“This is why I never had children,” Ursula grumbled. “First you throw up, then they throw up. It’s too many fluids for me.”

Dena laughed. “There’s more to having a baby than fluids.”

“Yeah, you can’t drink and you get hemorrhoids. I remind my friends of that when they try to convince me God’s a woman. There’s no way God’s a woman.”

Dena quickly rinsed out the sink, then reached for the disinfecting cleanser. Ursula swooped in and grabbed it from her.

“You can’t use that. What if you breathed in the fumes and gave birth to an ostrich? No way, missy. Wash your hands and take the food out to the dining room. I’ll clean the sink.”

“You’re very sweet to me.”

Her chef glared at her. “I’m not. Never say that. What are you thinking? I’m crabby and difficult. Now, wash your hands and get out of here.”

Dena did as she was told. Once her hands were clean, she pulled two serving platters from the cupboard and set them on the counter. She removed large baking sheets from the two ovens, inhaling the scent of melting cheese, potato and bacon. Her stomach growled.

She moved the loaded potato skins to the platter and carried them into the dining room, where several guests were already gathering, most of them with wineglasses in their hands.

“Hello,” she said cheerfully, surprised to see Micah among the crowd. “You’re going to love these, I promise. Ursula has worked her usual magic. If anyone needs me to change a dinner reservation to later, just let me know.”

“Because we’re going to get full?” Mr. Bingly asked with a laugh.

“You’re going to be very tempted,” she said as she put down two platters. “Be sure to try all the sauces. Each one is delicious.”

She pushed the stack of plates closer to the food, moving a snow globe with silver glitter and a cardinal to the side to make room, then stepped back.

“Enjoy, everyone.”

Her guests all lined up to try the potato skins. Only Micah hung back, walking toward her rather than the food.

He looked amazing, she thought, ignoring the hitch in her breathing. Not just his face, but how he held himself, and when he smiled, she wasn’t sure if she was going to melt from the inside out or go up in flames. Not exactly appealing visuals, but genuine nonetheless.

“Hi,” he said, stopping in front of her. “How are you feeling?”

“I threw up in the prep sink,” she admitted with a sigh. “Ursula was totally grossed out.”

“Ursula needs to give you a break.” He held out a small box. “I ordered these for you. I’m not sure if they’re going to work, but you can try them.”

She looked down at the small brown box. “You bought me a gift?”