by Kathy Ivan
A small pang of grief filled Tessa at the mention of her mother, because the loss was still too fresh. Six months wasn’t nearly enough time to forget a lifetime of memories, but the sharp, overwhelming grief had begun fading, becoming more tolerable. Leaving home for a year and taking this job in Shiloh Springs seemed to put things into better perspective and eased the ache of loss. Though she missed her parents, and probably always would, the aching void lessened a little more each day.
“I marked the page so you can write it down.” Handing the book to her friend, she chuckled when Jill snatched it from her hand. The avaricious look on Jill’s face was priceless.
“I’ve got you now, my pretty.” Her cackling laugh imitated the witch from The Wizard of Oz, as she stroked her hand across the embossed leather cover, before her expression turned serious. “Tessa, you’re lucky to have this. In my family, dinner usually meant fast food and pizza most nights. Home cooking at my house was as likely as finding the holy grail.”
“My mom loved cooking. Especially those recipes.” She pointed at the book Jill held clutched to her chest. “Though you’ll see with some of the older recipes, the measurements aren’t very precise. A dash of this and a pinch of that. Kinda subjective.”
Jill’s hand ran across the leather binding in a loving caress. “Isn’t that part of the fun? Experimenting and figuring out what works, what tastes good. It’s how I do it with my baking. You add a little bit of a certain ingredient, and voila, end up with something amazing.”
Tessa chuckled. “And sometimes you end up with wasabi-flavored cupcakes, instead of mint chocolate, because somebody picked up the wrong bottle.” She couldn’t help teasing Jill about her massive baking fail, which made their house stink for days.
“Sheesh, it was one time.”
“Fortunately, you’ve gotten better since then. Look at the cake you sent for the Boudreau barbecue. Everybody loved it.”
A wistful look crossed Jill’s face, before quickly disappearing. “Glad they liked it.”
Tessa stood and stretched. It had been a long day, though she loved her new class. Deep in her heart, she knew she’d been born to teach. Helping the kids, seeing the joy light their faces when they got the answer right, made her feel like she’d found her calling.
“You got a paper and pen I can borrow?” Jill’s question tugged her back into the here and now. “I want to write this down, so I can stop at the grocery on the way home. Since tomorrow’s Saturday, I’ll have lots of time to make a big pot to last all week.”
“Top drawer on the right.”
Jill flipped the book open to the marked page, and began furiously writing, her brow creased in concentration. Tessa knew better than to say anything until she’d finished. When Jill focused on a project, nothing short of an atomic bomb blast could distract her.
Maybe she should take a leaf out of Jill’s book, and make her own pot of chicken and dumplings. Along with some homemade bread, it would make a nice, comforting meal to share with a certain sheriff.
Before she could change her mind, she picked up her phone and texted Rafe, inviting him for dinner the next night. Almost immediately, she got back a yes and a smiling emoji.
“What’s put that look on your face? Jill’s tone was teasing. “Or should I say who? Maybe a tall, dark, and handsome sheriff?”
“I invited Rafe to dinner tomorrow night.”
“Yes!”
“Don’t get so excited, it’s only dinner.”
Jill studied her intently, and she barely resisted the urge to squirm. “And how many times have you and the good sheriff shared meals recently, hmm?”
“A couple?”
“Girlfriend, you’re living in a small town now. Everybody knows your business. I could probably ask five people walking down the street how many times you’ve had lunch or dinner with Rafe, and they could tell me the precise number. So, don’t kid a kidder. Are things serious between you?”
Tessa sighed and reached for the recipe book, stroking her fingers lovingly over the cover. “I don’t know, Jill. I like him, but after Trevor, I’m not ready to even think about getting into a relationship with anybody.”
“Trevor is a jerk and you’re well rid of him.” Jill gathered up the recipe she’d written and tucked it into her purse. “It’s Friday night. Why don’t we head over to Daisy’s for dinner and girl talk? I haven’t seen nearly enough of you since you moved to Shiloh Springs.” When Tessa started to refuse, Jill grabbed Tessa’s purse and thrust it toward her. “Here. I’m not taking no for an answer—unless you already have plans with Rafe?”
