“Good morning! I can make you coffee.”
“Okay. I smell bacon.”
“I made bacon.” Delighted, Annika opened the oven, remembered the big mitts that kept hands protected from burns, and pulled out the platter.
“I’ll say you did.” Riley took a handful at once. “Enough for an army.”
“I made too much?”
“I feel like an army,” Riley said with her mouth full. “French toast?” Without waiting, Riley grabbed a piece, stuffed it in.
“Is it good?”
“It’s great. I’m starving. Where’s Sasha?”
“Sleeping. Everyone’s sleeping but you and me.”
Riley ate more bacon. “You’re cooking solo?”
“By myself? Yes, a surprise. Sawyer and Sasha and you were hurt, and Doyle said no calisthenics.”
“Yay.”
“Do you have pain?”
“No, all good.” Still eating, Riley turned to the coffeemaker.
“I’ll make it! You can sit. I like to make coffee, but I don’t like to drink it.” She made a big mug, set it down, then hugged Riley. “You saved Bran and Sasha. I think you saved us all because when you came, the evil things went away.”
“I ran too far. I should’ve stayed closer. If I’d been back sooner—”
“I think you were here when needed. The demon Malmon hurt you, but you hurt him more, I think.”
“He clocked me a good one. He’s Hulk Smash strong.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Seriously strong. The coffee’s good, Anni. I think you’ve just graduated to regular kitchen rotation.”
A beaming smile followed a quick gasp of joy. “Do you really think?”
“Don’t know why it would thrill you, but yeah, I definitely think. Hey, Sash, looks like Anni leapfrogged into your slot today.”
“Oh, Riley, you’re all right.”
“I am now,” she said and ate more bacon.
“Annika, you . . . you made all this?”
“Riley says it’s good. I can be on rotation. Will you put me on the chart for cooking?”
“I will, and thank you for stepping in for me.”
“You feel good?”
“I’m fine. We’re all fine. Since you’re breakfast chef, I’ll set the table.”
“I can do it.”