Chapter 49

One person in the kitchen was something he could handle, and in a busy restaurant, he could deal with a whole squadron of cooks and chefs and wait staff bustling about. But kids got underfoot, demanded attention, wanted to be listened to and coddled and heard. He had all the time in the world for Abby beyond the kitchen door, but in here, he had a meal to cook, food to put on the table, people to feed.

Cam got the point. “Come on, ladies,” he said, slipping off the stool. “Let’s go out in the dining room and make sure the table’s set.”

On his way by, he patted Preston’s butt. “I think the grits are done. The water’s gone and they’re pretty thick.”

Preston glanced at the pot—they looked perfect. “Great, thanks.” He gave Cam a quick kiss.

“That isn’t going to cut it.” Cam leaned in for another, this one lingering, with a hint of tongue. “There we go. That’s more like it. So I’ll tell them what, dinner’s almost done?”