CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
Snow
“Good morning,” I say as I enter the kitchen.
“Why are you up early?” Shane asks, a curious yet assessing expression on his face.
“I helped Silas and Axel muck the stalls and resupply the salt licks for the cows. Fed the chickens and Harvey. Afton helped with the eggs.”
“Wow, okay.” Shane gives me a sidelong glance. “I didn’t see you go by me.”
“I was quick.” I snort.
He hands me a cup of coffee. “I guess so.”
“What do we got this morning?” I ask after taking that very first sip of caffeinated goodness.
“I already started a couple potato casseroles. Do you want to scramble eggs?”
“Sure.” I place my eggs from the chickens in the fridge and pull out the store-bought. “I didn’t get enough to use them for the show. Sorry, guys.”
Setting my coffee on the counter, I start scrambling eggs while Shane works on hash browns.
“What can I do?” Silas asks as he an Afton enter the kitchen.
“Will you start putting the quesadillas together?”
“Yeah.” Silas starts pulling out ingredients and tortillas.
“Afton, will you grab the other carton of eggs?” Shane asks.
“When he says ‘carton,’ he means the huge one with like forty eggs in it.” I snicker, putting the eggs on a plate for Silas so he can make the tortillas.
“I’m so glad I have two ovens and two stovetops.” Shane rolls his eyes upward.
Silas heats up oil and adds onions and peppers. And then puts in diced ham.
Once that is hot, he’ll mix it all together and place it in a tortilla shell with cheese. And then put the tortilla in a heated skillet to melt the cheese and brown the tortilla shell. It takes a while but they’re worth it. Axel helps him as soon as he comes in from the barn, so it’ll go a little faster.
“Because some people can be divas, I made oatmeal and toast,” Shane says as Austin joins us.
“I’ll cut up avocados to make avocado toast,” Austin says. “Can someone grab me some radishes and kale?”
“I got it,” Silas says as he hands the spatula to Afton.
“I’m so glad that we started early.” Shane snorts.
“What about drinks?” I ask.
“Coffee is in the tent already,” Shane says. “And orange juice is on the buffet table.”
“I have a feeling someone will ask for a smoothie.” Austin snickers.
“Oh, God. When that girl tried to order one from Ever’s first season, I’m surprised she didn’t punch her.” Shane guffaws.
“Or like London’s first date when she said she didn’t eat meat.” I snicker.
“Every season,” Shane says, shaking his head. “Austin, you might want to announce you’re a meat eater and that it’ll be served at lunch and dinner meals.”