The Single Dad's Family Recipe

by Rachael Johns

  “Yes, when Linda and I split up, I moved in with my parents, so Mom could help me with Hamish. It was only supposed to be temporary,” he admitted, “but nine years later and we’re still there. Sounds pretty pathetic, doesn’t it? A thirty-three-year-old man still living with his mom.”

  There was a hint of a smile on her lips as she met his gaze. “Hallie also told me how much she adores your mom. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Come on, then. And let me hold that.” He took the box with the whiskey from her grasp before she could refuse and gestured for her to follow him toward the main house, pointing out the smaller cottage on the property as they passed it. “Callum and Chelsea live there—it used to be our grandparents’ place. It was the original house they built when they moved over from Scotland in the 1950s.”

  “It’s quaint.”

  “Yeah, I suppose it is,” Lachlan said as they continued. “Blair also lives at the main house with Hamish, Mom and I.”

  “He’s not married?” she asked.

  Lachlan tried to detect if there was interest in her question or if she was simply making conversation. “He’s divorced, too. But more recently. And it’s kinda complicated.”

  “What divorce isn’t?”

  He chanced a glance at her as they walked but couldn’t read anything from her expression. “You sound like you speak from experience.”

  Her forehead crinkled and then she nodded. “I’m smack-bang in the middle of one myself.”

  “I’m sorry.” Suddenly her move across the country made complete sense.

  “Thanks. Don’t really want to talk about it, though.”

  “Fair enough.” His divorce was ancient history now and still not his favorite topic of conversation, but he couldn’t help wondering about hers. Who was the party at fault? Had Eliza and her husband simply drifted apart? Had he been abusive? Was that why she was trying to get as far away as possible from him? Or was she still in love with him?

  Lachlan pondered these questions as they walked in silence the rest of the way to his mom’s place. The list of things he’d like to know about Eliza was growing longer by the second.

  Chapter Five

  After meeting Nora McKinnel, who was as friendly and welcoming as the rest of her family, Eliza sat down with Lachlan and started going through his to-do list. As he shared his dream and ideas for the restaurant, she listened intently and couldn’t help catching some of his enthusiasm. He asked her questions, valued her experience and was eager to listen to her opinions and suggestions for going forward. It felt good to have a project—something to focus on other than her own woes—and once again, she found herself relaxing in his company. The uncomfortable awareness of earlier in the day had made her tongue tie every time she tried to speak.

  As he talked her through the menu, business matters and his vision, she decided her initial opinion of Lachlan as a good guy was more accurate than the one she’d started to form when his ex was there.

  Besides, really, who was at their best when interacting with their ex-partners anyway?

  She’d surprised herself by telling Lachlan about Tyler—well, not exactly Tyler, she hadn’t mentioned any names or details—but, after he’d been so open and honest about his family situation, it hadn’t seemed such a big deal to share that tiny bit of herself. She was glad he hadn’t pried and for a moment, she’d wondered if she shouldn’t tell him the whole sorry story but she’d bitten her tongue, reminding herself why a move across the country had been so appealing.

  In Jewell Rock, she wasn’t met with sympathetic looks and awkward conversation because people didn’t know what the right thing to say to her was. Over the past couple of days, she’d met the whole McKinnel clan, her landlord and a number of other people as she purchased things for and set up her apartment. None of them had treated her like a leper as many of her friends in New York seemed to now.

  “Are you all right?” Lachlan’s concerned question drew her out of her musing. “Shall we take a break? I feel like I’ve been overloading you with information.”

  She blinked and shook her head. “No. I’m fine. Was just thinking how exciting all this is. I might have worked in lots of restaurants, but I’ve never been part of the grand opening of any of them.”

  A smile crept onto his lips. “Me either. Sometimes I have to pinch myself that this is actually happening. And other times, I wonder if I’m crazy, trying to do all this while looking after two kids.”

