Page 88 of Spindrift

“Orthe ghost of gorgonzola.”

“Thestilted stilton.”

“Lillian’sLimburger,” said Angie.

“Monsterof muenster.

“Ravisherof ricotta.”

“Ican’t think of anything for Havarti,” Lillian said.

“Ooh,pilfered provolone and the Havarti holdup.”

Tiressounded on gravel outside.

“Quick,hide the banana bread.” Lillian shoved the loaf back in its hiding spot andresumed slicing a cabbage as the front door opened and Kraken bounded in. Nell,who had taken up residence on the couch, slid down to greet him. Lillian’sItalian greyhound merely opened one eye from her spot on the back of anarmchair, and the other dogs remained in the backyard.

Emiliawished she could bound up to Morgan like her dog, who had moved past Kraken tolean against Morgan. She scratched Nell’s ears as she looked around the room.Her eyes softened when they found Emilia’s, and the late afternoon sunlightsuddenly seemed to shine more brightly.

“Guesswho got baby donkey cuddles,” said Stevie.

“Andguess who got to show the owner how to induce ejaculation in a jackass,” saidMorgan, somewhat dampening Emilia’s current fantasy about bending her over thetable. “Stevie had the better deal.”

“Can’thave one without the other,” Lillian pointed out. “If you’re doing artificialinsemination.”

“Ilove the dinner table topics in this house.” Angie shook her head. “Especiallywhen there’s company.”

“She’sone of us,” said Stevie. “Any chance you’re feeding us, Lil?” Morgan asked witha hopeful expression as she surveyed the island counter. She ambled closer to examinethe contents of a large blue bowl, and her leg brushed against Emilia’s.

“I’mfeeding Angie and Emilia.”

“We’velanded in enemy territory,” Stevie said to Morgan. “If we abort the missionnow, we may still have time to get burgers.”

“I’mglad you stuck around,” Morgan said, ignoring Stevie and fixing those flawlesseyes on Emilia again.

“We’vedecided you can’t have her all to yourself,” said Angie.

Morganplaced an arm around Emilia in a show of playful possession.

“Careful,Donovan,” said Lillian. “Angie’s holding a knife.”

Thebanter—and Morgan’s proximity—left Emilia feeling dizzy.

Morgandropped her arm, but let her hand linger on Emilia’s lower back. The touchdrove all thoughts of dinner from her mind, and while a moment before she’dbeen basking in the overwhelming warmth of this kitchen, now she desperatelywanted to be alone with Morgan. Her body reminded her unequivocally that it hadnot forgotten the pressure of Morgan’s fingers through her jeans, nor forgivenher for the ruthless teasing. Smiling at her sister and her friends while shewanted nothing more than to straddle Morgan right there in the coffee shop hadbeen agony.

Agonyshe would happily relive again and again.

Lillian’ssalad, she reflected a few moments later, was worth the temporary deprivation.

“Whatdid you do to these vegetables?” she asked.

“She’sthe vegetable whisperer,” said Angie.

“It’sunbelievable.”

“Thatreminds me.” Stevie launched into an elaborate story involving one of theclients they’d seen that day. Emilia followed along as best she could, but shekept glancing over at Morgan. Her clinic polo showed off her muscular arms, anda bit of sunburn colored her fair cheeks. Her eyes drifted to meet Emilia’s,and she raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly in a question that sent a shiverof anticipation through her.

“Oh,”she said as casually as she could after adding her dish to the dishwasher. “Ibrought back the shop vac.”

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