Love in Bloom (De La Fuente Family 3)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Erin woke alone, showered alone, and dressed alone. It was unlike Mateo to just get out of bed and leave her asleep although she appreciated being able to sleep in. She hadn’t realized how tired she was until she opened her eyes at eleven the next morning. It was nearly noon so she planned on finding Mateo to see if he wanted to go and get lunch, as their planned date of the night before had been screwed up.

Mateo hadn’t even mentioned the planned date so she didn’t know what to make of that. Had he forgotten completely, or had he just not mentioned it?

Just like the engagement ring she still wore. That had been the only thing she’d argued with them about. Her hands were small and would have looked stupid with a huge rock on her finger, so eventually they’d given in and let her choose a small platinum band with a square cut diamond. It was beautiful and she loved wearing it. She would, of course, have to return it when she returned to Dallas. If it hadn’t been for Diego, she’d have already gone back home, but he’d talked her out of it. She had the idea that it had been because of his loyalty to his brother. Either way, she was glad he’d talked her into staying.

Now just to find where the man in question had disappeared to.

The house was quiet, but in the kitchen, she found Emelia rolling out what looked to be dough.

Emelia hadn’t liked her from the start, and of course, Erin didn’t blame her for that, it just would have been nice to have a female friend in a family filled with testosterone. And it’s their lack of friendship that had her poised half in and half out of the kitchen.

“Come in. I promise not to bite,” Emelia offered Erin a smile of encouragement.

“Thanks…I think.” Erin smiled at the other woman and moved closer. “I slept in. Would it be okay to get some coffee?”

“Yeah, sure. Help yourself.” Emelia carried on kneading the dough while Erin made herself a much needed coffee.

She could do without a lot of things in life but coffee wasn’t one of them.

Emelia glowed with happiness in her slim frame, and Erin had always longed to have a head full of shiny black hair like she had. Her twin, Diego had the same dark hair and eyes that seemed to look straight through you. She felt hopeful that Emelia would accept her like Diego had.

“You’re daydreaming,” Emelia commented. “Come and sit at the table and keep me company.”

Erin hesitated, which Emelia caught. “My family is giving you a chance, so I’m willing to do the same.” She smiled. “Especially after having my ear bent by Diego and Kasey.”

She accepted the other woman’s words and hoped she meant them. Emelia was known for speaking the truth, though. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”

Emelia grinned. “Yeah, we never hit it off. So, let’s just forget about the past. Deal?”

“Deal.” Erin sat opposite and watched as Emelia, flipped, caught and rolled the dough. “I’m impressed. That must have taken some practice.”

“Years.” Emelia used her arm to shove a piece of loose hair back from her face. “You know that my mother is Italian, right?”

Erin nodded and smiled, hoping Emelia would continue.

“Her mother made the dough for a famous Italian restaurant, and my mom would watch and when she was old enough, she’d help. Just like I did when I was little.” She smiled a faraway look on her face. “At one time, Mom used to say that Diego would open his own restaurant. I don’t think anyone expected Dante to.”

“Diego does all that your doing?”

Emelia laughed. “He’s better than me. Don’t let that sweet talk and cowboy swagger of his get to you. He’s a mama’s boy, but he’ll deny it if asked.”

She frowned. “He didn’t come across like that. Well, I’ve heard the sweet talk and seen the swagger, but the other stuff, not so much.”

“Oh, it’s there.” Emelia broke off some dough and tossed her a piece. “Do what I do. I’ll go slow.”

Erin’s dough ball looked more like a pancake while Emelia’s looked good enough to eat. So, she rolled hers out again until the shape became more dome shape.

“That’s better.” Emelia smiled, and Erin took a long drink of her now lukewarm coffee while Mateo’s sister took her masterpiece away to the stovetop. “Let it rise for a short while before I’ll put them in the oven.”

“Okay. I love fresh bread, I hope you’re planning to share.”

Emelia raised a brow. “I just might.” She laughed. “I’m making them for lunch with the soup Mom’s made.”

Homemade soup and bread—it couldn’t get better than that.

“If you want anything to eat, there are some muffins in the tub next to the bread basket. Just pop one into the microwave for a few seconds. Delicious.”