4
HITS THE SPOT
Rowan wasn’t used to women not getting the greedy look in their eyes when they found out who he was or related to.
He turned to Saylor and handed over the bottle of water.
“Thanks,” she said. “Can I cook for you? I feel as if I should do something.”
“I’ll never turn down someone else doing the cooking.” They walked into the kitchen. “Take your pick of what you want. Not much we can do about the frozen food.”
She opened the fridge. He’d picked food up a few days ago. They wouldn’t starve if they got stuck here for a couple of days, but it’s not as if there was a large variety of anything fresh.
After she shut the fridge, she opened the freezer. There was a lot of meat in there to choose from, some frozen vegetables and fruit too. Someone was on a smoothie kick and he didn’t know who. Everyone in the family took turns coming here.
It was probably Nelson. Who the hell knew what went through his younger brother’s head? But Nelson was here not that long ago with friends and he’d most likely loaded up.
“Ground beef doesn’t take that long to thaw,” she said, pulling it out. “Lots I can do with that. Is that the pantry?”
She was pointing to a door. “Yep. Help yourself looking around. We normally stock this place with staples. If West is coming, he’s got caretakers to get it ready for him. I just pop in and pick up what I want.”
When she returned with a jar of sauce and a box of pasta, he got out the pots and pans she’d need.
“My grandmother always made sauce on Christmas Eve. It will feel a bit like home if you don’t mind.”
He forgot about the day and that she was missing the holiday with her family.
An alert went off on his phone and he grabbed it to look.
“Shit. We might be here for a bit. The ice storm is going to hit soon and they are calling for a state of emergency.” He picked up the remote to find the news.
“What happens if we lose power?” she said when they saw the areas that were out that the storm had already settled into.
“We’re good. There is a generator that will turn on automatically. Plenty of gas for it and backup batteries if need be. No way my brother would worry about those things here. We’ve got satellite internet and TV too.”
“Well then,” she said. “We won’t starve or freeze. I guess things aren’t that horrible.”
“Nah,” he said. “As long as you don’t mind staying here for the holidays.”
“I don’t think I’ve got much of a choice,” she said. “Other than my coffee is going to suck because there is no creamer.”
“Sorry,” he said. “I drink it black. No milk either, as I never touch it. There might be some of those little creamers in a box somewhere.”
He moved into the kitchen and opened cabinets, found the box, and pulled it out.
“Sweet. Vanilla flavored. Okay then, this is almost like a vacation. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had one?”
“No,” he said. “How long?”
“Over a year since I’ve had a straight week off.”
She was opening cabinets. “What are you looking for?”
“A big bowl. I’m going to put the meat in hot water to thaw. That will make it easier to break it up.”
“Use the microwave,” he said.
“I’d rather not,” she said, laughing.
