Page 8 of Family Forever
Marissa followed Dylan down into the basement where he led her to the most enormous chest freezer she’d ever seen. He opened the lid and pointed out the sections of venison, beef, pork and poultry. Then he opened the door to a rather large food pantry full of not only store-bought canned goods, but also jars of home canned vegetables and meat as well. Label maker stickers identified the rows of goods. She’d never seen so much food in one place outside a grocery store.
Reaching up, she touched a jar of canned carrots. “Who made all these?”
“I did.”
“You can vegetables, and pressure cook meat?”
He arched a brow. “Yes. Why do you seem surprised by that? You don’t think I know my way around a kitchen?” The tinge of tease in his tone alleviated some of her fear that she’d inadvertently implied he was incapable of the canning process.
“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just, how on earth do you find the time?”
“That’s just it, I don’t have the time. That’s why I need your help. Do you think you can find something around here to make for tonight?”
There was enough food in this house to cover an entire year. Tonight shouldn’t be a problem. “What time do you like to eat?”
“Usually about six or so, but since me and Aric are helping with the milking tonight seven would be better.”
Dylan left her in the pantry to decide what to prepare for dinner. She pulled a quart and a pint of venison and a quart of carrots from the shelf, traipsed back over to the freezer and pulled out an eight-pack of frozen biscuits. She thought the venison might taste good over rice.
As she worked a sense of relief floated over her. Finally, a job, which she desperately needed. She had made some money along the way babysitting for neighboring farmers’ kids but she was never able to get a real job in town because she had no means of transportation. But here, she could simply walk to work. No problem. And working for Dylan Jacobs, well that was just a bonus.
She finished with her spring cleaning tasks, began making dinner and setting the table.
Dylan and Aric came in from the barn. Aric was griping about having to help.
“Would you just stop already,” Dylan snapped. “It’s not like you have to help every day. The farmhands need days off too, and when that happens, we fill in.”
“Dinner’s almost ready,” Marissa chimed, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Great, we’ll clean up and be right back,” Dylan replied.
“I’m starving,” Aric added.
* * * *
Dylan relaxed under the hot spray of the shower. At least now he didn’t have to worry about making dinner for everyone too. On Sundays anyway. This was going to be great.
He slid into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and followed the scent of venison to the kitchen. Braden, Nate, and Luke were already seated. Aric’s heavy footsteps were pounding down the stairs.
Glancing at the table, Dylan counted five place settings. He caught Marissa’s harried gaze. “Aren’t you going to join us?” he asked, hoping he didn’t have to run her home right away, he was starving himself.
Her eyes widened with surprise. “I just thought I was cooking for you guys. I didn’t know I was supposed to stay.”
“You don’t want to stay?” Braden asked.
“Well of course, but…”
“Nate, grab another place setting,” Dylan directed.
Dylan and Aric took their spots at the narrow ends of the table as Nate and Luke took their spots on either side of him. Braden took his spot between Luke and Aric.
His baby brother leaned toward him, motioning him to come closer as if he were going to tell him some major secret.
“What’s up, buddy?”
“I want to sit by Marissa,” he commented in a stage whisper.
He caught Marissa’s approving smile. And due to Luke’s fear of outsiders, he thought it wise to accommodate his brother’s request.
