Page 26 of Singing For His Kiss

“What were the dogs' names?”

“There was Blue, Frankie, Jack and Buzz.”

“Did you play with them?”

“They think their work time is the play time. They love to round up cattle and take them where they’re meant to be going,” Elizabeth said.

“Did they fight with the cats?”

“Only in a good way.”

The more rambunctious Buzz would try and take on the resident tabby, but the others knew better and stayed away. A wave of homesickness went through her. She would have been up two hours ago by now, probably sweating in the hot sun, brushing down one of the horses. It had been dirty work, but she’d loved it.

“What about..?”

“How about I tell you all about it while we’re eating breakfast? I’m starving, what about you?”

A little blonde head nodded and jiggled up and down. “Can we make damper for breakfast?”

Elizabeth couldn’t stop her chuckle. “Maybe we can make it for afternoon tea. Let’s see what there is in the kitchen, shall we?”

She tentatively poked her head through the kitchen door. At the sight of Mrs. D’llessio and only Mrs. D’llessio, Elizabeth didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. A part of her had hoped James might also be here having breakfast, while another part of her warred with that hope.

Mrs. D’llessio caught Madeline in a big bear hug. “Hello, my little bambino. Did you sleep well?”

“Si. I did. Elizabeth made the ‘mares go away,” Madeline said.

“You are so good for my bambino. I’m so glad you came here. You have no idea what change you’ve brought with you,” Mrs. D’llessio said.

Elizabeth didn’t know whether or not it was just Italian exuberance or if there was another meaning underneath, but she only detected sincerity.

“I see you don’t believe me, but that is OK. It is to be expected. You don’t know what it was like before. So, who is ready for their breakfast?”

“Me!” Madeline jumped on the spot, raising her hand in the air. Elizabeth ruffled the little girl’s hair, chuckling at her early morning enthusiasm.

“What would you like, bambina? Your usual?”

Madeline nodded. “Yes, please. Come and sit next to me, Liz’beth. We’re going to make damper for after the noon tea.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “Afternoon tea. That’s if it’s all right with you, Mrs. D’llessio?”

The elder woman made a shooshing sound. “Why wouldn’t that be all right? You make damper, I make biscuits, we have a feast. Isn’t that right, Bambina?

Madeline giggled and nodded.

“Now you sit, I get your breakfast,” Mrs. D’llessio said.

“I can get it,” Elizabeth said.

The Italian grandmother eyed Elizabeth with a penetrating gaze. “I think you are not used to people taking care of you, are you, Cara? Sometimes it is time to take care of others, and other times you let people take care of you. That is life,” The Italian clasped Elizabeth’s shoulders and steered her into a chair. “Let me get you breakfast. It is no trouble. You want toast? I make the best toast in the business.”

“Daddy will take care of you too, Liz’beth,” Madeline said.

Elizabeth’s cheeks heated at the type of ‘care’ she’d daydreamed about receiving from Madeline’s daddy, and it wasn’t strictly professional – or innocent.

She cleared her throat. “That would be very nice. Thank you, Mrs. D’llessio.”

It was nice, if not a little uncomfortable, letting Maria bustle about the kitchen and make her breakfast. At the homestead, everyone got their own. Even as a kid, she’d had to make her own breakfast. Most days, she just skipped it.

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