Page 23 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Anna

“They’re here.”

A car door slammed, punctuating Chase’s holler from the living room. I smoothed my hands over my skirt, double-checking that the biscuits in the oven hadn’t burned in the last ten seconds since I’d last checked on them.

Chase’s family was coming over today, carrying on the tradition of a monthly Sunday brunch.

He’d told me it used to be a weekly thing, but as everyone’s family grew, so did the chaotic schedules.

Now, once a month worked better for everyone.

The gatherings usually took place here at Silver Creek Farm, but last month, they moved it to Bristol’s house because her stepdaughter was sick.

It hardly felt like it had been a month since I’d stayed behind, wanting his family to have time to adjust to Chase and me being a couple again.

I hadn’t seen his sisters since then, but maybe the quiet was a good sign.

Chase had filled me in on who to expect—all the new husbands, children, and other family. The only one who wouldn’t be coming was Emalee’s mom, Raelyn—or Mama Rae as a bunch of us called her—who would stay back to manage The Dogtrot.

To say I was nervous was an understatement. I’d gone all in, probably too far, but I wanted everything to be perfect. It would be the first time I saw Chase’s twin, Cameron, much less the entire family in one setting.

The dining room sideboard was lined with homemade jellies leftover from Marta’s reign, alongside a basket waiting for the fresh biscuits.

A broccoli cheese quiche, a cheesy egg casserole, and plates of bacon and sausage sat beside them.

On the table, small bowls of fresh fruit waited to be passed around.

In case anyone wanted something more hearty, I had slices of ham, homemade potato salad, and country green beans. I even had homemade chicken nuggets that might appeal to the kids I’d yet to meet but desperately hoped would like me.

Chase walked into the dining room and stuttered to a stop as his eyes swept the room.

“Wow.”

“Is it okay?” I asked.

He barely had time to nod his head before the front door swung open.

“Uncle Chase, we’re here,” a young boy’s voice sing-songed through the foyer.

“What have I told you about yelling in the house, young man?” I heard an exasperated woman’s voice say. Emalee.

Of all of Chase’s family, she was the one I least dreaded seeing again.

I didn’t think she had a mean bone in her body.

She was always cool to Mason, but greeted me with smiles that never felt forced.

I was still grateful she’d offered to board Jack while I stayed a few nights at The Dogtrot.

But I hadn’t seen her since, and I didn’t know how she’d feel that I was here today.

A blur of energy rounded the corner and slid into the dining room.

“Whoa,” a young boy whispered as his big green eyes that matched his uncle’s took in the food. “Did you buy a restaurant, Uncle Chase?”

Chase laughed. “No. You’ll need to thank that lady over there. Her name is Anna, and she’s an amazing cook. As good as your own mama’s.”

His eyes widened. “No way.”

“You outdid yourself, Anna.” Emalee entered behind her son, holding an adorable toddler on her hip. “Iain is right. This looks like a professional buffet.” She smiled warmly. “If it tastes anything like it smells, you could put me right out of business for breakfast.”

I flushed, not used to such praise. “I think your job is safe. It’s nice to see you again.” I turned my attention to the little one in her arms. “And who’s this adorable girl? I don’t think she was with you the last time I was in town.”

It was probably because Mason never wanted to linger downtown any longer than it took to flash his money around.

And we certainly didn’t stay at Emalee’s bed-and-breakfast, no matter how much I wanted to.

Mason would have never considered sharing common space with strangers, no matter how nice the place was.

Emalee shifted her daughter’s weight, giving me a better view. “This is Olivia. Say hi to Anna, sweetheart.” She waved Olivia’s little arm, who just stared at me with big, solemn brown eyes.

“Hey, everyone,” a new voice chimed in.

Zach, Em’s husband, appeared with a diaper bag in one hand and a plastic cake carrier in the other. He was followed by the man I met in the woods, Trey. He nodded at me but lingered near the wall, clearly happy to be an observer rather than part of the crowd.

“Here’s the bag you wanted,” Zach said, handing it to his wife. Then he paused as he looked around the dining room. “Whoa,” he said, a near-perfect imitation of his son. “Are we expecting the entire town? This looks incredible. Not sure where to put this.” He held out the container.

“There’s plenty of space.” I reached for the dish, which he handed over carefully. I opened it to find an incredible truffle cake with thin, perfectly stacked layers topped by a glossy chocolate ganache. My mouth watered in anticipation of trying it.

“This looks amazing. Did you make this, Em?”

She nodded with a modest smile.

Zach turned back to me. “Hi, Anna. It’s nice to see you again. How are you? And how’s my buddy, Jack?”

