Page 32 of Beauden & Yelena

“Richard,” he corrects. “I better get in there and see if your mom is back in the house. She was out there in the coop.”

“You look just like him,” I comment as soon as he leaves.

“That old man wishes he was this handsome,” he teases. “But why didn’t you correct him with your name, Yelana?”

“It’s okay. He was close enough. But what is a coop?”

“A chicken coop. She likes fresh eggs.”

A real country woman.

He leads me out of the living room and we walk into a beautiful kitchen. It’s decorated as well but the Christmas décor in here matches the beige and gold design of the kitchen. Food covers the large island and there’s a double stove and massive Sub-Zero fridge.

An outside door to the kitchen opens and a beautiful cinnamon-colored woman enters. She’s carrying a huge basket. He rushes to her and takes it. “Thank you, son,” she says. “And Merry Christmas Eve.”

“Same to you, pretty lady.”

Still standing in the doorway, she removes her gloves then taps them together over the garbage can. Then she places the gloves on the counter. She finally looks up and sees me. “She came,” she says, beaming. I get a good look at her pretty face and Breaudie definitely looks like her. “Let me wash my hands, Yelena, and I’ll properly introduce myself. Beau, put that on the counter and leave us alone.”

He pauses a moment but when her eyebrows arch to the ceiling, he smiles then places the basket on the counter. He walks back to me and I eye him. He leans into my face then says, “She’s harmless.” A quick peck on my lips then he leaves me alone with her.

I watch her as she walks to the sink in the island. She reaches into the basket and pulls out a few bunches of greens, some tomatoes, then some eggs. She rinses off the eggs and tomatoes then she places the greens on one side of the sink. Then, she washes her hands.

This woman has chickens for her eggs and grows all of her vegetables. We are not the same. If he’s looking for a woman like his mom, I’m certainly not her.

“Come over here,” she says and I join her on the side of the island. “I’m Eden.” She pulls me into a hug. “Merry Christmas Eve. I was hoping he brought you. I had to meet the lady that has my Beau smiling.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Phox and Merry Christmas Eve.”

“Honey, I said Eden,” she reiterates with a smile. “Mrs. Phox is my mean old mother-in-law.” Her pretty round face lights up and she laughs. “Won’t you help me? Everything’s done. I just need to scramble these eggs. Richard will not eat Christmas Eve brunch or breakfast without eggs.”

She directs me to the oven and I pull out the pans of red velvet waffles, fried chicken wings, sausage links, bacon, and breakfast potatoes while she cracks and scrambles the eggs.

“Do you want me to get the butter out of the fridge?”

“Yes. And there’s some preserves in two jars on the door. Grab both of those too.”

I walk to the fridge and grab the items. The preserves are in mason jars.God, she makes jellies too.“How long does it take you to make the preserves?” I ask and she grins.

“I do a lot but I do not do that. I buy it locally. They will be selling it out at Jubilee. Over the years, I’ve gotten more into gardening but some things are just meant to be bought. Beau tells me that you are from Orlando. I grew up in Miami.”

Shocked.

“Miami, Florida?” I ask but regret my dumb ass question as soon as I do.

“Yes. Born and raised in Dade.”

“Then, how?—”

“Did I end up here? On a ranch? With my country man?” she asks with a smirk, cutting me off and I shake my head. “Love brought me here. I followed my heart and left everything I knew for that four-letter word. I’ve never looked back either. I love him, my boys, my life, and the peace I have out on this land. Best decision of my life.”

“No regrets? You don’t miss Miami?”

“Not one regret,” she says confidently. “And I can always visit Miami and I do but my heart and home are here, with him. The love of a good man can change your life.” She steps over to me then reaches for my hand on the counter and squeezes it. “My Beau is a good man so hopefully, I’ll see you again.” She winks then releases my hand. “Let’s get this food out there and eat. I hope you are hungry.”

ChapterTwelve

We are on our way downtown for Jubilee. We left my parents about ten minutes ago and Yelena has been somewhat quiet since. Just like I knew they would, my peeps loved her, especially my mom. She’s very protective of my brother and me. The fact that we are grown ass men doesn’t mean shit to her. She oversteps and interrogates any women in our lives and many do not pass her tests. Yelena did with flying colors, so I don’t know why she’s so close-lipped.

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