Page 135 of Wilde Flame

“Sunday dinner!” they both bitched in unison.

“Son, that’s three days away.”

I shrugged. “What was it you always told us when we were younger? Patience is a virtue.”

He huffed. “I knew you kids would throw that back in my face someday.”

“And today is someday,” I said, as I stood and hit him on the side of the arm. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Lilibeth is making chicken and dumplings, and I’d like to get home to her.”

I gathered my stuff and looked up when neither of them said anything. My father wore a goofy-ass grin on his face, and my brother was nodding his head.

“Why are you staring at me like that? And why are you impersonating a bobble-head, Gatlin?”

Dad cleared his throat. “I take it you discovered the needs.”

I closed my eyes. “Dad, I’m not talking to you about this.”

“You’re totally in love with her,” Gatlin said.

“Just tell me I was right,” Dad added.

“No.”

“Right about what?” Gatlin asked.

“Nothing,” I replied, as I headed toward the door. I stopped, turned back to my father, and winked. “You were right.”

He fist pumped. “I knew it!”

“Wait, knew what? What were you right about?”

As I walked away, I heard my father reply. “You’re too young to know.”

“What the fuck? Dad, I’m twenty-seven years old!”

Laughing, I pulled out my phone and texted Lilibeth.

Me: I’m leaving now. Will be there in a few.

Lilibeth: It smells divine in the house!

As I walked into the house, the little kitten Lilibeth had found—who wasn’t a kitten anymore—came running up to me. I reached down and picked her up.

“Hello there, Misty. Are you being a good kitty and not clawing my sofa?”

She meowed, and I laughed. “I’ll take that as a no.”

When I walked into the kitchen, I drew in a deep breath. “God, that smells so good.”

Lilibeth beamed. “I think it’s the best batch of dumplings I’ve ever made.”

“Is it done?”

“Yep,” she said, handing me a bowl. “Have at it.”

After dishing up a bowl for myself and one for her, we made our way over to the breakfast table. Lilibeth told me about her trip into town and then asked how the meeting went.

“It went well. I’m ready for warmer weather.”