Picture Perfect (Weddings by Design Book #1): A Novel by Janice Thompson Page B

hands together. “The Food Network has asked me to branch out and add a few other items to my springtime season. It’s mostly Italian food, of course, but we’ve already covered most of the favorites, so I’m looking at ways to incorporate foods from other cultures.”
    “Then you should ask my mom to make her sausage and potato coddle,” I said.
    Where those words came from, I couldn’t say. I could no more picture my mother making a guest appearance on the Food Network than I could imagine her whipping up a tiramisu for dessert. And if my father ever found out . . . I shuddered just thinking about it.
    “That’s it!” Rosa clasped her hands together and giggled. “We’ll do an Irish-Italian segment, merging both worlds.” She turned to Lazarro. “What do you think?”
    “I think we’ll end up with some of the best food this side of the Mediterranean.” He grinned. “Or the English Channel.”
    The two of them dove into a lengthy chat about the various foods they would feature. Mama and Drew joined right in, adding their voices and opinions to the fray. Mama promised to wear her Irish Lass T-shirt on the episode. Perfect.
    “We’re only missing one thing,” Rosa said, her brow wrinkling in concern. “Some sort of dessert.”
    “Hannah makes wonderful buttermilk scones,” Mama said. “She makes them every holiday season. They’re a real hit with the rest of the family and with my husband’s lodge buddies.” She went on singing my praises, as if I’d somehow earned a spot on the Food Network because I could bake a scone.
    I shook my head as they all looked my way. “Oh no. No. No. No.” Another firm shake of my head should convince them they’d better not broach this subject. Sure, I could make buttermilk scones, but on television? No way.
    “I think it’s a great idea.” Rosa grinned. “In fact, we’ll focus the segment on people your age, since you and Drew will be featured. Bella and D.J. can come along for the ride. And we’ll fill the audience with several other young folks. It’ll be so much fun. A springtime food extravaganza!”
    Off she went again, talking about the episode as if I’d agreed to do it. Which I hadn’t. And never would.
    Drew kept looking at me with those pouty, puppy-dog eyes of his. Who could resist that? Even the toughest McDermott in the history of all McDermotts would melt under such an intense gaze, sword or no sword.
    “Okay, okay, I’ll do it.” I had no idea where those words came from. Still, I couldn’t very well take them back now, could I?
    “Perfect!” Rosa beamed with obvious delight. “I always say the family that cooks together stays together.” She gave Mama a little wink. “I also say that a good marriage is like a good lasagna: only those involved actually know what goes into it.”
    This got a nervous chuckle out of my mother, who nodoubt wondered if my father would know a lasagna if it jumped up and bit him.
    Thank goodness the conversation shifted and Rosa invited Drew to help her make the manicotti. He agreed and went to work without question. I looked on, wondering how in the world I’d landed in the kitchen of an Italian master chef with Jacquie Goldfarb—okay, Drew Kincaid—so close by.
    Not that I really minded. Something about being here, surrounded by Bella’s amazing family members, made me wonder if perhaps the leprechauns had cast some sort of strange spell over me. Might have something to do with the tantalizing aromas wafting up from the stove.
    Oh well. I couldn’t really argue with bliss, now could I? And, judging from the look in Drew’s eyes as he gave me a little wink, neither could he.

8
Be Honest with Me
    May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks,
    May your heart be as light as a song.
    May each day bring you bright, happy hours
    That stay with you all the year long.
    Irish blessing
    S haring a midafternoon feast with the happiest Italian family on Galveston Island proved to be pure delight. Not