Page 94 of Stick Side
Eric’s gaze scanned her in a way she couldn’t quite interpret before he flicked it briefly over to Ben. “I’ll say,” Eric said after a few beats of silence she doubted anyone noticed but her. “This is so good.”
Perspective given, Eric shoveled an enormous bite of pancake into his mouth. His eyes fluttered closed as he chewed his food, a satisfied sigh escaping him. It was almost tragic he was such a horrible cook when he loved food so much. At least he knew how to savor it when others made it for him.
“I agree,” Brendan enthused. “This breakfast is bang on. I normally like some afters and a mug o’ scald after a nice big meal, but this is fierce.”
Melody wasn’t always completely sure what Brendan meant when his Irish slang came out, but it was clear he was enjoying the food, too.
“I’m a lucky man,” Bob said, as he leaned back from the table and laid his hands over his stomach in the way people do when they’re nice and full. “We’ve been married for almost forty years and my wife still spoils me.”
“Does she always cook like this?” Richie asked, his tone incredulous as he turned to face Ben’s dad.
“Well, no,” Bob admitted with a gentlemanly laugh. “Cathy does things up extra special around the holidays, but she’s still kind enough to keep me well fed throughout the year.” He smiled as he glanced in the direction of the kitchen, his love and appreciation for his wife more than apparent to anyone who cared to notice.
“And what do you think, Alexei?” Melody asked since he was the only one at the table who hadn’t spoken since she arrived. It was only then that she noticed he was eating turkey leftovers alongside everything else.
When he glanced up from his plate, the look on Alexei’s face was practically blissful. “I love Thanksgiving,” he said with undisguised sincerity.
“Does this mean we were able to live up to your holiday hopes?” Ben asked, possibly aware of how close he’d come to spoiling Thanksgiving for their Russian import with his American history lesson last night.
“If there is any other way to celebrate Thanksgiving,” Alexei said with conviction, “I do not want to know.” And with that, he returned his attention to his pumpkin pie.
Companionable laughter greeted his assertion.
“Ben?” Cathy called out from the kitchen. “The sausages are ready!”
“I’ll be right there, Mom!” Ben called back, loudly enough to be heard but not so loudly as to be impolite.
Melody tilted her head up to look at him. “Do you want me to grab them?” she asked.
He leaned into her until their bodies were gently touching and placed a soft kiss on her cheekbone. “That’s okay, sweetheart. You sit down and enjoy.” He paused before adding, “You’re right over there, beside Shawna.” He smiled, his affection for her lighting his eyes, before grabbing the empty pancake plate and sauntering into the kitchen to collect the sausages.
Melody took a moment to admire his retreating form before turning to find her seat.
“You’re so screwed,” Shawna muttered under her breath.
Melody shot her a quizzical look.
Shawna’s only response was to make a slow, sweeping gesture in the direction of Melody’s plate.
Melody stepped around Shawna until she was standing in front of her place setting. It was only now that she was standing directly in front of it, free of visual obstruction, that she could see a bar of her favorite chocolate, wrapped up in expertly curled ribbon.
Melody touched her hand to her lips and released an appreciative sigh. “Ben?” she asked Shawna on a whisper.
“Yup,” Shawna responded, gently popping the “p” for extra emphasis. “He knows you usually like to have chocolate for breakfast and he didn’t want you to feel forced to eat a full farm breakfast if you would rather just have your usual.”
Melody felt her heart melting. Shawna was right. She was totally screwed if she thought she had any hope whatsoever of not falling completely and totally in love with the sweet, kind, and thoughtful Benjamin Logan.
Chapter 46
From the texts of Ben & Melody
Ben:How much of a sap does it make me to admit that I miss you already?
Melody:After seeing me just a few hours ago? Hmmm . . .
Melody:Maybe just a little bit of one. ;-)
Melody:But it’s okay. I kind of like it. *blushing emoji
