He handed her the steaming cup of tea and nudged her onto a stool.
"Have you eaten?"
"How did you know I was here?"
"Zoe mentioned it."
"Don't you have anything better to do?"
"No." Shrugging out of his jacket, he draped it over the back of a stool and went to the wine cooler. Deciding on a bottle of Chianti, he plucked it out and searched for a glass.
"Why don't you make yourself right at home," she said sweetly.
"Thanks, I'm doing just that." He grinned as she glared at him.
"I smell food."
"Roast chicken in the warmer."
"Interested?"
She shook her head and sipped.
"No appetite. Allergies."
"Ah. It so happens I'm starving."
"Help yourself," she invited with a wave of one hand.
He set about making himself a plate. Pouring the wine, he brought them both over and sat across from her.
"Why are you not having lunch or brunch with your family?"
"We had the traditional Christmas breakfast this morning." He bit into the chicken and allowed the taste to settle on his tongue.
"Wonderful chicken. Anyway, the tradition in our family is to relax for the day and rest up for supper. It's usually just familyand my aunt Theresa and uncle Jimmy is in from Boston." He shook his head, eyes twinkling.
"She's a piece of work. Loud, abrasive, and very demanding. Poor Uncle Jimmy is quite the longsuffering husband. I decided to use this opportunity to get away for a while."
"Glad I could be of some help."
"So am I," he gave her an unrepentant smile.
"Sure, you don't want some food?"
"Even the very thought of it turns my stomach. The tea is fine." She fiddled with her cup.
"You bought Zoe an expensive jacket."
"So?" He lifted his brows at her.
"She already has several."
"One more cannot hurt."
"She now has three new ones. You bought her one, as well as your mother and Katherine."
"Okay. I hate to repeat myself, but so?"
