Free Lucifer (Book 3, The Redemption Series) by S.J. West

Leave it to you to bring up food at a time like this,” Jess says with a roll of her eyes at Tara.
    Tara places a hand on a cocked hip. “And what is that supposed to mean, Jess Collier?”
    “ That you’ve been eating since you got here, Tara!” Jess answers with a smile.
    “ And why wouldn’t I?” Tara says. “I can eat all I want and not gain a bit of weight. Pretty much sounds like Heaven to me!”
    It sounds like a very justifiable reason to me also.
    “Come on, baby girl,” Utha Mae says, looping an arm around one of mine. “I’ll bet you anything you haven’t had a meal on Earth like me and Tara made for you today.”
    “ I made dinner for eight people last night,” I say proudly. “All by myself.”
    Everyone stops walking and stares at me as if I just grew a second head.
    “ You can cook?” Caylin asks, looking sure I must have meant something else.
    I nod my head. “Yes. Malcolm taught me.”
    “ Oh my God,” Jess says, her eyes wide in wonder as she looks at me. “You are the chosen one.”
    “ Oh stop teasing her,” Lilly tells Jess with a laugh.
    “ Seriously, Lilly, this is monumental!” Jess professes. “No descendant of yours and Caylin’s could boil water much less cook a meal for a dinner party. What exactly did you cook, Anna?”
    I tell them what I prepared for everyone the night before.
    “Yep, miracle child,” Jess says as if my words were confirmation of the fact. “But, I guess we all knew that already. This just puts proof in the pudding.”
    “ Quit picking on my baby,” Utha Mae says, gently tugging on my arm so we can continue our walk to the back of the house.
    When we enter the kitchen, a mixture of aromas that make me feel more at home welcomes me.
    “ It smells so good in here,” I say, breathing in deeply. Just like with Utha Mae, the scent of the food makes me feel a sense of déjà vu. “Did you cook this kind of food when I stayed with you?”
    Utha Mae smiles at me. “Well of course I did, child. And I want you to let Malcolm know I taught you how to cook before he did.”
    I can’t help but smile at this new bit of information.
    “He thinks he worked a miracle with me,” I tell her.
    “ Well, we can’t let him take all the credit now, can we?” Utha Mae says, letting go of my arm. “Otherwise, he might get a little too big for his britches.”
    “ That man’s ego has always been a little too big for his britches,” Tara says. “Though, from what I’ve heard, you’ve pretty much got him wrapped around your little finger, Anna.”
    “ I wouldn’t say wrapped,” I tell her, feeling a little embarrassed by the suggestion. “He just wants to make me happy.”
    “ Wrapped,” Jess agrees. “About time too. I always knew Malcolm was all ooey gooey soft underneath that tough exterior. He just needed the right woman to bring out that side of him.”
    I look over at Lilly thinking about Malcolm’s memories involving her. Of anyone in the room, she knew the true Malcolm that he kept hidden from most people. Lilly meets my gaze , and in that moment, we seem to have a silent understanding with one another. She was once the object of Malcolm’s affections, but I can see in her eyes that she knows she was simply a placeholder for me until I was ready to become a part of Malcolm’s life.
    “ He’s so lucky to have you, Anna,” Lilly tells me. “And I know you’ll be good to him and love him unconditionally. It’s the way he was always meant to be loved.”
    “ Well, I’m just glad that man is finally settling down,” Tara says. “He’s been running wild ever since all of us died. It’s about time he got married and started a real family.”
    Tara’s statement brings to mind a question.
    “Utha Mae,” I say as I watch her take out a pan of cornbread from the oven, “I was told Malcolm and I will have twins in the future. Have you met them yet?”
    It seemed like a logical question to ask. I had apparently spent a great deal of time