The Secret Ingredient (A Place to Call Home Book 2) by Laura Browning

Author:Laura Browning [Browning, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: small town, contemporary romance, business rival, best friends, Mountain Meadow
Publisher: Laura Browning Books
Published: 2017-12-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Eli’s fists were clenched in his pockets when Holly opened the door to Becca’s knock. The house was already filled with people and laughter. Holly hugged Becca and turned to him.

“I’m so glad you could make it after all. I told Becca she should invite you and Bash, but she wasn’t sure you’d be able to come.”

Eli started to hold out his hand, but Holly stepped right up and hugged him. He glanced at Becca who had bent down to get a hug from two little dark-haired boys chirping “Aunt Becca!” over and over. So she hadn’t been certain he could, or would, come with her. He couldn’t blame her for that. His last reaction to a dinner invitation hadn’t been one of his better moments.

Becca laughed and introduced Bash to her two nephews with an ease that immediately made all three boys comfortable. There was none of that awkward standing around scuffing toes. She smiled and nodded as Bash asked if he could go with them. That was the difference this time around. Now Eli was confident Becca would watch out for his son.

Becca looped her arm through his. “I hope that was okay. I know he’s a little older than the twins, but Noelle’s doing her big girl thing with Emma and Melodie.”

Eli watched Bash settle in with the twins and another little boy whose hair was blond like Bash’s. They were busy constructing what looked like a castle with big Duplo blocks. “Who’s that?”

“Peter, Jen and Evan’s son. He’s right between the twins and Noelle. All four of them usually play together except when the older girls are here.”

“Come on back,” Holly invited. “As always, everyone’s either in the kitchen or out on the deck.”

Despite the amount of time he had spent with the Allreds as a kid, Eli had never quite gotten over the initial shock that hit him anytime they were gathered in one spot. They were a loud, boisterous group, laughing and arguing with equal fervor. Everyone was in the kitchen, though he could see Jake and Evan Richardson fiddling with the grill out on the deck. Sam Barnes was the first one to greet him.

“Hey Eli! Glad you could make it. Caleb’s gone to pick Luke up at the clinic.”

Erin and Rachel were finishing up two different salads.

“Eli Mercer,” Rachel said. “I almost hate to admit I remember having you in English class.”

“I hope he was a better student than me.” Becca grinned at her sister-in-law.

Everyone laughed. Sam pressed a beer into his hand, and in fairly short order, Eli found himself out on the deck. Evan wanted to know if he’d thought anymore about the idea of a regional arts and crafts center.

“You should bring Becca in on it,” Jake said. “She mentioned something like that when she began decorating The Secret Ingredient.”

“Her décor gave me the idea,” Eli admitted. “I haven’t talked to her about it. We have worked a deal for her to supply Mercer’s with bread and desserts. The new menus start Saturday.

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