"He'd been paying her so much attention lately that Susan and I had sort of thought it would be him dating her by now." Pastor Harris chuckled again, as though he had made a witty observation.
Dustin's eyes narrowed. "Travis inherited all the charm in the family, sir, but I'm the one that loves Emma. He's been trying to help us get together for some time now."
The pastor looked confused. "Helping you? Why would he do that?"
"Because I get nervous around girls and she's too ladylike to ask a guy out." Dustin shifted around to glance in the kitchen. The door was open only a crack and he got to see a swish of skirts before he had to turn back to face the pastor again.
"So you don't think Travis is interested in our Emma for himself."
Dustin finally saw it and it made him laugh out loud. "You actually want Travis to date your daughter? Fathers hide their daughters in closets and basements and guard the doors with shotguns when they see Travis coming. And you want him to date Emma? Trust me, sir, that would only end in heartbreak for her and for you."
Pastor Harris sat up straighter and raised one brow. "You don't think very highly of your brother it seems."
"That's not true. I think the world and all of Travis. He's the strongest, most courageous man I know. But he's no good for a girl like Emma."
"And you are?"
Dustin suddenly felt defensive. He hated feeling defensive. He set his jaw and looked hard into Pastor Harris's eyes. "I'm just the right man for her."
The pastor glared right back at him. But then his expression softened and ended in a smile. "Perhaps you are at that. At least I suppose Emma thinks so, don't you dearest?" He looked past Dustin.
"I sure do," Emma said. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.
Again, Dustin would have loved for her to linger near so that he could smell the way her natural scent mingled with the rose soap she used; and feel her soft, tender lips, hot on his skin. But she was gone before he could so much as smile back at her.
Emma and Susan darted in and out of the kitchen setting the table and bringing out a large roast with potatoes and carrots and what looked to be homemade dinner rolls and fresh whipped butter. Amidst the burning in his stomach from the nerves, he felt a rumbling of hunger. He wondered whether Emma had cooked this and if he had this kind of good eating to look forward to in the very distant future. Sure would be nice to have food that took longer than three minutes in the microwave to cook.
Everyone bowed their heads and the pastor said a prayer. And before Dustin knew it or had lifted a finger, his plate was filled with gravy covered meat and vegetables, a hot, buttered roll on the side.
He took a bite and was grateful it didn't get snatched off of his tongue the way Emma's smiles and kisses seemed to be disappearing. The meat was so tender it practically dissolved on his tongue like cotton candy. "Who do I compliment for this meal?" he asked, looking to Susan.
"Oh, Emma," she said, with a cheerful smile. "She insisted on doing it all."
He smiled at Emma. His girl. "It's delicious. You're amazing," he said. Then he realized he might ought to clarify. "At cooking, I mean. Not that you're not generally amazing overall...because you are...but I just mean..."
She mercifully laid her hand on Dustin's. "Thank you, Dustin. I know what you meant."
He grinned in relief and continued eating.
"She made dessert, too," Susan said. "I suggested she make you a pecan pie. I've made those for Travis because I know they're his favorite. But Emma insisted you were a chocolate chip cookie man."
Dustin laughed. "I am a man of simple tastes," he said. He refrained from telling her that Travis's favorite pie was whichever pie was in front of him at the moment. He was too happy that Emma knew this little detail about him.
"Well we'll have to have you over a few more times," Susan said, "so that Emma can show you the versatility of her cooking skills. That way you'll know exactly what you're getting when you get married."
Dustin choked. Dear God, not the "m" word.
"Mom, I'm not auditioning," Emma said.
"Oh, but you are, dear." Susan turned to Dustin. "You do want a wife who can cook, don't you?" she asked.
"A wife?" Dustin's voice squeaked.
Susan stared at him as though she didn't understand his response.
"We assumed that your intentions were ultimately to marry our daughter," Pastor Harris said.
Dustin's hear was banging around in his chest. "I...I...,"
"Daddy, it's our sixth date," Emma said. "Dustin doesn't want to talk about that stuff now. He'll propose whenever he's ready."