“Oh, it’s definitely not haute cuisine, that’s for sure,” Teagan said.
“So what’s the big deal?”
“Feeding a crowd of hungry motorcycle riders who will want more than burgers and hot dogs slapped on buns,” Iona said. “Your part in this fiasco will be short. That leaves me and the rest of my team stuck on kitchen duty, where we can’t be your eyes and ears in the crowd. This isn’t a good plan, Elias.”
“If you have a better one, I’m all ears.”
“Look, I don’t object to feeding them the main course plus sides and desserts. The problem is working in the kitchen during the entire meal. We have to work out something different.” She looked at the rest of them. “I propose we buy the sides or at least buy the ingredients and put them together tonight, and maybe desserts plus tea to drink.”
Noah chuckled. “Can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they find out our Old Ladies have made them teetotalers.”
The rest of Echo laughed.
Iona scowled. “Go ahead. Laugh it up. But someone is accompanying me to the grocery store in Red Rock. Oh, and by the way, I’m not paying for this huge grocery bill. One of you fine gentlemen will have that pleasure since you came up with the idea.”
Elias flinched. “Ouch, Lady. You play rough.”
“You would be wise to remember that, Knight.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He turned to his teammates. “Who’s man enough to go with us?”
A slow smile formed on Grant’s mouth. “The rest of you can catch a beauty nap. I’ve got this.”
“Wait a minute.” Andre looked from Elias to Grant and back. “That tactic won’t work, you know.”
“I’d say it already did.” Elias inclined his head toward the women who were in a group, making a list of ingredients needed for the meal. The rest of his teammates surrounded the women, suggesting ingredients.
That was ironic. Echo unit was a group of former Special Forces soldiers who grilled like experts, but that was all. Except for Seth, they were all thumbs unless Artemis members who cooked took pity on them and guided them through every step, like Iona had done for him with the scrambled eggs. One day soon, he would slide a ring on Iona’s elegant finger.
“You’re thinking about Iona again.” Grant shook his head. “Dude, you are pathetic.”
Yeah, he really was. “Don’t care. I’ve never been this happy in my life.”
Grant nudged him. “It shows. She’s special, Elias. If you let her slip through your fingers, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Believe me, I know. I’m not letting her go.”
“Good. Just checking to see if your head’s on straight. With Iona, you’ll get one shot, and that’s all. If you screw this up, you’re toast.”
He held up a hand. “I understand. I won’t mess up.” He’d do everything in his power to keep her. Elias knew an excellent thing when he had it. That was Iona.
After two more minutes, the women finished their list, and Iona joined him and Grant. She waggled the paper in her hand. “I’m ready. We need to go. They roll up the sidewalks in Red Rock at 9:00 p.m.”
“Rayne.” Grant held out his hand. Together, they left the cabin with Elias and Iona on their heels.
An hour later, Grant parked in the lot beside the grocery store. He glanced at his tactical watch. “We have thirty minutes. Should we divide the list?”
“That’s a good idea.” Iona took a picture of the list and sent it to Rayne before she reached for the door handle. “Rayne, you and Grant take the ingredients on the right side of the store. Elias and I will handle the left side, and we’ll meet at the cash register.”
“Copy that.”
After the cashier greeted them with a smile, the two couples separated and walked to opposite sides of the store.
Elias snagged a cart.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Iona murmured. “What about your shoulder?”
“I’ll be fine as long as we don’t load the cart down with heavy items.”
