The Single Dad's Family Recipe

by Rachael Johns

  “And thanks so much for the ride,” she added, silently telling her guilt to take a hike—this had nothing to do with Jack.

  “It’s not a problem.” Sophie waved a hand in front of her face. “I still can’t believe someone stole your bike! I thought this was a safe neighborhood.”

  Eliza pulled her door shut behind her, then tested the handle to make sure it had locked. “It was my own fault for being careless.”

  “Have you reported it to the police?” Annabel asked and for a moment, Eliza thought she was talking about the sex.

  “What?” A flutter ran through her and her lips tingled traitorously as if Lachlan’s had been there only moments ago. Then, once again, her brain caught up. “Oh, the bike.” She shook her head as they walked together down the corridor to the building’s exit. “Not yet. Do you think I should? I figured whoever took it will be long gone by now.”

  “Maybe, but you should definitely report it,” Sophie said, “because if the culprit is caught later for another crime, and they find your bike in his or her possession, then they’ll be able to charge them for that, as well.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Seemingly satisfied with this, Lachlan’s sisters led her to Sophie’s new model orange Mini Cooper and Annabel folded herself into the back seat.

  “I don’t mind sitting in the back,” Eliza offered, but the twins wouldn’t hear of it.

  “You’re our guest today,” Sophie said as she settled into the driver’s seat.

  On the short drive to McKinnel’s Distillery, the twins kept the conversation rolling, talking about a trip Sophie was planning to Scotland the following summer and Eliza did her best to listen—hopefully making the right noises in the right places—when all she could think about was the fact that within minutes she’d be seeing their brother again. The closer they got to the distillery, the more the butterflies in her stomach kicked up.

  She was really excited about seeing him but also a little nervous, fearful that despite the arrangement they’d decided on, things would get weird or awkward between them. Today would be a test and she desperately wanted them to pass it.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” Sophie said as she slowed the car to a stop in front of Nora McKinnel’s impressive stone-built house.

  “Starving,” Eliza said, although the truth was there was only one thing she felt very hungry for right now. How the heck was she going to sit through a civilized lunch with Lachlan and his family when all she could think about was sleeping with him again?

  “Good, because Mom’s cooking is not to be missed,” Annabel added.

  After that, Eliza got out of the car and held the door as Annabel climbed out behind her. Together the three of them headed for the house but even before they’d gone a few feet, the front door opened and Hallie burst out, waving and screaming, “Hello, hello, hello,” as she ran toward them. Eliza assumed she was excited to see her aunts, so she couldn’t hide her surprise when Hallie threw her little arms around Eliza’s waist.

  “I was so happy when Granny Nora said you were coming for lunch. Can you sit next to me?”

  She laughed and patted the child on the back as she extracted herself. It was lovely to feel wanted but she also couldn’t bring herself to get too close. “Hi, Hallie. Let’s see where your grandmother wants to put me.”

  And then she looked up again to the house and saw Lachlan appear in the doorway. He looked absolutely edible in faded jeans and a tight black T-shirt that highlighted all the muscles she’d become intimately acquainted with the other night. Her mouth went dry.

  “Hey there.” He lifted a hand to wave and any worries she’d been harboring evaporated as he hit her with a smile that made her pulse tingle. It wasn’t the only part of her that tingled and she decided that perhaps sitting next to Hallie would be safer than sitting next to him. The way she felt right now, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep her hands off him if they got so close.

  “Hi.” She smiled back at him, desire curling low in her tummy.

  “You okay?” Annabel asked, turning back and looking quizzically from a few steps ahead.

  Eliza felt Hallie tugging on her hand and realized she’d stopped dead in her tracks and was gawking at Lachlan as if he were the first good-looking man she’d ever laid eyes on.

  “Oh, yes, sorry...” She tore her eyes from his, summoned a smile for his sister and squeezed the little hand in hers. “Coming.”

  As she took the few steps onto the porch, Lachlan stepped out of the way and held the door open, gesturing for the four of them to go through.

