Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,32

something irresistible into each of his dishes.”

Ivan wagged his finger at his brother. “Don’t go giving anyone ideas. That’s the kind of rumor that spreads.”

“I was joking, everyone knows the only added ingredient that goes into your food is love and care. And dragon breath.” Caleb winked at Elise who smothered a smile.

“You’re so funny.” Ivan went to the counter and indicated a picnic basket. “I suppose that means you don’t want this.”

Caleb inhaled deeply, his eyes widening as he crossed the kitchen. “What is that? It smells delicious.”

“If you can guess, you can have it. I thought you and Elise might like to go have breakfast on the beach since it’s a nice day.”

“How did you even know I’d be coming?” Caleb asked.

“Are you joking? You have come to check up on me.” Ivan placed his hand on the basket handle. “Just to make sure that I haven’t made your mate cry.”

“He does do that,” Caleb told Elise.

“Not to me. At least not today.” She finished washing the pans and dried her hands on a towel. “Are you going to guess?”

“Oh. Right.” He inched closer to the basket and leaned down, inhaling deeply. “Pancakes with maple syrup. And eggs. Some fruit. And bacon.”

“Not exactly difficult.” Ivan lifted the basket and handed it to his brother. “Go. Enjoy your breakfast.”

“Thanks, Ivan.” Caleb swung the basket in his hand. “Are you ready to leave? I have about half an hour before I have to get back to work. Aiden has gone to pick up some lumber.”

“I have Karros’s car. Shall I meet you at the beach?” She hurried to the locker room and grabbed her purse.

“Sure. We can go in separate cars.” Caleb sounded a little disappointed.

“He wants to sit close to you,” Ivan teased and pretended to shuffle closer to Caleb and make kissing sounds.

“Forgive my immature brother.” Caleb shook his head but grinned as he went to the back door with the basket in his hand. “It’s a good thing he makes such good food.”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Ivan followed them to the doorway. “I have some homework for you, Elise.”

“Homework?” Her heart hammered in her chest. She always hated homework when she was at school. But this wasn’t school. Ivan wasn’t going to test her knowledge of algebra. “Okay.”

“It’s simple. I want you to cook me something.” Ivan held out his hands. “Pick a favorite dish of yours, preferably one that isn’t copied from a recipe book.”

“Okay.” She swallowed hard as her mind emptied of everything she’d ever cooked, all the recipes she’d ever experimented with, and all the flavors she’d tested.

“I just want to get an idea of what level you’re working at.”

“So you want me to cook something difficult?” Her stomach churned, not from hunger but nerves.

“No. Some of the best recipes are simple. It’s all about the flavors.” He chuckled. “You’ve gone pale.”

“I have?” She put her hands to her cheeks which only moments ago were flaming hot from the kitchen.

“You have,” Caleb whispered in her ear.

“I’m just nervous. I never was good at exams.”

“This isn’t an exam, it’s not even a test. Just imagine you are cooking something for Caleb,” Ivan advised.

“You were going to cook for me this evening,” he told her.

“I suppose.” She nodded and backed away.

“Come on.” Caleb hooked his hand under her elbow. “You’ll feel better once you’ve eaten something.”

“No, I won’t,” she replied miserably. “After I’ve tasted Ivan’s wonderful pancakes, I won’t ever cook again.”

“Yes. You will.” Caleb patted his toned stomach. “This bear loves to eat.”

“Oh, so that’s your idea? You think I’m just here to cook for you!”

“Well, if you’re not going to work in the restaurant, it would be a pity to put your hard work to waste. You can cook for me and our kids,” he replied. “We’ll appreciate you.”

“Oh, no!” She waved her finger at him.

“That sounds like fighting talk.” He opened the truck door and placed the picnic basket on the front passenger seat.

Her eyes narrowed as she unlocked the car. “You’re teasing me.”

“I’m trying to make you see that you can do this. You just need to dig deep and have confidence in yourself. The same confidence I have in you.” He slammed the truck door shut and sauntered toward her.

“I do have confidence in myself,” she replied. “I just...lose sight of it sometimes.”

“And that’s why I’m here, to remind you of it.” He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

Elise reached out and grabbed hold of his shirt as her