Forever Wild (The Simple Wild #2.5) - K.A. Tucker Page 0,23

Astrid produces, my mother will double that number and they’ll all be Toronto based.

And all of this is a moot point because neither of them is deciding where Jonah and I are getting married!

“You know, there’s a way to avoid all this,” he reminds me. He must see the ire in my eyes.

“It’s tempting at the moment,” I admit.

“What’s tempting?” my mother asks.

“Nothing,” Jonah and I say in unison.

Simon holds out an extra crispy slice of bacon with a set of tongs for me. “I think you and Jonah should decide what’s best for you, and we will help make that happen. Right, Susan?”

If he feels her scathing glare at his back, he ignores it, smiling wide at us.

“Thank you—hey!” I squeal as Jonah intercepts the piece. I snatch it from his grasp with a glower, earning his playful grin.

“Is my coffee ready?” Björn hollers from the living room.

That playful grin evaporates instantly. Jonah opens his mouth—no doubt to offer a confrontational retort.

I shove the slice of bacon into his mouth to shut him up, capping it off with a finger waggle of warning.

“Here, I’ll take that.” Astrid holds out her hands to collect Björn’s mug from me.

“Calla, where did you say those eggs were?” Simon holds out an open carton with only one egg inside.

“Bottom shelf. I bought two dozen on Friday.”

“Oh, I used those,” Astrid says, setting Björn’s coffee on the table beside him before patting his shoulder with affection.

“All of them?”

“Well, yes. The Kvæfjordkake and Karamellpudding alone take a dozen eggs. The risengrynsgrøt doesn’t have any, but then there’s the …” Astrid names several dishes I can’t interpret, leaving Simon to scratch his chin as he studies the pans on the stove and the lonely egg.

I sigh. “I’ll run over to Roy’s and see if I can get a few more from him.”

“I don’t want you to go to all that trouble—”

“It’s just down the road. Ten minutes at most. No big deal.” Normally, it wouldn’t be. Who knows what kind of reception I’ll get after our fight the other night.

“If you’re sure.”

“That we can’t have Simon’s world-famous, English-style eggs-and-bacon breakfast without eggs?” I head for the coat hooks and slip on my winter jacket. “Besides, I have to drop off Roy’s Christmas gifts to him.”

“You want me to come with you?” Jonah offers.

I can’t tell if he’s offering because he wants to get away from all the wedding pressure or because he knows I’m nervous about Roy. Either way, it’s best if I approach the curmudgeon on my own. “I’m good.”

I’m tugging on my winter hat when the side door creaks open and Muriel plows through, stomping her heavy boots on the doormat. She must have driven her truck in because I didn’t hear an engine approach.

“Morning, all!” She saunters in, bringing a draft of cold air with her.

I make quick introductions.

“Oh, I’ve heard plenty about all of you. Your kids have been counting down the days to have you here.” Muriel’s shrewd gaze halts on the gingerbread house displayed in the middle of the dining table. “Would you look at that.” She marches over to get a closer view, leaving snowy footprints across the floor. We’ve had words about her bad habit of tracking mud and snow across our hardwood floors. She’s gotten better about it. Most of the time. “Calla said you were busy baking the other day, Astrid?”

Astrid smiles. “Yes. It is a passion of mine.”

“Too bad we didn’t have that for the auction, right?” I step into my boots.

“I don’t know. I think people’d feel guilty eatin’ this thing.” After another appraising look, Muriel shifts her attention back to me. “Where you off to?”

“Roy’s. We ran out of eggs and Simon’s cooking breakfast.”

“And you are more than welcome to join us,” Simon offers cordially.

Muriel waves him off. “That’s kind of you, but I ate hours ago. I can’t stay. I just wanted to bring this moose roast over.” She holds up the bulky, butcher-paper-wrapped package from under her arm. “Figured you folks probably don’t get moose too often and you might enjoy it one night for dinner.”

Jonah’s all smiles as he retrieves it from her. “You know I will. Thanks.”

Muriel dips her head. “That’s what neighbors do, isn’t it? We take care of each other.”

Astrid smiles warmly, watching the exchange. “Did you get that during this year’s hunt, Muriel?”

“Me? No. I don’t go moose hunting much anymore. Not since …” Her voice trails with her stern frown, and I know she’s thinking