“Then come home and do it.” Her phone rang. She grabbed it, then raised a finger. “Just a sec,” she said, taking the call. “Hey, honey.”

Must’ve been Jeff. Andrew took the opportunity to text a friend in Paris to cover for him with Francois, telling him he was dealing with a family emergency that might take longer than he’d originally planned before he’d get back, and asking him to cover the staff, along with a reminder to stick to the menu.

He’d played it safe by asking for just the first week off, which hadn’t gone over all that well as it was. Hopefully, it would all pay off in the end.

“That was Jeff. He said hello, and thanks for coming home so he could do the Ag show without Dad.”

“He’s welcome,” Andrew said.

“And so are you.”

“Welcome? For what?” He plated their breakfast.

“I heard you and Kelly spent a little time together. How’d that go for you?”

“It was a little awkward, but it was good. She’s a great gal.”

“And?”

“And you’re nosy.” He slid the plate in front of her. “Eat up before it gets cold.”

“Fine.” She took a bite. “This is really good. I don’t know how you made something this tasty out of the fake food Mom has in this house. I never eat over here anymore.”

“It was a challenge. But I always did like one.” He stabbed a forkful of potatoes. “I guess the challenge today will be finding something to do while Dad’s at work and Mom’s playing bridge.”

“We should go horseback riding. The weather is perfect for it.” Dawn ate her breakfast. “I have a couple of errands to run this morning, but I could be back over here by lunchtime.”

“Are you just trying to get me to cook for you again?”

“Well, you’re the only chef I know. Can’t blame a girl for trying.”

“I’ll fix a lunch to take with us. Does noon mean noon or twelve-thirty?”

She laughed as she pushed away from the table and put her plate in the dishwasher. “It’ll be a surprise.”

It would be a surprise if she was on time. At least the fresh air might get his mind off Kelly.

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Kelly led Jennifer to her office, letting her sit down in the leather chair across from Kelly’s desk. “Is this really happening?” Kelly clung to the coveted red jacket.

Jennifer smiled broadly as she set her handbag on the desk and pulled out papers from her briefcase. “It certainly is.”