“I liked it a lot. You’re quite the athlete. My brother follows your statistics, as does my sister.”
“That’s what the world needs. More statisticians,” Mia said to Leo and Anya with a wink.
Anya grinned.
“Okay, enough of all this,” Lydia said. “I need you all out of my way so I can start fixing dinner.”
“We’ll help,” Katrina said. “What can we do?”
“Easton will cook the steaks tonight out on the grill, but there are still a few side dishes I’d like to make. I’ve already made potato salad. I thought a big green vegetable salad and fruit salad would go well. I don’t really want to heat up the kitchen cooking anything since it’s so hot outside.”
“Fortunately, Katrina and I wield knives very well,” Anya said.
Mia pulled one out of the knife block. “As do I.”
“Great. Now if you guys will get out of here, we’ll start slicing.”
“You okay in here?” Grant asked.
She smiled. “Doing just fine. Go hang out with your dad and your brother. How’s Leo doing?”
“He’s in heaven. Don’t worry about him.”
“Okay.”
The guys disappeared outside again, leaving the women in the kitchen. They washed their hands and got started slicing.
“Are all of the fruits and vegetables from your garden, Lydia?” Anya asked.
“Most of them, yes. I grow the strawberries and melons.”
“I’m going to have to move out of New York City,” Anya said. “I have to live somewhere where I can grow things besides an herb garden in my bedroom window.”
The words tugged at Katrina’s heart. But the one thing she’d tried to always foster in the kids was a sense of independence, of knowing their own self-worth so when the time came for them to be out on their own, they’d have the confidence in themselves to fly.
“Any thoughts as to where that might be?” she asked Anya.
“Not yet. But Mia showed me some great websites and I have a few thoughts.”
“I can’t wait to talk about them with you.” Now that she knew what her sister’s career path was, she’d do everything in her power to see her dreams fulfilled.
“I need more tomatoes,” Lydia said, frowning as she surveyed the bowl.
Katrina swiped her hand on the towel. “I can go get those for you, Lydia.”
“Would you? I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She headed out the door and walked back toward the gardens, trying to recall where she’d seen the tomatoes. She finally remembered, and when she found them, bent over to survey the tomatoes, wanting to make sure she picked only the ripest ones.
When a set of arms went around her waist, she nearly shrieked.
“You’re going to fall face-first into the tomato vines.” Grant flipped her around, and before she could say anything, his mouth came down on hers in a kiss hotter than the steamy weather outside.
They hadn’t had a second alone since they’d left his house, and she had to admit, she’d missed feeling his arms around her, and his lips on hers. She leaned into him and tangled her fingers into his hair, enjoying the heat of his body and the taste of his tongue licking against hers. The feel of his hand sliding down her back to cup her butt only intensified her need for him.
Until someone cleared their throat. “Aren’t you a little old to be making out behind the tomato patch, Grant?”
Grant broke the kiss and shot a glare at Tucker. “Aren’t you a little old to be spying on your big brother, Tucker?”
Tucker just shrugged. “I’m on my way to get the steaks. Not my fault that on my way happens to be past Mom’s garden. You two should get a room.” He winked at Katrina and moved on.
Grant laid his forehead against Katrina’s. “Sorry. The drawback of a big family—even on a ranch this size—is very little privacy.”
“Your mom is putting us up—and by us, I mean just you and me—at one of the other houses.”
He grinned. “Alone?”
“Apparently.”
“Remind me to give her a big hug and a kiss for that.”
“I need to pick some tomatoes and bring them into the house before she thinks I got lost.”
“Okay.” He brushed his lips against hers. “Later.”
She picked several ripe and juicy ones and brought them inside. She was certain her hair was mussed up and her lips were kiss swollen, but Lydia never said a word. They finished up the salads, then went into the immense dining room to set the table.
The table was rectangular, dark and distressed, and looked handmade. “Who made this table?” she asked as they were setting the utensils.
“Easton and the boys.” Lydia ran her hand lovingly over the surface. “It’s reclaimed maple, and one of my treasured possessions. It’s held up well over the years, and can seat at least twenty people. He even built extra leaves so we can expand it for larger parties.”
Katrina nodded. “It’s massive. And so impressive.”
“Easton worked night and day on it for six months. The boys all pitched in and helped. Every gouge and nick has part of them on it. I love it so much.”