  “It’s good to see you again, Eliza,” he said as his sisters followed the din into the kitchen. “I hope you had a good Saturday and got to relax a little after Friday night.”

  Heat flared within her at his words. As far as anyone who could hear their conversation would assume, Lachlan was referring to their busy rehearsal at the restaurant, but that’s not what his words conjured in her head.

  “Yes,” she replied. “I did, thank you. I chilled out on the couch, watching Netflix.”

  “Sounds blissful,” he said.

  “And what about you?” she asked.

  “I spent most of the day at a dance concert for Hallie.” He looked down and grinned at his little girl, who was still clutching tightly onto Eliza’s hand. “And then the three of us had a movie night, so yes, it was relaxing enough.”

  “Ooh, what movie?” She attempted small talk for the sake of Hallie still attached to her hand, when all she wanted to do was press her lips against Lachlan’s and take what she needed. Down, girl.

  “Beauty and the Beast,” the little girl replied, seemingly (and thankfully) oblivious to the sparks flying above her head.

  “The recent one? Weren’t you scared?” Eliza asked. “I’ve heard it’s quite terrifying in places.”

  Hallie held her chin high. “I’m really brave.”

  “You most certainly are,” Lachlan said. “But why don’t you run ahead and see if Granny Nora needs any help? I just need to talk restaurant business with Eliza for a few moments.”

  Hallie sighed deeply and pouted her outrage but did as she was told nonetheless, leaving Eliza and Lachlan as alone as they could be in a house full of people.

  He stepped a little closer and spoke quietly. “It’s really good to see you.” And although he didn’t touch her, the way his gaze skimmed down her body sent a familiar current through her.

  “You already said that,” she whispered, breathing in his unique male smell, which sent a potent rush to her head.

  “It was worth saying again. Although I’d much prefer it if we were alone,” he added with a suggestive wriggle of his eyebrows.

  “Me, too.”

  “What are you up to ton—”

  But before he could continue, Nora appeared down the hallway and Lachlan cleared his throat. “I’d like you to come in early tomorrow to help me sort through the uniforms before we hand them out to the staff,” he said, as if they’d been talking business all along.

  “Not a problem. Of course.” Eliza hoped his mom didn’t click that the staff had already been wearing their uniforms on Friday night at the rehearsal.

  “Lachlan, the poor girl has come to lunch. She’s not on your clock now. Leave her alone.” Shaking her head at her son, Nora reached out and pulled Eliza into a hug. “Welcome. I’m so glad you made it.”

  “Thanks,” Eliza managed.

  “Sophie told me your bike was stolen,” Nora said as she released Eliza from her embrace. That’s shocking—if I ever find out who took it, I’ll skin them alive.”

  “Someone took your bike?” Lachlan asked, concern creasing his brow.

  She nodded. They’d exchanged a couple of brief messages yesterday, but she hadn’t mentioned the bike as she didn’t want him to feel responsible. “I must have forgotten
to lock it up Friday night.”

  His eyes widened as realization dawned.

  “I’ve just remembered,” Nora continued, “I have an old bike in storage if you’d like to borrow it. It’s nothing flashy but I think it still does the trick.”

  “Thank you. If you’re sure. That would be wonderful,” Eliza replied.

  “Of course, I’m sure. I can’t remember the last time I used it—I think the twins might still have been in high school.” She laughed. “I’ll get one of the boys to dig it out for you after lunch.”

  “Thank you. Oh, and by the way, these are for you.” Eliza handed the older woman the box of chocolates.

  Nora grinned. “Ooh, these are my favorites, although you didn’t need to give me anything. It’s a pleasure to have you here. Now, come on through and say hi to everyone.”

  She turned and started back where she’d come from, gesturing for Eliza to follow behind.

  Eliza looked to Lachlan. “After you,” he said, and then he reached out his hand and placed it on the small of her back to guide her. It was like he’d flicked a match against the cotton of her jumpsuit, but somehow she managed to put one foot in front of the other and head into the country-style kitchen.

