Free Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers Page B

all, her father had graduated from West Point, her mother was an aspiring artist, and her brother a veterinarian.
    After enlisting he’d taken advantage of many of the incentives and benefits the Army offered, and one was earning a college degree, something his mother had always wanted for her children. “Yes. I can take apart and put a car’s engine back together, but I prefer restoring classic cars.”
    â€œLike Classic Car Restoration ?”
    He nodded. She’d mentioned the reality TV show that had become one of his favorites. “Yes. My father had sixty-four and sixty-eight Mustangs, and I filled in as his apprentice when he restored them to mint condition.”
    â€œDid he sell them?”
    â€œHe sold the sixty-eight, but wouldn’t part with the sixty-four. It was one of the first to come off the assembly line during its inaugural year. It’s parked in the garage behind the house. As soon as I check it out, I’ll take you for a drive.”
    Cradling her face in his hands, Collier’s tongue traced the fullness of her lower lip. “It’s getting late and you need your sleep, so I’m going to head on home.”
    He’d mentioned going home when it was the last thing he wanted. Sharing Thanksgiving dinner with his sister, niece, and Iris’s family had made this homecoming even more momentous. If he stayed over tonight, he’d never hear the end of it from Tracy. The last thing he wanted was for his sister to believe he was taking advantage of her friend’s vulnerability.
    â€œDo you have an extra set of keys?” he asked Iris.
    Her forehead furrowed in confusion. “Yes. Why?”
    â€œI want to come over tomorrow morning to make breakfast. Afterward you’re going back to bed where I’m going to give you the extra-special Ward full-body massage to help relax you.”
    Her eyes grew wide. “But my folks are coming over?”
    â€œJames told me they’re not coming until six, so don’t try to wiggle out of my wanting to take care of you.” Collier kissed her forehead. “Remember, we’re not going to have a lot of time to be together, so what do you say? Yes or no?”
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    When Collier walked into the apartment earlier that afternoon asking to date her, Iris had felt as if she’d been enveloped in a cocoon with a happiness expiration date stamped on the outside. Collier would only be around for another couple of weeks and then he’d be gone. And yet, here he was, offering her a chance at…She didn’t want to say love, because falling in love with him wasn’t an option. But trust perhaps. If nothing else, maybe Collier could finally teach her to trust a man without looking for an ulterior motive in his interest.
    â€œWait here,” she told him.
    Iris went into her bedroom and retrieved a second set of keys to the apartment, knowing her life was about to change. She planned to give a man the keys to her sanctuary.
    Iris returned to the living room, reached for Collier’s hand, placed the keys in his palm, and closed his fingers over them. “Yes.” Going on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. “Good night, and thanks for making this Thanksgiving one I’ll remember for a very long time.”
    Collier ran a finger down her nose. “Good night, babe. Sleep well.”

Chapter Five
    Gullah-Style Grits
4 cups of water
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 cup old-fashioned grits (not instant)
1 tablespoon salt
    Bring water to boil in a heavy pot. Add salt and butter. Once water is hot, add one cup of cleaned and rinsed grits. Cook and stir for about ten minutes until creamy. Cover and let grits bubble for twenty minutes on medium heat.
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    Sausage Gravy
1 cup milk
1 cup self-rising flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon sage
6-7 sausage patties
    Place sausage patties in cast-iron skillet, and use a wooden spoon to crumble as they