Evelyn landed at Kansas City International and hailed a taxi to take her to her hotel. She wanted to get cleaned up before tracking down Calem. She had not a clue what she'd say to him when she did. Her thoughts drifted as the cabbie made his way through the city and she became entranced by its charm.

About an hour after checking in, Evelyn's stomach growled. She made certain her suite had a kitchen since nothing tastes better than a home-cooked meal. When inquiring about where to shop for groceries, the hotel concierge told her about River Market.

The farmer's market was a chef's dream. Evelyn smiled as she took in the sights, sounds, and especially the tastes. Grapes from local vineyards, vegetables from local farms. There is no substitute for homegrown. Evelyn started gathering her ingredients.

Stopping at one stall, Evelyn looked over their tomatoes to add to her sauce.

"You're new around here. Just passin' through or settin' up shop?"

Evelyn looked up at the woman who was restocking the corn and smiled. "Visiting. I wish I were staying. There are so many wonderful flavors going on in this market. Is it always like this?"

"Pretty much. We're as diverse as our produce around here. As far as favors and tastes, if you're hungry, you have plenty to pick from. We have Asian, Mediterranean, and Mexican, to name a few. Even some fusions of well, just about every kind. If you're in the mood for something sweet, we got a great cupcake shop, or perhaps you prefer ice cream?"

"Honestly, I'm in the mood for it all, but right now I think I want to settle for a home-cooked meal."

"Is that so? I knew you had the earmark of a chef. I can always tell them apart from my regular customers. They have a particular way of handling the produce. I guess because chefs know food is like a relationship, you have to take your time and scope your options. You don't just grab what's right in front of you, it's got to feel right, you know?"

"Sage words, I wish I heard them ten years ago."

"Nursing a broken heart?"

"More disheartened than broken. I guess people change and if you don't change with them you end up wanting different things, become different people."

The woman gave her a knowing smile. "You're preaching to the choir on that one. I know just what you need to cheer you up."

"Really?" Evelyn asked hopefully.

The woman hooked her arm with Evelyn's. "Picture a home-cooked meal with some BBQ chicken, steamed veggies, roasted potatoes, and cornbread pudding. Perhaps some homemade peach blackberry pie with just a smidge of vanilla ice cream?" the woman offered, pinching her fingers together when she said the word smidge.

"That sounds divine. Where can I get such a meal around here?"

"My place."

Evelyn looked shocked at this stranger and the woman laughed letting go of Evelyn's arm to take off her apron.

"First day in a new city can make you feel a little out of place. Why don't you come back to my farm and you can hash out your troubles over a good meal? Kelly?" The woman yelled over to the younger woman who was helping another customer.

"I'm cutting out a little early."

The young woman nodded.

"I don't want to take you away from your work?" Evelyn said saying the first excuse to come to her mind.

"It's no trouble. I own the stand and the farm that makes those beauties you got in your hands right now."

Evelyn looked down at the large, juicy-looking tomatoes she was holding. "I have to pay for these."

"On the house. Name's Dottie by the way."

Evelyn smiled. "Evelyn."

"Nice to meet you, Evelyn," Dottie said giving Evelyn a sack for her tomatoes. "So, my farm is less than 30 minutes from here. What do say?"

Evelyn knew this was crazy but found herself beaming when she said, "I'd love to."

"Alright then. Come on," Dottie led Evelyn over to her truck and Evelyn climbed in. They chatted amicably about all things' food on the ride back to Dottie's farm.

When the truck came to a stop, Evelyn got out and just breathed in the air. So fresh and clean compared to New York. She sighed in contentment.

Dottie's house was a lovely farmhouse, white with a large wrap-around porch surrounded by a cute little flower garden.

"Your home is beautiful."

Dottie grabbed some sacks from the back of the truck filled with groceries. "Thank you. Come around back that's where the kitchen is."

"Here. Let me help you with those." Evelyn sprang into action and took a sack from her new friend.

"Aren't you sweet? Come on. This way." Dottie waved her hand and opened the door. Evelyn was surprised she didn't use a key. Dottie just walked right in. That would never happen in New York.

Dottie smiled as she heard Evelyn gasp upon entering the kitchen. Although the house and surroundings were old-fashioned, Dottie's kitchen was state-of-the-art. The kind of kitchen Evelyn always dreamed of.

Evelyn put the package down on the counter and Dottie watched Evelyn explore while she unpacked.

"This kitchen is every chef's dream!"

