Page 66 of Coming Home

He led them to the kitchen, where all kinds of wonderful scents lingered in the air. The island was covered with a veritable feast of appetizers.

Carter held out a hand. “This is dinner. I know it’s Ainsley’s favorite kind of meal.”

Jackson watched as his wife’s eyes lit up. “This looks incredible, Carter. Even better than what you made for our wedding.”

Tenley entered the kitchen. “Inspiration struck my lovely husband after he provided the finger foods for your reception.” She hugged Ainsley. “And I helped with several of these. Carter might make a cook out of me yet.”

“What is everything?” Jackson asked. “I know if you made it, it’ll be good. But I’d love to know what I’m putting into my mouth.”

Carter started at the top of the island and went clockwise, detailing each appetizer’s contents. “Beef sliders with onions. Stuffed mushrooms. Berry skewers. Meatballs. Pollo asada tacos. Caprese crostini. Pulled pork sliders. Bacon-wrapped dates. And deviled eggs.”

“Even if I have one of everything, I’m going to be full,” Ainsley warned. “But it will be a good kind of full.”

“Grab a plate,” their host said. “Try one of each if you would. I don’t expect you to like everything, but I value your feedback.”

They spent a few minutes making their plates before carrying them to the large dining room and taking a seat.

“I helped with some of the prep work,” Tenley told them, “but for the most part, my job was to film Carter while he put together these appetizers.”

“Tenley was right,” Carter said. “Preparing food for your wedding party inspired me to investigate appetizers more. I really see the potential of a book in them.” He laughed. “Maybe you should get married again and have another reception. That way, I could try out all these recipes on a larger scale.”

“But you’re already working on a cookbook,” Ainsley noted. “The one which is supposed to come out when Tenley’s first book does, before Thanksgiving.”

Carter grinned sheepishly. “I know. And that cookbook is going really well. But I believe that people are staying in more nowadays. Doing more entertaining at home. Appetizers are a big part of entertaining. I believe a cookbook focused solely on them would be viable. I haven’t decided how to break it down yet. I could by the kind of cuisine. Italian, Mexican, that kind of thing. I could go the sweet versus savory route. Or I could break it into food groups. Appetizers that feature meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables. It’s all in the beginning stages, but I wanted to get some of my thoughts down and have some taste testings to give me guidance on the direction I want to take the book.”

As they ate, they provided feedback to Carter, who took notes with his right hand and ate with his left.

“This is all fantastic input,” Carter said. “Maybe Tenley and I can host the next Game Night, and it can be an all-appetizer one.”

“Let’s don’t forget we haven’t had a Game Night since before Ainsley and I got married,” Jackson interjected. “That means I’m still owed my winning dessert.”

Tenley chuckled and said, “Then we’ll steer Carter away from too many sweet appetizers so everyone will have room for whatever Ainsley concocts.”

They sipped on a glass of wine after finishing, a new blend Carter and Tenley had discovered while at a local vineyard the weekend before. The couple both talked a little about the books they were working on. Their agent had encouraged their respective publishing houses to publish Carter’s cookbook and the first of Ainsley’s fantasy trilogy the same week, and the pair would do a book tour together near the end of the year.

“How are you settling in to your new office, Jackson?” Carter asked.

“I familiarized myself with all of Clancy’s files now. I’ve made calls to the bulk of his clients, reaching out and letting them know I’ve taken over his practice. I did send an e-mail to that effect, but I’m also trying to talk to everyone by phone—or in person, if they choose—in order to get to know them and their needs. I wrote up a will today, and I’m representing one of the mayor’s kids on a misdemeanor charge in court next week.”

Ainsley smiled at him. “He’ll have to break out a tie for that. I believe Jackson has enjoyed dressing more casually to go to work each day.”

“My dry-cleaning bill used to be sky-high,” he admitted. “Of course, that included my laundry, as well. I never had time to do it.”

“How is living with Willow and Dylan working out?” Tenley asked.

“You know Willow,” Ainsley said. “She makes everything easy for those around her. We’re trading off on the cooking for dinner.”

“Willow told us not to think of ourselves as guests but as family,” Jackson added. “That means doing our own laundry and cleaning our bathroom. I don’t mind that a bit. It’s nice to have time to do the small stuff.”

Carter nodded. “I know what you mean. Although I loved being a firefighter, it’s nice to be able to manage my own schedule now. Tenley feels the same.”

“I sure do,” his wife said. “I don’t miss the days of dressing up and going in to work, often putting in many hours after I was supposed to be off the clock.”

“Do you have a writing schedule?” Jackson asked her.

“It varies from day to day. I do feel I get my best work done in the morning when I’m fresh. I write until noon, and then I break for lunch with Carter. He also has been writing and planning and prepping mornings, so that in the afternoons we can film his vlogs.”

“Have you heard anything about the pilot you shot a few weeks ago?” Ainsley asked.

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