She couldn’t believe how cunning her old loan manager had been.
“I think it worked out damn well. How about some barbecue, Daniel? One of my boyfriends thinks he has control of it, but the women are the ones putting that special flavor on ’em.”
“I love barbecue. But don’t tell my wife,” he said, rubbing his extended belly. “She thinks I’ve become sedentary in my retirement. Don’t know why she thinks that. I’m only enjoying all life has to offer.” It wasn’t until Harper was scooping the food onto his paper plate that he asked, “One of your boyfriends? Kids these days…”
She laughed and, after they ate, was proud to introduce him to both her boyfriends. Flynn had finally been allowed back on the grill, his humility restored thanks to the lady chefs, and Theo had taken it upon himself to get the kids up and moving with some fun field games. A sleeping Ben was in his arms, his face still covered in barbecue sauce, as Theo showed the kids how to play red rover.
His expression lit up when he saw her. “Hey, sexy.” He spotted the old gentleman with her and backtracked, probably assuming he was a donor of some sort. “Sorry.”
“No sorry!” Daniel laughed. “You tell her you think she’s beautiful as often as you can. It’s kept me married these past forty-five years.”
“It helps that it’s true,” Theo said, his charm on full blast.
“That it does.”
Harper introduced them, becoming embarrassingly teary when she told Theo how Daniel had saved the kitchen. Daniel was all humility about it, though, a true hero. He was the one who should have the key to the city.
“How can I ever repay you, Daniel?” she asked later in the day.
“Keep this place running, expand it. Open other locations. I know you can do it, Harper. I wouldn’t have volunteered to be your account rep if I hadn’t thought you capable of that and more.” He hugged her again, telling her to keep in touch, then went off to meet his wife for dinner.
“Think that’s gonna be us when we’re older?” Flynn asked, wrapping her up in his arms. Theo came to her opposite side. Ben, now off with Marcie and John, was probably eating more cake or ice cream.
“I hope so,” Theo said, leaning against the both of them, smiling with an open expression he’d only recently come to wear consistently throughout the day, his heart, while not fully open, expanding with every love-filled moment they spent together.
“I know so.” She sighed into their arms and breathed them in.
Loose Id Titles by Ceri Grenelle
A New Resolution
Food for the Soul
* * * *
“Christmas is Love”
Part of the anthology The Gift of Three
Kaitlin Maitland and Allie Quinn
Ceri Grenelle
I’ve always had an active imagination. That imagination usually took form in the real world by zoning out in the middle of conversations. I eventually decided it was time to share my daydreaming with the world and began to put my musings on paper, a decision I have yet to regret.
I am currently living it up in Northern California after a big move from New York City. And by living it up I mean staying at home with my cat, obsessively watching episodes of my favorite TV shows—all of which are extremely geeky—and simultaneously reading the next book on my constantly expanding reading list. I do all this while trying not to pig out on unhealthy snacks. As you can tell, I lead a busy life.
Please visit http://www.cerigrenelle.com/ for more information about me.
Food for the Soul Page 18
