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She picked up a bowl with stuff sloshing around in it and I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was so patient with the kids. And always willing to teach. I wondered if she had always been like that. So willing to educate others.

“I see it,” Zoey said.

“Use your mind to split it into three pieces. That’s how much Hunter needs to pour in at one time before stopping. You tell him when to stop, okay?” Emma asked.

“I can try,” Zoey said.

“That’s all I’m asking,” Emma said with a smile.

She handed the stirring utensil to Benjamin and he went to work. Emma picked Hunter up in her arms and held him over the bowl while he poured in the ingredients, and Zoey had way too much fun telling her brother when to stop doing something. And she did pretty good. The first pour had way too much in it, but she got the hang of what was supposed to be happening. Hunter shook the bowl of wet ingredients until absolutely nothing was left, then set him back on the counter by his sister.

“Way to go,” Hunter said as he held out his hand for Zoey.

I watched her high-five her brother as a smile crossed my cheeks.

“What now?” Benjamin said.

“You want to pour the batter into the cake pan?” Emma asked.

“Yeah!”

The chicken and the vegetables came out, then Hunter helped Emma slide the cake in. The kids helped her whip up a quick cream cheese frosting for when the cake was done, and I plated all of our food. The kitchen was a complete disaster. It would take us at least an hour to clean the place down. But for dinner, I settled for the kids washing themselves up a bit before we all sat down.

“Miss Emma?”

“Yes, Zoey?”

“Thanks for coming over.”

“Of course,” Emma said. “Anytime.”

“This is really good,” Hunter said with a mouth full of chicken.

“Mhm,” Benjamin said as he ate his vegetables.

“Well, you guys all helped, so be proud,” I said. “Dinner is good because you guys made it.”

“Can we make more dinners like this?” Zoey asked.

“Yeah! And Miss Emma can bake cakes!” Hunter said.

“Only if you guys help,” Emma said with a wink.

“Can I stir the next one, too?” Benjamin asked.

“Of course you can. And if it’s all right with Ryan, I’ll even let you lick the spoon,” Emma said.

“Yes!” Benjamin exclaimed.

Dinner was fantastic. The kids talked Emma’s ear off about their days and she listened with great intent. Benjamin asked for help with his English homework and Emma was more than happy to help him with it. I cleaned up the majority of the kitchen while she helped all three of the kids with their homework for the night, then it was time for a bath.

Honestly, we all needed one.

Dirty clothes got tossed in the bins and we all tried to clean ourselves down a bit. Emma wiped herself off at the sink, then we switched off, so I could do the same. We ran three tubs of water for each kid, washing the flour and sugar and oil from their hands and hair. Emma and I were still a little coated in things, but it wasn’t as bad as it was before. We got the kids dried off and into pajamas, and by the time nine o’clock rolled around they were all in bed.

Emma even read them a bedtime story before the lights went out.

I stood at the couch with a glass of wine prepared for her when she slid out of the room. She looked at me with a far-off glance, and I could tell she was in her own little world. Exploring the depths of a mind that was slowly captivating me. Even with the flour still in Emma’s hand and the glistening of oil and butter still on her chest, she looked beautiful.


Tags: Nicole Elliot Romance