude I’m afraid. Little dog syndrome I believe it’s called.”
“This house has been without an animal for too long anyway, Adam. He’s more than welcome, I promise you,” Sophia said.
“Right, be back in a jiffy then.” He walked out the back door with Kyle right beside him and Lena laughed.
“He’s good for the boy, Lena. Even you can see that.” Her father put his hand over hers and squeezed. “It’s going to be okay, honey. You’ll both get through this.”
She tried to smile at him, but the pain of betrayal raised its head again enough to make tears rush to her eyes. With the back of her hand, she wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. If Cole had been half as nice, I wouldn’t be here now at the mercy of my parents. “I know and I can’t thank you both enough for it. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Sophia stood up and leaned over her daughter, her arms protecting her as she spoke. “My bella, this is your home and Kyle’s too. You can stay forever if you want to, I shan’t complain. I missed you both so much living in the city. If you want to cook again, it’s your choice. We are behind whatever you decide. Now dry those tears before the boys come back
