20
Bailey kept out of the way, observing the McKenna clan at work—unpacking bags, tucking platters in the fridge, feeding the husky. Everyone worked independently yet in unison.
It was fascinating, and a bit depressing, watching a family actually interacting like a family.
They were each other’s home—a home and family, minus the parents. She hadn’t thought that possible. Nothing had been right in her life since her parents split—not that much had been right before that.
“Hey.” Cole angled to look her in the eyes. “You all right?”
She nodded, burying her emotions and fixing a happy face. She’d become proficient at it. “Fine.”
“You say that an awful lot.”
Leave it to Cole to call her on it.
“I don’t know about y’all, but I’m starving,” Gage said.
Kayden shouldered past him with a bowl of chips. “Aren’t you always?”
Gage swiped a handful. “I’m a growing boy.”
“You got the boy part right.”
“A bear when she’s hungry.” Gage hefted the bag of charcoal over his shoulder. “I better get the grill going.”
Jake stood. “I’ll give you a hand.”
Gage slid on his Kiss the Cook chef hat. “You can watch and learn from the master, my good man.”
Piper chuckled.
Kayden sighed. “Don’t encourage him.”
“She can’t help it.” Gage squeezed Piper’s shoulder. “She knows I’m hilarious.”
Kayden cracked a grin. “Such a mess.”
“Enough talk,” Gage said. “Let’s get this party started. Cole, you’re on patties.”
“Got it.”
“Piper, you’re in charge of ice and drinks.”
“On it.”
“Kayden, how are the sides coming?”
“Done.”
Gage dipped his head. “Of course they are. Let’s see. . . . You can set up tables.”
“Already started.”
“Excellent.” He looked to Jake. “Shall we make a fire?”
“I’ll keep the extinguisher handy,” Kayden said as she strolled from the room.
Bailey slipped into a chair, content to just sit back and observe.
Cole reached for her hand. “No watching allowed. You can help me with the patties.”
You can do this. You can take his hand.
It closed around hers, his skin soft and firm. He was warm, and his heat radiated through her. She swallowed hard. “Patties.”
“Right.” He nodded, not budging.
“You’ll want to change first,” Piper said.
Bailey jerked in her direction, forgetting anyone else was still in the room. “What?”
“You don’t want to make hamburger patties in your nice suit. You can borrow something of mine.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I’m fine.”
“Nonsense. I bet we’re the same size.” Piper started up the steps, then paused when she didn’t follow. “Come on. We’ll get you fixed right up.”
Bailey looked at Cole.
He smirked. “When Piper makes up her mind . . .”
She chuckled. “I know.”
Cole dumped the meat, bread crumbs, and chopped onions into a large glass mixing bowl.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up.
Two sandaled feet with pink toenails appeared first, followed by two long, shapely legs, a pair of cream shorts, a black T-shirt, and finally Bailey’s gorgeous face. She’d let her hair down, and it fell in soft amber waves across her shoulders.
“Wow.”
She nearly missed the bottom step, her cheeks tingeing pink. “It’s just a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.” She shifted her weight uncomfortably.
“Casual looks good on you.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was breathtaking.
She eyed the mixing bowl. “We ready here?”
“Almost, but first I must swear you to secrecy.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. What follows is a McKenna recipe that’s been in our family for over two years.” He widened his eyes with mock gravity. “You must promise never to reveal what you learn here.”
“Okay.”
He arched a brow.
“Scout’s honor.”
“Very well, we may proceed.”
They added chopped onions and garlic, several routine spices, and then Cole paused for dramatic effect. “Now, for the pièce de résistance.” He held up a jar of cocoa powder.
“Cocoa? You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I know it sounds weird. . . .”
“Borderline disgusting.”
“It’s delicious. I promise.”
“How’d you even come up with it?”
“Gage, in one of his creating stages. He’s quite the chef.”
Her gaze flashed to the patio door and she laughed. “He seems quite enthralled with grilling too.”
Cole looked over her shoulder at Gage battling three-foot flames with a water bottle. “He calls it grilling with style.”
She laughed. “I can see that.
Bailey grimaced as the hamburger slipped through her fingers. “Oooh. Reminds me of Halloween parties.”
Cole arched a brow.
“You know, when your friends turn their basement into a haunted house and have all the mystery bowls you have to stick your hands into. Peeled grapes for eyeballs. Spaghetti noodles for brains.”
He leaned against the counter. “Sounds like you had some interesting friends.”
“That’s an understatement.” Though, looking back, she’d never really had any close friends growing up, never truly fit in.
She was always the odd girl out, always watching from the periphery, wondering why she was different and what was wrong with her. Why her family didn’t resemble those happy ones where the parents actually spent time with their kids, actually seemed to enjoy goofing around together the way Cole and his siblings did.
The old familiar ache in the pit of her stomach returned, and she bolstered herself for the wave of nausea that typically followed.
She forced herself to focus on the task at hand, working the meat into a perfectly shaped patty, and then held it up for inspection.
Cole gave a lopsided grin. “Close . . .”
He moved behind her and reached his arms around her; taking her hands, he helped her shape a bigger patty. For a brief moment she let herself enjoy the warmth and security of his strong arms.
“How we coming on the—” Gage stopped short at the sight of them.
Bailey jolted, rearing her head back. It collided with Cole’s face.
He grunted.
She covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m so sorry. I was startled . . .”
“It’s okay.” Blood streamed across his lip. He pinched the bridge of his nose and tilted his head back.
“I can’t believe I did that.” She rummaged around for a towel.
“I’ll come back.” With a smirk, Gage turned heel and slid the door shut behind him.
“Here.” She handed Cole a paper towel. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Good as new.” He straightened once the blood clotted and wiped the residue from his face. “Pursuing adventure for a living I get more than my fair share of knocks. Getting a backwards head-butt from a beautiful lady is nothing to complain about.”
She bit her bottom lip. “I have no idea how to take that.”
“Trust me. . . .” He winked. “It’s a huge compliment.”