Page 30 of An Unexpected Match

Arden was grateful for the task that took her away from the center island and gave her some space. Drying the bowls, she stacked them on the clean counter beside the sink. Who would have suspected they could use so many for just a few batches of cookies?

Eugenia added still another bowl to the soapy water, glancing around the kitchen for more. She smiled.

“Brendan is as dusty as his daughters,” she murmured.

She glanced at Arden. “He’s a fine young man.”

Arden nodded. She knew to her aunt’s eighty-some years, Brendan must seem young. But he was eight years older than she was and he had a wealth of experiences she didn’t.

“He seems to relate well with his daughters,” Eugenia continued.

“When I first arrived, they seemed very formal,” Arden said slowly.

“Of course, such a virile man needs some sons, too. I can’t see him playing football with those dainty little girls. Or taking them to ball games.”

Arden took a deep breath, trying to stave off the hurt. She knew her aunt would be shocked to learn how her words hurt. She was just sharing an observation. But to Arden, it again reminded her of why there could be nothing between Brendan and her.

If he ever married again, he’d want a woman who could give him healthy sons. Boys to play with, to roughhouse with, to teach manly things. And boys to perpetuate the family name.

“Does he come from a large family?” Eugenia asked.

“He has a sister. He’s never mentioned any other siblings.”

“That’s right, Ella, isn’t it? The one who used to watch the girls before you?”

Arden nodded. That was what she had been hired for to watch the girls. The job gave her the opportunity to pursue her education at the same time she worked. She refused to jeopardize it by falling for her boss.

It was late afternoon by the time the last batch of cookies finished baking. The girls had long since gone down for a much-needed nap. With the kitchen back in order, and the delicious aroma of cookies filling the house, Arden felt more in control.

She sought Brendan, finding him in the den, working on his computer.

“Can you keep an ear out for the girls? I think they’ll sleep a little longer, but if they wake up, make sure they don’t get into mischief.”

“Where are you going?” He looked up from the computer.

“To take my aunts back. I’ll be home in time to cook dinner.”

“Aren’t they staying for the celebration? The more the merrier, isn’t that how it goes?”

“I hadn’t planned on them staying. I don’t have enough steak.”

“Then zip out and get some more. I’ll entertain them until you return.”

Quickly saving his work, he rose.

“Are you sure?”

It was one thing to have her relatives over to bake cookies with the children, something else again to all sit down to dinner together.

“I’m sure. If your family has had these celebration events before, we’ll need their input to make sure this one goes perfectly.”

Arden laughed softly. “Brendan, it’s just a dinner with a few extras to make it special. I think the girls and I could manage that much on our own.”

“Ah, but there’s nothing like experience. Go buy some more food, Arden.”

“Yes, sir,” she said with a mock salute.

Dinner proved to be festive and entertaining. Arden dressed the girls up in their best outfits and then donned one of her own she usually saved for Sundays. The aunts grumbled about their clothes, but their summer dresses looked fine, once the flour had been sponged off.

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