  “I don’t mean to pry, but how exactly do you plan on running a restaurant while being a full-time single dad?”

  “I’m not under the illusion it’s going to be easy,” he said, “but in some ways, being my own boss will mean I can be more flexible with my working hours. I’ve hired another very experienced chef to work with me. The dishes will all be mine to start with, but I’ll take the lunch roster most days and he’ll take the nights. That way, I can be around for my children in the afternoons, put them to bed and then come across here to help close.”

  “I see.” It sounded like a lot to take on but it wasn’t her place to question her boss. And plenty of women managed to work full-time while also being single moms. Why shouldn’t a guy be able to do the same? “Did you want me to start making phone calls to set up interviews?”

  They’d just finished going through the pile of résumés from people applying for waitstaff jobs. Lachlan had explained they had a few people staying on from the café but as that had only been open a few hours during the day for the lunch period and given the restaurant’s expanded hours of operation, they needed to employ quite a few new people. He’d already hired a team of kitchen staff who were due to start soon, but as the waitstaff would be under Eliza’s supervision and management, he wanted her to be involved in choosing them ASAP.

  “Yes, that would be awesome. I’ve got a few things I need to do in the kitchen, but how about I make you a cup of coffee before I get to that?”

  “Thanks. That sounds good.” She smiled to show her appreciation. A boss who made coffee as well as he did was definitely a keeper.

  Lachlan stood and headed into the bar area. As she heard the coffee machine whir to life, Eliza looked down at the short list of names they’d drafted together and then picked up the restaurant’s cordless phone to call the first one.

  She’d made two interview appointments by the time he returned with a steaming mug of coffee and a plate of something that looked and smelled sinful.

  “You never ended up trying my apple crisp the other day and I’m eager to hear what you think,” he said.

  Her mouth watered just looking at it and she knew if it tasted half as good as the hamburger he’d made her for lunch, she’d lick her plate clean. Thank God she’d invested in that bicycle over the weekend.

  “I’m sure I’ll love it,” she said as she picked up her fork and dug it into the dessert. He watched in anticipation as she lifted it to her mouth, which was slightly unnerving, but the taste that exploded in her mouth was worth it.

  “That,” she proclaimed, “is like no other apple crisp I’ve ever tasted. And trust me, I’ve had my fair share.”

  He grinned smugly. “That’ll be my secret ingredient.”

  “What is it?” she asked, mentally going through the flavors she could taste and trying to work it out. Of course, there was the whiskey, but there was also something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

  He wriggled his eyebrows up and down. “That would be telling. And the only people who will know will be my kitchen staff and they’ll be sworn to secrecy.”

  “That’s not fair. You know I can’t cook.”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “I could teach you.”

  The way he said it sent a ripple of heat through her body and she imagined the two of them working together intimately for lessons. Pushing that thought aside, she laughed it off. “What makes you thi
nk you’d be better at teaching me to cook than any of those who have tried and failed before you?”

  “You can’t be that bad,” he said, leaning back against one of the other tables and crossing his feet at the ankles.

  “No. You’re right. I’m worse, but thanks for the offer.”

  He flashed her a smile of encouragement. “I meant it. Anytime you’d like to learn a few new skills, I’d be happy to teach you a few tricks. I’m actually a pretty patient guy.”

  “Thanks. I’ll give it some thought,” she lied and then turned her attentions to finishing the apple crisp.

  While she ate, Lachlan talked about setting up a Facebook page and an Instagram account for the restaurant. “Sophie reckons we need one,” he said, but the expression on his face made it clear he didn’t relish the task. “And some catchy hashtags or something.”

  Eliza cocked her head to one side and winked playfully. “Hashtag—happy to help with that.” She’d recently closed down her own social media accounts because watching everyone else’s updates about their children had been too depressing, but a business account would be different. And it would also give her something else to occupy her free time.

  Lachlan laughed. “Thanks. That would be awesome.” And then with another one of his endearing smiles, he collected her plate and disappeared into the kitchen to do whatever it was he needed to do.

