“Crawfish étouffée courtesy of the Cajun cooking show I watched last week,” Dillon said as he stirred the contents of the skillet. “It’ll be ready just as soon as the rice is done. ”
Michael took a seat on one of the barstools and leaned on the granite countertop. He had to hand it to Dillon. It had taken him two years to build the place, but it was exquisitely crafted and looked high end and custom from top to bottom.
“So what’s up? You don’t ever let
anyone into your kitchen when you’re cooking. ”
Dillon cast a glance toward the doorway and stopped stirring. “You’re friends with Dr. Burton over at the clinic. Think you can pull some strings and get Lily an appointment ASAP?”
Michael frowned. “What’s going on? Is her arm worse? Damn it, I knew no one was taking it seriously enough. ”
Dillon held up his hands. “Whoa. Slow down. Nothing’s wrong. She needs birth control. ”
Michael’s mouth formed an O.
“She insisted I, or I guess we use condoms. She seemed stressed about the possibility of getting pregnant. I can’t say I blame her. She was worried because she doesn’t have insurance, or money for that matter. ”
Michael swore under his breath. Dillon held up a hand again. “I took care of that. Told her we’d damn sure take care of her and we’d make sure she had everything she needs. I don’t want her stressed so I was hoping you could get her into the clinic quickly so we have that out of the way. ”
“Yeah, I’ll make a call in the morning. Are you working tonight?”
“I was supposed to be behind the bar, but Callie’s covering and I have Kenneth pulling bouncer duty. I don’t want Callie mixing it up with any more customers. We’re lucky it was just a bunch of stupid college students and she didn’t get hurt. ”
“I was hoping Seth could talk to her, but obviously we’ve been focused on Lily. ”
“I’m not sure she’d talk to him anyway. She’s been tightlipped ever since she got home. I know she and Seth are tight, but Callie and I are buds and she shuts me down every time I start asking questions. ”
“I wish to hell I knew what happened to her. ”
“You and me both, bro. ”
Dillon picked up the lid on the rice steamer and then let it fall shut again. He clapped his hands together and then hollered toward the living room, “Soups on!”
“Anyone ever tell you how subtle you are?” Michael asked.
Dillon grinned. “Subtlety is for pussies. ”
The brothers looked up when Lily entered the kitchen with Seth right behind her. She offered both Dillon and Michael a tentative smile, and Michael reached his hand out to her.
When she took it, he pulled her onto the barstool next to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. He nuzzled against her temple, inhaling her sweet scent.
“I missed you today,” he whispered.
She turned and gifted him with a broad smile and then leaned her forehead to his. “I missed you too. I met your family. They’re all so great. You’re lucky to have them. ”
“They’ll be your family too,” he pointed out.
Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t considered that aspect. There were equal parts fear and longing in her eyes. And then she smiled again. “I guess that makes me lucky too, then. ”
“Break it up, you two,” Dillon grumbled as he plunked plates down in front of them. “Time to eat up. ”
Seth pulled out the barstool on the other side of Lily and took his seat while Dillon finished fixing the plates. He took a seat on the end next to Seth.
“Dig in, guys. Hope it’s good. ”
Lily took a bite and then let out a sound of pleasure. “It’s wonderful, Dillon. I think I could make myself sick on it. ”
“It’s damn good,” Seth agreed. “It’s obvious you didn’t inherit Mom’s cooking ability. ”
Michael snorted with laughter while Dillon grinned.
“I used to cook,” Lily said in a wistful tone. “I loved it. ”
“My kitchen is your kitchen,” Dillon said. “And whatever’s in my pantry is yours anytime you want to fool around in here. ”
Seth cleared his throat and everyone looked in his direction. “Speaking of kitchens and places. We need to talk about our arrangements. I spoke to Lacey today. I’ll be taking over her job in a couple of weeks as soon as all the paperwork is finalized. ”
“Hey, that’s great,” Michael exclaimed.
Lily shot Seth a puzzled look. “You’re not going back to Denver?”
Seth smiled in her direction. “No. I’m taking the sheriff’s position here in Clyde. If we’re going to make this work, I can’t be in Denver. Michael and Dillon are both established here. It only makes sense that I make the move. ”
“Which begs the question of where you’re going to stay,” Michael said. “For that matter, where we’re going to stay. Together. ”
“Here,” Dillon said.
Lily looked like she had no idea what they were talking about. Michael put his hand over hers and squeezed reassuringly.
“It makes the most sense,” Dillon continued when no one responded. “It’s bigger than your place, Michael, and Seth doesn’t have a place here. There’s room for expansion, and most importantly, it’s private. ”