“All right, Millie. Tell me something about yourself.”
Millie blinked. “What kind of something?”
“Not the hard stuff,” Ruby said gently, as if reading her thoughts. “Just you.”
Millie opened her mouth, then hesitated. The question shouldn’t have been difficult. Somehow, it was.
She lowered the chicken leg in her hand.
“I love dogs. Always have.” She smiled faintly. “I’m a grant writer.”
Ruby raised her brows. “That sounds important.”
“It pays the bills, but it’s not very exciting. However, I’m very thankful that I was able to get my old job back after my divorce. Even though sitting behind a desk all day isn’t my thing, I do enjoy the work. I took a leave of absence to come here, however.”
“What is your thing?” Ruby asked, genuinely curious.
Millie considered how to answer.
“Campfires. Hiking.” She paused, then added, almost shyly, “I’d love to go to the Dolomites someday. Hike theTre Cime di Lavaredo. I’ve never been to Europe.”
Ruby’s eyes lit up. “That sounds wonderful.”
Millie smiled, feeling unexpectedly seen.
They worked for several minutes in silence.
Millie hesitated, then said, “I’ve always tried to make crunchy fried chicken, but I’ve always failed. What’s your secret?”
She leaned closer and lowered her voice, “Between you and me, it’s the double fry method. I’ll teach you.”
“I’d like that.” Millie cut the last piece of chicken as Ruby began setting up the dredging stations and explaining the next steps.
At a break in their conversation, Millie said, “Your kids seem . . . really great. I’m impressed by what they’re doing here.”
Ruby’s face softened, pride shining through. “They’re not perfect. But I’m so proud of them. All of them.” She hesitated, then added, quieter, “Caleb . . . well, I didn’t know if he’d ever be the same after?—”
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Valentina appeared, her presence cutting the moment short.
Ruby turned with a welcoming smile, and whatever she’d been about to say slipped away, unspoken.
After what?
Millie worked in silence for a few minutes, listening to the rhythm of the kitchen, unable to shake her sudden, insistent curiosity.
What event had happened in Caleb’s past that she didn’t know about?
chapter
twenty
Dinner had been tasty.
Caleb had always loved his mom’s fried chicken—though he knew there was nothing healthy about it. Still, once or twice a year couldn’t hurt.
The conversation around the dinner table had been light—though he couldn’t help but think that Valentina was acting strangely. Maybe it was the questioning earlier in the day. Maybe it had set her on edge.
He excused himself early and didn’t offer to help with dishes—not this time.
