“Yeah, right.” She shook her head but smiled.
When I glanced down at my plate, I was stunned. The tacos weren’t charred beyond recognition. There was no smoke drifting from the kitchen. And I definitely hadn’t heard the familiar beep of the alarm going off. The food looked… good?
I picked up a taco and took a small, cautious bite. Years of experience had taught me never to be too careful when Mom’s cooking was involved. But one taste nearly left me choking with surprise.
“Mom, whatisthis?”
She raised her eyebrows, worried. “Oh no, you really don’t like it?”
“No.” I said. “It’s…” I glanced at my brothers who had similar looks of surprise on their faces. “It’s actually good.”
“Yeah, Mom,” Reed agreed, taking another bite. “This is great.”
“Nailed it,” Grayson added.
Cammie was shaking her head as she stared down at her plate. “I can’t believe it.”
Mom rolled her eyes. “I’m notthatbad at cooking, am I?”
“You’ve gone through five fire-extinguishers this year,” Cammie said before turning to Max and Mackenzie. “The guy at the hardware store has to order in extra stock just for her.”
Mackenzie smiled at my mom and said, “It really is delicious.”
“Yeah, thanks, Mrs. D,” her brother added as he took another large bite.
“Are you guys messing with me?” Dad shouted from the other room. “Because you know I can’t come in there to check.”
“Looks like you lost the bet, Dad!” Cammie yelled back.
“I only lose if I leave this couch,” he replied. “And I can’t because I’m enjoyingLove on the Rangeso much. Farmers need love too, you know.”
Laughing, I turned to Mom. “You still win though, right?”
“I do.” She smiled. “Finally, your dad has to get the faulty wires in the house fixed. He’s got until the end of the week. It’s been over a year now, and he’s still putting it off.”
“That’syour prize?”
“Yep, and if your father manages to stay out there for the whole episode without complaint, he gets a new TV.”
“Really?” I sat up a little straighter.
“Dadstillhasn’t had the wiring fixed?” Grayson asked.
“I’m a very busy man,” Dad called out again. “Though never too busy to watch myfavoriteshow.”
Mom bit her lip as she glanced in the direction of the livingroom. Maybe she was starting to feel guilty Dad was missing dinner.
“I especially like the salsa,” Paige said. “It’s so fresh. Did you make that from scratch, Amy?”
“Uh, yes, I did.”
“Made the salsa?” Dad’s muttering drifted into the dining room. “Made the salsa?” A moment later he appeared in the doorway. “There’s no way. I don’t believe any of you. You’re messing with me. You have to be.”
Mom folded her arms. “You think I’d cheat?”
“Dad, what are you doing?” I yelled. “There’s a new TV on the line. Get back out there!”
But his eyes were fixed on my mom as he sat in the chair beside me. “Iknowyou’d cheat.” He picked up a taco and took a bite, and his eyes immediately narrowed with suspicion. “Thisisgood.”
