The tips of his ears turned pink. “I didn’t need to know that.”
“All right.” Mama bustled in, her floral hot pads gripping a steaming pot. She set the food on a trivet. A sliced roast with potatoes and carrots.
Jonah arched a brow at me. “Now I know where you get your recipes from.”
Mama glanced between us.
The tips of his ears stayed red. “Summer has made me the same thing a few times.”
Mama beamed. She was a progressive woman, but she also liked when her kids picked up their domestic talents from her. “I bet it tasted amazing. Summer’s a good cook.”
“Especially with fresh veggies. I heard those are critical.”
It was my turn to blush.
We filled our plates. The tinkle of silverware filled the air.
“This is really good, Mae,” Jonah said.
Mama’s proud grin never got old. She showed herlove in many ways, but feeding others was at the top. “I hope you don’t mind if I ask... How are your parents doing? I heard they’re moving.”
I glanced at Jonah. He was nodding while finishing chewing. He hadn’t spoken much about the move, or about his mom and dad.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin before he spoke. “They’re selling the main acreage the house is on and two pastures, maybe more. I bought the land my house is on when I built the shop.”
“They have a buyer already?” Mama asked.
“Rhys Kinkade.”
They were selling to Rhys, and Jonah hadn’t thought to tell me? “Junie’s ex?”
“They were only high school sweethearts,” Mama said like she was calming me down.
Only. If people had been certain Eli and I would walk down the aisle, then they’d have bet their life’s savings on Junie and Rhys. They’d been hot and heavy from middle school to their graduation year. Then Junie had left to make a career in music, and Rhys had stayed behind. He’d gotten married, and then his wife had left him and the girls. I didn’t know the story behind their split—actually, I didn’t know why he and Junie had broken up either, but we all assumed she’d wanted to tour and become a big name and he’d wanted to keep his roots in Bourbon Canyon.
“I didn’t remember they’d dated,” Jonah said.
I gawked at him. “They used to hang out with me and Eli.”
Jonah’s guarded gaze caught mine. “I was in my own world.”
Mama’s chuckle smoothed over the tension betweenus. “You and Teller and the other boys were usually gone doing your own thing.” Her smile was kind. “I’d say up to no good, but we all know that wasn’t true. Darin and I used to joke that our income went up when you boys started hunting. We could sell more beef and eat off the wild game and birds you all caught.”
The corners of Jonah’s eyes pinched. “I suppose that still happens for you?”
Mama shrugged. “You know. Life happens. Tate moved, and now he’s back, but with three little kids, he doesn’t have time to hunt.” She snorted. “Chance sure isn’t interested. He knows how, but only because he claims it’s an important skill if the apocalypse happens.”
The corner of Jonah’s mouth tipped up. He was reserved tonight, like he was afraid to open up around Mama. This had to be weird for him.
“Teller and Tenor don’t get out as much as they used to,” Mama continued, “but they’re also more involved in the ranch and distillery than ever since Darin passed. I’m glad they had the years of freedom they did.”
His jaw tightened. “Yes.”
“More potatoes?” Mama asked. “I’m going to blink and it’ll be time to plant more. I hope we have a good growing season like we did last year.”
What had bothered Jonah? Had Mama sensed his discomfort and changed the subject?
I was worrying too much. But Jonah and I might be navigating our relationship on two different timelines, and if that was the case, I didn’t know if I should slow down. If I pressured Jonah to speed up, we might only reach the end sooner.
