Billy realized he’d been staring. “You look…” Edible. His eyes went to the oven mitt in her hand. “Like you could use some help. ”
Was that disappointment that flashed on her face?
He stood abruptly. Get a grip. “Tell you what. Let’s get that beer, and I’ll give you a hand in the kitchen. ”
Bear shot him a look that Billy caught from the corner of his eyes. It’d probably never occur to her father to lend a hand with the dinner prep.
They went into the kitchen, and she handed him a bottle of Bud from the fridge. “Sounds like a good trade. ”
“Give me a job,” he told her, cracking it open. Because if he stood there staring at her, he might be tempted to find out just how soft the sweater—and what lay under it—really felt.
She looked around, deciding. “We’ll ease you in slow, how about? Want to set the table?”
“Table setting? Child’s play. ” He pulled out the cutlery and plates. “What does a man have to do to get respect around here? You’d have thought I prove
d my worth helping strain that sauce of yours. And I didn’t even get to taste it. ”
“You’ll have to settle for my salmon. It’s better for you anyway. ”
He breathed in deeply. “Wow, that’s like no salmon I ever smelled. ”
“It’s with bamboo shoots and green curry. ”
“I love green curry,” he said, genuinely impressed. He went into the attached dining room to set the table, and she joined him, taking the napkins from his hand to spread them around the table. He caught her eye from across the table. “One question, though. Is Bear going to go for that?”
She laughed. “He’ll go for it, or go hungry. ”
“A rebel, huh?”
“I’m making up for my teen years. ”
They ended up side by side at the head of the table. He said, “Well, I’m just happy I’m the one who gets to benefit. ”
She opened her mouth, looking like she wanted to say something, but didn’t quite know how to phrase it. He waited patiently, curious to see what this woman might say.
“Did your wife like to cook?” Her question surprised him, and she quickly added, “I hope you don’t mind me asking. ”
“I don’t mind at all. ” Oddly, it was always a relief when people asked him about Keri. So many folks tiptoed around the issue, but what they didn’t know was that Billy longed to talk about her. He missed her terribly, and it was the sort of grief that made him feel set apart from everyone else. But talking about her always brought him one step closer, back among the living.
He leaned against the dining table. “My wife—Keri was her name—she wasn’t much for cooking. She was a lawyer. That’s how we met, in court. Anyway, between her long hours in the DA’s office and me being on the force, we spent more time at our local sushi bar than we did at the corner market. Then, when she did cook, it was always some fancy salad. They were good…she’d use crazy ingredients, like goat cheese, or blood oranges, but truth be told, they always left me hungry. ”
He laughed at the memory, and it was good to be able to remember it, and talk about it, and actually have a smile about it.
Sorrow held his gaze with a warm, open look. She didn’t say anything, didn’t scramble to come up with any of the standard-issue condolences, and he was glad of it.
Talking about his wife like that, it was impossible not to note the differences between the two women. They were physical opposites—Keri’s chin-length black hair and bangs were such a contrast to Sorrow’s feminine dishevelment. This woman seemed like she’d be most at home in a long, flowing skirt and flip-flops, while his wife had been all about power suits and heels.
He’d adored his wife, and man, she’d been something to see. Especially in the courtroom. A snapshot memory came to him—polished nails, quick retorts, strong stride, and confident delivery. It stabbed him. What a loss, what a waste.
He realized he’d been staring at Sorrow. She had such kindness in her eyes. Soft where Keri had been hard. The sort of woman who might twine her fingers through his hair, pull him to her, and make him forget his troubles.
A barking dog broke the moment. It was a relief. He’d put women out of his mind. Best to keep them out.
“I didn’t know you had a dog,” he said.
She tensed, looking in the direction of the den. “No. We don’t. ”
It was an odd reaction. “Not a fan?”