Harvest Moon (Virgin River #15)(47)

“How do you know that?”

“He said she invited us to dinner and would I please go easy on her.”

“And he said that because?”

“Because when I met her at her Halloween party a while ago, I didn’t go real easy on her. But she didn’t go real easy on me, either. When I asked her what her muffins tasted like, she asked what I like and I told her pork chops, potatoes and gravy and she said then I’d like the muffins. Trying to trick a kid—cheap shot.”

He laughed again. “Is it possible you’ve met your match? She might be almost as smart as you are.”

“Well…”

“Can you go easy on her? Give her a chance? Find out if you actually like her before you put a curse on her?”

“What do I care?” she said with an insolent grimace.

“Just put yourself in his position. It should be easy for you—think of yourself and how much it’s meant to you to have Amber as a friend, to have better grades, to have a new look that gets the attention of the most handsome guy at the stable. All that feels good, right? So if someone wanted to make enough trouble for you so you couldn’t have those things, that would be very disappointing, right?”

“I don’t get what you’re saying,” she said, because it was true.

“I’m saying that your dad—”

“Lief,” she corrected.

“I’m saying that Lief has been very lonely since his wife died and it would be a good thing for him to have friends. To have an adult relationship. Just as it’s good for you to have teenage relationships—boys and girls. It balances things out for the family.”

She leaned toward him. “I don’t have relationships with boys!”

“Maybe not yet,” Jerry said. “But you wouldn’t find it sporting if Lief did something to humiliate you in front of Gabe, the handsome one.”

She thought about that for a moment.

“I’m just saying, don’t make it impossible for Lief to have a friend,” Jerry said. “He’s earned it. It doesn’t make you any less important to him.”

She thought some more. Then she said, “And if he decides he loves her or something?”

Jerry shrugged. “So?” he asked.

“I don’t want a new mother! I’ll never have another mother!”

“Good terms,” Jerry said, tripping her up yet again by agreeing with her. “Make those your terms. You’ll be receptive and accessible and friendly—but you draw the line at having a new mother. If this woman who is having you to dinner wants to take the place of your mother, you are within your rights to tell her no, thank you. You are definitely within your rights to say you’re only interested in having friends. How does that sound?”

She grimaced. Actually, it sounded very practical.

“Chances are she doesn’t want to be your mother, but rather just be on good terms with you. Kind of like Amber wants to be on good terms with your dad so you two can enjoy your friendship. It’s not very complicated.”

After a long, thoughtful moment, Courtney said, “I think I’m being brainwashed here. I should call someone, like the police. Get deprogrammed.”

He laughed at her. “So tell me about the puppy. Spike. Do you get to bring him home pretty soon?”

Kelly knew how to slip most of the bones out of a raw Cornish game hen. It had to be done the day before roasting or baking, then refrigerated, then stuffed, then baked. She pulled out the spine and ribs, but left the leg and wing bones so there was something to hold the bird together and give it shape.

She had an amazing rosemary dressing for the little birds. Because Picky Courtney was coming to dinner, she was keeping it simple—buttered peas and baby glazed carrots rather than anything as “exotic” as brussels sprouts. She’d serve appetizers, hard rolls, chopped salad and, for dessert, chocolate pie. And if the little twerp was difficult, she’d offer her a hot dog!

“I think your talents are wasted on sweet relish and chutney,” Jillian said, observing the boneless hens being stuffed.

“It takes a good chef to do all these things. Sauces aren’t easy, canned goods are dicey, if the flavor is going to be right. Besides, as sous chef, I was more of a supervisor than anything else. Creating a special dinner for five—it’s a treat.” Then she looked at Jill and said, “Help me with Courtney. Please. Especially if she likes you.”

“Are you worried about it?”

“I’m worried about Lief being miserable. He gives her so much and I suspect he asks for very little in return.”

“Don’t worry, Kell. I have a secret weapon.”

“Oh?”

“Colin Riordan, king of the wild men!”

Kelly frowned. “Okay, I’m not sure what that means, but don’t hurt her.”

“Promise,” Jill said with a laugh.

Less than an hour later, when the sun was lowering in the sky, the table ready, Jill and Kelly on the porch with their glasses of wine, Lief pulled up. When he and Courtney got out of the truck, the sisters couldn’t keep their mouths from dropping open in shock and wonder. That little stinker was stunning! Her hair was smooth, dark auburn and swept her porcelain jaw in a sleek wedge. Her lips were pink! Her nails were not black! And though she was tiny, she did sinful justice to a pair of tight dress jeans, shiny boots and a denim jacket.