Yvonne chuckled. “You know I’ll just keep asking.”
“And I’ll just keep on denying it,” Lizzie said sweetly.
Lizzie dealt with the customers, her mind busy on what Yvonne had said about becoming the manager of the café, but also about Adam. If people in Morgantown were starting to notice his change in behavior, and he got wind of it, he’d probably hightail it back to his ranch, and never set foot in town again.
Chapter Seven
By the time Sunday arrived, Adam was getting sick of the speculative glances his siblings kept casting his way and their stupid jokes. When Lizzie texted him to say she and Roman had been invited for lunch, and was it okay with him, he’d had a long struggle with his conscience. He wanted to see her, but he also didn’t want to create any gossip within his family, especially as his mother was due to arrive for her visit next week.
But they were already meddling and getting things all bent out of shape. It finally occurred to Adam that if they got to see him and Lizzie in the same room, and realized there was nothing going on, they might back off. He also wanted to share the wonders of the ranch with Roman whom he was certain would appreciate having the run of the place after being stuck in an apartment with no yard.
Adam checked the two chickens roasting in the oven and turned his attention to the potatoes and vegetables that would go with them. Ben and Kaiden had offered to cook, but he’d rather keep busy, and not let himself worry about whether Lizzie would turn up or not. She was due to hitch a ride from his dad who had gone to church and would bring them home with him afterward.
Since his wife’s death, Adam wasn’t a great believer in God, and rarely attended church, even when most of his siblings made the effort. He preferred to stay home and offer them a great lunch when they returned.
With one eye on the clock, he started to peel a small mountain of potatoes, tossing them into a bowl of water when they were done. He had carrots and green beans to deal with next, and gravy to make. He’d already made a plan for the duration of Lizzie’s visit. He would focus his attention on Roman and let the rest of his family entertain Lizzie.
When he’d ventured a mild complaint to Daisy about being railroaded into having Lizzie over, she’d reminded him that he’d once invited Jackson to dinner and not even told her about it, and something about karma biting him in the ass. He’d left it at that.
“Adam!”
He straightened up as Roman came running into the kitchen, a big grin on his face, and launched himself at Adam.
“We came in the big truck and Mr. Miller said a lot of bad words!”
“He would.” Adam picked the kid up because he seemed to expect it, and balanced him on his hip. “Don’t listen to him, okay? He’s not a good role model.”
Roman squinted at him before wiggling to let Adam know he wanted to get down. “Can we go to the creek?”
“How about we do that after lunch?” Adam suggested. “I bet you’re hungry.”
“No.” Roman looked back toward the door where Lizzie was now standing. Her reddish hair curled around her shoulders and she wore jeans, a T-shirt, and one of those soft fluffy wrap things women loved that seemed to serve no real purpose. It looked good on her. Adam couldn’t help giving her a slow smile.
“Hey.”
She came toward him, her expression a little uncertain as if she wasn’t sure of her welcome. She’d always been like that. As an only child, her parents had been such a complete couple that they’d never seemed to have much time for her. He suspected that was why she’d enjoyed visiting Louisa’s parents, because they made everyone feel part of the family.
“Hey.” Lizzie put some flowers and a box of chocolates down on the kitchen table. “Thanks so much for inviting Roman to the ranch.”
“I think that was mainly Daisy’s idea,” Adam replied, aware that she seemed just as keen as he was to pretend it was all for the kid. “But he sure is welcome.”
She came closer, and he caught a hint of the coffee and lavender that followed her everywhere. She lowered her voice. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”