Dottie giggled. "It is pretty great. It was my gift to me after my husband left. He never wanted to put the money in to remodel."

Evelyn's hand ran over the butcher block countertop island with the prep sink installed. Any tool she could imagine seemed to be within arm's reach. "Well, good for you. It's amazing."

Dottie laughed again and her giggle was infectious. Evelyn couldn't help but smile in response. "It really is, isn't it?" Dottie said admiring her surroundings.

"I could make such wonderful creations in a place like this," Evelyn said dreamily.

"Well, then we best get started." Dottie handed Evelyn some chicken breasts she pulled out from the refrigerator.

"We?" Evelyn asked surprised.

"There is no such thing as a free meal. Besides, I know the way for any cook to work out their troubles is to get right into the thick of things. Nothing like busy hands to clear an even busier mind."

Evelyn couldn't argue with that philosophy, so she pushed up her sleeves, washed her hands, and asked, "What do you want me to do first?"

Evelyn couldn't believe how easily she fell into a rhythm working with Dottie in the kitchen. Not even she and Raphael worked this well together. It was almost like they were reading one another's minds as they prepped and prepared the meal.

"Have you ever worked professionally as a chef?" Evelyn asked as she followed Dottie's recipe for cornbread pudding.

"I used to have my own place in River Market but times got tough and I had to sell."

Evelyn could hear the pain that moment caused Dottie in the way her voice wavered just a bit. "I'm sorry."

Dottie smiled at her. "Why? You didn't do it. My divorce took a big toll on me. Over the years I had to let a lot of things go, my restaurant was just one of them. I just loved cooking farm-fresh home-cooked meals for people, giving them a little taste of home no matter where they hailed from. My regulars sure were heartbroken to see me go. Many of them still frequent the stand so I still get to see them from time to time."

"I haven't even got started. I mean, I work in a restaurant but it's been my dream to have my own place."

"What's holding you back?"

"Funding. I live in New York. The real estate, even to lease is expensive. Then there would be the remodel and advertising, not to mention the setting up of vendors for stock and supplies. I've run all the numbers but the amount I would need to even afford a small place may cost me well over $500,000."

"Are you locked into New York?" Dottie asked spooning the mixture Evelyn just made into a greased pan.

Her question shocked Evelyn because she suddenly realized, "Not now, no. I guess I could set up shop anywhere."

"So now that you're free, your options have opened up," Dottie said.

Evelyn realized Dottie was right. She only considered New York because she was locked in with Jackson. If she could pick a different place to open her restaurant, she could try new banks, she'd have more options, and it may be far more affordable.

Evelyn brushed the chicken with the BBQ sauce that Dottie created before it got cooked. "You know I'm really glad I ran into you at the market today."

"That makes two of us. It's been nice working side by side with someone again."

"Oh? You had a partner at your restaurant?"

"It was a family business." Dottie washed off some cauliflower before handing it to Evelyn to cut. "I had hoped it be a place I could pass down but it didn't work out."

Evelyn chopped up the cauliflower while Dottie worked on the broccoli florets. "So, you have children?"

"Just one." Dottie scooped up the veggies into the steam basket and put the water on to boil.

"Do they still live around here?"

"No, he moved a while back." Dottie pulled up the oven door to check on the cornbread pudding.

"Must get pretty lonely here all by yourself," Evelyn said, frowning.

"Not really, to run this place I have an army of anywhere between 20 to 40 farmhands depending on the crops and what time of year it is. So, I'm never alone."

"That's a lot of people to care for."

"Yes, but we take care of each other so it all works out."

The back door opened and Dottie heard, "Mom! How long has the roof been busted on the chicken coop? Bill should have had that fixed that ages ago. This place is falling apart."

Evelyn stood stunned. Calem stood dirty as hell, in jeans, work boots, and his flannel shirt rolled up on his forearms. He wiped the sweat from his brow and when their eyes met, he mirrored her look of shock.

Dottie ran over to push Calem back out of the door. "Get your filthy self out of my kitchen!"

"Mom, what's she...?"

"Never you mind that. You just go get yourself cleaned up. I don't want you back in this kitchen until there is not a spec of dirt on you." Dottie shoved him out the door and locked it for good measure.

She turned back to Evelyn who stood there like she'd just seen a ghost. "Are you alright? I know my son looks a fright but I assure you he's harmless."

"You're Calem Decker's mom?"

"That's right, Ms. Quinn. Now come on over here and help me with this pie filling."