Page 50 of Miss Understanding

“The caterer just called to cancel. They said the woman who was supposed to drive is petrified of the snow. I offered to pick it up instead, but she said the cook won’t be coming in, either, with the ice storm they’re getting today. Evidently, the weather is worse in Blacksburg. I called all around, and it’s too short notice to hire anyone else. I need to go to the grocery store.”

“Do they have deli platters there or something?” My mom would have to understand.

“I’m not sure. But I’ll think of something. Can you drive me? I might be awhile, so you can come back and wait for my call when I’m checking out. I know you have a lot of work to do.”

I did have some pressing items. “I’ll drive you, then make the calls I need from the truck. Are you attempting to cook something?”

“Yeah. I’m going to try.”

“This isn’t the end of the world. We’ll get cookies and brownies or something.”

She was already shaking her head. “No. We can’t. Your mother will be disappointed. I can fix this. I can cook.”

“I don’t want you stressing over this.” Not over a man who didn’t deserve it. “Not for him.”

She took my hand in her gloved one. “It’s for her. I promise.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kendall

My hand was shaking as I wrote out a list of the things I needed from the store while Liam drove us the few miles. He turned to me once we parked.

“Kendall, I mean it. I don’t want you going to any trouble.”

I knew he meant it, but it didn’t matter. I wanted to make sure this was done right.

“We can get some meats and cheese and bread and people can fix sandwiches.”

That was true. I’d probably do sandwiches. But there needed to be more. His mother was just saying last night how the entire church was coming. How she’d told everyone about the food. “Yes. We can.” I looked across the parking lot to see the Dollar Store. “I need to go there first for serveware.”

“Okay. You want me to go in with you? My call doesn’t start for twenty minutes.”

“Nope. Twenty minutes is almost three hundred dollars’ worth of billable hours.” Frankly I didn’t need the pressure of him waiting on me.

“Here’s my credit card. Text me if you have any trouble using it, and I can come in.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Think, Kendall. Think. What did I need? I was pleased to see they had a variety of foil pans, paper plates, cups, and serveware. But the last thing I needed was to start shoving stuff into the cart without an idea of what would go with what. I took a deep breath, picturing the menu I had in mind. Then I went to work. Fifty-eight dollars later I had a cart full.

Liam got out of the truck and helped me with the bags, holding a finger to his Bluetooth to indicate he was still on a call. “Yes, I understand what you’re saying. However, you hired me to give you advice. If you don’t choose to follow it, then I can’t be responsible for the result.”

Damn. I’d heard him plenty of times on the phone, so why was his authoritative voice turning me on now?

“Good, I’m glad we agree, then. I’ll be sure to get the paperwork to you tonight.”

He hung up, giving me a smile. “You buy out the store?”

“Not quite. At least everything was only a dollar, and it only came to fifty-eight. Okay, now the grocery store.”

“Do you mind if I do another call?”

I was shocked he asked. “Nope. Not at all.”

It took me an hour. I went back and forth with many menu possibilities in mind. I had to settle on some because the place was a zoo given the threat of snow. Jesus, weren’t people just here a couple days ago? Then again, wasn’t I?

Once we got back to the house, Liam helped me bring stuff inside, but then he had to disappear upstairs for a video call. I knew he would need me to do some work, so I put away what needed to be frozen and refrigerated and then went upstairs once I heard his call end.