Billionaire Bachelors 3 ; The Billionaire Falls(9)

"Your new cook is sure hot," Lucas said casually.

"Yeah if I were single, I would hire her in a heartbeat, whether she could cook or not," Alex added.

"I haven't really noticed," Mark lied to them both.

"So you aren't interested in her?" Lucas questioned him.

"Of course I'm not. She's an employee and we will keep it professional," he said. He was unsure if he was trying to lie to them or himself. He wasn't a randy teenager anymore and he could control himself.

"Well in that case I saw Don over there eyeing her. I think I'll try some matchmaking," Lucas said slyly.

"Like hell you will," Mark exclaimed. He then seemed to gather himself together a bit and added, "I don't want employees' to be having romances, because when things go bad, then it makes life around them miserable and one or both of them will quit. I'd have to do the whole hiring thing over again." He felt he'd made a pretty good save from his outburst.

"I do see your point Mark but I know this great single guy at the office. Just the other day he was asking me if I knew any single women. I think they would make a good match," Alex said and winked at Lucas.

Both brothers could practically see the steam rising out of Mark's ears. They were really enjoying themselves at their brother's expense, which was a typical thing.

"Can you please leave my cook alone?" Mark almost yelled. Several heads turned towards the brothers. None of them saw the sly look on Joseph's face, standing within hearing distance, next to Edward.

"So it looks like your matchmaking is working once again, you sly old man," Edward said.

"Why Edward, I have no idea what you are talking about," Joseph said with a serious face. 

"You forget how well I know you, sir. I worked for you for far too many years before coming to work for your son, to not know when you're up to something. Besides, since when does the cook have the bedroom right next door to Mark?" Edward asked, calling Joseph's bluff.

"Well, talk a little quieter. If that boy knows I'm matchmaking, he will run the other way and even worse, if Katherine hears about it I will never hear the end of it," Joseph said, while looking around guiltily.

"If you weren't so busy meddling, you wouldn't have anything to be worried about," Edward said. "I do have to commend you on your taste, though. Emily's a fresh breath of air and little Trevor is full of energy. It's nice to see a pretty lady and a young lad in the house."

Joseph puffed his chest up a little from the praise. He did have great taste, if he did say so himself. He looked over at Amy and Jessica, as if to prove his point. He'd done matchmaking with his first two boys and look how well that had turned out.

"Grampa, grampa I have a new friend," came the insistent voice of his eldest granddaughter Jasmine. She was pulling on his pant leg, trying to get his undivided attention.

"I can see that. Are you playing nicely?" he asked his mischievous granddaughter.

"I love him grandpa. We're going to get married," she stated in the utmost seriousness.

Joseph had to laugh at the look on Trevor's face. Even at five years old the word marriage scared a male.

"Why don't you gather your cousins and we'll have some dinner so afterwards we can make s'mores?" he asked her.

Jasmine was instantly diverted and grabbed Trevor's hand as she raced off to find her siblings and cousins. Joseph had so much pride when he looked out at the yard full of friends and family.

Emily was looking at the nearly empty table in awe. She'd never believed all the food that had filled its space could possibly been eaten but she'd been proven wrong. She'd made enough food to feed an army and on top of that, everyone who'd attended brought at least one dish and it was all gone. There were just a few little bits and pieces lying around.

She guessed hard working ranchers needed to refuel their energy. She was actually very pleased with how much praise people had given her over her dishes. It made her feel good to have people appreciating her cooking skills.

Trevor was in the house with the rest of the kids, listening to Joseph read them stories. After story time they were all going to camp out in the huge den and watch movies. Jessica's nanny Julia had offered to stay with them, in case any of them woke up for some reason.

Emily was so happy the Anderson family members were all treating her son as if he was one of them. She'd already heard him refer to Jacob as his favorite cousin ever. Little Jasmine took offense to that statement. Emily could tell she liked being the favorite but in a good way. None of the kids seemed to be spoiled. They all just seemed well loved and confident.

"Hey Emily, we need another person, come change with us and play some water volleyball," Jessica demanded, as she grabbed her arm and started leading her upstairs to change clothing.