My Stallion Heart (The Stallions Book 7) by Deborah Fletcher Mello

your famous chicken salad?”
    “You know I don’t eat nobody else’s so I don’t know why you asking that foolishness!”
    He nodded. “I would love something to eat. I’ve missed your cooking.”
    Mama Dee winked as she moved to the refrigerator, pulling a Tupperware container from inside. Just as Tinjin started to take a seat at the kitchen table his grandmother admonished him to go wash his hands. He felt like he was ten years old again and it made him smile. By the time he returned to the kitchen the table was set with two sandwiches on her favorite porcelain plates, a side salad and two steaming cups of rich, black coffee. When he was settled in his seat, Mama Dee blessed the food, offering up a prayer of thanksgiving.
    “How was your flight?” Mama Dee asked as they both took their first bites of the afternoon meal.
    Tinjin swiped at the crumbs that dusted his lips with a paper napkin before answering. “It was good. I got stuck in New York coming from London. They had some major snow that slowed us down.”
    Mama Dee’s head bobbed against her thick neck. “I spoke to your sister. She tells me you met a woman while you were stuck there at that airport.”
    Tinjin laughed. “I’m sure Tierra had a lot to say.”
    “She did.”
    “Well, it’s nothing for you or Tierra to concern yourselves with. Natalie and I are just friends.”
    Tinjin could feel his grandmother’s intense stare boring into him. He focused on his sandwich, refusing to meet the look he knew she was giving him.
    “Just friends?”
    Tinjin nodded as he drew a forkful of salad into his mouth.
    “You don’t need to be rushing into any relationship with that girl, Tinjin. That baby just lost her mother. She needs some time to work through that. She don’t need to be starting no new relationships right now.”
    Tinjin gave his grandmother a quick look. “We’re not rushing into anything.”
    The old woman’s gaze narrowed.
    “Really, Mama Dee! We’re not!”
    “Mind what I tell you,” she said. “I’ve lived longer and I know more.”
    Tinjin laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
    Both finished their meal. The conversation was casual as they caught up with each other. Then his grandmother made plans for his time.
    “You should change your clothes now so you can come help me out in the gardens. Tomorrow I expect you to come to bible study with me at the church. Congregation ain’t seen you in a good while. Be nice for you to catch up with everyone since you won’t be here for Sunday service.”
    “Yes, Mama Dee.”
    Tinjin’s cell phone suddenly vibrated. As he read the text message on the screen his smile widened into a full grin. He and Natalie had been communicating back and forth since he’d left Salt Lake City. Her humor was contagious, each of her messages moving him to laughter.
    His grandmother eyed him curiously as his thumbs danced over the screen, texting back. The reply made him smile even wider. The back-and-forth went on for a good five minutes before Tinjin realized he’d gotten distracted. “Sorry,” he said, a sheepish expression washing over his face.
    Mama Dee shook her head. “Lord, have mercy!” she exclaimed as she moved onto her feet, beginning to clear away the dirty dishes.
    “What, Mama Dee?”
    “You not only rushed into it, but you so far gone I wouldn’t be surprised if you two already planning the wedding.”
    Tinjin’s laugh was gut deep. “No one’s planning any wedding, Mama Dee.”
    “Uh-huh!”
    “You worry too much.”
    His grandmother laughed. “I’m not worried about a thing. But don’t think I don’t know you, Tinjin. I raised you and I can see it all over your face. That girl has your nose wide open! So you better make sure I meet this girl soon.”
    Tinjin grinned, his head moving from side to side. “Yes, ma’am!”
    * * *
    “You’re glowing! You’re not pregnant, are you?”
    Natalie laughed as her best friend and partner in crime, Frenchie Adams, eyed her suspiciously.