Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,34
stood in the archway above the small kitchen and smiled. She lowered her voice. “Technically, a she.”
“Oh,” her mother said and grabbed a dish towel to dry her hands as if the new development changed everything. It made sense. Ryan didn’t bring women home. Ever. Her mom stood straighter and beamed as Gabriella joined Ryan in the archway.
“Hi, there. I’m Gabriella. I’m crashing.”
“Well, look at this! I just assumed you had Billy with you.” She beamed at Ryan like she’d brought home an A on her spelling test. “This is such a nice surprise. I’m Joanna Jacks. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Come in.”
Gabriella didn’t hesitate and headed straight for her mother. “It’s so wonderful to meet you.” She didn’t go in for a handshake or rest on her heels or her warm hello. Nope. Gabriella pulled her mother into a full-on hug, which was happily returned. Ryan rolled her lips in to cover the smile.
“Aren’t you the sweetest?” her mom said. She passed Ryan a happy smile and looked like she was already bubbling with questions. Ryan shrugged back.
Finally, Gabriella released her and grinned. “I just happen to come from a family of huggers. Can’t seem to leave it behind. We’re a tactile people.”
“You’re stunning,” her mom said, and then laughed. “Is that okay to say? I never know these days with how PC everything has gotten. So much is off-limits.”
“Thank you,” Gabriella said. “Totally okay.”
“And you work with Ryan?” her mom asked, looking from Ryan to Gabriella.
“Not exactly,” Gabriella answered. Ryan liked the rose lip gloss she wore today. It drew attention to her lips, which happened to be perfectly shaped. Not the kind of thing she should be focused on right now, however. But how would they taste? “I’m a client.”
Ryan abandoned the daydream and jumped in. “We’re remodeling one of the buildings out at Tangle Valley. It’s soon to be a restaurant, and Gabriella’s the head chef.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about you,” her mom enthused, eyes bright. “You have that famous food truck out there right now. Helene! The third-grade teachers at my school love it.”
“You mean Jolene, but yes. I don’t know how famous we are, but it’s good to hear folks are talking about us.”
Her mom was off and speaking a mile a minute now. Ryan couldn’t say she was surprised they were hitting it off so quickly.
“Everyone is. I’ve been meaning to visit one Saturday.”
“Well, you have to,” Gabriella enthused.
“Now that I know the chef, I’m inspired. My friends said that line is long if you don’t get there early.”
“It can be, but I move pretty fast.”
“I like her, Ryan. Thank you for bringing her to me.”
“In that case, how do you feel about us staying for dinner?” Ryan asked, knowing the answer well in advance. Her mother was proud of her creole recipe and would be thrilled to show it off.
“I say grab a bowl. Oh! And I have some fresh bread cooling on the rack.” She clapped. “This is such a nice surprise. We could open some wine.”
Ryan held up the bottle. “From Loretta. She misses you.”
“Oh, bless her. We need to do a cards night, us girls. I’ve been in the mood for one.”
Her mom dished out three bowls of shrimp creole and sliced the bread. The warm butter she placed on the table had Ryan’s mouth watering. The kitchen smelled like heaven in Oregon. The only thing better was how happy Gabriella seemed and how easily she fit in to their evening. Startling, actually.
“This is so good,” Gabriella whispered to Ryan, as her mother carried over last-minute additions like salt and pepper and extra napkins. “Thank you for bringing me.”
“You’re welcome,” Ryan mouthed back with a wink, hoping two seconds later that it didn’t come off as obnoxious.
They dug in. Her mom and Gabriella chatted about anything and everything: the food, the simmer time, the stock her mother had used, favorite brands of spices, and Gabriella was even kind enough to answer a few cooking questions and directed her mom to the best website for fantastic pots and pans.
“How long have you lived in Whisper Wall now?” her mother asked. “And why hasn’t my daughter brought you by sooner?”
Gabriella looked at Ryan and smiled. “A little under a year. As for Ryan, probably because I can be feisty and annoying when she’s trying to work. There was a column dispute. And a cabinet one just earlier. A softball trouncing, too.” Gabriella winced. “She’s probably not quite recovered from that one.”