The Firecracker Gets Her Man Read Free Page A

capture that horrid man, and you may bet the farm on it.” She took a deep breath and then added, “Our dinner is all ready, and I hope you won’t mind that we are eating in the kitchen. I am too lazy to carry everything to the dining room and then back to the kitchen, so we will eat at the kitchen table. Papa, is that all right with you?” she asked.
    “We eat nearly all of our meals in the kitchen. A dining room is a waste if you ask me, but your mama loved using it for her fancy parties.”
    “Yes, she did, and there are times it is fun to be festive, but today we are eating because we all have a huge appetite. The kitchen seems perfect.”
    “We never had a dining room in the house I grew up in,” Lance admitted. “I prefer to eat in the kitchen.”
    “It’s all settled then,” Caleb said with a smile. “Daughter, I think a bottle of wine is called for this evening. We need to celebrate your homecoming.”
    “I am ahead of you, Papa! In fact, I brought you a bottle of something I knew you would love.”
    “Well, I am impressed. Of course, I won’t dare have more than half a glass,” he stated. “I am so tired that I would sleep around the clock, and you know that I could get called out at any time.”
    “We’d best eat quickly then,” Rachel said with an understanding smile as she led the way to the kitchen. “Please sit on Papa’s left, Lance.” They all took their seats, and Caleb said a short blessing before picking up the platter of fried chicken and offering it to Lance.
    “Help yourself, young man. There is plenty, so don’t be shy.”
    “Yes, there are plenty of vegetables too. And I made biscuits,” Rachel said proudly.
    “This all looks real good, Rachel, smells good, too!” Lance helped himself and passed the food across the table so that Rachel could fill her plate.
    “Delicious, honey!” Caleb bragged on her. “I haven’t had food this good since you left!”
    “I agree that this is real good cookin’, Rachel. Thank you for inviting me and sharing your table. It’s been a long time since I had anything this good to eat. I love this chicken. It’s so crispy on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside.”
    “I am going to get a big head!” she responded, blushing.
    When they ate their fill, she produced bread pudding for dessert, and Lance wanted to propose marriage! “This tastes like my Ma’s, Rachel. It really is good!”
    “Thank you for the compliment, Lance,” she said, blushing again. She wasn’t used to anyone but her father saying nice things to her, and it was going to her head. The man was too handsome for words with his dark, wavy hair and his warm brown eyes that seemed to see everything around him all at once. His voice was deep and sexy and she wondered if he could sing as well as she thought he could. “After I do up these dishes, perhaps we can gather at the piano? I’ve learned a few new songs and would play them for you and Papa.”
    “Honey, I am sorry, but I must go and lie down for a while and get some sleep. If I am needed, come wake me, please. Don’t worry that the music will wake me; I won’t hear a thing.”
    “Yes, Papa. Good night.” She jumped up and gave him a hug. “I am so happy to be home. Thank you for welcoming me; I am not sure I would have been so forgiving in your shoes.”
    “I love you, Rachel. The past is over, done and forgotten. Good night, daughter. Good night, Lance.”
    They heard the doctor’s feet on the steps, and then Rachel started clearing the table. She was amazed when the big man started helping her, and he did it as if he actually knew what he was doing! “You are a guest, Lance. I don’t expect you to help clean up,” she protested.
    “I was taught to show my appreciation for an invite to a good meal. My Ma made sure us boys knew how to use a dishtowel, and I can tell you I watched my Pa put his hands in the dishpan nearly every night unless he had something else going on that needed his