Chapter 6
Kit dried her hands on her apron before she slipped it over her head. She tossed the apron into the expansive laundry room, which was just off of the kitchen.
She missed the baskets of dirty laundry and ended up having to walk in to pick it up.
Great job.
She was pleased with how dinner turned out. It was thanks to the trip to the grocery marketplace that she was able to pull together something special for Carter’s birthday. At least she hoped he would enjoy it, and hoped his family would, as well. She’d find out soon enough.
“Smells wonderful.” A pretty young woman entered the kitchen, her blonde hair swinging at her waist in soft ringlets. She held out her hand to Kit. “Sorry I arrived late. I’m Haylee McLeod, Carter’s youngest sister.”
“You have the same eyes.” Kit gripped Haylee’s hand before releasing it. Carter’s sister’s eyes were more of a chocolate brown, but the shape was the same. “You’re much prettier though.”
There was no way to hide that the two were related. Somehow the same features looked good on his rugged frame and her much more toned down one.
“And you are much prettier than Lester.” Haylee laughed. “He was the last cook, and he never made anything that smelled even close to as good as this does.”
Kit smiled as she walked to the counter where everything for the main course sat, ready to be taken to the dining room after the appetizers were finished. “Thank you.”
“I came to help you take it all out to the table.” Haylee joined Kit where she stood in front of the serving dishes and pan of corn bread. “Everyone enjoyed the snap pea, radish, and basil side salad.” She brushed hair over her shoulder as she spoke. “Those sundried tomato and goat cheese skewers appetizers were also a hit. The pistachios were a nice touch.”
The compliment was honest. This girl seemed really nice. The type of girl that she probably would have had as a friend in a different life. Here she was the boss’s sister.
“I’m glad you liked them.” So far so good. Kit couldn’t be completely relieved until the McLeod family ate the entire meal. She picked up the domed platter of pork chops. “Now for the main course.”
Haylee grasped one of two covered side dishes and they headed into a dining room that was nothing short of grand.
The moment Kit walked into the room, her gaze met Carter’s. A warm flush stole over her body as their eyes met and lingered just a moment too long. She tore her gaze away and leaned over the table to set the platter down.
“Just the smell of everything is to die for.” Julie, Carter’s mom, adjusted the napkin on her lap. “When Carter told us we were eating in, all I could imagine was a cowboy meal of barbequed pork, pinto beans, and corn bread.”
As Kit set the domed platter on the table, Carter chuckled. “No doubt that would have been the menu if Kit hadn’t replaced Lester.”
“Thank God for big favors.” Joe, Carter’s dad, grinned at Kit. “Welcome to Arizona, young lady.” He stuck his hand out and she shook it.
“Thank you, Joe.” As others joined in, Kit nodded and smiled to each of Carter’s family members, all of whom she’d been introduced to when she brought in the appetizers. “Thank you all for the warm welcome.”
They were so kind, and so casual about how nice they were.
She could fall in love with this family.
She looked over at Carter. He was there, handsome as ever.
Bear, who at thirty was the youngest brother, stared at the large dome like it was a space ship. “What’s for dinner?”
Maybe she had gone a bit too fancy with this meal. She didn’t realize that they may be expecting a much simpler presentation. Definitely not what she was used to at all.
Her muscles tensed. Would they all like what she’d prepared?
Kit removed the lid. “Grilled pork chops with balsamic caramelized pears.” The smell wafted out from the dish. The reaction was almost immediate after it was revealed.
“Good lord.” Grandma Francis shook her head before looking at Carter. “You let this one go and you’re liable to have mutiny on your hands.”
“I’m not planning to let her go.” Carter’s voice was low.
Kit’s heart skipped. It was almost too easy to misinterpret the way he’d said it, but it was a ridiculous thought considering she’d been there one day.
She forced herself to remember why she was there. Kit worked for Carter.
Employee.
That was what she was. She forced herself to get back on topic. “You haven’t tasted it yet.” Kit laughed as she took the large covered serving dish from Haylee, who left the room, probably to get the other side dish and cornbread. Kit removed the cover of the dish Haylee had just left. “A?oli mashed potatoes with chives.”
“Yep.” Justin nodded. He had a smile almost as sexy as Carter’s. “We’re already spoiled as hell, and you just got here today.”
The McLeod family’s appreciation of Kit’s cooking was somehow more special than any compliment she had received in her career as a professional chef. Here was an entire family that seemed to fawn over her cooking. It just felt more personal than normal customers.
Haylee returned and set the cornbread and last side dish on the table. Everyone had their eyes on the food. The smells that filled the room were pretty damned good. And it looked like the entire room agreed with that assessment.
“Even though Lester isn’t here, you do get cornbread after all.” Kit smiled. This had to be one of the meals that she felt the best about in a long time. “This is a basic green chili and tomatillo version.”
Kit presented the last dish. “This is one of my favorites. Olive-oil-braised broccoli rabe with pine-nut crumble.”
“Can’t begin to remember what you just told us.” Colt reached for the mashed potatoes and held it beside Julie so that she could take a helping. “But I’m sure we’re going to like it.”
“Join us, Kit.” Julie put the serving spoon back into the mashed potatoes. “Since my niece, Elsa, couldn’t make it, we have an extra seat.”
