Page 17 of Stuff My Turkey
Working together, we fell into that unexpected rhythm again. I boiled pasta while Heath arranged buns. He handed me spices before I even asked for them. I set the table while he plated the grilled meat. Every time he reached past me for a spice, the brush of his arm against mine sent heat coursing through places that had no business feeling hot in a kitchen.
Our fingers brushed as I passed him the platter, and neither of us hurried to break the contact. I found myself anticipating when he'd need the barbecue sauce, placing it within reach just as he turned to look for it.
By the time we sat down to eat, we had a spread that looked almost professional—burgers and hot dogs for Heath (none for me), homemade mac and cheese, baked beans, and a fresh salad.
"This looks great," Heath said, genuinely impressed as we sat down. "Didn't peg you as the cooking type."
"I'm full of surprises," I replied, though the truth was I could barely boil water without supervision. This meal represented the absolute zenith of my culinary abilities. "Though fair warning—the mac and cheese is the only thing I can make without setting off smoke detectors."
Heath's mouth quirked up at the corner. "Good to know."
As we settled at the table, I waited for Heath to begin eating. Instead, he bowed his head slightly. Right. Grace again.
This time, Earl wasn't here to prompt him, but Heath said a brief thanks anyway, ending with "Amen."
I couldn't help myself. "And thank you to the wheat plants for the hot buns we're about to enjoy."
Heath's eyes shot up to meet mine, widening in surprise before crinkling at the corners. His shoulders started to shake with suppressed laughter.
"You're terrible," he managed, voice strangled as he tried to maintain composure.
"I know," I said, biting my lip to keep from giggling. "It's a compulsion. I see an opening for inappropriate humor, and I can't stop myself."
A snort escaped him, and suddenly we were both laughing—truly laughing—the tension of the day dissolving like sugar in hot coffee. Heath's laugh was rich and deep, his entire face transformed by it. I found myself staring, caught off guard by how handsome he was when he let his guard down.
"What?" he asked, catching me looking.
"Nothing," I said quickly. "This isn't so bad, right? Playing house?"
His expression softened. "No," he agreed. "Not so bad at all."
We ate in comfortable silence for a while, the clink of silverware and the distant sound of cattle the only backdrop. It was nothing like my usual Monday nights in Austin, where I'd be elbow-deep in case files with takeout containers littering my coffee table.
"You know," I said thoughtfully, "I think I misjudged you, Heath McGraw."
"How so?"
I shrugged. "When I met you before, at Knox's events, you seemed so... serious. Unapproachable. But you're actually kind of decent company."
"Kind of decent?" He raised an eyebrow. "High praise from a woman who tried to steal my turkeys."
"Liberate," I corrected with a smile. "And you're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
"Not a chance, Counselor."
We cleared the dishes together, and I felt a strange anticipation as bedtime approached. The prospect of another night sleeping in the same room with Heath made my skin prickle with awareness.
In the bedroom, I changed quickly in the bathroom, emerging in flannel sleep shorts and a matching lightweight t-shirt. Heath remained fully dressed, sitting on the edge of the mattress. A pang shot through my heart at the thought of him spending another night on the floor.
"You can have the bathroom now. And the other half of the bed when you’re ready,” I said quietly, gesturing to the side I hadn’t slept on. “I certainly don’t take up the whole thing, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a decent night’s sleep. I can just build a pillow fort down the middle if you like. Just so it’s a little less awkward,” I hastily concluded.
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that,” he nodded, gathering his things. At the bathroom door, he paused. "Honey?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for today. For playing along, dealing with Buck, all of it."
His sincerity caught me off guard. "You're welcome."