  Feeling full and totally satisfied, Eliza continued making her phone calls and then typed up an interview schedule on Lachlan’s laptop. Sorting through the applicants and hiring staff would take up the best part of a few days but they both agreed that getting the right people for the job was the most important thing. It felt so good to be busy, being productive again. The time flew by, so that when the door of the restaurant opened and Annabel walked in with Hallie and a little boy that had to be Hamish in tow, Eliza couldn’t believe it was almost four o’clock.

  “Hi, Eliza.” Hallie skipped over to her, peeled her little backpack off her back and dumped it on a chair. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to give you these.” She pulled some hand-drawn pictures out of her bag and laid them on the table in front of Eliza. “I hope you like them.”

  “Wow. They’re gorgeous. Thank you,” Eliza said as she gazed down at rainbows and cats. “I can’t wait to get home and stick them on my fridge.”

  Hallie beamed proudly, then turned around and beckoned the little boy who was hanging close to Annabel and holding on to two crutches. “Hamish, come meet Eliza.”

  As Annabel said, “Hi,” and lifted her hand in a wave, the boy stepped forward, the crutches supporting his body as he walked toward them unevenly. But it was his smile that squeezed Eliza’s heart—it lit up his whole face as he said, “Hel-lo. I’m Ham-ish.”

  “Hi, Hamish.” Eliza pulled out a chair. “It’s nice to meet you. Would you like to sit down?”

  He nodded and expertly put the crutches to one side as he lowered himself onto the seat. “Do you...play ch-ess?” he asked, his words slightly slurred.

  She wished she could say yes because, although part of her didn’t want to get close to anyone else’s children, knowing that this poor boy’s mom had rejected him made her see red. It made her want to say yes to anything he asked her. “Sadly, I don’t,” she admitted.

  “I could te-ach y-you,” Hamish said, his voice buzzing with excitement and reminding her of his dad’s offer to teach her to cook. Even before she could reply, he added, “There’s a set over there at the bar.”

  “That sounds like fun,” she replied, “but I’d have to check with your dad. I’m supposed to be working, you know?”

  “I hope my brother hasn’t been working you too hard.” Annabel, dressed in her firefighting uniform, pulled out a seat and sat at the table.

  “Mostly he’s been feeding me,” Eliza confessed, patting her stomach.

  Annabel bowed her head. “He’s a good cook. I’ll give him that.”

  “I thought I heard voices.” Lachlan emerged from the kitchen with a tray full of milk shakes and some massive chocolate chip cookies. “How are my two favorite people this afternoon?”

  “Don’t you mean ‘three favorite’?” Annabel asked with a chuckle as she reached forward and picked up one of the milk shakes.

  Lachlan rolled his eyes as he stooped down and placed a kiss on each child’s head.

  Eliza’s heart twinged at his obvious affection for his children, whom he’d mentioned frequently throughout the day. His love and desire to put Hallie and Hamish above all else confirmed her decision that he was a good guy.

  “We’re good, Dad,” Hallie and Hamish said together. Then Hamish added, “Can I te-ach ’liza to play ch-ess? She s-said I had to ask you ’cause she’s wo-working.”

  Lachlan reached out and ruffled Hamish’s hair. “Not now, she’s not. It’s knock-off time. But Eliza might want to get home to do other things.”

  Strangely, Eliza found herself in no hurry to escape. Today had been the best day she’d had in a long while. Work had done what she’d hoped it would, and the prospect of a night home alone in her new apartment left an emptiness in the pit of her stomach. It was when she was alone that her thoughts turned dark and a loneliness that was impossible to ignore engulfed her.

  “It’s fine. If you guys have the time, I’d love to learn to play.”

  “We have all the time in the world, don’t we, Dad?” Hallie said, then took a slurp of her milk shake.