“I’m fine, thank you. And Jack is doing great. He loves having all this space to run around. How’s the vet business going?”

“Never a dull moment.”

For the first time that morning, the conversation felt easy, like this was going to be okay after all.

“We’re here,” another voice called from the front entry.

Bristol and Reid walked in, a young girl between them who I hadn’t met but assumed was Reid’s daughter from his first marriage.

Like the rest, Reid’s eyes widened when he saw the spread and gave a low whistle. He looked at me with amused eyes. “I see you cooked up a storm again.”

Bristol came to an abrupt halt. “Again?” her voice echoed. “What does that mean?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” Chase said, his tone carefully neutral. “Anna lives here now. She’s taken over for Marta. She has been for a while.”

That stopped me cold. He hadn’t told his family? After all this time?

The easy feeling from moments earlier vanished, and my stomach twisted into even more knots.

Bristol eyed her brother. “Chase, seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.” He stared at her unflinchingly, his eyes flashing as if he dared her to say anything else.

Bristol lifted her chin but didn’t press further. Instead, she walked to the table and placed a closed pitcher of orange liquid in the middle. Her lips twitched, but not quite a smile.

“Well, this should be interesting,” she muttered. “Good thing I made the mimosas extra strong.”

But she didn’t take any, which meant maybe she didn’t feel the need. I did, however.

I poured myself a glass and then faced the room. “I’ll be right back,” I announced, trying to keep my voice even.

“Anna, wait,” Chase called.

I gave him a withering look, stopping him in his tracks. A commotion at the front door distracted him, and I took the opportunity to push past him.

Back in the kitchen, the scent of cinnamon and honey from my secret recipe, normally comforting, felt hollow. I yanked the biscuits from the oven with more force than necessary. Golden brown. Perfect.

Unlike the scenario Chase had put me in.

How could he not have told his family? How could he throw me to the wolves like this?

He knew how hard this day was for me. How vulnerable I felt facing his entire family, knowing they were hurt and angry with me .

Anger simmered inside me, tangled with the sharper sting of betrayal and disappointment.

Fine. If an employee was what he wanted, I could be that. Polite. Distant. I’d worn that mask before.

Chase came into the kitchen. “Anna,” he began, reaching out a hand.

“Sorry,” I said briskly, sidestepping him. “I need to get these biscuits out while they’re fresh. That’s my job, you know.”

He opened his mouth, but I ignored him and stepped into the dining room. Several pairs of eyes followed my movements. Some I knew, others I didn’t. I ignored them all.

As I slid the biscuits into the awaiting basket, a feminine voice sounded from the hallway.

“Chase, what is that soap in the bathroom? It’s incredible. I’d love to put it in the hotel?—”

Cameron stopped mid-word as she stepped into the dining room. Her eyes locked onto mine with the sharpness of a knife. Her hands flew to her hips as she glared at me. “I heard you were back in town,” she said bitingly.

I straightened my shoulders and tried to meet the bear in her den. “Hello, Cameron. It’s lovely to see you again.”

She wasn’t having it. Instead, she drew herself up like she was ready for a fight. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here like you never left.”

A man I didn’t know nudged her arm. “Cam, don’t start,” he muttered.

“Listen to your husband, Cameron,” Chase warned.

She ignored them both. “Oh, please, Chase. You want us to get along? Fine. Let’s just clear the air. Everyone’s wondered why she ran off so quickly with Mason.” Her eyes narrowed, the venom in the air palpable. “Were you already seeing him before you dumped my brother? ”

“Cameron,” Chase barked. “Enough.”

But she wasn’t finished. “Or was he just the shinier prize with a bigger house and flashier life? I mean, he sure swept you off your feet, didn’t he? Just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

I’d had enough. Of Cameron. Of this meal. Of this day.

“Don’t talk about things you know nothing about,” I answered, my voice tight with anger. “Don’t pretend this is about curiosity or clearing the air .” I used my fingers as air quotes. “You’re trying to humiliate me.”

I took a breath. My hands trembled, but I pushed through.

“I didn’t come back for seconds with Chase. And I didn’t come back to make anyone uncomfortable. But I also didn’t come back to be your target.” My voice lifted. “Especially not after I finally stopped being someone else’s.”

The room stilled.

Bristol’s face paled. Chase looked like someone had punched the air out of him. Even Cam seemed to deflate.

Chase grabbed his sister’s hand and pulled her from the room. The front door slammed shut, but we all heard the raised voices as the two of them went at it.

Fine. They could fight it out. I was done being the one who had to.