Page 104 of Julian

“You were right that you can cook,” he said. “This is delicious.”

“This is something I’ve made a lot of,” she said. “Beef stew was a favorite throughout the fall and winter months for Jim. I wouldn’t have thought I’d enjoy making it if I didn’t have to, but it seemed perfect for today.”

“Well, let me be sure to tell you how much I appreciate you making this. It’s wonderful.”

“I’ve been cooking more now that I have my own kitchen, even though it was designed by Angie.”

“Duncan wants us all to eat at the house tomorrow for dinner,” Julian said. “Do you feel up for that?”

“Sure. I think I have something that fits and will be appropriate for dinner.”

“It would be nice if Duncan would relax his standards for dressing when it’s just us family.”

“I’m just glad he doesn’t expect us to wear clothes like we had on the night of the fundraising gala.”

“I don’t think I’d join them for dinner if that was the case,” Julian said as he dipped a chunk of bread in his stew.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Julian remembered something he needed to tell her. “Elijah is arriving tomorrow to stay for a bit.”

“Oh, that will be nice.”

For a moment, Julian wondered what Kiara thought about Elijah. They’d never really talked about him, but she’d hung around him when he’d been there previously. Was Elijah the type of guy she would have gone for, had an evening of alcohol not led to some questionable decisions?

Julian frowned. The thought had come out of left field, but he realized he really didn’t like that idea.

“Is he flying in?” she asked.

“No, he’s driving from Texas.”

“Is he staying here in the house? We didn’t really plan a space for visitors, but the rec room in the basement has a pull-out couch, and there’s a bathroom down there as well.”

Julian considered it, then said, “I think it will work better if he’s at the main house. Especially since it’s not that far away.”

As he ladled another helping of the stew into his bowl, he asked, “What have you been up to this week? I’m sorry my emails kind of fell off. Duncan was trying to make the most of our time in Dubai.”

“Well, I’ve spent quite a bit of time practicing driving a UTV. Jude decided it was time I learned. He’s having one delivered that is modified to accommodate an infant seat.”

“How did your driving go?”

“I think I did pretty well.”

“Maybe we’ll have to go for a drive,” he suggested, surprised that it actually sounded appealing.

They talked a bit more about driving around the estate as they finished their meal.

“Do you want some dessert?” Kiara asked.

“I don’t want you to go to any trouble,” he replied.

“It’s no trouble. Just cookies and brownies that I baked with Angie yesterday.”

“Sounds good. Do you want to have it in front of the fireplace?” Jude asked. “I can start a fire.”

“Oh, I’d like that. Thanks to Jim, I know how to start one, but it’s not my favorite thing to do.”

Julian went into the living room while Kiara cleared off the table. By the time she joined him, he had a good fire going, and warmth spilled out into the living room.

Julian stood staring down into the flickering flames. He welcomed the warmth and the coziness and acknowledged just how much he needed it after the hecticness of the past two weeks.