  Lachlan laughed and pulled up a seat. “Today we do, glitter-pie, as it’s the one day you don’t have any after-school activities.” He looked up at Annabel. “Thanks so much for picking these guys up from school. I owe you one.”

  “It’s always a pleasure hanging out with them. I’m on the same shift tomorrow if you need me to get Hallie from school again.”

  “Thanks. I’ll let you know,” Lachlan said as Annabel pushed to a stand.

  She looked at Eliza. “Sophie and I are ordering in pizza tonight if you want to come have dinner with us. No pressure, but I thought you might not be in the mood to cook after your first day at work.”

  “I’m not sure I could eat another bite after today,” she said, “but thanks for the offer, I’ll think about it.” The lie came easily. As much as she liked the twins, she didn’t plan to accept. Making friends meant getting close to people, and getting close to people meant sharing things, which she didn’t want to do here in her new town.

  “Okay. We might see you later, then.” With those words, Annabel hugged Hallie and Hamish goodbye and then left.

  Lachlan retrieved the chess set from behind the bar and mouthed thank you to her. Hamish took out the pieces and laid them on the board, his tongue sticking out in concentration as he did so.

  “Go easy on her.” Lachlan winked at Eliza as he said this.

  Eliza felt heat rush to her cheeks as he did so. She didn’t think he was flirting with her, but her stupid body reacted as if he were and that made her feel uncomfortable.

  She dropped her gaze from him and focused on his son as Hamish began to explain what the pieces were called and what moves they could and couldn’t make. Hamish’s skill and passion toward the game impressed her. And although she tried hard to concentrate, the most she could hope to remember was the name of the pieces. First game, he beat her in three moves, and the second one, with Lachlan leaning close and trying to give her tips, she did only fractionally better.

  “I think I’m going to need a few more lessons,” she said, “but I’m afraid that’s all I’m up for today. I’m suddenly feeling rather tired.”

  Hamish’s lips collapsed into a frown but she had to get out of here. While Annabel was sitting chatting with them, it hadn’t felt so awkward. Now that she was left alone with Lachlan and his two kids, it felt too much like they were playing happy families. That thought brought tears rushing to the surface of her eyes.

&
nbsp; She shouldn’t have stayed so long.

  Eliza stood fast, needing to escape before the tears broke free and her new boss thought her a sore loser, crying because a small boy had beaten her at chess.

  “Thanks for everything,” he said as he also stood. “Get a good night’s sleep and don’t rush in tomorrow morning as I have to do the school run again before work.”

  “Okay,” she managed. Then she collected her purse from where it still sat on one of the tables by the door and hurried outside. She was just throwing her leg over her bicycle, the first tear sneaking down her cheek, when a little voice called out to her.

  “Eliza. You forgot these.”

  Wincing, she wiped the tear quickly from her cheek and turned her head to see Hallie rushing toward her, waving the rainbows and cat drawings in the air.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, before opening her bag and depositing the pictures inside.

  “Have a good night.” Hallie waved, seemingly oblivious to Eliza’s torment.

  “You, too,” Eliza called as she started peddling down the long driveway as hard and fast as her legs would allow. Her lungs struggled to keep up and her thighs began to burn. Maybe if she peddled fast enough, her legs would ache so badly that they would distract her from the pain in her heart.

  But it didn’t work. When she arrived at the apartment, she simply had sore limbs to go along with her sore heart and was pleased to see no sign of Sophie and Annabel or anyone else, thank God. She was in no mood to pause and make small talk with strangers.

  Inside, she dumped her handbag on the counter and pulled out Hallie’s drawings. She’d promised to hang them in pride of place on her fridge but as beautiful as they were, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. Hanging up another child’s art would feel like a betrayal to Jack.

  So instead, she opened a bottom drawer and stashed the pages there as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

  Chapter Six

  “Daddy, do you think Eliza liked my drawings?” Hallie asked as Lachlan stooped to tuck her into bed.