LITMIR.BIZ

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      The odd mix of colors seemed more gold today than green, but the shadow of gray rimming the pupil seemed lighter than it had yesterday. And when she smiled, the gray thinned even more. “I don’t mind a bit. I like for kids to see what goes on in a kitchen, although if it was still a working kitchen, we couldn’t do this often. It got crazy here on a regular basis.”

      “I’ve heard that. And I hope you don’t mind, but I fact-checked your numbers, Josie.”

      She accepted that as she heated the broad, flat griddle in the kitchen. “I figured Carrington did that before they drew up an offer, and it only makes sense for you to know the facts if we’re talking location. The thing is...”

      She dipped thick slices of cinnamon swirl bread into a custardy mix and set them sizzling onto the hot griddle before checking a warming kettle of strawberry topping. “There are few available locations on the water, and most are unaffordable. I fell into this location because the former owner let things go and needed help. We worked out a deal and it ended up being a success for both of us, but as you’ve seen—”

      She paused as she turned a pan of flat, deliciously scented sausage patties with a flick of her wrist, a neat trick. “There’s almost nothing available. I’m not sure what you’ve found, Jacob, but even with the Carrington money, it’s probably unaffordable. And that was reason enough for me to dread this whole thing because it’s not the starting over that concerns me.” She moved the sausage to a platter, then nestled fresh, hot French toast onto three warm plates. “I’ve got the clientele and the reputation. Folks will follow me. But if I can’t afford a lakeside place to own or rent, then it’s all been for nothing. And that’s what bites.” She crossed to where Addie was perched, avidly watching the action. And when she slipped a platter of mouthwatering food in front of his daughter, Addie’s eyes went wide.

      “You’ve won her over.” He made the comment casually as she brought the third plate over, but when Josie looked his way, she wasn’t casual anymore. She looked intent. As if his words meant more than they did.

      And then she sat down across from Addie and gave her an easy smile. “Well, that wasn’t too hard.”

      Addie laughed and picked up a knife and fork. “Can I cut this by myself?”

      Jacob nodded. “I expect, but if you need help, just let me know.”

      “Okay! And I think we should pray about this nice food, shouldn’t we, Dad?” Addie leaned in and sniffed, then raised a brilliant smile his way. “We always pray at supper time, but why don’t people just pray all the time? Like breakfast, lunch and supper? Doesn’t that make the most sense of all?”

      She reached out a hand to him on one side and Josie on the other. He did the same.

      Soft hands, but not as smooth as someone who didn’t do physical work, or plunge their hands into dish soap all day.

      But soft, still. Strong. And beautiful. Like the woman sitting next to him. “Father, we thank you for this food. We ask your blessings on it and on us, Lord, as we go through our days. Amen.”

      “Amen.”

      “See?” Addie beamed his way, then shared the grin with Josie. “That wasn’t even hard, was it? And now we made God’s heart happy, because we remembered to pray.”

      “I won’t forget again,” he promised. He released her hand and Josie’s, but when he looked at the woman beside him, her gaze was locked on Addie.

      She smiled, yes, but tears brightened her eyes, as if seeing his daughter and hearing her delightfully colloquial speech touched her deeply.

      Addie had sensed her pain. As he lifted his napkin into his lap, Jacob sensed the same thing again. But when she turned his way, she’d erased the look of angst. She smiled, glanced at Addie and said, “I expect she keeps you on your toes, Jacob.”

      “And then some.” He watched as Addie attacked her French toast, and when she cut it sufficiently to eat, he turned back toward Josie. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s made my life the best it’s ever been, and we’ve got a good thing going. At least until the whole issue of a cow came up.” He made a face at Addie and she laughed.

      “This is the best French toast I ever had, Miss Josie! And we’ve got time to get the cow, Dad. It’s not even summer yet!”

      Josie laughed. “She’s tenacious.”

      “I’d go straight to stubborn, but tenacious sounds better. Inside those china-doll good looks is an independent spirit with a heart of gold. Although I’m not sure how the whole cow thing started.”

      “With so many baby cows on the hills, Dad.” Addie paused chewing and pointed across the lake. “Not by the grape things, but with the farmers. And one farmer has a ton of little black cows. They’re the cutest things!”

      “My cousin.” Josie followed the direction of Addie’s hand and met Jacob’s gaze. “Bryan Gallagher has a combination crop-and-animal farm at the south end of the lake. Angus cows and a big, busy farm stand near the road. We could go visit sometime if she’d like to see the cows up close.”

      “Oh, can we, Dad? Can we? For real?”

      Something made him long to say no, but how could he when Josie was making such a kind offer? Visiting cows wasn’t exactly a bad thing. “Josie and I will check our calendars. But I don’t see why we shouldn’t go visit the cows. And then maybe you can kind of adopt one and pretend it’s yours. What do you think, Josie?” He turned back to her. “Is your cousin open to bovine adoption?”

      She winced, then tried to cover it with a smile. “Brian’s got three kids of his own, so he probably understands this stuff way better than most. I’m sure he’d be fine with it, but I’d advise you to pick a female.” She raised a brow to him, and after a few seconds, he got her gist.

      “Easy enough because Addie already has a name picked out.”

      “You do?”

      As Josie slanted her gaze to Addie, Jacob realized she hadn’t really eaten with them. She’d only taken a bite or two while Addie had plowed through a piece of the thick, delicious toast, a bowl of warm berries and two sausage patties. She might be small but she had a trucker’s appetite, and he couldn’t fault her because the meal was delicious.

      Addie started to grin, then realized she was chewing. “Polly,” she told her once she’d swallowed and washed down the food with chilled orange juice. “Polly the cow. I think it’s a good name for one, don’t you?”

      “It’s a marvelous name. So.” She swiveled on the stool back toward him. “I know you’re busy, and I don’t mean to take up too much time. If you have ideas, Jacob, I’d like to hear them.”

      “I do.” He spoke cautiously, still wondering if he was doing the right thing, but then scolded himself. Offering her a spot couldn’t be a bad idea, not with the reviews he’d read on the internet and the glowing reports from customers. Those were backed up by mighty impressive figures because new restaurants rarely succeeded. Hers had not only succeeded, but flourished in an area surrounded by busy chain restaurants in nearby plazas. And yet the Bayou Barbecue stood tall. “You were right about the lack of available waterfront.”

      She grimaced.

      “But what would you say to a cooperative effort?”

      The grimace turned to a quick frown.

      “Carrington has given me the go-ahead to offer you premier restaurant space on the ground floor of the hotel, facing the north-end beach. It would have outdoor seating and gathering spots during the warm months, and indoor seating during the rest of the year, and a take-out shack.”

      She stared at him, then Addie, then him again. She swallowed hard, then brought a hand to her throat. “I could put the Bayou Barbecue there? In the hotel?”

      “It makes sense to us for multiple reasons.

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