How Cassie Got Her Grind Back(Divine Creek Ranch 23)(41)
He heard Cassie call parting words to someone in the drive-thru, and then she hurried around the glass cases with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. The tension in his gut eased as she hugged them both in turn.
She smelled of sweet baking things and a hint of ground coffee, a fragrance he’d never considered sexy before that moment. She was warm and soft in his embrace, and she wrapped her arms around him and gently squeezed before looking up at him. With her plush breasts pressed against him, it was difficult to let her go.
She said, “I’m sorry we kept missing each other’s calls this week.”
“Me too,” he said with a chuckle. Between work, poor cellular service areas, and timing issues, they’d been playing phone tag all week. She’d kept her messages brief, and the most information he’d gotten had come from Joseph, who’d told him she’d agreed to visit the club. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
“We’re making something special for you for lunch. Do you remember Mama’s carnitas?”
Ivan’s jaw dropped. “Is your mama back there makin’ us carnitas?”
Cassie giggled when he acted as if he was about to run back to the kitchen. “Down, boy. I know you just want to see my kitchen. They’re ready, and Mama is making us fresh corn tortillas to eat with them right now. I’ll bring your drinks.”
“Are you eating with us?”
“Yes, I am, but I have to be quick because it’s nearly time to gear up for the lunch rush. Hey! Look who’s here!” she said over his shoulder to whoever was coming in the door.
Hank, Travis, and Veronica greeted the two of them, and Cassie squealed when a spritely little white-haired woman peeked out from behind Travis and reached for her. “Well, hey there! How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“Grandma Kate! I’m so happy to see you again. You look gorgeous as ever. Are you keeping the men of Lusty in line?”
“You bet I am. I thought I’d come for a little visit and see how everyone is and I thought a little brunch at Divine Drip might be just the thing. It always smells so good in here, Cassie. What’s different today? Whatever it is, it’s making my mouth water something fierce.”
“Well, we have something special cooking in the back for my lunch dates. Grandma Kate, this is Samson and Ivan Cutter. Guys, this is Kate Benedict, known affectionately in these parts as Grandma Kate. She’s a special lady around here and also happens to be related to Veronica.”
Samson noted someone from the kitchen was waving at Cassie, and she said, “They need me in the back for a minute. Grandma Kate, would you and the others like to try my mom’s carnitas? She made enough for a whole family to eat. You’d be welcome to join us and try some.”
“Oh, well, but you have a lunch date, didn’t you say?” the little white-haired lady said as she shook hands with a surprisingly firm grip for a woman of her age. “Gentlemen, I wouldn’t dream of interrupting your date?” she stated, adding a hint of a question at the end.
Samson suppressed a chuckle at meeting the subtle little matchmaker. “Yes, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you, and we’d love to have you and the others join us.”
Hank, Travis, and Veronica all nodded when asked, and Cassie said, “I’ll let Mama know, and we’ll get your lunches ready for you. Please have a seat.”
He and Ivan glanced at each other, and Ivan said, “Might as well pull a couple of tables together, huh?”
“Sure.” He struggled with a mild inhospitable urge. He wanted Cassie to the two of them if only for a few minutes. Maybe it might still happen.
A waitress came to take their drink orders, and Cassie began bringing their lunches out, delivering plates piled with steaming-hot pork carnitas cooked in her mother’s secret recipe of seasonings, served with fresh corn tortillas and the traditional sides of borracho beans, Spanish rice, and a guacamole salad.
Ivan groaned softly as they all tucked into their meals over enthusiastic conversation. Samson contented himself that Cassie sat close between him and his brother. So close her outer thigh and arm brush against him every time she moved.
“Cassie, how is your mother doing?” Grandma Kate asked, before taking a bite and then exclaiming in gastronomic delight over the food. “Is she in today? I’d love to compliment the chef.”
“Me, too. This is delicious,” Hank said and then took another bite and groaned with pleasure.
Cassie smiled. “She’s in the back. Maybe I can convince her to come say hello. She would be so pleased to know all of you have enjoyed her cooking and want to see her,” she said, squeezing his hand on her knee. Her eyes told him it did mean a lot. “She’s been a Godsend to me, helping me with my business.”