Cherie rested a hand on Reese’s chest before she walked over to Graeme. “I thought Derrick was going to tend bar.”
“He decided he’d rather take care of the food.”
“For a math teacher, you definitely have a problem measuring liquids.” Kayana had revealed that Graeme had earned a reputation for concocting very strong drinks.
Lines fanned out around Graeme’s eyes when he smiled. “Former math teacher.”
“Graeme, you have to lighten up on the alcohol, or everyone will be drunk even before the game begins.”
“Graeme Norris Ogden, step away from those bottles!” Kayana ordered as she entered the kitchen.
He held up both hands and struggled not to laugh. “I was just trying out some samples.”
Kayana glared at her husband before she forcibly took the jars from Reese and Parker. “Just because my beloved husband has learned to cook, he now believes he can become a mixologist.”
“They are rather strong,” Reese confirmed.
“And I know that from past experience,” Cherie admitted. “The one time I had one of his cocktails, I felt as if I was drowning in the Bermuda Triangle.” The doorbell rang, and she smiled at Reese. “Can you please walk me to the door?”
He nodded. “Of course.”
Cherie took his hand, and when they were out of earshot of everyone, she leaned in closer to him. “We dodged a bullet,” she whispered. She’d wanted to get him alone to give him the good news.
“No baby?” he said sotto voce.
“No.” Cherie saw a myriad of expressions flitter over Reese’s features and wondered if he was as relieved as she’d been when seeing her menses. It’s not that she didn’t want to become a mother, but only when the timing was right. She and Reese had known each other a little more than a month, and she still wasn’t ready to tell him about her past. Once that was behind her, she knew she’d be ready to talk about or consider a future with him.
Bettina and husband stood on the porch; she held a foil-covered pan. Cherie opened the door. “Welcome, Bettina.”
The redhead blushed. “Thank you for inviting us. This is my husband, Andrew Wilson.”
Cherie stared at the man with a receding hairline and what she thought of as nondescript features. It was her first time meeting him face-to-face. “It’s nice meeting you, Andrew.”
His lips parted in what could pass for a smile. “It’s nice to finally see you up close.” He extended his hand to Reese. “Deputy Matthews.”
Reese took his hand. “Mr. Wilson.”
“Please call me Andy. Whenever someone calls me Mr. Wilson, I think they’re talking about my father.”
Bettina handed Cherie the pan. “I know it was short notice, so I decided to make what I had on hand. It’s my grandmother’s recipe for sausage and peppers. Not too many people know it, but Nona came here from Italy as a young woman and brought her cooking skills with her.”
Cherie smiled. “Thank you so much, but you didn’t have to bring anything. We’ve prepared enough food to feed a football team.”
“I’m sure you did, but I didn’t want to come empty-handed.”
“Please come in, and I’ll introduce you to everyone before we have cocktails and appetizers. After that, we’ll sit down to eat before the game begins. Everything will be served buffet style.”
Cherie handed the pan of sausage and peppers to Derrick, and then made the introductions, although everyone was familiar with the Wilsons, especially Bettina. “The beverages include various margaritas, beer, wine, pop, and water.”
Bettina clasped her hands together. “What kind of margaritas can you make?” she asked Kayana.
“You can have the classic margarita, or a strawberry spritzer, sweet tea lime, mojitarita, cranberry, or apple cider.”
Bettina’s brow furrowed. “What is a mojitarita?”
“It’s a combination of a mojito and a margarita. You have the tequila from the margarita and the mint from a mojito.”
“I think I’d like the strawberry.”
