He’d been so freaking delighted when she applied for his housekeeper job.Blake had been nagging him for years to find someone to help out around the house, but for the most part, he ignored the request.
He didn’t need a woman to cook for him.He was usually quite happy ordering food, or cooking himself.Six months ago, he wasn’t paying much attention and he gave them all food poisoning.The wolves that worked for him were fine and got over it in a day or so.The humans needed a couple of weeks, including Blake, who was pissed at him.He agreed to stop being a tight ass and hire someone.He was in that process right now.The truth was, Astrid was the only person to apply.No one else wanted the job.
He didn’t exactly have the nicest reputation around town.He wasn’t a people person.It always amazed him that he was a wolf, naturally a pack animal, but he liked his life alone.A wolf recluse.A lone wolf.Whatever people wanted to call him.Company was not for him.
He liked quiet and solitude, which was why he ended up at No Wolves Road in the first place.He got banished from his pack, banished for not being communicative.Also, for telling the Alpha of the pack to go fuck himself.When said Alpha attempted to force him to bend to his will, Lord refused.Expelled he was.And happier for it.He didn’t miss his family, nor the pack.They never felt like home.
“You didn’t make it easy for her, did you?”Blake asked.
“If she’s a good cook, then she will be able to come up with something edible.”
Blake groaned.“You’re a giant pain in the ass, do you know that?”
Lord was not going to justify that with an answer.He finished fixing the latest fence and tossed the equipment into the back of the truck.
“You don’t think she’s capable?”
“I don’t think you’re capable of admitting you need help,” Blake said.“You need this, Lord.I know you love your solitude and shit, but you and the guys need someone to clean your place and cook.”
“I pay you well.”
“It’s not about the pay.You offer good food as well.It was part of the job.No Wolves Road is a sweet town.We all know how amazing it is, mix that in with work and some good cooking, they’ll be loyal for life.Trust me on this.You need men who are going to want to stick around forever without a single question asked.”
Lord had a feeling Astrid was going to pull this off.She was not like a lot of women.For one, she didn’t attempt to throw herself at him.She had always been polite to him.Never overly forward.She was a nice woman.Kind as well.Also, a little too much into her books, but he was not one to judge.He recalled all those years ago, pulling her out of the road.
He didn’t know why it had mattered.It was like this feeling he had to be somewhere.There was nothing he had needed in town, but something had pulled him to stay there.It was then he had seen this young girl walking into the road and the oncoming truck.He had instinctively reacted.The very thought of anything happening to this girl tore him apart, and he had to protect her.
That overwhelming feeling had shocked him to his core.He had not expected it.And that feeling never quite disappeared.It was why he was drawn to the library, although he kept telling himself he was just bored ...but that wasn’t true.
Packing up his truck, Blake climbed into the passenger side.It was nearly six o’clock.By the time they arrived at the ranch, it was nearly ten past, and he looked out to see the table already set with several of the guys sitting around it.
“Well, at least we have a table set,” Blake said.“Maybe we can eat the knives and forks.”
Blake was pissed.He got it, in a way.
As he climbed out of his truck, the scents of herbs and spices assailed him, and his mouth started to water.
In the next second, he stood amazed as Astrid came out of the house carrying a large pot.At the end of the table were several bowls.She picked the first bowl up and began to ladle out of the large pot.
“There are flatbreads if you want them.”
It was then he noticed the two large pans.She was working from each one, just building them up, wiping at her brow, as she worked.It was quite magical.
The men were all moaning their appreciation.The piles of bread were fast disappearing.The bowls were passed down, and then it was his turn, and there was still more food in the bowls.Chili and rice.He didn’t know how she managed to cook it, but he took a bite, and sure enough, the flavors exploded on his tongue.
There had been a chunk of frozen meat in the freezer, that was all.He couldn’t even think what to cook for dinner.Yet, Astrid had pulled some magic out of the bag.The flatbreads were tasty as well, and a way to scoop up the additional chili.Men went in for seconds and thirds.
When Astrid left with the pots, he figured that was dinner done.However, she wasn’t done.Out came two large trays of cake.She went back in, and with another pot in her hand, she came toward the table with a large pan of custard.They got to enjoy some pudding after their meal.It was some kind of vanilla sponge cake, and Lord never offered a sweet treat for dessert.This was new.
The guys loved her.He saw it.
“Enjoy, gentlemen,” Astrid said, and made her way back into the kitchen.Once they were alone, all the guys turned to him.
“We want her to stay,” they all said in unison.
Astrid had surprised him.He didn’t know how he was going to keep her at the ranch every single day.She was a temptation he shouldn’t want.His men wanted what they wanted.
Astrid was going to stay, and he would have to find a way to live side by side with her.It would be easy.The ranch took up all his spare time.
