Page 57 of Wilde Flame

“I did. I loved that horse so much. Rode him every day until he got too old. You just missed meeting him, Lilibeth. He died last year.”

“I’m so sorry, Ensley.”

She smiled softly. “It’s okay. He had a beautiful life. Was spoiled and loved so very much. He was with me through some dark times in my life.”

Caden put his arm around his sister and hugged her. “He was a great horse.”

“What did you name him?” I asked.

Ensley looked at me like I’d just asked the most ridiculous question. “Duh! Clifford!”

I laughed. “Of course. How silly of me.”

When I glanced at Caden, he winked.

Vivianne clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Now that the good news has been announced, it’s time to eat! Let’s all head to the dining room.”

As I walked past Caden, he gently placed his hand on my lower back and guided me into the dining room. The table clearly had more than one leaf and looked to seat almost everyone. There was a smaller table set off to the side that sat four. Gatlin and Ensley both headed to that table.

Ensley called out, “Over here, Caden!”

“Perfect,” he said, guiding me toward their table.

“Are we sitting at the kids’ table?” I joked, as we walked over and took our seats.

Gatlin lifted his hands in defense. “Hey, not my problem the little ones didn’t get here fast enough.”

“Trust us, Lilibeth, you don’t want to be at the big table.”

Frowning at Ensley, I replied, “I don’t?”

“Hell no,” Gatlin answered, as he sat down. “Our table will be a lot more fun.”

Once everyone was seated, we rotated into the kitchen to make our plates. I’d never seen so much food in my life. There was turkey, ham, dressing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, yams, corn casserole, and steamed vegetables. On another counter was at least six different desserts. I saw the one my mother had made, and my mouth watered.

“You’re going to want to try those brownies.”

Glancing at Caden, I raised a brow. “I was eyeing my mother’s no-bake eclairs.”

He looked over at the desserts. “Which are those?”

“The cake pan with the fudge-looking topping.”

Nodding, he said, “That does look good. But the brownies…”

Laughing, I asked, “Did you make them?”

“God, no. It’s a recipe my mother found. She calls them oh-my-God brownies. They’re just one level up from a good orgasm.”

I elbowed him. “Caden Wilde!”

He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “They are. Just ask Gatlin or one of the girls. There’s a reason they’re named that.”

I held up my plate filled with food. “Let me try to finish all of this before I attempt any desserts.”

His brows rose.

“I know. My eyes are bigger than my stomach. I feel ravenous today, though.”