The sun was already slanting into the room and the scent of bacon hung in the air. Realizing how late it must be, she groaned. “I shouldn’t be sleeping in. I’m supposed to be helping.” She pushed herself to sit up but couldn’t slip out from beneath the quilt. All she wore to bed was a camisole and her panties. Except this man had already seen her in less. The temptation to groan again almost overwhelmed her.
He did that thing then. Just stared at her for a few seconds before talking. “Corinne’s still sleeping too. We’ll let it slide… this time.”
And then Misty perked up. “I already ate breakfast at my friend’s house. Kayla is my best friend and she doesn’t live very far away. We ate Fruit Loops because it was a sleepover. Uncle Pay says we’re going riding today. You can meet my horse and we’ll teach you how to ride. And we can take a picnic and bring Red, can’t we Uncle Pay?”
Stella blinked and laughed at Misty’s exuberance. ‘Uncle Pay’ still hadn’t moved. He was awfully comfortable coming into her bedroom. The thought sent a chill down her spine.
He swung back and forth a little and then took a step backwards. “We need to let Stella put some clothes on.” Something about the way he said that. Gah! She had to stop her mind from going in that direction. She squeezed Misty tight. “I’ll be down in less than ten minutes.”
Misty bounced off the bed and toward the door where Peyton swooped down and threw her over his shoulder. “You’re not getting away this time, monster.” And then he winked at Stella, patted Misty on the bum and backed out the door. “Breakfast in five!” He hollered as the door closed.
Stella just sat there, a little stunned. Such a different man than she’d thought him to be yesterday. Loves his sister, good with kids, cooks, and walks around shirtless displaying rock hard abs.
He even has a sense of humor.
Good grief, Stella. Just stop!
She swung her legs off the bed and did her best to focus on what mattered. A little excitement caught her at the prospect of going horseback riding. This wouldn’t be like the rides she’s gone on before… thirty tired horses carrying a group of tourists along a well-worn path. She dressed quickly in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and her boots again. She’d bought these boots for hiking, hopefully they’d work just as well for a ride. She didn’t want to get caught wearing something inappropriate again.
When she arrived downstairs, she found Misty standing on a chair stirring what looked like orange juice while Peyton cracked eggs into a skillet.
Feeling it important that she jump right in, Stella located four plates and began setting the table. “My mom always cooked a special breakfast on Sundays. Every other day we’d just have toast or something. Is that how you guys do it?”
“Yeah.” Misty answered for both of them. “Don’t set me a place Aunty Stella, ’cause I already had Fruit Loops, remember?”
“I’m making you an egg kiddo.” Peyton transferred one from the skillet to a plate. “You want to go tell your mom breakfast is almost ready?”
Misty jumped down from her chair and skipped away. “She never just walks anywhere, does she?” Stella pointed out before opening a drawer in search of silverware.
“She’s a pistol, that one.” The mood this morning was so different than last night’s meal. Stella turned around and nearly slammed herself into Peyton’s naked chest. Shouldn’t the man have put on a shirt already?
“I’d always heard that bacon was the one thing you never wanted to cook if you were naked.” She shimmied around him to get to the table.
“I’m not naked!”
“Well, you’re not exactly dressed. Doesn’t it hurt when the bacon splatters on you?”
He just grunted at that. “Believe me you’d know if I was naked.”
Corinne came downdressed for the ride, more color in her face this morning.
“Are you ready to tackle the mountain Stell?”
“I’m excited.” All of this glorious scenery was begging to affect her. Even with her lack of sleep, the thought of riding outside in the mountain air with her best friend and Misty… and Peyton… Her heart jumped. Fresh air. Right.
Peyton carried the last plate to the table and sat beside Corinne. Despite her assertion that she’d already eaten, Misty scooped some egg up with a slice of bacon and happily chowed down.
“What’d your mom cook up for those special Sunday breakfasts?”
It took Stella a few seconds to realize Peyton was following up on her earlier statement. And then the memory of maple syrup, vanilla and coffee came to mind. “The best waffles you can imagine.”
“I remember her your mom’s waffles.” Corinne nibbled at her toast. “She ever tell you her recipe?”
Stella had found the recipe written on an index card last summer when she’d cleaned out the old apartment. Biscuit mix, milk and a full tablespoon of vanilla! She still couldn’t help smiling at the simplicity of it. Her mom had guarded that secret for so long.
Although she’d insisted Stella set her up in an assisted living facility once she’d fallen ill, Stella still felt guilty about it. And then she’d passed away, overnight. Without her… Another horrible phone call she’d like to forget.
“I have it.” She smiled, trying not to feel melancholy. She’d forgotten about the waffles. When she glanced up from her plate, she caught Peyton watching her curiously. Don’t look at me like that. Bells went off in her brain when Corinne glanced between the two of them.
