“This from the woman who packed up her Pacer and drove to New York City with no job or a place to stay.”

“I didn’t know any better. And I didn’t have anything to lose then.”

“You’re smarter now. And you’re young. Time is your best asset.” He took another bite of chicken and carefully wiped the shimmer of grease from his lips. “What kind of restaurant would you open?”

“I’ve cooked every version of Italian for over a decade, so that would be the easy choice. But it doesn’t speak to me anymore.”

“Make fried chicken,” he said. “I can think of a lot of folks who’d line up for this.”

“In this day and age? I thought everyone was into vegan and low fat.”

“Not if they’re honest with themselves. Besides, folks always reach for the sinful food on vacation.”

She chuckled. “Everything in moderation.”

“Something like that.” He took another bite. “This kind of cooking is your calling.”

Cooking today had been natural and easy, but there’d also been no pressure to fill one hundred dinner orders. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Dani was out of town today.” He pushed his plate of chicken bones slightly toward her.

“Oh.”

“And you were gone today.”

“Okay.” She could have lied about a shopping trip, but she wasn’t going to do that. “What’s your point?”

“Dani’s an adult. Her life is technically none of my business. But I’m her big brother, so I don’t care about technicalities.”

“You should be having this conversation with your sister.”

“I’ve tried. I know something is off with her, but she keeps brushing me off. She insists she’s fine.”

“Why do you think she’s not?”

“She’s not painted in the last few months. I’ve invited her out to dinner more times than I can count, and she always has a reason why she can’t make it. She’s also keeping the gallery closed through February this year. She’s never done that before.”

“I don’t know what to say.” She set her chicken down, wiped her fingers with a paper towel. “Keep talking to her. She’ll speak up when she’s ready.”

Gray eyes sharpened. “So there is something she has to tell me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You did.” He sighed and rolled his head from side to side. “Is she sick? Is it cancer? Mom died in her forties from breast cancer.”

“Don’t borrow trouble, Dalton. Talk to your sister.”

“I will.” A curse rumbled under the words. “Again.”

“Good.”

He was silent for a moment and then, “How are the puppies?”

“The biggest one’s eyes are starting to open. Bella is in love with the littlest girl and named her Star.”

“And Dani really said yes to a puppy?”

“She did.”

“That’s saying something.”