His chest puffed out, full of pride. “Did she just run?”
“Yes.” Rachel’s grin broadened. “She did it yesterday for the first time since surgery.”
“That’s incredible.” He crouched down and ran a hand along Roxie’s back. “You’re a rock star, Roxie. Nothing can keep you down.”
“I’m amazed every time I watch her. Everybody told me dogs are resilient, but I had no idea to what extent.”
Giada smiled at her daughter. “Sounds like a girl I know.”
Rachel blushed and glanced down at him. “Did you save room? We don’t have the menu your family does, but we have steaks, and dad’s a grill master.”
He gave Roxie a final pat and stood. “I passed on my mom’s famous potato salad to make sure I wouldn’t be full.”
“Yeah, right.” Rachel elbowed his ribs and looked at her parents with raised brows. “All I’ve heard about this week was his anticipation of today just so he could have some of that potato salad.”
He threw a hand around her waist and winked. “I never said if I passed on a first or second helping.”
“No son who wants to stay alive ever passes on his mama’s signature dish,” Byron wrinkled his nose. “Whether he likes it or not.”
Giada’s indigo eyes sparkled. “Byron’s mother makes a squash casserole for every family gathering. If you enjoy a little squash with your salt, it’s quite delicious.”
Rachel reached for a bottle of water. “It makes me thirsty thinking of it. You know what I don’t understand? Gigi is a fantastic cook, so why is the one dish she can’t make well the one she insists on keeping?”
Byron shook his head. “That, my dear, is one of the great mysteries of the world.”
“What’s your signature, Mrs. Giada?”
“Homemade bagels. Come for breakfast tomorrow and you can try them for yourself.” Giada stole a glance at Rachel. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Yes, please do.”
If he hadn’t already planned to say yes, Rachel’s soft smile would have convinced him, but there was one problem. “What time? I’m on duty at my church tomorrow for protection ministry, and a replacement would be hard to find on a holiday weekend.”
“I can have them ready by eight. Would that give you time?”
“Perfect.” It dawned on him that if the relationship between him and Rachel continued to progress, and he believed it would, they’d have to discuss church. He loved his church and didn’t want to change. Would it be fair to ask Rachel? He’d start praying about it now.
Byron held a pair of grilling tongs. “Want to help me with the steaks?”
“Absolutely.” Spotting the small gas grill, he arched a wary brow.
Byron must have caught the look, and his eyes laughed. “We work with what we have. I’ve grilled more steaks on less.”
Later that evening, Aaron conceded that Byron was, indeed, king of the grill. His stomach was still full of the pound of ribeye he’d consumed. There had been grilled vegetables, but he’d have to believe Rachel that they’d been delicious.
The four of them sat outside, chatting on the patio. He and Byron sat on dining room chairs they’d brought out, while Rachel and her mom took the patio chairs.
He worked on a slice of cherry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top but didn’t make much progress. “What time does everyone want to leave for the fireworks?”
“No later than six if we’re hitting the carnival first.” Rachel flicked her wrist and glanced at her watch. “That gives us a half hour.”
Giada exchanged a glance with her husband. “Actually, we thought we’d stay here if you don’t mind.”
“You don’t want to see the fireworks?” Rachel’s eyes narrowed, concern etching her features.
“We’ve crammed in a lot since we’ve been here, and we want to be rested for the second half of our trip.” Byron patted his stomach. “Besides, all that food is making me lazy.”
“Then we’ll stay, too,” Rachel said with a definitive nod.
