Beckett frowned, catching his sister’s gaze as she came through the swinging door that connected to the kitchen. She carried a huge platter of hamburgers, already on the bun. Both brothers headed for the kitchen.
“About time you two showed up,” Jill said as they passed.
Beckett pushed through the door first, wondering if there was any way of getting some help for the kitchen. They were all running themselves ragged. Chef was icing a somewhat crooked cake. The taste and the chocolate he was spreading all over it would make up for the presentation. He was a short, roundish man with hip, dark-framed glasses, his skin tanned from enjoying the outdoors and weathered from age. He kept his graying brown hair up in a bun. His smile was too big for his face and his laughter was the kind that made others want to join in. He kept the meals simple, family style, and served promptly each night before he cleaned up and left. They’d considered doing the cooking themselves, but Gray and Beckett sucked at it, and Jilly didn’t have the time. Plus, he felt as much a part of the lodge as the stone fireplace and wooden beams. One of the sturdier parts.
“Ahh! Good. Everyone is here. Family should eat together,” Chef said.
“We wish you’d join us,” Gray said.
Beckett laughed. Gray tried to get him to join every time, but the man always said no.
Chef chuckled. “No, no. Louis and I eat dinner together every night. He cooks for me, if you can believe it.”
They believed it, because he told them every time they asked him to join and because Louis was every bit as in love with Chef after twenty years together as Chef was with him.
Beckett picked up a platter of hamburger fixings while Gray grabbed a bowl of crispy potato wedges.
Beckett’s stomach growled as his brother commented, “Smells good.”
He wondered how often Gray forgot to eat.
“Jilly has the burgers,” Chef said with a smile, going back to his cake.
They brought out the dishes and set them in the center of the table. Ollie was showing Presley how to fold her napkin into a strange-looking shape. Mr. Dayton chatted with the couple who’d shown upwith Presley. Bo and Morgan, the two guys who also arrived yesterday, were arguing over something to do with fishing.
Beckett met Presley’s gaze and did his best to ignore the little loop de loop thing his stomach did. Before he could head to his seat on the other side of Ollie, Grayson grabbed his arm.
“You okay with everything that happened online?”
Beckett felt his cheeks warm. He shrugged off his brother’s hand. “It’s fine.”
Gray’s gaze, similar to his own, twinkled, making him look younger and happier than Beck had seen in a while.
“Better thanfine,according to the comments,” Gray teased.
“Sit down, you two.” Jill gave them both a look that reminded Beckett of their mother.
When he sat next to Ollie, she gave him her napkin. “Hi, Uncle Beck. I made you a napkin flower.”
He took it and kissed her head. “Perfect. Just what I was hoping for.”
Presley continued to fold her napkin, then tossed it forward. “I can’t do it.”
Ollie giggled. “Mom says I have a unique talent.”
Jilly looked over from across the table. “For many things.”
People talked over one another, sharing the meal like a huge family. Beckett took it in, listened, chatted with Ollie while reminding her to chew with her mouth closed. His sister sent him a couple of grateful grins.
When they sat with the guests, inevitably, questions about the lodge came up.
“Saw you poking around cabin four. You opening them up soon?” Bernie asked as he added lettuce and tomatoes to his bun.
Gray scooped some potatoes onto his plate before he looked up. “We need to make sure everything is in good shape before we do. I only took over six months ago. I’m still finding my footing.”
“Summer is your moneymaker. The more space you have available,the better off you’ll be. The old adage ‘you have to spend money to make money’ is a favorite for a reason,” Bernie said. He took a big bite of his burger, then mumbled around it, “Just as good as I remember.”
Jill picked up the pitcher of juice, poured herself some. “We sort of like this intimate setting of having all the guests close. Are you fishing tomorrow, Mr. Dayton?”
