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She chuckles, taking off her apron and smoothing her hair before following me out into the cafeteria. We grab dinner—Hank’s famous beef stew—as well as a few of Addison’s scones, before finding a free spot in the dining hall to sit.

Cora immediately zeroes in on Addison’s scones. “Did you make those?” she asks, leaning forward to get a better view of the small plate we’d brought over.

“Yeah, they’re savory,” Addison explains, passing the plate so Cora can take one.

She digs in immediately, then grins. “Ugh, these are good,” she says.

Addison waves off the praise, but I can tell she likes it.

“Are you making anything for the big dinner next week?” Cora asks.

Addison cocks her head in question.

“The Thatchers put on a somewhat fancy dinner every couple months for the staff. Hank goes all out—sometimes they hire out other cooks too,” I remind her, even though I remember she’d attended on the first week she was here.

Addison nods in remembrance. “Oh yeah. I, uh … I don’t know. I doubt my baking is up to par,” she says with a shrug.

“Are you kidding me?” Cora leans forward, holding her half-eaten scone aloft. “This is the best thing I’ve eaten all year. No offense to Hank or anyone else,” she addswith a chuckle.

Addison’s cheeks pinken just a touch, and it makes my chest constrict in an increasingly familiar way.

“Seriously, Addison, you should do it,” Cora says, taking another bite.

Addison’s gaze flits to mine, wanting my input.

I grin at her. “Do you want to?”

She shrugs.

“You should do it,” I encourage. “You’re talented, and you obviously love it.” And it’s true. The way she’s practically radiating joy and contentment when I find her in the kitchen, the way her face lights up when people try her food. Addison loves this. And I love it for her.

“Well, what if Hank—” she starts.

“Hank will say yes,” I insert. “If he hasn’t thought about it already.”

She laughs.

Theo comes over with a tray of food, setting it down beside Cora.

“Try this,” Cora instructs, holding up a scone to his mouth. His eyes widen momentarily before obeying and opening, taking a small bite.

“Good boy,” she teases with a giggle, and Theo just about chokes.

God if these two don’t hurry up and fuck each other already, the entire ranch just might murder them. Theo struggles to regain his composure, Cora absolutely oblivious as she tucks a strand of her short, blonde hair behind her ear.

Theo swallows, then nods. “Wow. This is good.” He then zeroes in on Addison. “You made this?” he deduces.

She nods.

“There better be more of these in the kitchen,” he mutters before grabbing one of his own.

Addison’s grinning from ear to ear, swirling the stew in her bowl with her spoon. “Okay,” she says with a shrug. “I’ll talkto Hank.”

Chapter 16

Addison

After a week of researching recipes, experimenting with mixes, and consulting with Hank, I decide on three decadent cake recipes for the big dinner. With salmon and a vegetable bake as the main course, cake felt like a safe yet delicious option for dessert. Who doesn’t like cake?