Regan debated whether starving to death would be better than eating the flavorless dish for the rest of her life. “Do you cook?”
“Other than oatmeal and bacon and eggs, no.”
She sighed audibly.
Across the table, he asked, “You said you’re a good cook, so I assume you think you can do better.”
She almost responded with, “Goats could do better,” but instead, replied, “I believe so. My aunt is one of the best cooks in the Arizona Territory. I’ve been in her kitchen since I was ten.”
Anna asked in a hopeful tone, “Can you make cake, Miss Regan?”
“Yes, I can. Would you like one?”
“Yes!”
“Putting it at the top of my baking list.”
“Thank you.”
Regan asked Colton, “Is the general store in town well-stocked?”
“Since I don’t know what you’ll need, you’ll have to see for yourself.”
“May I go into town with you tomorrow?”
He paused and studied her. Finally, he replied, “Sure.”
She wondered about the hesitation but didn’t ask. She still wondered why she’d awakened alone this morning, but didn’t ask that either. “Is there anything that gives you hives or you can’t abide eating?” she asked him.
He shook his head.
“What about you, Anna? Is there anything that makes you itch or you don’t like to eat?”
“Lima beans.”
“Do they make you itch?”
“No. Aunt Minnie eats them every day, so I have to, too, when I’m there.”
Regan said, “No lima beans then.”
“Good!” she whispered.
Regan was pleased that Anna seemed to be shedding a bit of her shell. A few days ago, she spent most of the time staring at her shoes when Regan spoke to her, but Regan knew she wouldn’t turn into a carefree happy child overnight, if ever.
Anna asked, “Do I have to go to school tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma’am,” her father said. “You missed yesterday and today.”
She looked over at Regan, who replied, “Your education is very important. I agree with your papa.”
Disappointment settled over her features but neither adult changed their stance.
At the end of the meal, Regan announced, “Anna and I will clean up.”
Anna’s puzzled face matched her voice. “But I don’t know how.”
“Quite all right. We’ll have your papa show us where everything goes and I’ll teach you.”