People from the courthouse emergency offices had begun coming in, getting bowls of piping-hot stew and then the corn-bread pans came out. The line kept growing and Erin kept busy in the kitchen. After a while, things slowed and the noise level of the crowd lowered, a sign that people were busy eating and drinking.
Tillie stuck her head around the door into the kitchen. “Hey, Erin, could you come out here a moment?”
Erin left the next batch of corn bread she was cutting into squares, wiped her hands on her apron as she went into the main dining area, which was full of people…most of whom she had never seen before. Tillie motioned to her to stand beside her, and she did, mystified by what Tillie was up to next. She didn’t have to wait long.
Tillie had a loud voice when needed and she used it. “Everyone…hey, friends…can we have some quiet for a moment? I know volunteers don’t really want to be thanked repeatedly, but I think we need a round of applause for all the ladies you see around the room who are serving as they have been doing here all day.”
The applause was loud and went for a few more seconds before Tillie waved her hand. “And there is someone, and you have all been asking me how I made the stew so good and all, well…I did not. A volunteer, someone who is just a visitor to our town, stepped up and she used her recipe, and she became the chef who masterminded this great stew and corn-bread meal tonight. This is Erin and she’s Rance’s guest and one we do hope to see more of…hint, hint, Rance Parker!”
The applause erupted again and this time there were whistles included and laughter mostly for Rance’s benefit. And she met Rance’s gaze from where he sat on the second row of tables and he simply smiled and nodded and then he winked at her, which only produced more good-natured kidding and applause. Erin could feel her face growing hot and she had to be turning beet red. She nodded her thanks and managed to slip back into the kitchen…and marched straight to the back door and out onto the small porch. She needed fresh air to cool down. She used her hands to fan her cheeks. They needed to return to their normal color.
“You aren’t thinking of running back to the inn, are you?” Rance had followed her exit. “It’s still threatening more rain.”
“Actually, I was thinking of running back to Austin and not stopping until I get there. Talk about keeping a low profile. I didn’t know Tillie would do such a thing.”
“Well, she wants to give credit where it is due. And I for one am shocked. I had no idea that you had those hidden talents of cooking for a group like that—and it tasted great.”
“Well, it was news to me too,” she confessed. “I was sure it would be a mess. But I gave it my best shot.”
“Well, your best shot is awesome. And seeing you go from a fancy black robe with those spiky red-bottom heels to sneakers, jeans and a semi-clean chef’s apron…well I have to say I might be speechless.”
“Speechless?”
“Yeah…I might have to say that the way you look right now is the best. I think it might be far closer to the real Erin Latham. And she is awesome.”
There was something in his gaze that sent her stomach into a flip. She needed something witty to come back with but had nothing.
“You look tired.”
For a moment, he blinked. Then she wanted to just melt into a puddle and pretend she hadn’t said that.
“Well, I am tired. And I’m not sure if I’m supposed to thank you for that comment or not. But it’s been a long day for everyone. I just wanted to add my thanks in person. You didn’t have to step up and help but you chose to do so. That means a lot. Has the chef eaten yet?”
“Hmmm, no, come to think of it, I haven’t.”
He held out his arm for her to take in formal fashion. “Then allow me the pleasure of dining with your honorable chefness? Is that even a word? But you get my meaning.”
She couldn’t help the grin that appeared. Quite a few men…many notable ones…had offered their arm to her in very different settings. But somehow, this one was the one she really wanted to accept over any other. She did so. And if gossip began at the sight they presented as they walked back into the dining room and took seats at the table with the other Parkers, well then so be it.
*
After dinner was done, people went back to their workstations…some to continue the work and some to take rests for three hours and then they would change out.
“Okay, here is the situation,” Rance told Erin as they walked across the room with the last of the people to leave. “We could take the big truck and make it back to Primrose. But we have no guarantee we could make it back with the rain forecasted up in the canyons. I don’t want to take the chance that I can’t get back to help. So, I’m going to get a friend to take you back to the truck in my place. He has family on that side and can stay over until morning light. If he can get back, he will. But it will get you back to Primrose. I can take one of the couches in Tori’s office for some shut-eye. Sound like a plan?”
She seemed surprised. “Not really,” was her response. “I want to be able to help out in the morning also. If there is a chance, as you say, that I might not be able to cross back, then I am staying here as the safe bet.”
“Are you being stubborn? You need rest also, and a short sofa is not that great.”
“I thought you weren’t supposed to let me out of your sight, Marshal Parker? Me on one side of a river and you on the other does not sound like what you’ve been charged to do. Does it to you?”
“You want to throw my duty in my face now? Rather convenient don’t you think? Not too fair a fight I would say…Your Honor.”
“We’re back to that…Marshal?”
“You are being stubborn, but you made your point,” he grudgingly gave in. The woman had thrown a few curve balls his way, but he had to admit to being too tired to sort it out now. They bid the remaining crew good night and walked across the main street to the three-storied limestone courthouse.
“These old courthouses have so much character. I would love to see more of them.”
