Page 18 of Charming the Cowboy
It was only a few minutes to the farmhouse, and she felt a sense of comforting familiarity wash over her as they pulled up to the place. She had always liked Cooper’s family. Even Hank, honestly. She just would prefer a buffer with Hank. Because she wasn’t entirely sure if Hank liked her. She wasn’t entirely sure if Hank liked anybody.
He had just put his truck in park when the front door burst open and Lindsay tumbled out. Eliana smiled and unbuckled, getting out of the car. “Lindsay!”
“Eliana! I’m so glad that you came. And thank you so much for getting this placement for our beer. You did more for us than I’ve been able to do in the last couple of months.”
“Oh. I didn’t really do anything.”
“I swear, you’re charmed.”
Lindsay squeezed Eliana’s arm, and Eliana did her best not to grimace. Because charmed was not exactly the way she would describe herself. It was funny, though, that that seemed to be a prevailing idea. Because Cooper sure seemed to think she had a knack for getting her way, maybe her problem was that she wasfocused on what she couldn’t seem to get for herself rather than being triumphant about the things she could.
She followed Lindsay into the house and was greeted by warm, homey smells. Her mother was not a cook. Her grandmother was a bit of a kitchen witch who loved to cook with herbs and make stews and simmer pots. But still, she could tell a truly hearty home-cooked meal, and it was different than what she was used to.
“It smells great,” she said.
“Steak and mashed potatoes,” Lindsay said. “Butter rolls, macaroni and cheese.”
Eliana’s stomach started growling. “I can’t wait.”
She followed Lindsay into the dining room and sat next to her. Cooper took his seat at the far end of the table, not across from her. And a few moments later, Hank came in holding a bowl of dinner rolls and another of green salad.
“Hey there,” he said.
That was practically a friendly soliloquy from Hank.
“Hi,” Eliana responded.
“Thanks for having me for dinner,” she said, quickly at Hank’s retreating back, and she thought she might have gotten a grunt in return.
“Do you think anyone needs any help?”
“Oh, he won’t accept it,” Lindsay said.
Hank finished bringing all the food to the table, and then Sally Langdon, their mother, came in wearing an apron covered in flour. “Eliana,” she said. “It’s so good to see you. Is Marcus not in town?”
“You know Marcus. He’s rarely in town.”
“Yes. He has those itchy feet.”
“Yes. Not me. I just… Like it here.”
“Of course you do. You’re a town favorite. Everyone loves you.”
Everyone loved her. That was the nicest thing she could’ve possibly said. And maybe it was exactly what Eliana needed to hear. The town loved her. So maybe she was charmed, and not so cursed after all. As long as she was able to look at life a little bit more expansively.
Hank had brought dinner out, and it was Cooper who cleared the table when they were all finished. “Mom,” he said. “I’m going to take Eliana on a wagon ride. Don’t do any dishes while I’m gone. Lindsay and I will help clean up.”
“Oh, don’t be silly,” she said. “If you’re taking Eliana on a wagon ride, I can just do the dishes.”
“No way,” he said.
“I can help with the dishes,” Eliana said.
“Don’t be silly,” Sally said, at the same time Lindsay, Hank, and Cooper all made noises of protest.
“You’re a guest,” Cooper said. “You’re not doing the dishes. This dinner was to thank you. For everything that you’re doing for us. This brewery was really important to Dad. And… This gets us a step closer.”
Eliana looked at Sally, who seemed emotional, but blinked back the evidence of that quickly.
