“I don’t wants him to be sad. Twuitt should stay here wif us, too.”
“Oh, gosh,” I whispered as I nearly stumbled back.
“Stay strong, Carter,” Saryn stated as she placed Liliana’s dinner in front of her.
The only thing I could do was nod. It was clear that this little girl would have me wrapped around her finger and playing me like a puppet if I let her.
“I made eggplant parmesan with homemade noodles.”
That turned my attention from the beautiful daughter to the even more stunning mother. “You had me at eggplant parmesan.”
Saryn smiled as she placed a plate in front of me and motioned for me to sit.
“Rus is not bothering you, is he?” I asked, pointing to the dog sitting patiently by Liliana’s plate in hopes of something falling to the floor.
“Nonsense. I love having him here. I’ve been thinking of getting a puppy for Liliana.”
Liliana’s face erupted in delight. “Puppy! I want a Wus!”
Both of us laughed at Liliana’s declaration.
“Well, I am more than happy to let you borrow mine as much as you like. Of course, he is a package deal.”
Saryn gave me a warm smile. “I like that package deal.”
I winked at Liliana, causing her to blush, which I thought was precious.
“Okay, I’m starving,” I said as I took a bite of food. The moment it hit my taste buds I let out a groan.
With a look that said she was pleased, Saryn asked, “Good?”
“My goodness, woman, you know how to cook.”
I loved the happiness in her eyes and decided right then I would compliment her as often as I could, so I could see that look over and over again. I had a feeling her good-for-nothing ex never complimented her.
“Eggplant parmesan is one of our favorites. My grandmother taught me how to make it when I was about thirteen.”
“So you’ve always liked cooking?” I asked before I shoveled more food into my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Liliana drop the smallest bit of food for Rus. I ignored it when I saw that Saryn had noticed, as well, and didn’t say anything.
“I have. I honestly love to cook and bake. Be ready for an epic birthday cake, by the way.” She paused. “When is your birthday?”
“December 26.”
“The day after Christmas! That has to be a bummer.”
I laughed. “Not really. It was like having Christmas two days in a row. At least, growing up it was. My mother never did the whole I’ll split your presents thing. But to be fair, I usually got something big for my birthday. A truck when I was sixteen. My first shotgun. A dirt bike. Things like that.”
“That makes sense, I guess. Do you still like to hunt?”
“Love it. What about you? I remember you going with your dad and Ryan a time or two.”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes. Growing up with an older brother and a father who loves to hunt, they started dragging me along when I was about five. Daddy built me my own stand, and he would set up all my Barbie dolls in there. I’m pretty sure a few times I scared away the deer playing make-believe. Ryan used to get so mad at me. But I loved going with them and I do miss it.”
I laughed. “Would you like to go with me? Maybe tomorrow if you’re able to?”
Her teeth dug into her lip. “I’d love to go. Morning or evening hunt?”
I glanced over to Liliana. “Depends on what’s easier for you.”
She simply nodded.
The rest of dinner was filled with both of us asking each other questions. We avoided any topics that included Tim or her marriage. She told me about living in Dallas and how much she had thought she wanted out of Boerne when she was in high school, only to realize she missed it. How she had longed to be back home. I told her about my dreams of starting my own business when I realized I didn’t want to run the ranch. How my father wasn’t too happy with my brother or me when we picked careers that didn’t involve ranching.
“Do you work the ranch at all?” Saryn asked as we cleared the plates from the table.
“Roger and I are still a big part of it, but my father does have a lot of hired ranch hands helping him. Roger plays a pretty big role in helping my father on the business side. I think Dad is waiting for me to step in as foreman.”
“Will you ever take it over, do you think?”
I shrugged as I watched Saryn fill up the sink and begin washing the dinner dishes. “Probably, someday. It’s in my blood. But I wanted to make my own name at something. When I was young I discovered I loved building things. It started when my father was attempting to mend a chicken coop and I made a comment about how he could make it better. He turned and faced me, handed me the hammer, and told me if I thought I knew more than he did, then it was up to me to fix it.”