“That’s kind of you.” Kit smiled at Carter’s mom. “However, this is a family night and I don’t want to intrude. I’ll bring out the cake when you’re all finished with dinner.”
“You’re not intruding.” Carter’s deep voice dragged Kit’s attention from Julie.
God, she could barely breathe around him. Her chest tightened.
Keep it cool.
“Sit down.” Carter gestured to the chair beside him. His smile made the air suddenly feel so thin that she felt lightheaded. “We’d all like to get to know you better.”
Her heart started to race.
Brady spoke up in a deadpan tone. “Then we know who to go after if we all get food poisoning.”
Kit winced. Everyone else laughed, Grandpa Daniel the loudest of all. This was the kind of family that she could fall in love with. She looked over the crowd, happy and celebrating.
Eager to know everything about her.
They honestly seemed to care.
You can’t get that in a five-star kitchen.
The next thing Kit knew, she was being ushered to sit beside Carter, with his other sister, Leeann, on her opposite side. “Thank you.”
Sitting next to Carter made her feel as if her body was on fire. She prayed her bra was padded enough that her nipples weren’t showing through her T-shirt. All she needed was to let everyone in his family see how physically attracted she was to Carter.
She didn’t know him well at all, but from what she’d seen, he was a nice guy and loved by his employees. Time would tell if she was right about him.
In the meantime, she had to get her hormones and her desire under control. After all, the man was her boss, and she had no business fantasizing about his big body pressed against hers…
She nearly planted her face in the mashed potatoes Carter had spooned onto her plate while she was busy fantasizing about him.
He also gave her a helping of broccoli rabe as the dishes were passed around, then served her one of the pork chops.
Keep it together.
It all happened so quickly that Kit felt off-balance at suddenly being in the middle of what appeared to be an ordinary yet extraordinary family.
She held her fork in her hand as her gaze drifted around the table, from one person to the next. She could feel Carter’s eyes on her as she visually explored his family. They didn’t seem like the type to have a personal cook.
They felt like any other family out there.
Her thoughts slipped away, to another time and place. Her family had been much smaller, but she could still picture her own grandparents, parents, and sister around the table. In the memory it was Christmas, colored lights blazing on the tree, and the whole family enjoying a well-cooked meal and family time.
No doubt she had idealized that singular memory that came to her.
After what Kit, her mother, and sister had gone through after her grandparents and father had passed away, memories like that one had all but crumbled to dust. Kit was surprised she had any to draw upon at all.
“Are you all right?” Carter’s voice was a low murmur next to her ear, sending goose bumps down her arms.
She straightened in her seat as reality returned. “Great.” She smiled, even though the memory had made her feel wistful and a little melancholy. “I hope your birthday dinner is up to your liking.”
“Yes.” His voice was low and smoky with heat, the kind warmth that traveled through her from head to toe. “Beyond expectations.”
She could feel his voice rumble in his chest and her breath caught.
Why did he have to be so hot?
She bit back a mental groan. Something about the way he said things, his voice felt like a latte—hot and smooth and rich.
Everyone was looking at her. He was looking at her. Her eyes drew back to that chiseled face.
She forced herself to look away and take a bite of rabe and she swallowed.
It felt like the air was pulled out of her chest in a hurry and she coughed.
The rabe caught in her throat. She choked, heat flushing her face.
Panic hit her as she failed to cough it up. She stopped being able to cough and felt arms around her waist as she was dragged from her chair. Someone held her from behind.
Her heart beat faster. Heat burned her face, her chest.
The arms tightened around her. Carter’s arms. A hard jerk against her diaphragm.
The broccoli flew out of her mouth onto the floor, finally clearing her breathing passages.
She coughed and coughed. Carter didn’t let her go.
“Are you all right?” Carter’s warm breath fanned her cheek.
She nodded but found it difficult to speak. “Yes.” She coughed and nodded again. “Thank you.”
He released her slowly and she sank onto her chair.
“Feeling better?” Carter sat back down in his seat.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” She offered a weak smile as everyone started to sit back down, concerned expressions slipping to ones of relief.
The warm heat of embarrassment flushed her face.
She expected to get teased and sure enough it happened. “Good cook. Can’t eat worth a damn.” Bear grinned as everyone laughed and the old comfort of the moment settled over the room. Bear seemed like a naturally quiet guy, the type of guy that didn’t say much most of the time, but when he said something, it was important.
Her eyes caught on Carter as the rest of the group started talking. He was looking at her. His eyes seemed darker than normal.
She told herself that it was all in her head. But he didn’t take his eyes off of her.
Her heart raced. There was no way that was from the near-death experience she’d just had.
This job could get dangerous fast.
And she wasn’t thinking about choking on a piece of broccoli rabe.
She smiled softly and brushed her hair back as she regained her professional demeanor. “Sorry to interrupt your family’s dinner.”
“Could happen to anyone.” He seemed a little gruff, but his eyes locked on hers. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
She couldn’t help but wonder why he was looking at her like that. Was it all in her head? Or did he really look at her the same way she wanted to keep looking at him.
He really wants me.
Like I want him.
She didn’t have a clue as to what she was going to do about it.