Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
I nodded and took a step back so they could enter. “Yeah, hey, Drew. How’s it going?”
He looked at me with amusement shining in his eyes, lips curled into a crooked smile. “Gavin. I’m well. Tired and surprised by this invite, but good.”
Suzie smacked his arm. “It’s called a blended family—you know, like how we grew up?”
Drew snorted. “We weren’t blended. You’ve always been my big sister and you always will be, even though you’re a little squirt now.” He wrapped an arm around her and dropped a kiss on top of her head. “And I’m always up for a free meal.” He looked over his shoulder at me. “What’s the chef making?”
Granddaddy chose that moment to make his appearance, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. “Come on in the kitchen and find out. None of it is heart healthy, so that should please you and Zola.”
“Granddaddy,” she groaned loudly from the kitchen. “For the last time, I don’t want people to have heart problems.”
“Um, neither do I,” Drew said, amusement still coloring his tone.
“Yeah, yeah,” Granddaddy insisted and opened his arms for Suzie. “Hey there, Suzie. You look as pretty as a picture today. Hope you brought your appetite.”
She laughed and patted her growing belly. “It comes with me everywhere I go these days.”
“Now, that is music to my ears. Come on, I got some sparkling wine without alcohol just for you.”
“And me,” Drew added with a grunt. “I’m on call tonight.”
“Too bad for you,” Zola offered with an insincere smile.
Suzie inhaled deeply and groaned. “That smells amazing, Granddaddy, what is it?”
“It’s my lamb stew, safe for pregnant women. Or maybe it’s the trout baking in the oven.” Granddaddy took Suzie by the arm and gave her a quick tour of the dishes. “Couscous with butter and herbs. Salad, because my boy insisted the baby needed fresh veggies. Mashed potatoes because they go with everything, then some brown gravy and a cherry and mint chutney.”
Suzie’s eyes were wide. “You shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.”
“You kidding? This makes me feel like I’m young and sprightly, back in the kitchen.”
“You’re a sweetheart.” She kissed his cheek and took a step back. “What can I do?”
“Take a seat, all of you except the tall one,” Granddaddy said and pointed at Drew. “You can help me bring everything to the dining room. We’re eating fancy tonight.”
Zola and I laughed at what passed for fancy in Granddaddy’s world. The separate dining room was meant to be the formal dining room, but it was decorated in an understated way. “It’s not fancy,” I whispered to Suzie before we stepped through the sliding doors.
“Too bad. I’d love to make fun of you forever over one of those over-the-top chandeliers. Oh, please tell me it’s one of those ridiculously long tables that seats twenty people or more.”
Zola laughed. “Close.”
“Twelve,” I growled at my sister who only laughed at me.
Suzie stepped inside and looked around, taking in every detail with a smile. “Not exactly not fancy,” she offered with a smile, “but it’s nice. I like the artsy light fixture and the hand-carved table.”
“Thanks. My drummer makes furniture when we’re not in the studio. Or touring.”
She ran her fingers along the edge of the table, admiring the artistry. “It’s beautiful.” She turned with a finger aimed right at me. “Don’t buy me one.”
I flashed an innocent smile. “Would I do that?”
“You would,” she grunted and shook her head. “It won’t fit in my place, and I don’t need something else to baby proof.”
Zola laughed but it died quickly when Granddaddy and Drew arrived with the food.
Finally, dinner got under way, and as the minutes ticked by, my shoulders relaxed. Suzie was mostly quiet, trying desperately to hide her yawns behind napkins and food. “It’s all so good, Granddaddy. But I’m afraid I might embarrass myself.”
Granddaddy smiled wide and sat up a little tired. “No reason to be embarrassed, a woman who eats is damned sexy.” He winked and scooped another mountain of mashed potatoes onto her plate and then his. “Eat up, honey. Make an old man feel good.”
“All you do is feel good, Granddaddy. I don’t know any old people like you.” Zola smiled affectionately at him and it made me feel good that I was able to give her some of the same normalcy I had growing up.
“First of all, I’m not old. I’m wise. And if you think I’m bad, you should visit the community where I live, I swear it’s rowdier than when I was on tour with the Rusty Nails.”
“No kidding?” Drew spoke up, his interest finally piqued. “I love them!”
Granddaddy frowned. “A little before your time, aren’t they?”
“They’re classic, old man, and classics never go out of style.” Drew reached for another piece of lamb and Granddaddy pulled the platter away.