“No. Not really. But I saw the look on your face yesterday when you ate the eggs. It was like every bite was torture. I hated seeing it.”
Now he really felt like an ass. “So the eggs might not have worked out as you planned. That happens to even the best chefs. If it will make you feel better, you can make me some more and I promise, I won’t make any weird faces while eating them.” Even if they’re crunchy as hell.
“I’m not sure if you’re trying to make me feel better or just getting out of cooking your own breakfast.” She asked staring at him.
He grinned. “A little of both.”
For a minute she looked like she was going to tell him to do it himself. But instead she got up and went to the refrigerator and pulled out the eggs. “You’re on your own if you want bacon.”
“Eggs will be fine, thank you.”
She replied, “Don’t thank me yet.”
But this morning was different. Whether it was Mabel’s guidance, or the fact she wasn’t out to impress him, but she cracked the eggs, one at a time, without any mishaps. While they cooked, she prepared some buttered toast and then plated it all. When she brought it over, he already could see the difference. Hopefully that continued with the taste. Not only had there been shells yesterday, but no salt or pepper.
Taking a bite he waited a second, then said, “See, I told you, everyone has a bad day in the kitchen. Yesterday was just a fluke.”
Kollette said, “I’m glad you like them.”
“Does this mean you’re going to make me breakfast every morning now?” he asked teasingly.
“I believe I’ll quit while I’m ahead. But if you’d like to make me breakfast tomorrow, I won’t complain,” Kollette said smiling.
“I hope you just feel like coffee, because that’s all you’d be getting. The rest might require medical attention.”
“You can’t be that bad,” she stated. “It sounds to me like you’re just trying to get out of cooking.”
“I have five brothers that would confirm I’m telling the truth,” he said.
“Five brothers? Hmm.”
“Does that surprise you?” he asked.
She nodded. “For some reason I would’ve pegged you as an only child.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you talked about coming here when you were in college. With all those brothers, I’d have thought you’d be spending break with them.”
That was a fair assumption. “Now you sound like an only child.”
“No. I have a step-brother. But he’s ten years older than I am, so it’s not like we grew up together. If anything, it’s more like having another father telling me what to do instead.”
“There doesn’t need to be a huge age gap for that to happen.” For years Charles had tried being the boss. Now they respected him as CEO, but as far as family goes, they were equals.
“So where do you fall in that line of boys?” she asked.
“I’m number five. And don’t say you would’ve pegged me as the baby,” he warned.
Kollette giggled. “I wouldn’t dream of saying such a thing,” she gave him a playful wink.
It was enjoyable sitting and talking with her, but he still had a question to ask. “I believe I won a bet last night. What do you say about joining me on a ride up to the hunting cabin?”
“I don’t hunt. Don’t even want to hold a gun,” she said firmly.
“I was suggesting the cabin, not hunting,” he corrected.
She raised a brow and said, “I thought you told me we were stuck here because all the roads were close. And now you’re asking me to go for a ride? How is that possible?”