Cormac Read Online Free PDF Page A

used out of the sink
and into the rinse water. “Whatever you have around, that’ll be good. But I have
to tell you, the rest of them are coming over too.”
    “Rest?” He told her that she might have as
many as ten for a late lunch. “Okay. I can do that. There is some soup too. Not
much, but enough for a few bowls. And I found enough to make some sandwiches if
that’s okay.” He assured her that it would be wonderful.
    She made her way to the walk-in and thought
about what was in there. There were salad fixings, of course, and some vegetables,
but the size of those men led her to believe that they’d want something more
substantial. Like a steak or chop. Finding two dozen of the chops and some
potatoes, she figured whatever was left over Martha could serve for tomorrow’s
special. Andi had already figured she’d not be working here after today. No one
was going to believe that she’d had nothing to do with this mess.
    ~~~
    Mac was let into the restaurant by Ennis. The
two of them had been talking via their link about what had been going on here
for a couple of days while he’d been gone, and he’d told him to come by the Home
Cooking. Ennis said he was just on the verge of telling Storm that Martha had
to go when his family told him to have a seat, food was about ready. He was
glad now that she’d taken it out of their hands, apparently. Aedan sat beside
him and grinned.
    “You hungry?” Mac said that he could eat.
“Well shit. I was hoping you said that you’d already eaten and that whatever
those smells are that are coming from the kitchen would be ours. Are you sure?”
    “Yes, I’m sure.” He took a deep breath and
could smell the aromas. “Who did you get to come in and feed us? A four star
chef? Christ, that smells like heaven.”
    “Yeah, no kidding. Storm and Mom are helping
Andi put it all on platters, and when they have it all ready, we’re going to go
and bring it out when they tell us. The kitchen isn’t big enough for us all; and
besides, we were threatened.” He asked him about what. “Andi, the cook. She
said that if we got in her way again, she was going to call Martha back to
finish the dinner. I think that shocked her, saying something like that. She
doesn’t strike me as the sort of person that would say something bad about
someone else. I think we all rattled her.”
    He could see that. They were all grown men
and large. And with all seven of them there, including his dad, he thought
perhaps they were about the size of a tank. Then when you added in Billy, Mom,
and Storm, he could see where even the calmest person could have a time with
it.
    “Set the tables closer together so we can
eat.” Nodding at his dad, he and Aedan started shoving tables together in a
long line. Dad and Riordan were putting out silverware and Darcy was filling
glasses of tea. Liam and Ennis were putting out napkins and salt and pepper shakers,
pulling them from other tables. “Boy, I’m telling you, I’m sure looking forward
to this meal. Don’t know why, but I have a feeling it’s going to be about the
best we’ve all had in a bit. At least since Caroline passed on.”
    His parents’ old cook had died about three
months ago. Caroline had been a part of his childhood all the way up until he’d
left for college, baking and cooking for the household every meal and keeping
them well supplied with cookies and pies when they were away. Mom and Dad were
looking but had yet to find anyone to take her place. Mac thought it was
because they were still missing her.
    “Okay, we’re ready.” He looked at his mom
when she came out of the kitchen with two heavy platters. Taking one of them
from her, he kissed her cheek as she told him to go into the kitchen and get
the other ones. “Stormy is talking with that nice young girl. She thinks this
is her last day.”
    “Why?”
    His mom only shrugged and put her platter
down, following him to the kitchen after he set his on the table. He warned the
others