His, Hers and...Theirs? by Judy Duarte

Author:Judy Duarte
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2010-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

That evening, while Kaylee and Kevin watched television, Dan and Eva worked together fixing dinner. The kids had played their hearts out at the lake, and even Jack had been too pooped to wag his tail when they got home.

As Dan moved through the kitchen, whipping up his special beer batter and heating up the cast-iron skillet, he had a hard time keeping his eyes off the pretty brunette, who was chopping cucumbers for a salad.

She looked a little tired, and her cheeks were a bit flushed. He wished he hadn’t taken her up on her suggestion that she make the side dishes.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take some time to put your feet up?” he asked.

“I’m fine. I didn’t do much today.” She offered him a smile that reached deep inside of him, catching him off guard and leaving him at a loss.

Why did he have the need to watch her, to protect her?

Fortunately, Hank joined them in the kitchen, giving Dan something else to think about.

“So what kind of fillets did you pick up?” the old cowboy asked as he neared the stove.

“Halibut.” Dan lit the flame under the skillet and poured in some oil. “Are you okay with that?”

“I had my heart set on bass, but I’ll live.”

Hank, who’d become even more crotchety after his stroke, sidled up to Eva. “What have you got there?”

“A garden salad. But in a moment, I’m going to start making rice pilaf. It’s a recipe I got from my friend, Clara Morrison. And she said it’s really tasty.”

Hank perked up. “I know a woman by that name, but she’s probably too old to be a friend of yours.”

“It’s probably the same woman,” Eva said. “Clara is in her seventies and has lived near Brighton Valley her entire life.”

“No kidding?” The old man stroked his bristled chin. “Where’d you meet her?”

“At the senior center. I volunteer there.”

“You don’t say. How’s she doing? I haven’t seen her in close to twenty years.”

“She’s doing great, as far as her health goes. But her husband died last year, so she’s been a little lonely. She’s doing better, though. She’s getting used to being a widow. Playing cards at the center has helped her get out more and make new friends.”

“That’s too bad about her husband,” Dan said to Eva before turning his attention to Hank. “Wasn’t he a history teacher at the high school?”

Hank grimaced.

“I think he was,” Eva said. “Clara made some comment about him being a history nut.”

Hank humphed. “He was a nut, all right.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dan asked, not that it mattered. But it was obvious his uncle wasn’t keen on Mr. Morrison, who’d been one of Jenny’s teachers, but not one of his.

Hank crossed his arms and frowned. “I never had much use for the guy.”

Dan glanced at Eva, realizing he wasn’t the only one who’d sensed something surly in Hank’s tone, in his attitude. And now his curiosity was piqued. “Why’s that?”

“It doesn’t matter. I just didn’t like him, that’s all.

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