The Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 5

Adelaide

            After I exercised Goliath, I let him graze in the large pasture, letting Ares off his chain as well so they can play together. They seem to enjoy each other’s company pretty well. Dinner didn’t take long to prepare. I laid it all out on my dining room table. I love to cook and don’t entertain much so it was the perfect opportunity to put my cooking skills to good use.

            Tuscan chicken with sundried tomatoes and spinach, herbed noodles, garlic parmesan asparagus, and fresh rolls sit on the table ready to be served. I make my way to the guest house and knock lightly. The blonde man named Josh opens the door with a toothy smile.

            “Well hello gorgeous, thanks again for your help, what can I do for you?” he asks sweetly opening the door wide to let me in.

            “Ummm hi. Dinner is ready if you’re hungry. I’d bring it out here but there’s no dishes out here.” I rush quickly, trying to hide my blush from the endearment.

            “I’m starved!” Ava singsongs before placing one of the books from my bookshelf on the glass side table next to the chaise.

            “Yeah we haven’t eaten since this morning, so food sounds great.” Josh states.

            “Alright well if you wanna follow me I’ll show you to the kitchen.” Turning on my heel I lead them into my kitchen to my white dining table. Callan hasn’t said a word yet. I wasn’t sure if he even would, but I can’t help glancing at him a few times before sitting.

            “This. Smells. Amazing.” Ava praises.

            “Help yourself, I never get the chance to cook so I rather enjoyed it.”

            “No need to tell me twice.” Josh digs into the serving dishes needing no more encouragement. I had made enough to feed at least six so there is plenty for them to eat their fill.

            After filling up our plates Josh takes a large bite and groans. “Where did you learn to cook?”

            I chuckle thinking about the many hours of master chef, hell’s kitchen, beat bobby flay, and guys grocery games I have watched. “Food network channel.”

            Ava giggles and continues to dig into her supper. And still Mr. Tall Dark and Broody has yet to speak a word. I’m fairly certain he likes my food though cause he and Josh go in for seconds, I poured wine for everyone and take a long drink from my glass before asking. “So, what brings you guys to Albion?”

            Ava is the first to speak. “We are here on business. We were getting ready to look for a place to set up shop for a few months before our car broke down.”

            I scan my head thinking about any available places I’ve seen around here before I remember and almost smack my forehead not believing I had forgotten. My friend has a large lake house for rent only a few miles from here. Taking another gulp of my wine to wash down the last bite I had taken of my food I clear my throat.

            “A friend of mine owns a lake house a few miles from here if you were wanting to find something around here. In this little town there’s rarely anything available for miles. People move here and stay forever.”

            “Thanks, but you’ve helped enough already.” Green eyes finally speaks. He doesn’t sound happy at all by my attempt to help.

            “It was just a suggestion.” Narrowing my eyes at him, not liking his tone at all.

            “Ignore him beautiful. He’s a dick.” Josh states matter of factly. “I looked online and saw a couple of places, but they were all apartments or one-bedroom houses.”

            “Like I said there isn’t much that comes available around here.”

            “Well while my friend here is in fact a d**k, I am not, and will gladly take you up on that offer.” He winks at me, Callan’s knuckles go white as he grips the fork he has been holding.

            “That would be awesome. Some luck running into you, Addy.” Ava gives me a friendly grin.

            “I’ll call as soon as we finish dinner and I get the table cleared.”

            “Nonsense, you made dinner, which was to die for by the way, we can clear the table for you.” She replies sweetly.

            “That’s not necessary, I can get it.”

            “I won’t hear of it. Besides the sooner we can find a place the better. I hate to ask you this because of how much you’ve already helped but you wouldn’t happen to have a change of clothes I could bum from you? It would seem we forgot all of our luggage in the SUV.” Chuckling to hide her embarrassment.

            “Yeah not a problem.” I would offer to take them to get their bags but I’m sure Asshole would have something to say about that too. He is beautiful, and intense, and in fact kind of an asshole from what I can tell. But in my profession you learn that most people hide their scars by being cold and hard with others

            I called my friend and got it set up to see the house tomorrow morning. Callan didn’t like that they would need a ride there, but Ava and Josh made him see reason. We will swing by my dad’s place and pick up their belongings as well.

Things are cleaned back up in the kitchen by the time I finish my phone call. They retort their good nights and Ava pulls me into a strong hug, something I hadn’t expected with how petite she is, and went off back to the guest house. Night has fallen and the skies are clear, the perfect night to lay in the grass and look at the stars.