New York Engagement (Carpe Diem Chronicles 1.5) by Maida Malby

Author:Maida Malby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: holiday, multicultural, family, vacation, proposal, bwwm romance, filipina, mixed race, diverse books, interracial fm
Publisher: Maida Malby

***

Blake watched as Krista bonded with his sister, their dark heads close together as they whispered and giggled.

“They’re not talking about you, vain man. Move. The food will get cold.” With a platter in each hand, Craig nudged Blake forward with his foot.

Blake set the food in the middle of the table, lifted Darcy out of the chair beside Krista, and deposited her on another.

“Hey!” His sister slapped his arm. “We were talking.”

“Now you’re not.” He dropped a kiss on Krista’s head before sitting on the chair his sister had involuntarily vacated.

“You’re a bully, B.” Darcy stuck out her tongue at him. She looked all of twelve when she did that. No one who saw her now would think she was a bona fide genius. Blake wasn’t the only one who reverted to childhood when home in New York. His siblings did, too.

“Zip it, brat. Da is about to say grace.” He crossed himself, then held hands with Darcy and Krista. Everyone did the same.

At the head of the table, Sean intoned, “Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for the many blessings you have given us today. We are grateful for the gathering of our family, this circle of love and strength. We ask you to bless us and our food, and to bless those we love who are not with us today. We offer special prayers of healing for our brother, Jack. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A chorus of amen filled the room.

“Bímis ag ithe. Let’s eat.”

“Not so fast,” said Ma, and everyone groaned. “Craig, explain to Krista what you’ve prepared.”

“Make it quick. I’m hungry,” Aidan grumbled.

“Hangry more like,” Blake whispered to Krista, who pinched his side to shush him. Her lips curved. He knew she remembered her excuse for her rudeness to him, the first day in Boracay.

“Since I’m taking over the kitchen for Tita Belen while they’re at the hospital, I’ve cooked for you some of the restaurant’s menu items so I can re-familiarize myself with them.”

Craig’s words reminded Blake that his brother had lived everywhere but New York for the past ten years. He resided in LA before he moved to Thailand. Before then, he’d been working for master chefs all over the world, from France to Italy to DC, never staying in one place for longer than a year.

“In front of you, Krista, is Guinness caldereta, our version of beef stew. There’s steamed rice, of course. Or brown soda bread, if that’s what you prefer. Next to that is longganisa coddle. Instead of regular bangers, we use the sweeter Filipino pork sausage. Lastly, we have chicken lechon with mushrooms and whiskey-cream sauce. Enjoy.”

“Now, let’s eat.” Aidan was already reaching for the roasted chicken.

Nobody spoke for a while; only the sound of cutlery and requests to pass dishes could be heard, along with moans of satisfaction as the flavors exploded in their mouths. Blake glanced at Craig, amazed once again by his brother’s talent.

“These are all delicious, Craig. Thank you for cooking all of these for us.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.