  It had felt enormous when Lachlan had brought her to meet his mom a couple of weeks ago, but now, with so many people crowded around the table, it didn’t feel so big. There was a buzz of noise as all Lachlan’s family chatted amicably.

  “Everyone!” Nora exclaimed loudly. The chatter immediately died out as all eyes turned to them. “Eliza’s here.”

  “Hi, Eliza,” everyone around the table chorused.

  Nora turned back to look at Eliza. “Is there anyone you haven’t met yet?”

  Before Eliza could answer, a tall, slender woman with long red hair down to her butt lifted a hand and waved. “Hey there. I’m Claire, Blair’s ex-wife—everyone’s been telling me so much about you, so it’s nice to finally meet.”

  Claire was sitting next to Blair and Eliza vaguely remembered Lachlan mentioning something about Blair’s divorce being complicated. She tried not to show her surprise as she said, “Hi. Lovely to meet you, too.”

  “Take a seat,” Nora said, nudging Eliza toward the table.

  “Is there anything I can do to help you?” she asked Nora instead.

  The older woman tsk-tsked. “Don’t be silly. I didn’t invite you here to work—you’ve been doing enough of that lately. There are plenty of others here to help. Now, make yourself comfortable and I’ll get you a drink. What do you fancy? Tea, coffee, orange juice or something stronger?”

  “Can I have some water, please?” Eliza asked as she sat down at one of the few empty seats. She needed something to cool her down.

  “I hear you’re from New York,” Claire said from across the table. “I love New York so much. Do you miss it?”

  Eliza smiled and made small talk about her hometown for a few moments, but all the while she spoke she was conscious of Lachlan’s gaze. Before long, the casserole dishes were delivered to the table and once everyone was served, they all seemed to talk again at once. Eliza found it hard to keep track of any one conversation—she wasn’t used to such big family gatherings but Lachlan playing footsie with her under the table didn’t help either.

  At first, it was just his shoe, gently nudging hers, but then he slipped it off and as his foot trekked slowly up her calf, it was all she could do to stop moaning and squirming in her seat.

  “Are either of you off to another one of your Tinder dates tonight?” Mac asked his sisters, a smirk on his face telling them exactly what he thought of the hookup app.

  Sophie stuck out her tongue at him. “Don’t mock it until you’ve tried it, bro. You should sign up—might get you out of that permanent funk. You used to be fun, you know.”

  Trying to ignore Lachlan’s wandering foot, Eliza looked between the siblings, enjoying their banter. There was only herself, her dad and her grandma in her family and although Tyler had two siblings, none of them spoke to each other so she’d never experienced anything like the fun and warmth that filled this room. Even when the McKinnels teased each other, it was done in love and Eliza could see why Claire would be so loathe to lose her place here.

  “Oh, darlings.” Nora frowned at the Tinder chat. “I’ve heard all about that app. All the men on there are only looking for one thing.”

  Quinn snorted. “Most men are only looking for one thing.” His fiancée, Bailey, elbowed him. “Ouch!”

  “Wh-at one thing?” Hamish asked. Everyone pretended not to hear him.

  Annabel chuckled. “Mom, I thought you wanted Sophie and me to find Mr. Right and give you more grandbabies.”

  Nora’s expression remained serious as she reached beside her and squeezed Annabel’s hand. “I just want you to be happy again, sweetheart.”

  Annabel took a few seconds before she smiled and Eliza recognized a sadness there—similar to the one she saw in the mirror everyday. During their late-night sessions in the restaurant, Lachlan had shared stories about his siblings and Annabel’s was the saddest of all. Her high-school sweetheart was in the military and a few years ago went missing in action, presumed dead after an explosion.

  “I know, Mommy,” Annabel said, “and this is the first step. I’ve actually met some really nice guys. Not everyone on Tinder is only looking for hookups. In fact, I’m seeing a really nice man—he lives in Bend—and I think it could get serious.”

  Nora’s eyes sparkled and she clapped her hands together. “Oh, that’s simply marvelous.”

  “Chill, Mom,” Mac said, “she said it could get serious. There aren’t any wedding bells yet.”

