Seth nodded. “A good way to remember humans have more in common than some think.”
“We sure do. One big Italian family, as mamma used to say.”
“I’m half in love with your mamma without even meeting her.”
Gray laughed. “The feeling would have been mutual. Anyone who understood and respected food the way you do was an automatic friend. But I think my mamma would have had a rival for those feelings you’re declaring.”
Seth raised an eyebrow. “Mara doesn’t need another big brother looking out for her.”
“Maybe I’m looking out for you.”
Seth snorted a laugh. “Right.”
Gray laughed. “I think you’re great together. I’m glad you both came to the farm. Not only because the No Phailed Apples Inn is going to be the best in the state, but because you’re rounding out our family.”
That hit Seth in the heart. He’d lost his birth family long before. Then he’d lost his military family in the blast. While Maki was the only one who’d died, the team had drifted apart. Or he had. The others continued to serve.
He got texts and messages from them, but he knew he was the one who’d slipped away from the group. He’d had to be physically separate, but he’d let the emotional ties go, too.
Maki’s death had carved deep into his soul, and he’d blamed himself. He hadn’t felt he deserved the continued friendship of the others, so he’d lost them, too. He’d have to work on that.
It had taken the family here at the farm to show him that. Well, mostly it had been Mara.
He’d found a place to set down roots with a third family. Most people weren’t that lucky.
He wasn’t convinced he deserved that kind of luck, but he wasn’t turning his back on it.
The door swung open, and the first of the bodyguards marched through. “Couldn’t stay in my room with the scents of this wafting up.”
Seth grinned and pointed at a table. “Appetizers.”
He’d known the slow roast of the tenderloin would bring out men and appetites.
He’d plated antipasto and vegetables. Not enough to ruin anyone’s appetite, but enough to keep them from attacking the grills.
In only minutes, the deck was filled with hungry men, swapping stories and salivating. Even the one Mara called Stone Face sucked in a deep breath of the scents as he climbed up to the deck from the yard.
Seth didn’t give a rat’s ass whether anyone preferred burgers rare or well done. He would cook the meat the way it deserved to be cooked. If they didn’t like it, there was plenty of other food: corn, green and yellow beans, skewers of grilled veggies, and fresh salads. Mara’s homemade buns for the burgers and sausages waited along with a selection of cheeses. It was a hell of a good meal.
Once Seth plated the meat on the buffet table, the men descended like wolves.
Each man devoured at least two plates, and all of them tried all three meats.
Gray came out with more pitchers of Nash’s cider. The plain apple was a favorite, but the apple-pineapple was a surprising hit with the meal.
He headed back to the kitchen and sliced up another pineapple. He set the slices on the grill and drizzled them with Dani’s honey. They disappeared from the platter as soon as he put it on the buffet table.
He made a mental note to add grilled pineapple to the menu regularly. Peaches and nectarines as well. He’d never tried apple slices, but after Mara’s apple chips had been such a hit, he’d try those one day soon.
His eyes tracked the area again, but he still didn’t see Mara. It wasn’t as if she had to show up when he was cooking, but she usually did.
He missed not having her at his side, acting as sous-chef, or just filling up the space with her happiness.
They’d connected so quickly, but he knew their bond was strong. Strong enough for a lifetime? He sure as hell hoped so.
And after this crew demolished the food and the baking Mara had set out, he’d find her and set about ensuring she felt the same.
When Mara didn’t show up to serve up the Irish apple cakes she’d created for tonight’s dessert, Seth’s curiosity about her whereabouts moved toward worry.
