Crossroads. Yeah, it was a dick move for him to get involved with her and then leave only a couple months into their relationship, but at the time, he could only see his dreams on the horizon, and all he had to do was hop into his truck and drive toward them. Who knew that he’d be leaving behind so much more?
Paying Jada a visit was out of the question. He could only hope she was well and happy.
Chapter Two
“Where do you want this?” Cort and Kaoz backed into the kitchen carrying a stainless steel prep table between them.
“Oh! You picked it up for me! Thank you so much. Put it right here.” Jada pointed to the empty space between smokers, wall ovens and friers.
The two cowboys maneuvered through the room and set the table down. She stood back to eye her new purchase. “It’s bigger than I expected, but that’s okay. We need the surface space in here.”
“Good buy.” Her brother-in-law Cort tugged on the brim of his hat in that way all cowboys had of showing approval.
“I couldn’t have picked it up myself. I hope you’ll both let me buy you a beer at the very least.” She smiled from one cousin to the other.
“You’re on. And if you got any barbecue laying around here anywhere, we’d be happy to take that as payment for our services too.” Kaoz’s grin couldn’t get wider.
Jada stepped up to the oven and pulled open the door to reveal a fresh pan of brisket.
The men gave a collective oooh.
“It’s a recipe I’m trying out. I want to expand beyond the chicken and ribs Mortimer served before. I figured this is the time to experiment with the menu. You willing to be my taste-testers?”
They nodded in sync like cowboy bobble heads. She laughed and grabbed a couple oven mitts to remove the pan from the oven. When they crowded around, deeply sniffing the delicious scents of custom-blended spice rubs, she couldn’t help but beam at their enthusiasm.
“Usually you allow the meat to rest, but it looks like you two won’t be patient enough for that. Grab one of those knives there, Kaoz.”
He did, and she sliced off a bit of the brisket and then separated it into two chunks. Cort reached for his sample. “That’s hot!” she warned a split second before he ignored her and popped it into his mouth despite the temperature.
“You’re going to burn your mouth!” No sooner did she scold Cort than Kaoz popped a big chunk of meat into his mouth too. They chewed. She watched their faces.
Cort closed his eyes and groaned. “That’s goooood,” he drawled.
Kaoz reached for another bite. “It’s better than good, cuz.”
They quickly cleaned off the plate, and Jada served them up more.
“The juices… Dang, that’s a good brisket. Wait until I tell Joss you let me taste it first.” Cort’s eyes danced at the thought of upping his status in the family.
“You’d better take some to her or she’ll be waddling in to get some herself.” Jada reached for a takeout box and then placed a couple nice-sized samples inside and closed the lid. She held out the box to Cort. When he reached out to accept it, she yanked it back. “Promise me this will reach my sister.”
He sliced a look at Kaoz.
She caught Cort’s eyes again. “And that the box won’t be empty.”
“You drive a hard bargain, but I agree. Next time you need a table delivered, don’t hesitate. And make more o’ that.” He pointed to the pan on the table.
She took two more takeout containers and heaped both with the rest of the brisket, saving herself only a small portion for her own dinner. The men watched her like eager little boys waiting for hot fudge sundaes. When she handed them each their boxes, they leaned down for her kiss on the cheek.
“Best get back to the ranch. Thanks for the goodies, Jada,” Cort called on his way out. Kaoz threw her a grin and a wave, leaving her alone in the kitchen of her new restaurant.
She gave a happy sigh. Her family had been so supportive. As soon as they learned she was taking over Mortimer’s, Joss and the guys as well as their wives showed up with buckets of champagne—and some ginger ale for Joss. They’d christened the place, and Jada had the memory of her hangover to show for that special night when she signed the agreement with Mortimer.
She emptied the grease left in the pan