CHAPTER 58
Emma
Jasmine looks across the table, slowly nodding as she takes it all in. “I think we’re going to make the best diorama in the history of the whole world.”
And that’s exactly what we do… if the whole world means her third-grade class.
It’s an exact replica of Yosemite Ranch minus some of the outbuildings, but definitely including her dad’s horse barn.
Plus we added two sparkling lakes, two rivers, and some little plastic cows and horses I found at the five and dime.
And then for the finishing touch, Jasmine sprinkles glitter all over everything. She stands over her creation and says, “I’m so going to get an A.”
“I need to check on the roast. Get ready to help me with the dessert. I can’t do it without you.”
I head back to the kitchen and open the oven, lifting the roasting pan lid to inspect the progress. The pot roast is perfect. I lean down and lift the heavy pan from the rack, then use my foot to close the oven door.
As I do this, I hear the front door open and slam shut. Then a loud male voice asks, “What’s that smell?”
I nearly drop the pan. Declan, Evander, and Special K appear at the entrance to the kitchen. Jasmine runs straight into Declan’s arms, and he grabs her up.
“Whoa! You’re a glitter bomb!”
She laughs. “You should see the diorama!”
Special K scans the kitchen, and his eyes land on the roasting pan. “It’s meat,” he says.
I laugh. “It is. Some might even call it pot roast.”
“In the middle of summer?” Evander steps into the kitchen and raises his nose to inhale.
“It’s comfort food.” I peel off the oven mitts and toss them on the counter.
“I need comforting.” Special K takes a seat at the kitchen island. “When do we eat?”
“Oh, no, Emma! Our secret’s out!” Jasmine squirms out of Declan’s arms, her eyes wide.
Declan grins at me. “Oooh, I love a good secret. Which one are we talking about? Because I think there may be a few to choose from.”
I sigh and cross my arms over my chest. I’m actually shocked it’s taken this long. I haven’t been outed by words, but by scents. And I have to admit, this is one fragrant pot roast.
“This is a slow-roasted, pre-meditated secret,” Evander says. “She’s been holding back evidence.”
Declan heads to the cabinets and starts pulling out plates. “I’ll set the table. Which one? Inside? Outside?”
“Will there be gravy?” Special K asks.
Evander tugs at his shirtsleeves. “Be polite, Kevin. Emma will think we’re classless country bumpkins.”
“Apologies.” Special K lowers his eyes, recenters himself, and looks at me. “Please say there’s gravy. Thank you.”
“Look, guys. I didn’t make enough for a dinner party.”
“It’s okay,” Declan says. “We don’t need a party.”
“Just the meat,” Special K says.
I see their expectant faces and know I can’t deny them. But I’ve seen these men at the dinner table. It’s a freak of nature how much they can shovel down. And there just isn’t enough to go around. “This is the dinner I’ve planned for when Finn gets home. I didn’t plan for guests.”
“So, no gravy?”
I sigh again. Declan’s got the plates in his hands. Evander looks at me with sad-puppy eyes. Special K appears dejected.
In this moment, I can see them all as boys. Yes, they’re huge, hard-core, determined men, but they still know how to put aside the seriousness and act like idiots. I think that’s one of the things I like most about the brothers.
I throw up my hands. “All right, fine. You can have a taste. But that’s all. Sit at the counter while Jasmine and I make the gravy.”
“There’s gravy,” Special K whispers.
Jasmine whisks while I add salt, pepper, cornstarch, and water into the drippings. I have my back turned to the brothers, but I hear a lot of heavy breathing. I skim a spoon over the gravy and give Jasmine a taste. “What do you think?”
She smacks her lips. “Perfect!”
“Hand me your plates.” Three plates are thrust at me from the other side of the island. “Remember, this is just a taste.”
I serve up a sliver of pot roast and a sampling of the vegetables, everything covered in gravy.
Jasmine places a slice of sourdough and a pat of butter on the edge of each plate.
And then my assistant chef and I lean back against the sink and watch as our work is devoured.
Special K seems to be having a religious experience. Declan hums as he eats.
Jasmine glances up at me and smiles. She may have just started her cooking journey, but she’s already figured out the mystery—making others happy makes the cook happy.
“Why didn’t you tell us you could cook like this, Emma?” Evander sounds like he’s cross-examining me. I know that tone of voice.
I shrug.
“This is amazing,” Declan doesn’t look up from his plate. “Did you study with a chef or something? Do you do this professionally?”
“No. Just years of working in food service, mostly as a waitress.”
Declan raises his gaze to me, shocked. “Okay, well then you are a natural genius. What’s the word for that?”
“Guru,” Special K says, sopping up every last drop of gravy with his bread.
“Savant, that’s the word,” Declan says.
Evander pushes his plate aside. “We’ll be coming over every day. Just tell us what time. We’re flexible.”
“Emma.” Special K looks up at me with an intense expression.
“I’ll pay you to cook for me. I’ll triple what Finn’s paying you.
I’m serious. What else can you cook? If this is the only thing, that’s fine, because I could eat this every day for the rest of my life.
But I’m open to anything else you got. You don’t want to work for Finn, anyway. ”
I’ve never heard Special K string together that many words.
The front door opens and I hear Finn take off his boots. He wanders into the kitchen to find his three brothers turned on their stools to face him. Declan has gravy on his chin.
“Oh, hell, no.” Finn points to the door. “Out!”