Their Divine Doctor(Divine Creek Ranch 9)(56)

Emma had suggested that Gage talk with a friend of hers who happened to be a psychologist. Gage had privately told Duke that he did indeed feel responsible for Emma being shot. He’d confided that being in such close proximity to Amy when she’d shot herself had been very disturbing for him and the main cause of his nightmares.

Gage seemed lost in his own thoughts as they strolled along. Finally, he said, “I know I was not responsible for what Amy did, or what she intended to do to you. What matters most to me is that you survived. That’s my bottom line. I love you, angel.”

“I love you, too. You know, it’s been a long time since my pervy side got any attention at all,” she said as she stroked her chest over the spot where her incision had healed. They’d slept with her every night but had held off from sex because she’d been cautioned by her doctor about strenuous activity. The wait was becoming a bit of a strain for all of them. “I am recovered well enough for sex. Give me another month on the threesome but I could really do with getting laid sometime soon.”

Gage groaned, and Duke’s cock reacted to this stellar news, rising to the challenge. Unfortunately they still had Thanksgiving dinner to sit through. “That’s good news, Em, but your timing sucks.” He didn’t think his mom and dad would appreciate having to eat a cold Thanksgiving dinner because he needed to make love to Emma.

Emma burst into giggles as they continued down the block before making their way back. They returned to find his mom and dad in the kitchen, laughing and teasing over some joke as Dad sliced the meat off the turkey. It was just the five of them for the meal, which was uneventful—until dessert.

His mom served pieces of Emma’s sweet potato pie topped with real whipped cream. They waited until everyone had a piece and then dug in enthusiastically.

Over her first mouthful, Emma said with a groan, “Don’t eat it.”

His dad took a bite and suddenly sat up straight in his chair but kept chewing.

“What’s the matter, Emma?” Duke noticed his dad shudder.

Emma’s flushed bright pink. “I did something wrong. This is awful.”

Everyone kept chewing, so Duke said, “I’m sure it’s just fine,” and took a big bite. His taste buds revolted, and his eyes watered copiously, but he wouldn’t hurt her feelings for the world. He kept on chewing.

Emma struggled to swallow and took a big gulp from her water glass. “Please. You don’t have to spare my feelings. I did something wrong when I was putting the ingredients together.”

His mom swallowed and prepared to take another bite, soldiering on as Duke and Gage kept eating. At the last second, his mom wiped a tear from her eye as her shoulders shook with restrained laughter.

Emma put her face in her hands and said, “I’m so embarrassed! All I was responsible for was dessert and I ruined it!”

Duke’s mom put a hand on her arm. “Let’s see what happened.” She held up fingers as she ticked off the ingredients one by one. “…and you added sugar, right?”

“Right.”

Mom shook her head. “There was no sugar in this pie. Something else took its place. Where did you get the sugar from?”

Emma pointed toward the kitchen at the canisters lined up on the counter. “The little ceramic house sugar bowl.”

“Oh, Lord have mercy!” his mom said and began laughing. “That’s not sugar, sweetie. That’s a salt cellar.”

Emma held her napkin to her face and groaned miserably. “How stupid! I’m so sorry!” Duke stroked her shoulder, hating to see her upset over something so small, but he could see why this would be a big deal to her. She was trying to make a good impression. She needn’t have worried because she’d already accomplished that. “I’ve ruined Thanksgiving. I wanted you both to like me—”

Gage took her hand and said, “You didn’t ruin anything, angel.”

Duke’s mom said, “Sweetie, we already loved you. One little pie isn’t going to change that.”

Emma took another gulp of her water and grimaced as she swallowed then said, “Really?”

“Really.”

“Is it too late to make something else?”

“Nope. Let’s see what we can put together. We didn’t need to eat dessert so soon anyway.” Emma teared up a little when his mom added, “Welcome to the family, Emma.”

Duke and Gage smiled at each other when Emma rose from her chair and hugged his mom. “Thank you. Let’s try this again.”

The men gathered the plates, utensils, and the offending pie and carried everything back to the kitchen.