One More Taste (One and Only Texas #2)(38)
“He and Wendell are going to play golf together next week,” Haylie said.
“Ah,” Carina said. “Lucky you,” she added to Knox, without even a hint of the derision toward Wendell that Emily knew Carina was feeling, as she always did when his name came up.
After the requisite hugs, kisses, and handshakes all around, Decker caught Knox’s attention. “Rumor is you want to learn to fish.”
Knox gave Emily a pointed look. “That was fast.”
What did he expect? “The clock’s ticking. No time to waste, since you only gave me a month.”
“Yeah, a month as my personal chef, not my activities coordinator.”
He’d said it with light eyes, but still she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d overstepped her bounds with that one. Too late now. “I can’t cook Phantom for you if you don’t catch him.”
“Phantom?” Carina asked. “Is that a kind of fish?”
“It’s complicated,” Knox and Emily said in unison.
Right on cue, Carina’s knowing smile made an appearance as she glanced between Knox and Emily. “So I’m gathering.”
“Of course, Decker’ll teach you to fish, Knox,” Granny June said with a wave. “That’s what family’s for. And speaking of activities we can all do together as a family, Haylie, you took Knox to see the amphitheater, but did you tell him about movie night?”
Judging by Haylie’s sheepish grin, she had not. “I forgot. On the first and last Wednesday of every month, we hold a movie night for the guests in the amphitheater.”
Granny June looped her arm around Knox’s. “We’re showing Miracle on 34th Street at the end of this month.”
“Isn’t it a little early for Christmas movies?” Knox asked.
Granny June waved away the critique. “Not at Briscoe Ranch. We kick off the holiday cheer in October and keep it going for three months. The more I think about movie night, the more I must insist you join us for it. It’s the best way for you to see what we’re all about here at Briscoe Ranch, and the guests love it when members of the Briscoe family put in an appearance. We’re like celebrities around here. It’s so fun! Sometimes, families from Dulcet come to watch the movies or participate in our activities along with the guests. It’s great community outreach and it makes our guests happy, so it’s a win for everyone.”
Decker tipped his hat at Granny June. “Great idea. If Carina hasn’t popped, then we’ll try our best to make it.”
“Me and Wendell, too. I mean, if he doesn’t have to work,” Haylie said.
Knox demurred. “You know, it sounds great, but uh … Emily had had a point earlier. I only gave her four weeks for this personal chef challenge, so it wouldn’t be fair for me to deprive her of any opportunities.”
“Agreed. Thank you,” Emily said. Movie Night was nice and all, unless a person happened to be an introvert with a strong aversion to crowds and who was presently in the midst of a time-consuming culinary challenge.
“Oh, pish. You young people and your excuses. Ain’t nobody knows how to have a good time anymore. Going to bed early, staying in to watch television. It’s a shame. We’re raising a generation of fuddy-duddies. Emily can just as easily pack your dinner up in a picnic basket. You can eat it during the movie. Lots of folks do that, too. In fact, our family restaurant, Texas Table, offers a family style to-go meal for those attending the movie. Right, Emily? You can pack up his dinner. Maybe you can join us, too. It’s been too long.”
“I’m very busy,” Emily said meekly. Going against Granny June was definitely not a strong suit of hers.
Granny June whipped out her smartphone and started typing.
Carina cast a worried look at Granny June. “What are you doing, Granny?”
Granny June ducked her head and typed even faster. “There. It’s on our Facebook page now. ‘Next Sunday in the Turtle Doves Amphitheater at the showing of Miracle on 34th Street, meet our award-winning chef Emily Ford and the rest of the Briscoe family, including the newest executive on our team, Knox Briscoe.’”
Knox tried valiantly to hide a wince.
Granny June’s face shone with delight. “Oh, look at that. We’re already getting likes and comments on the post. You can’t disappoint our guests, Knox. You either, Emily. You’re both on the hook now. Together.”
Emily was impressed how Knox managed to turn his wince into a smile. She, on the other hand, was still recovering from the shock that she’d been unwittingly roped into yet another of Granny June’s matchmaking schemes. Like moths to a flame. “Subterfuge,” Emily muttered under her breath. “Unbelievable.”
Before Emily could recover her wits, Granny June pulled her close, with one arm around her and the other around Knox. “By golly, it’s a date.”
Chapter Eight
“I’m not self-sabotaging. I’m not self-sabotaging. I’m not…”
Emily had chanted that mantra during most of the hundred-plus mile drive to the small town of Hutchins, Texas, on this brisk, but sunny Sunday morning. If only chanting something made it true. But all Emily could hear was Carina’s voice in her head, reminding her that this was the most important month of her life, so she’d better not screw it up by making dumb-ass choices. Not exactly Carina’s words, but close enough.