Yield: 15 to 18 servings
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Lillie said what?
In the week we’ve been away, Mama has improved considerably. Her peach coloring is back, and she isn’t hunched over or fatigued. My heart pounds from the excitement and hope I have for her. And for our family. She’s been taking it easy just as she promised, leaving the restaurant to Sue. Daddy hasn’t left her side, just as he promised.
Wyatt and I are perched on the sofa, while she sits in her favorite chair swathed in a blanket, because even though it’s ninety plus degrees outside, the air conditioner is cranked all the way up. More than likely that’s Daddy’s doing because he has always run a little hot. He’s sitting at the dining room table with his laptop open, uncharacteristically quiet.
Lillie says, “Well, out with it. You two have been bouncing around like a couple of grasshoppers. I’m guessing you won.” She glances at Daddy, and he puts his head farther into his laptop.
“Daddy already told you. I can’t believe it.” I jump to my feet to make sure he can hear me. “I can’t believe you.”
She claps her hands with a big smile plastered on her face, then opens her arms wide. “Come here, you two.”
She hugs us in turn and whispers to me, “I’m so incredibly proud of you. And I never doubted it for a minute.”
“Thanks, Mama.” I go back to the sofa and relax against it. “Everything’s going to be fine. The, uh, adviser will call next week to set up their first appointment with you so you can start looking for a property and getting the ball rolling.”
Wyatt clears his throat and looks uncomfortable. I don’t blame him, because she’s not going to be happy about Knox being the adviser.
Mama picks up her cup of herb tea from the side table. “What adviser?”
I take a deep breath to settle my nerves about this bit. “Part of the prize is accepting the services from Chef Buccola’s consulting company. You know he has a bunch of Michelin-star restaurants, so it’s really an honor. He helped me a lot during the planning of the on-set restaurant.”
“Sure, but that’s because you’re fancy. I don’t want fancy. Since we’re being forced to move, whatever we get needs to be in line with what we have now.”
My blood starts to heat, because this stubborn streak of hers is past ridiculous. “Mama, be reasonable. You have everything open to you now. You can create a restaurant from scratch that can accommodate your growing clientele, add the latest appliances, improve the dining room furniture…”
“What’s wrong with the dining room we have right now?”
After her episode, I promised myself I wouldn’t stress her out and I intend to do my best to keep that promise. Besides, this is Knox’s problem now, and he’ll be better equipped to deal with it. I’m obviously too close. “Okay, Mama. You and Knox can work it out.”
She draws her eyebrows together and frowns, setting the cup down, then pulling her blanket tighter. “I beg your pardon?”
Ugh, I did not mean to let that slip.
“I told you that Knox quit and Flynn subbed in for him. Well, we just found out last night that he took a job with Chef Buccola’s consulting company. His first project will be yours. Tada.” I use jazz hands to drive the point home.
Daddy grumbles and Wyatt adjusts himself on the couch.
Lillie surprises the hell out of me. “Okay.”
“Okay?” I get back up and walk over to her, placing the back of my hand on her forehead.
“Stop being so dramatic, Rowan. Goodness gracious.”
“You hate the Everhearts. Now you’re okay with one of them bossing you around?”
She quirks an eyebrow and twists her lips. “Oh, there won’t be any bossing going on.”
I bark out a quick laugh. “Have you met Knox?”
“As a matter of fact I have. I’m told he saved my life.”
I’m not sure how I forgot that bit of information. Well, since she’s in the loving-Everheart mood, it seems like a good time to spring our relationship on her. “Oh, well then you’ll be happy to know that we’re together now.” I give her my most beatific smile.
She huffs, “I wonder who couldn’t see that coming.” She glances behind her at Daddy and they exchange a look. “I just hope you’re being careful.”
Oh no, surely, she isn’t about to have the birds and the bees talk with me right here, right now. I slink lower into the cushions, hoping to disappear.
Wyatt gets up and joins Daddy at the table.
She must realize what I’m thinking because she adds, “I’m saying that you can’t trust an Everheart. You should know that better than anyone. And although I appreciate him knowing how to do CPR, they’re not good people.”
“That’s not true, Mama.”
“Have you forgotten you were waitlisted because of