  Everyone laughed, then Callum said, “Probably a good thing. I think two weddings and three babies in a year are enough, even for our family.”

  Nora then looked to Eliza. “What about you, dear? Are you single?”

  Lachlan’s wandering foot pressed into the junction at Eliza’s thigh. They exchanged a look of two people who shared an illicit secret and it was all she could do not to squeak. Instead, she squeezed her knees together and managed to say, “Yes. I am.”

  “You should join Tinder, too,” Sophie suggested and then laughed. “I’ve been exchanging horror stories with Annabel but it sounds like she might not need the app much longer, so I’ll need another partner in crime.”

  Eliza saw Annabel blush and bite her lower lip as if to stifle a smile. Yep, she looked like a girl who was falling in love, something that Eliza herself didn’t think she’d ever have the capacity to do again. Love could be amazing but then there was the flip side. “I’m not really looking for a relationship right now,” she said.

  With her words, Lachlan pushed back his seat and the chair legs scraped loudly against the tiled floor. Everyone looked at him.

  “Eliza, come with me. I’ll get that bike for you now.”

  “There’s no rush to do that now, sweetheart,” Nora said to Lachlan. “Plenty of time to—” She stopped midsentence as she and Annabel exchanged a pointed look. “Oh. Take your time, dears.”

  “Can I come, Da-ad?” Hamish asked, starting to get up from his seat.

  “Dad won’t be long,” Annabel said to her nephew. “And I need you and Hallie to help me clear the table.”

  Eliza felt heat rushing from her core, painting her neck and body red. What was Lachlan playing at? It was obvious Annabel at least suspected he was summoning her to scratch an itch and she could already imagine the gossip that might ignite once they left. Yet, despite this and the fact they’d agreed to keep their liaison a secret, she couldn’t stand up fast enough.

  He didn’t say one word to her as they hurried out of the house, her following behind like some lovesick puppy dog at his heels, but the moment they were out of sight, he took hold of her hand. With the jolt that shot through her at the connection, the last of her
scruples or embarrassment evaporated. Her panties were already wet with desire and the knowledge that he was equally desperate for her only compounded that desire.

  “This way,” he said as he led her round the back to the garage and let them in through a side door. He shut it behind them and then slid the lock across to hinder interruption. The sound of the lock clicking into place sent a shiver of lust down her spine and when Lachlan turned back around to look at her, she saw the heat she felt reflected in his eyes.

  “You were very naughty back there,” she whispered, feeling very naughty herself.

  He shrugged one shoulder lazily but didn’t sound very apologetic when he said, “It’s your fault. You drive me to distraction.”

  And then the conversation ceased as he dragged her toward him. As their lips met, Eliza’s hands went straight for his belt buckle. After their interactions under the table, they were way past foreplay and she wanted him inside her without delay.

  “You got a condom?” she panted.

  In reply, he slipped a tiny foil packet from his pocket and held it up in front of her face. “I stocked up.”

  Those three words were perhaps the sexiest ones anyone had ever spoken.

  “Good,” she said as she conquered the buckle and pushed his jeans and underwear down his legs. She took the condom from him, ripped it open and he groaned as she slid it down his deliciously hard length.

  But when Lachlan tried to rid her of her clothing, he struggled.

  “What in the world is this thing?” he asked as he pulled his head back to gaze at her outfit.

  Eliza silently cursed her choice of attire, but when she’d chosen it that morning, the last thing she’d thought was that she’d end up in a garage having sex. This was so out of character for her, but also so invigorating. The illicitness of their situation only spurred her on more.

  She undid the jumpsuit and let it—along with her panties—slither to the floor, feeling sexier and more alive than she had in a long while as she stepped out of it and stood before him in nothing but heels and her bra.

  Lachlan sucked in a breath as his gaze raked down her body. His eyes widened at exactly the moment she realized her mistake. When they’d slept together at her house, she’d made sure not to turn on the lights and figured that somehow when they slept together again, she’d manage a similar trick.