“Well, that’s a relief,” Addy said, “but for today, let’s get Sunday dinner on the table before those men start whining about starving to death.”

Mia opened the oven and took out the sweet potato casserole. “Did I tell you that Beau likes to cook, and he fixes supper almost every night for his grandpa? Vernon never learned how to cook and was kind of lost after Beau’s granny died.”

“Sounds like Sonny.” Pearl carried a platter of sliced bread to the dining room table. “It’s a good thing he’s got you girls and his sons to look after him if I die before he does. I insisted that my boys learn how to cook, clean house, and do laundry. Good thing I did since they’re slow about getting married.”

“Thank you for doing that,” Addy said. “I’m going to teach Sam and Taylor to do all that too. I’m sure my sisters-in-law would love it if my brothers could cook. I don’t think either of them knows how to even start a washing machine.”

Stevie thought about the two serious relationships she had had in the past. One of those men had been a chef at a fancy restaurant, and he hadn’t wanted her to even enter the kitchen in his apartment. The other, a fellow veterinarian, couldn’t boil water without burning it. In both cases, it hadn’t been a question of whether he could cook or not that caused the breakup. But if she ever had sons, she agreed with Pearl and Addy. Guys needed to be able to do normal, everyday things for themselves.

Just like Cody does, she thought.

As if on cue, Cody appeared in the doorway and asked, “Can I do anything to help y’all?”

“You can tell all those guys to get their hands washed and come to dinner,” Pearl said, “and help your father, only don’t let him know you’re helping.”

“Will do,” Cody said with a nod.

Beau was the first one to come into the kitchen. “Where am I supposed to sit? It’s been a long time since I sat down to a meal with more than two people at the table.”

“You can sit by me.” Mia took his hand and led him to the back side of the dining room table. “We should have invited Vernon.”

“He’s having dinner down at the diner with his buddies like he does every Sunday after church,” Beau said. “Sometimes, I go with him. I’ve learned a lot from those wise old guys.”

“Like what?” Jessie brought in the babies and helped Addy get them strapped into their high chairs.