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Virginia chuckled and followed him up the stairs to the main floor. Rose dashed out from the living room at the front of the house and wrapped herself around Gavin’s leg.
“You remember my boss, Rose?”
Rose nodded and then gave Virginia a smile. It wasn’t a verbal greeting, but at least it was a start. It was then Virginia noticed that there was no lingering scent of dinner cooking.
“Did you have some problem starting the chowder?”
“Yeah, as in I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I decided to come tonight. Show me to the kitchen.”
Gavin grinned and led her to the back of the house where the kitchen was. Lily was in the kitchen with a battered old recipe book in front of her and looked a bit frantic.
“I can’t find it,” Lily said, a hint of panic in her voice.
“What?” Virginia asked, setting down the bag of bread.
“The recipe my Mom used. I can’t find it.” Lily was shaking and Virginia wanted to wrap her arms around the little girl and reassure her that everything would be okay. Only she couldn’t. She had never been very good at hugging.
“It’s okay. Look, why don’t we try out my recipe for tonight? What do you think?”
Lily nodded her eyes wide. “Okay.”
“Virginia, you don’t have to do that. You’re our guest.”
“It’s okay, Gavin. I don’t mind.” Virginia hung her cardigan on the back of the chair and pushed up the sleeves on her top. “Lily, you want to help me?”
“Of course!” Lily jumped down from the chair where she was sitting and whipped open the fridge, pulling out various items.
“I didn’t know you could cook.” Gavin watched as Lily plopped the bags of clams, shrimp and the container of scallops on the kitchen table.
“I have hidden depths.” Virginia winked. “Do you have any cream, Lily?”
“Yep!” She ran back to the fridge and pulled out a carton.
“Where are your pots?”
Gavin pulled out a stainless-steel saucepan. “Is this good?”
“Not in the least. Do you have a stockpot?”
“A what?”
Virginia rolled her eyes and began to open random cupboards, finally locating a stockpot in a bottom cupboard. She held it up. “This is a stockpot!”
“Impressive.” Gavin pulled out a chair and sat down. Rose was there in a flash and climbing in his lap. “Mind if I watch?”
“Why?” Virginia asked skeptically.
“It’s how we surgeons learn, by observation, is it not?”
“Perhaps I’ll employ the Socratic method on you while I’m dicing the potatoes.” Virginia reached down and began to peel one of the potatoes Lily produced.
“I don’t think that’s fair. I know nothing about cooking.”
“He really doesn’t,” Lily said. “All he can make is grilled cheese. Rosalie does most of the cooking.”
Virginia cocked an eyebrow. “Who’s Rosalie?”
“My housekeeper slash nanny slash cook.” Gavin poked at the bread. “What’s in the bag?”
“Ah, that’s a surprise that will have to wait until the chowder is ready.” Virginia finished peeling the potatoes and began to dice them. Then she went to work on the onions and carrots. When the vegetables were diced she placed them in the stockpot with some salted water and set them to boil.
“Why would I put potatoes on to boil, Gavin?” Virginia asked as Lily grabbed Rose’s hand and led her out of the kitchen. They’d obviously lost interest in making dinner.
Gavin shook his head. “I told you, I’m an observer. I don’t adhere to the Socratic method.”
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