After everyone helps clean the kitchen and we get Jasmine to bed, Declan and Summer sit under the pergola with us for one last cocktail.Yet again, I’m fascinated by the way they interact with one another.One minute they’re bickering like siblings, the next they’re doubled over laughing at each other like rowdy best friends, and then there’s the other part.
I don’t even want to name it, and I have a feeling they don’t, either.
Once they leave, Finn and I head up the steps arm in arm, and we check on Jasmine.The girl is conked out.
We stand in the hallway.
“I can never thank you enough for this, Emma.I don’t remember what life was like before you arrived, how I did this without you.”
I kiss him goodnight.I’d love nothing more in the whole world than to curl up next to Finn and sleep the night through in the same room, the same bed, in his arms.Together.
We can’t.Jasmine’s here.
And Finn doesn’t seem ready to change the rules.
The next morning, I’m half awake and getting the coffee started when there’s a soft knock at the front door.The sun’s barely up.I open the door to find a sheepish Special K on the porch.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hi.Did you leave something here last night?”
He shakes his head.I can already tell that if information is to be exchanged, I’ll have to drag it out of him.“Want to come in?”
“I wondered if you could make me breakfast.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.“Of course!What would you like?”
Turns out he would like a four-egg Denver omelet, six sausage patties, a side of pancakes, and a half gallon of orange juice.
By the time Jasmine comes down, Declan and Summer have joined Special K at the island.Declan wants waffles.Summer wants toast, sausage, and a side of pancakes.
Evander shows up next, and I watch his face drop when he enters the kitchen.He’s sorely disappointed to discover that half the ranch had this idea before him.
“Do you have any steak?”he asks.“I’d love two eggs, yolks broken.”
I burst out laughing.“Might I interest you in crepes, Evander?French toast?Donuts?”
“No thanks,” he says, not getting that I was being sarcastic.
Declan points his fork to Evander.“Dude doesn’t do carbs, since it just turns to blubber on him.I got the good genes in this family.I can eat anything and everything and stay at six percent body fat while my muscles just get bigger and bigger.”He flexes his arm to show everyone his bicep.
“Wow!”Jasmine says, impressed, her mouth stuffed with pancakes.
“He’s annoying, but it’s true.”Summer sighs.“Declan could eat a car battery and not have indigestion.”
“Might account for some of his other problems, though,” Evander says.
While Evander’s steak sears, I turn to the breakfast crowd.“Hey, listen up, everyone.I love cooking.I love cooking for the family.But you need to understand, this isn’t a diner.I’m not a short-order cook.I can’t do this all the time.”
I get a round of silent nods in response.
“You’re a rock star, Emma.Thank you.”Special K has a shy smile on his face.
As I’m handing Evander his plate of steak and eggs, Finn arrives in the kitchen.Oh, he’s pissed off.
“Out!”he bellows.
Everyone scatters.Evander takes his plate with him.
