The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer

Author:Kathryn Springer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-07-22T15:21:54+00:00

* * *

Nick’s words barely registered as Jess scraped away some rust on the handle.

She couldn’t believe someone had actually tossed the skillet into the trash. Or—she resisted the urge to cast a dark look at Nick—used it to collect the flotsam and jetsam from a construction zone.

“Do you see how smooth the surface is? The iron is thinner than other brands, which makes it lighter. But that’s also why it cooks so evenly. And this ridge on the bottom? It’s a smoke ring—”

“Jess.”

She looked up. Nick was staring at her with a strange expression on his face. Because he thought she was strange.

Of course Nick wouldn’t be interested in cookware.

“Sorry. I got a little carried away.” Jess patted the bottom of the skillet. “What did you say?”

“I said it’s yours. You can have it.”

Jess laughed. And then realized he was serious. “Nick. Collectors pay two or three thousand dollars, minimum, for skillets like this. You could put the money back into building materials for the house.”

“I could. But I also think things should be used, not displayed.” Nick held her gaze. “And I’m guessing you’d be using it, right?”

Jess didn’t know why she hesitated telling him that she was a chef. It wasn’t like she was revealing a superpower. But admitting it would lead to more questions. Like how she’d ended up as a glorified housekeeper in Winsome Lake.

A question even Jess didn’t know the answer to.

“Yes. But I can’t accept it as a gift.” The words tumbled out in a rush. “You have to let me pay for it.”

“Fine,” Nick said without hesitation. “The cost is dinner.”

“Dinner?” Jess’s heart broke free from its moorings and bumped against her rib cage.

“I’ll be in charge of the main entrée and the sides, and you’re in charge of dessert.”

“You want to cook...together?” One hundred percent, undiluted panic rushed through Jess’s veins.

She didn’t share her kitchen with anyone. Well, Christopher. But he’d been an exception to the rule and Jess had taken on the role of teacher. Something told her that Nick wouldn’t be shouting “yes, Chef” when Jess gave out an instruction.

“That’s right.” Laughter danced in Nick’s eyes. “One authentic northern Wisconsin fish fry.”

“What kind of fish are we talking about?” Jess asked cautiously. “Cod? Haddock?”

“Whatever I catch that morning.” The laughter in Nick’s blue eyes spilled over and lit up his face with a full-blown grin. “Remember when I said that I know how to make two things really well? One is Grandma Jenny’s chocolate cake. The other is panfish.

“I’ll keep the skillet safe until tomorrow night so you don’t have to lug the thing home. After dinner you’ll be granted full custody. It makes sense to meet here because this kitchen has more room than mine and Elaine’s. And there will be less to explain if anything goes wrong.”

Spending an entire evening trapped with Nick in a kitchen that made Elaine Haviland’s look modern. Making a dessert instead of the entrée.

Jess couldn’t begin to count how many things could go wrong.

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