Lavished with Lavender - Valerie Comer Page 0,26

who’d sublet the apartment, but that had been at the end of August when rent was due. Nothing had been personal.

“What are some of your hobbies?” he asked.

Kenna blinked. “I don’t really have any.” Unless she counted shopping. Or dusting.

“I love to read. I’ll read just about anything. True crime, fantasy, old westerns. When I was a kid, I nearly always had a book in my hands. Now it’s mostly ebooks. They take up less room.”

No way was she admitting to reading romance novels. He’d laugh at her for sure. Besides, it took so long to get through one that reading didn’t really count as a hobby.

Thankfully, they turned the corner by Marietta’s house just then.

Tony opened the back gate. “I’m going to go put my Bible away and change into shorts and a T-shirt. Meet me in the garden in a few minutes?”

She looked down at her best dress. Probably a good idea for her to change, too. She’d hate to admit it, but her feet hurt just a little. It had been a few weeks since she’d worn heels all day, every day. “Okay.”

Inside her room, she quickly changed into a pair of leggings and a long top before sliding her feet into casual shoes. She’d bought a pair of slip-ons. An ad claimed they were like walking on marshmallows, and the words had not just been marketing hype.

Kenna glanced at herself in the big mirror and patted her hair. She’d sprayed so much product before church that it hadn’t moved a speck, but her eyes looked a little brighter than usual. Was that from the thought of having a friend? Would it become complicated because he was a guy? Because she wasn’t looking for a husband or even a boyfriend. If she were, it wouldn’t be a man like Tony.

She angled her head and raised her eyebrows at herself. And why not? What was wrong with him? Nothing, really. He was a Santoro, but he couldn’t help that. Couldn’t help Maurice hated the whole clan, but Kenna had given up caring about Maurice’s opinion a long time ago. So she was going to head out there and find out what it would be like having a man for a friend. A man who could cook and wanted her help in the kitchen. Maybe she could pick up a tip or two. Heaven knew she could barely keep from burning water most days.

True to his word, he was already out in the garden when she slipped through the French doors. He looked up, grinning, as he set down a pair of large baskets. “How does eggplant parmigiana sound?”

Exotic.

Also, he had a cute smile.

Also, she didn’t care. She wouldn’t bother noticing his looks again. “I don’t think I’ve ever had it.”

His smile widened until his dimple appeared. “Time to remedy that. Here, grab this basket and pick the ripest tomatoes you can find in that bed over there. Some of the varieties aren’t red, so you’ll have to feel them for softness if you’re not sure. Those vibrant yellow ones are ready, and behind that are a few Black Zebra plants. Let’s aim for about half red and the other half a mix of colors.”

Kenna was already in over her head, but she’d give it a whirl. “What’s that you’re picking?”

“The eggplants and herbs. A few onions. Jasmine and Peter will likely clear out this garden soon. I’m guessing we’re due for frost. It’s the middle of September, so it can’t be much longer.”

Kenna pressed a tomato lightly. It seemed to have some give, so hopefully it was ripe. “I don’t know when we get frost.”

“Yeah, me neither, especially down here close to the river. I’m sure it’s a longer growing season here than where I lived in southern Idaho, but I could be wrong.”

She picked another tomato, then another. “Where in southern Idaho?”

“Arcadia Valley. I cooked in my uncle’s Italian restaurant in Twin Falls for the past few years.”

“I thought all your uncles lived here.” Except Winnie’s husband was dead. Way to put your foot in your mouth, Kenna.

“My dad’s family is here. Uncle Leo is my mom’s brother.”

“Did you always want to be a chef?”

Tony chuckled. “I always loved to eat. I worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant in Galena Landing when I was in high school. The head chef was a woman who took me under her wing.” He rocked back on his heels, his gaze distant. “I got myself fired for impertinence, and Claire