“No. I planned on spending tonight grading these papers, and maybe watching a little TV.”
“Then it’s settled. You’re having dinner with me.” Jill’s grin was infectious and Tessa found herself responding.
“Okay.” She glanced down at the recipe book in her hand. It was too big to fit in her purse. Shrugging, she yanked open the bottom drawer of her desk, and tossed it inside. She’d pick it up later, before she headed to the grocery store, because she didn’t want to leave it in her car while she was at the diner. If something happened to it, she’d never forgive herself.
“Awesome!” Jill linked her arm through Tessa’s. “You can fill me in on everything—starting with you dating Mr. Hot Sheriff.”
Finding a table at Daisy’s Diner proved easier said than done. They’d waited outside on the sidewalk lining Main Street for almost twenty minutes before Daisy had snagged them a table. The culinary heart of Shiloh Springs, especially on a Friday night, the place was packed wall-to-wall. Teenagers sat clustered in groups with their pals or significant others, their raucous laughter filling the air. Couples came in for date night, with a lot of hand holding and cuddling in the booths.
Since moving to Shiloh Springs, more than once she’d found herself sitting at the long red Formica counter, chatting with Daisy, who ran the place. They’d hit it off right away, since they both shared a similar background. While Tessa had relocated to Shiloh Springs for the school year to fill in, Daisy had left everything behind to help her uncle run the place after he’d suffered a stroke.
Since it was a Friday night, the joint was jumping, and she felt lucky they’d made it through the doors without an even longer wait. Still, the delay gave her and Jill a chance to chat, and catch up on everything from the past week.
“Mind if we join you?”
Tessa looked into the smiling faces of Ms. Patti and Serena, standing by their table. She waved a hand at the two open chairs. “Of course, we’d love it.”
With a grateful smile, Serena flung herself into the chair opposite hers, brushing tendrils of hair away from her face, while Ms. Patti slid onto the other empty seat and gave a contented sigh.
“You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had.” Serena grabbed the glass of ice water as the waitress placed it on the table, and gulped half of it without coming up for air. “You may not know this, but I’m going to clue you in to something I’ve recently discovered.” She paused for dramatic effect before adding, “People suck.”
Tessa chuckled at her new friend’s scowl. “Would that be people in general, or any one person in particular?” She waggled her brows, and Serena gave her a one-fingered salute. “Like that, is it?”
Serena leaned back in her chair, making a growly sound in the back of her throat. “I have been busting my backside, bending over backward to find the perfect location for a client, until I feel like a pretzel trying to accommodate everything he wants. Talk about picky…no matter what I chose, it wasn’t right. Not enough light. Too many windows. Not enough windows. He wanted three stories instead of two. No new construction. Oh, wait, maybe new construction would work.” Lifting her glass, she ran it against her forehead with a sigh. “Then today, after I’ve spent weeks looking for the perfect place for his store, he decides Shiloh Springs isn’t the right location anymore, and he is going to look elsewhere.”
“I’m sorry, Serena. Sometimes life
stinks.” Jill reached out and wrapped an arm around Serena’s shoulders, giving them a quick squeeze. “It’s his loss. He obviously doesn’t have a brain in his head, or he’d know Shiloh Springs is the best place in the world.”
“She’s right,” Tessa added. “I love it here. Anybody who thinks it’s not great is a baboon’s butt.”
She grinned and began thumping Ms. Patti on the back, since she’d taken a sip of her water when Tessa made her remark, and promptly started choking. Waving a hand in front of her face, she caught her breath. “A baboon’s butt? That’s the best you can do, Tessa?”
“Well, I could have said worse, but there are kids here, and I don’t want to corrupt their innocent little ears.” She pasted on a demure expression and batted her lashes, assuming such a phony sweet expression it didn’t fool anybody. Ms. Patti chuckled, and Serena and Jill joined in.
“Enough about my craptastic day. What’s going on with you two?” Serena flicked open the laminated menu, and began studying her choices.
“I bribed her into giving me her mother’s chicken and dumplings recipe. Score!” Jill did a booty dance on her chair, fist bumping in the air. “She dug out the family recipe book and everything.”
