Milo winked at me and then presented us with a large steaming bowl filled with goulash and a mound of succulent-looking fry bread. He then placed two glasses of wine before us. After, he poured two more glasses and handed one to Evie.
He lifted his wine and we all followed suit.
“To love, friendship and family...in all things.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Five
Jasper and I tiptoed back up the front stairs of Evie and Milo’s home, doing our best not to make a sound even with our bags of groceries bogging us down. It was only six thirty in the morning, but to us, it was an hour later, and we’d crashed hard after Milo’s homemade goulash, fry bread and copious amounts of red wine. It was a great evening and exactly what I’d hoped hanging out with my big sister for the first time would be like. So when I got up at five in the morning, I snuck into Jasper’s room and woke his snoring ass up. He was all for making a breakfast fit for rock stars and celebrities to give back to our awesome hosts.
“Hope they don’t mind we left the cabin door unlocked.” Jasper pushed open the door and we both made our way into the quiet house.
We set the bags down and sought about making our feast, complete with homemade pastries with fresh fruit filling and melt-in-your-mouth dough made from scratch. Alongside that we put together a ham, cheddar and asparagus quiche that would give a whopping dose of protein and offer the savory taste buds some satisfaction.
An hour later, the quiche was in the oven and I was whipping up a special yogurt to go with the pastry and fresh fruit. Jasper was frying up some pancetta to place on top of the quiche for a little crunch when it was done.
“What in the world is going on in here?” Evie entered the kitchen wearing a long burgundy satin robe that swished along the sides of her bare feet. Her toes were painted the same color as the robe, and her hair was up in a messy bun on the top of her head. Much like my own wild locks in a wonky ponytail.
Milo entered behind her, wrapping an arm around his fiancée’s small waist. His hair was in a long single braid down his back. He wore a simple pair of navy blue cotton pajama pants and a white T-shirt that molded to his broad chest.
My sister was a lucky girl. All that hotness. Fit, huge and rockin’ a serious body with a handsome face. Yep, I sure hoped one day I’d have me some little nieces and nephews with those combined genetics.
I gave a jaunty wave. “We’re making you breakfast!”
Jasper pulled out the quiche and set it on top of the stove. “A thank-you for not kicking us out into the cold world of Colorado all alone.” He smiled.
“Smells amazing. My mouth is watering at those treats,” Evie breathed, her eyes widening at the dollop of homemade yogurt dip I added to each of the four plates I set out.
“Coffee’s ready,” Jasper announced. He brought the quiche to the workstation and expertly cut and dished out perfect steaming triangles.
“I could get used to this, Isabeau.” Milo looked at the plates from over my shoulder, then gave me a peck on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Evie grinned and sat her prim-and-proper booty on the stool in front of me. “Should we eat here or at the dining table?”
“Here’s good. Then you can easily reach for seconds,” I offered.
“Good idea.” She pressed her hands to her cheeks and watched while Jasper and I finished plating our masterpieces.
“This looks gourmet,” Evie stated as I pushed a plate in front of her. “And I’ve eaten at the Four Seasons before. This display tops even that.”
I grinned. “Your sister and new adopted brother are bakers first, but chefs second.”
“Well, technically, we did culinary school first. Then the two of us got a wild hair and wanted to go for the pastry chef program, which took us abroad and added an additional two years to our studies.” Jasper chuckled.
“Looks like it was worth it,” Milo said, taking a seat next to Evie.
I set a heaping plate in front of him. A big man like that must have a huge appetite. “We love to cook but both of us excelled when it came to desserts. I am a whiz at making intricate candies, pastries and donuts. Jasper takes the crown for his cakes, muffins, fresh bread and ability to come up with new recipes.”
Jasper crossed one of his hands over his waist and bowed. “Thank you, my darling. I resemble that compliment.”
We all laughed. Jasper and I stood opposite the couple and ate while standing. My favorite part of cooking wasn’t just about the blending of flavors and textures, or even the endless options. It was watching people eat the food I’ve made that gave me such pleasure. Knowing that I made something with my own hand that someone enjoyed was an endless high I would never top.
“Jasper, this quiche is everything. The toasted pancetta on top is divine,” Evie said before taking another bite.
Milo dipped his fresh pastry into the yogurt and took a massive bite. When he was done, he licked his lips. “You’re an excellent cook. I’ve never tasted a better pastry. Have you guys thought of opening a business?”
Jasper and I looked at one another and busted up laughing.
“Only every day of our entire lives!” I chuckled.
“It’s our dream to one day own a bakery of sorts. Something that offers not only baked goods but specialty desserts like tiramisu and homemade candies, alongside cakes, cookies, cupcakes and the like.”
“Have you looked into it?” Evie queried.
I finished chewing a bite of cherry-filled pastry. “We have. Our plan before all of this happened was to find jobs in the city as pastry chefs. Get more fast-paced experience under our belts, learn more of the on-the-job business side and then open our own shop one day.”
Evie tilted her head and pushed some fruit around her plate. “Well, as a financial adviser, and knowing what you received in Dad’s estate since me and Suda Kaye received the same, your dream of owning your own place could start imminently.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
Milo’s lips twitched. “Evie, you’re doing it again with another sister,” he warned.
“Doing what?” I asked.
Evie ignored my question and turned her head to her man so fast I worried she’d get a neck kink. “That simply isn’t true. I have only Isabeau’s best interests at heart. If she wants to own and operate her own business, she now has the capital to do just that. And we—” she pointed to his chest and then her own “—are in the position to help her make good choices about her future as it pertains to her finances and goals.”
“And you’d be sure to have your sister settled close to you where you can watch over her and know she’s happy and healthy and just a short car ride away, no?” Milo stated outright.