Page 1 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Prologue
A few months ago
Harper smiled at Tanya, who was watching her with wide eyes as she cooked."It smells so good."
"Itisso good.I can't wait for you to taste it."
Tanya eyed the focaccia longingly."The bread smells so good too.Are you sure we have to dip it in oil?Can't I just butter mine?"
Harper laughed."I'll tell you what — once we're all set up, you can butter it.On one condition."
"What's that?"
"You have to try two dips of olive oil first.If you don't like it, then you can go ahead and butter yours instead.But you have to at least try it first."
Tanya still looked uncertain, but she nodded, willing as usual to give most anything a try.
They both turned when Alana appeared in the doorway."Oh wow, Harper; it smells amazing in here.It's like walking into some fancy restaurant instead of Dad's kitchen."
"It's nothing fancy," Harper assured her."When it comes down to it, all we're really eating is chicken and cornmeal."
Tanya's eyebrows drew together."I thought you said we were having something fancy.Piccata, and… what was it?"
"Polenta," Harper told her with a smile."Piccata and polenta.But the piccata is just chicken in a buttery sauce with asparagus and capers.And polenta's nothing more than cornmeal really."
Tanya peered into the pan."Whatever it's made out of, it smells really good.I can't wait to try it."
Alana nodded her agreement."What can I do to help?"
"I already set the table," said Tanya.
"I can see that.But what else do we need?"
"Not a thing," said Harper."I know you girls are so good about getting things done around the house, but tonight's on me.I want you both to sit back and enjoy it.Okay?"
"I wish you could come every night; I like it when you're here.And not just because of the food," Tanya added hurriedly.
Alana didn't say anything, but she seemed deep in thought, and Harper hoped she wasn't reading too much into any of this.The last thing she wanted was for Alana to feel that she was trying to fill her mom's place.
"I'm sure you'd be sick of me and my cooking if I were around all the time.New and interesting is always good."Harper shrugged happily."And I'm enjoying being that for a while."
She let the girls fix their own drinks and then asked them to sit at the table while she served their food.She couldn't help laughing at the look on Tanya's face as she gingerly dipped her focaccia into the olive oil.Alana proceeded with more confidence, though Harper had a feeling she felt exactly the same way as Tanya — she just didn't want to show it.
"Go on, try it," she told them."Even if you hate it, it won't kill you."
Alana took a tiny nibble while Tanya took a huge bite.
"Hey, it's not bad," said Alana.
Tanya’s eyes widened, and she nodded as she chewed, making an appreciative noise until she could speak."Oh my gosh, Harper, this issogood."This time she dunked her bread into the oil with considerably more enthusiasm.
Alana rolled her eyes."You're not supposed to do it like that."
Harper turned away, not wanting to interfere between the two of them, and busied herself making sure she'd left everything set up so that Emmett could warm himself a plate whenever he got home.
"Aren't you going to eat?"Alana asked when she went back to join them at the table.
"I'll eat when I get home."The piccata smelled so delicious that she was hoping they wouldn't hear her stomach rumble, but sitting down to eat with them seemed like a step too far.She didn't want to get to feeling too much at home here — for their sake and for hers.She was helping out and hanging out; that was all."This is for you guys, and there'll be plenty of leftovers if you want more."
