Page 14 of The Way to a Cowboy's Heart

A few minutes later, they all sat down for the meal she’d prepared. But before they ate, she stood and raised a glass of wine to the table, which was decorated with red roses in single vases clustered in the center of the table.

“As you all know,” she began, “this dinner is always a labor of love for me. And you’re all here because in some way you’ve made my time in this big city better, happier, more connected. This city can feel very lonely even if you’re busy with work or family. And all of you make it feel so much less so. So, thank you. And if you’re new here”—she looked directly at him—“like Liam, it’s no accident. At least, that’s what I believe. Welcome to the circle, Liam.”

Heat traveled up his neck. Absently, he wondered if there was such a thing as love at first sight. And if it was possible to feel something like that without even looking for it. His hand tightened around his glass at the thought. No, she was charming and beautiful and all the things, but he was pretty sure what he was feeling was awe, not some teen-aged, angsty smitten-ness.

“Anyway,” she continued, smiling in a way that made his heart pick up a beat, “on this day, which happens to be Valentine’s Day, I thank you all so much for choosing to celebrate it with me instead of braving the reservation desks at the local restaurants.”

They all laughed at that.

“Here, here!” Merideth agreed.

“It really means so much to me. Here’s to friendship.” Emily raised her glass and everyone else did the same, drinking a toast to the evening. “Now. Let’s eat!”

But Muriel raised her glass again. “Wait, wait! To Emily, for all of this. So happy I could be here for tonight.”

Now a cheer went up from the table. “To Emily!” followed by a murmur of excitement for the food to come.

Liam was in no way ready for the deliciousness. The perfectly seared and baked fish with its bed of cheesy polenta, those little green, salty things Carolyn called capers. The perfectly grilled asparagus. All of it was… he couldn’t find the words. The flavors melded together like they were always supposed to be one whole thing. And the salad she served on a small, little plate wasn’t just any salad, it was a work of art with… flowers, actualflowersin it and the perfect vinaigrette dressing. But all of it was plated up with such artistry. She might have said she wasn’t a chef, but he couldn’t imagine how a chef could do it better.

He looked around the table, wondering if they were as blown away as he was.

But everyone else was just… eating her food like they weren’t the least bit surprised at how good it was while he felt speechless, savoring every bite. Granted, he was raised on good, everyday food back home. His mother was a good cook, and she enjoyed it. But she’d be the first to say she wasn’t a fancy cook. This food was like something his mom might cook but taken up to a whole different level.

He was also watching her as he enjoyed her food as she moved effortlessly between the conversations of her guests. She thought it was her sister, Muriel, who had a light around her. But it was Emily, really. Jess had told him that Emily did this dinner thing monthly, and always invited different people. They’d been lucky enough to get invited several times this year alone and made it a point to invite Emily to all of their holiday celebrations, too. They had, in fact, spent Christmas Eve together this year.

It struck him that his family was such a built-in support system that he took them for granted. They were just always there. One big, extended family, even though most of them had moved on into their own places now that they’d all coupled up. But still, there were family dinners every Sunday, and often in the evenings after a hard day. All of them were in some way involved in the building and organization of their new guest ranch.

Truth was, he wasn’t alone much. He didn’t even have time tothinkabout being alone and he realized that occasionally, he wished for some space from all of them. Cattle and horses were not the best of companions. His family pushing him to come to New York, for instance at Jess’s invitation, was them recognizing that he needed to get off the ranch, quit being on his own and meet some people.

He’d have to remember to thank them when he got home.

After they finished the dinner—which took its time in a lazy, lingering way—she brought out a flourless chocolate tart, shaped like a heart and divvied it up right there at the table to theoohsandaahsof her guests. It was, if such a thing were possible, even more decadent than the meal and he savored every bite.

Jess, who was sitting next to him patted his stomach and moaned in an aside to him out of the hearing of the others who were deep in conversation about the peril of the honeybee. “Didn’t I tell you?”

“You did,” he agreed. “That was the best meal I’ve ever had.”

“And she did all this on probably the worst day of her life.”

Liam frowned. “How so?”

He leaned closer, whispering, “She lost her job today and the whole firm went under from her boss’s fraud.”

Oh, no.Liam shot a look at her, laughing at something Carolyn said. He remembered the cardboard box she was carrying on the train and the rain-streaked mascara on her face. Maybe it wasn’t from the rain.

“But she doesn’t want to talk about that, apparently, so mum’s the word.”

He nodded, feeling a surge of protectiveness for her. From the looks of this apartment, she did quite well at whatever it was she did. Past tense. But a place like this in New York City didn’t pay for itself. If she was worried about being out of work, she hid it well.

They all stayed after dinner, talking and enjoying each other, but finally Carolyn had to get back to the baby and they had a babysitter to pay. As much as Liam wanted to stay and talk to Emily more, he found himself at the door with his coat in Emily’s hands, saying good night.

“Maybe I’ll see you at the christening tomorrow?” she said quietly.

“You’re going?” Surprise rocketed through him. Though he shouldn’t have been surprised. Jess said she was practically part of their family.

She nodded.

“Me, too. That’s… what I’m in town for. Maybe,” he said, “I could pick you up. I know where you live. And they’ve got a bunch of family coming. I’ll just be in their way.”

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