Page 18 of Seasoned with Love (Prosperity Ranch 4)

“HOW WAS THE ICE SKATING?” Cara asked Jerry as he trudged into the kitchen.

“Good, then bad, then good again.”

Cara studied him as he crossed the room and tugged open the fridge door. His hair was a messy style on a good day, and right now, it looked like he was a cartoon character who’d just gotten zapped by lightning. Plus, he was limping.

“Got anything stronger than beer?” he asked.

“No, and we don’t have beer, either, in the fridge. You’ll have to go to the wine cellar if you want something.” Cara stepped up next to him and shut the door, stopping the cold air from seeping out. “What happened to you?”

Jerry rubbed at his knee. “What didn’t happen? Apparently I’m not a whiz on the ice anymore.” He sighed. “Those desserts look amazing, by the way, but I hope they freeze well. Not everyone’s going to be gathering around tonight.”

Cara folded her arms. “Talk, Jerry. You’re not making any sense.”

Before Jerry could spill the events of the ice skating outing, Mia skipped into the kitchen, a huge smile on her face. “Daddy said you made dessert.”

“I did.” Cara smiled at the young girl. Her two braids were a frizzy mess, likely from the beanie she’d worn ice skating, but everything else about her was fresh and bright. “Would you like to help me put the peppermint drops on the whipped cream dollops?”

Mia rested her arms on the counter. “What is it?”

“Peppermint pie with a chocolate cookie crust.”

“Mmm,” Jerry said. “Can I taste test it?”

“No, you cannot,” Cara said immediately. “But if you help get them out of the fridge and plate them, then you can have one of the first pieces.”

Jerry sighed. “Fine. I was already in charge of the event tonight, and now apparently, I’m kitchen staff.”

Mia giggled. “You’re funny, Jerry.”

“Glad someone appreciates my humor,” he said with a wink.

They fell into a pattern of Jerry slicing the pies and putting the pieces onto dessert plates, then Cara adding the whipped cream to each slice, and Mia carefully placing a round peppermint candy in the center of each dollop.

Cara was dying to know what had happened at the skating rink that had Jerry saying what he’d said. She’d have to wait until Mia left the room. But Roman walked into the kitchen right then. It seemed no matter what he wore, he wore it well. His dark eyes matched the deep brown sweater he wore over a plaid collared shirt. His hair was about as wild as Jerry’s, which made Cara want to laugh.

Roman didn’t meet anyone’s gazes, but settled his eyes on the counter. “Those look good.”

“I’m helping, Dad.”

“Yeah, that’s great.” Roman’s tone was subdued, though, and his expression was pensive. Where was all the Christmas cheer and bonding that was supposed to be taking place at these outings?

Cara continued decorating, with Mia helping. The little girl chattered about what she was planning on asking Santa for for Christmas. Cara was only half-listening, since she was so aware of Roman’s brooding.

Jerry started whistling a random tune as he took the plates into the dining area. People had arrived, and the low murmur of their conversation floated into the kitchen.

“Whoops,” Mia said, as one of the peppermint candies plopped into the center of a pie piece. She bit her lip as if she didn’t know how catastrophic this would be.

“It’s all right,” Cara said. She grabbed a knife spreader, then showed Mia how to smooth out the dent made by the dropped candy. “No one will even notice.”

“It looks perfect,” Mia said with a grin.

“Yep, now you try.” Cara held out the small knife.

Mia hesitated, then took the knife, and with complete concentration, she made the top of the pie piece more level.

“Great job,” Cara said. She glanced over at Roman. His eyes were on her, his expression thoughtful. What had happened tonight at the ice skating rink? She was dying to know, but she’d wait until she could talk to Jerry in private.

“Do you want to help me carry the rest into the dining room?” she asked Mia, then stopped herself. Maybe that was being too presumptuous. Mia lived here. She wasn’t staff like Cara and Jerry.

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