Ms. Patti glanced at Tessa. “Recipe book?”
“You should see it!” Jill grinned, nudging Tessa’s arm. “It’s so cool. All her relatives have recorded stuff in there. It goes back like—forever.”
Tessa shook her head, barely suppressing her grin at Jill’s exaggeration. “Not quite that long, though it has been in the family for a few generations. Recipes handed down from mother to daughter, and when my mom passed, the book came to me. It’s one of the things I cherish, because of the memories it holds.”
“How lovely.” Serena’s eyes met Tessa’s for a split second, their expression haunted. Though they’d started building a tenuous friendship, Tessa didn’t know a lot about Serena’s background, or what her life had been like before moving to Shiloh Springs. Thinking back, she realized Serena rarely talked about her personal life. She’d have to make an extra effort to befriend the realtor who’d been nothing but kind to her since the moment they’d met.
“Would you allow me to look at it sometime?” Ms. Patti reached over and squeezed Serena’s hand, though her words were directed at Tessa, and Tessa’s gut told her the older woman was trying to steer the focus away from Serena’s mention of her family. There was definitely something there, just beneath the surface. While she wouldn’t pry, she wanted Serena to know she was there if she ever needed a friendly ear or a shoulder to cry on.
“Of course, anytime you’d like, Ms. Patti. There are lots of good, old fashioned Southern comfort recipes in there.”
“Like her mother’s chicken and dumplings. I swear, Tessa, your mom’s dumplings were so light and airy, they practically floated out of the pot.”
“Well, then, I definitely need that recipe, because it’s one of Douglas’ favorite meals.”
Jill glanced toward the door, before smoothing her napkin across her lap, an amused expression flitting across her face. “Ladies, I think we’ve got company.”
Looking up, Tessa immediately spotted Rafe, and a sizzle of heat flickered deep in her belly. He’d changed out of his uniform, now sporting a pair of dark jeans and a black T-shirt. Muscles bunched beneath the soft cotton, and she swallowed past her suddenly dry throat. Brody, Lucas, and Dane Boudreau stood with him, filling the doorway with an overload of testosterone. Every female head in the room turned, staring at the display of masculinity invading Daisy’s place.
Waving a hand in front of her face, she leaned toward Ms. Patti. “I gotta say, you did raise some mighty fine-looking boys.”
She chuckled. “You should have been around when they went through their terrible teen years. And their high school dating years…” She gave an exaggerated shudder.
Daisy waved a hand in their direction, pointing toward their table, and Rafe’s gaze met hers. A slow, sexy smile curved his lips as he started toward her, and she swore she felt the room sway with his every step. His brothers trailed behind, but she barely noticed, her eyes glued to the man who occupied her every waking moment, and pretty much had since she’d met him.
“Well, if it isn’t all my favorite ladies together in one place.” The deep timbre of his voice seemed to reverberate deep inside her, sending a delighted shiver along her skin. He leaned in and kissed Ms. Patti’s cheek, though his gaze never left hers. If she wasn’t mistaken, the mischievous twinkle in their depths had her wanting to fan herself.
“Rafe…boys.” Ms. Patti’s voice held a teasing note, and she winked at Tessa before asking, “Would you like to join us?”
He grinned. “Thought you’d never ask.”
“What are you doing in town? I thought you were headed to the Big House. Douglas put a big pot of chili on this afternoon, and I left a pan of cornbread in the oven.”
“We’re heading that way in a couple minutes, Momma. Dane spotted your car outside, and we thought we’d stop in long enough to say hello.” Rafe’s perusal had Tessa fidgeting in her chair, and she picked up the menu, fanning it in front of her face. “Though, if we’d know you had such lovely company, we’d have canceled plans with Dad and joined y’all for supper instead.”
“Sorry, fellas, it’s strictly ladies’ night,” Serena quipped.
“You sure? We’ll even pay for dinner.” Rafe winked and Tessa felt heat rush into her cheeks.
