Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest 1)

Cara braced herself for dealing with Mike, pushing aside the explosive secret she now had to keep from him.

Five

A few seconds and the heavy sound of footsteps later, Mike stood in the entryway of his mother’s kitchen. He hadn’t shaved today, and the stubble gave him a rugged, sexy look. Sexier look, Cara amended. The man oozed a confidence and sensuality that made her knees weak.

“Hi, Mom,” he said, striding into the kitchen. “Cara.” His dark gaze settled on hers.

“Hi, honey,” Ella said.

“Hi,” Cara said softly, attempting to hide the pure rush of pleasure she took in seeing him.

But it was the spark of satisfaction in his expression at finding her here that lit her up inside. He obviously hadn’t been sure she’d come and was pleased that she had.

He stopped by his mother and kissed her cheek.

“Where’s your brother?” Ella asked.

“Dad’s awake, so Sam settled in the family room.” Mike caught sight of the bread basket, lifted the foil covering, and snagged a piece of bread, popping it into his mouth.

“Enough of that or we won’t have any left for dinner,” Ella chided him, but the indulgent smile on her face told another story.

“So what have you two women been talking about?” Mike asked, his perceptive stare flickering back and forth between them.

“Not you.” Erin joined them, taking Cara by surprise. She’d been so absorbed in staring at Mike that she hadn’t heard Erin come in.

“Hey, all!” Erin greeted everyone with a smile before bumping her hip against her brother’s, a bit too hard.

Mike flicked his fingers against her cheek in retaliation.

“Don’t start,” Ella warned, and both siblings tucked their hands into their jacket pockets like naughty children.

Cara grinned. She hadn’t seen Mike and his family together in a nonstressful situation in years, and she found herself mesmerized by the easygoing side of Mike Marsden that she never saw at work. Even when they were alone together, he was always intense and focused, yet she liked this playful part of his nature and vowed to bring it out in him more often.

The entire family gathered in the den before dinner and everyone’s focus was on Simon, making certain he was comfortable and feeling well. It was just as obvious that he didn’t want to be the center of everyone’s attention and concern. Despite the fact that he looked frailer than he had before his treatment, his will to live and zest for life were as evident as his love for his family.

He grilled each child about what was going on in their lives, despite the fact that both Sam and Mike visited their father often. Sam had spent a lot of his recuperation time here the past week watching television and playing chess and just keeping Simon company. And Cara had no doubt that Erin had done the same, making Simon’s interrogation, as they all called it, unnecessary, just an expected part of their family day. No wonder Ella had fallen in love with him.

Cara wondered what it would have been like to grow up with such a warm, interested father and immediately pushed the thought aside. She couldn’t change the past, and dwelling on it only made her unhappy, a mood that had no place in this house with this family.

Dinner consisted of Ella Marsden’s apricot chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans, and Cara couldn’t believe how delicious the meal was. “This is amazing,” Cara said, after finishing everything on her plate. “I’d love to have the recipe.” She might live alone, but Cara loved to cook.

Mike glanced at her, surprised.

“What? You think I live on takeout?” she asked with a grin.

“I do,” he muttered.

“That’s because you didn’t live in Serendipity,” Erin said. “Mom cooks extra for Sam and me. I freeze it and always have a home-cooked meal.”

“It wouldn’t hurt you to learn yourself,” Ella said, probably not for the first time, judging by her daughter’s roll of her eyes.

“No time,” Erin said. “But you have a willing cohort in Cara.” She waved her hand, clearly happy not to learn her mother’s cooking skills.

Ella refocused her attention, a happy smile on her face. “So I do. And I’d love to share. I’ve actually transferred all my recipes into the computer, so if you give me your e-mail I can send it to you,” Ella offered.

“Look at my mom, becoming all computer savvy,” Sam said. “I’m impressed.”

Erin leaned over and hugged Ella. “I’ve taught her everything I know.”