Page 15 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire
Mindy climbed into the back.
Willow was again in the passenger’s seat.
When they walked into the house, she smelled a wonderful aroma. “This is heavenly. I would bet Claudia made lasagna or spaghetti with garlic bread. Smell it, Mindy?”
“Yes, and it makes me hungry.” She started toward the kitchen.
“Wash your hands, young lady.”
Mindy looked down at her hands. “But they aren’t dirty.”
“You were petting the horses. Your hands are dirty, even if you don’t see it. Now don’t argue. Go wash your hands.” She turned to Travis. “Where is the downstairs bathroom?”
“Across from the office.”
“Thank you.” She looked at Mindy. “Come with me, young lady. We both need to wash up before we eat.” She walked to the office, admiring the art on the walls of the hallway, and then into the bathroom across the hall where she and Mindy both washed before returning to the kitchen.
Travis was trying to dry his right hand but with only the fingers of the left hand showing, he was having some trouble holding the towel.
Willow went over and immediately took over the task. “You do pretty well, for only having one hand.”
Mindy was admiring the artwork up and down the hall.
“I try.” He grinned. “But I’d much rather have a beautiful woman dry my hand for me.”
“Travis—” She tried to keep it professional.
“Shh. Take a compliment when it’s given. You’re a beautiful woman, and you should accept and know it.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
His lips turned up on one side. “There’s nothing kind about stating the truth.”
She knew she was beet-red because her face was flaming hot. She’d never been able to control her emotions or her reactions.
They entered the dining room.
Claudia was setting a large pan of lasagna on the table. “Come on, everyone,” Let’s eat while it’s hot. Then we have snickerdoodle cookies made with help from the little firefly.” She looked over at Mindy and winked.
The huge, round oak table was an excellent choice. Willow sat next to Travis, and Mindy sat between her and Claudia. The table could easily seat twelve adults and probably fourteen or sixteen, if pressed.
Claudia’s meal was superb. The lasagna was beefy and cheesy, and the bread was garlicky. They were all too busy eating to have much in the way of conversation, but that seemed okay with everyone.
Travis leaned back and patted his stomach. “Splendid dinner, Claudia, as always.”
She smiled and waved away the compliment. “I swear, sometimes I think I could feed you raw prairie dog and you’d be happy.”
He laughed. “I agree. I’ve often been so hungry after a long, hard day that I probably would have been.”
“Well, thank you for the compliment. I like cooking for you because you appreciate it, and I like that.”
Willow glanced at Mindy’s empty plate. That’s never happened before, even when I got Luigi’s lasagna, which, until tonight, I thought was the best. “I have to agree with Travis. That’s the best I’ve ever had, and I thought our local restaurant couldn’t be beat. I was mistaken.”
“Yeah, Mom. This beats Luigi’s all to he?—”
Willow lowered her chin and said softly, “No cursing, young firefly.” She’d taken to using Travis’s nickname for Mindy, since she enjoyed it so much. And what did one little name matter in the scheme of things?
After dinner they streamed the live version of Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson for Mindy since Travis didn’t have any age appropriate DVDs. Travis sat in one chair with his foot propped on the coffee table. Claudia in the other chair while Mindy and Willow sat on the sofa. I love this movie, but I’m having a hard time concentrating because Travis is so close. I can smell his aftershave. The scene where Belle bandages the Beast’s injuries reminds me of caring for Travis’s back earlier today. I’ve got to stop this. I’ve been around handsome men before. Why does he seem so different?