“Go on, your dad’s waiting at the Big House.” Ms. Patti pointed to her cheek, and each one dutifully pressed a kiss there. She gave them an indulgent smile. “I might have left a German chocolate cake for dessert.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so? See ya!” Lucas gave a mock bow. “Ladies.”
After a bit more good-natured ribbing, the men headed for the diner’s door. Jillian sighed. “They look as good going as they do coming.” At their burst of laughter, she slammed her hand against her mouth. “Did I say that out loud?”
Tessa nodded and Serena raised her hand to high five Jill. “You did, and I totally agree.”
“Ladies, those are my sons you’re ogling.” Ms. Patti tried to look offended, but she couldn’t pull it off, not with the look of pride as she watched her sons depart.
“Well, you gotta admit, you raised some mighty fine-looking sons.” Serena raised her water glass. Tessa couldn’t agree more.
“Enough about my brood. What’s going on with you?” Ms. Patti’s question enveloped the whole table, her steely-eyed gaze leaving nobody unscathed. “Come on, don’t be shy. I’ve been at the ranch pretty much all week. Heath hadn’t been back forty-eight hours before one of the mares caught him and busted his arm. I’ve been babying him like crazy, but I had to get out of the house before I drowned in testosterone. Luckily, Serena rescued me with a dinner invitation.”
“Heath? Have I met him?” Tessa tried picturing all the Boudreau men, but couldn’t place Heath.
“You probably met him at the barbecue. He’s home for a visit. He lives in Virginia. Works in Washington for the ATF.” Ms. Patti’s tone was wistful. “Don’t tell him I said this, but I really miss him. I’d give anything for him to move back home, but he seems happy living on the east coast.”
“I don’t remember him, but there were a lot of new faces that day.”
“He was only here for a couple days and had to fly back for work. Then he showed up here earlier this week. I didn’t have a clue he was coming, but I’m always glad when my boys show up. Although I wish he hadn’t gotten hurt.”
“Well, I don’t have anything new going on in my life.” Jill lifted her glass of water and took a sip. “I still hate my job. Hate my commute, but it pays the bills. And it keeps me out of trouble.” Her cheeky grin was infectious and Tessa found herself smiling.
“Something better will come along, I promise. Look at me. I never expected to be in the same town with you, much less be working here. You never know, something new and exciting might b
e just around the corner, and you’ll be happier than you’ve ever been.”
“Well, I hope so. But can you speed up your timetable, because I’m not getting any younger.”
“I agree with Tessa. New and exciting things happen all the time. I know it’s hard, but be patient, and be open to new possibilities.” Ms. Patti grabbed Jill’s hand and squeezed it. “Did I ever say thank you for the beautiful cake you sent for the party?”
A blush spread across Jill’s cheeks. “Yes, and thanks. I loved being able to contribute.”
“I wish you’d have come. We missed you.”
“Maybe next time.” Tessa wasn’t sure why her friend had decided not to come to the huge celebration, but she had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with one of the brothers who’d been there in the diner. Whenever Lucas Boudreau’s name was mentioned, Jill got quiet and withdrawn. Tessa wasn’t above prying if need be, to find out what was troubling her friend, and try to fix whatever the problem was. Because that’s what friends do, they help.
Their food arrived, and disappeared as quickly as it came. Before long, it was time to call it a night. Giving each woman a hug, she climbed behind the wheel, and started the engine. With a soft sigh and a shrug, she decided she’d wait and go to the grocery store in the morning. She didn’t feel like heading back to the school to grab the recipe book. It was safe enough there overnight, locked in her desk.
Turning up the radio, she sang with the music all the way home. Tonight had been fun, and she hoped they’d get together again soon. She hoped Rafe and his brothers had fun with Douglas. She was looking forward to supper tomorrow night, and planned on making one of her grandmother’s recipes.
With a smile, she climbed the steps and headed inside.
She couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Evan, what are you doing here? Is Beth with you?”
“Guess it is a surprise, seeing me.” He gave her a sheepish grin, eyes downcast. “I had a business meeting in Austin, and thought I’d drive out and see my favorite sister-in-law before heading home. Beth would bite my head off, knowing I was this close and didn’t at least drop by and make sure you’re doing okay.”