Keith (Hathaway House #11) - Dale Mayer Page 0,1

her arms crossed over her chest. She was about five-four, maybe five-three, but her hair was long and loose and fell to her waist and beyond. He looked at her in surprise. “And who are you?”

“I told you that I brought somebody to meet you,” Robin said. “She’s our chef and works in the kitchen here.”

He nodded slowly. “Well, that must be a job and a half.”

She laughed. “I’m Ilse,” she said with a smile. She walked closer and reached out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Gradually he reached a hand out to her and said, “I’m Keith. Nice to meet you too.”

She looked to the window at the storm raging outside. “Good thing we have nice warm meals in here.”

“What’s for dinner?” he asked, although no interest was in his tone because food was not something his body particularly liked anymore.

“Do you eat?” she asked, turning to study him.

He flushed slightly, realizing his sister had probably told her something about him.

“I didn’t tell her anything,” Robin said crossly before he could speak. “You always jump right to thinking I’ve revealed our family secrets or something.”

He rolled his eyes. “I don’t have much appetite,” he said lightly.

Ilse looked at him with a smile and nodded. “I imagine all the medications and surgeries make that a little rough too.”

“What goes in has to come out,” he said, “and it’s not always the smoothest journey.”

Her lips quirked. “Isn’t that the truth? So you’re here, and it’s day one for you,” she said. “So have a relaxing day today, and tomorrow is getting to know your team and all. Can I bring you something from the kitchen for dinner?”

He looked at her in surprise. “I don’t think a chef delivers the food,” he said.

At that, she gave him a full-blown smile. “Well, nothing about this place is normal, or so I’m told. I deliver food all the time. And Dennis, the guy who thinks he runs the kitchen,” she said with a smirk, “delivers food everywhere—inside, outside, even down to the pastures. He’s always on the go, trying to make people happy.”

“No wonder Robin likes it here so much.”

“Absolutely,” Ilse said. She walked to the window and stared out.

As she turned, he realized her hair was slightly damp, which is probably why she wore it down, leaving it long and flowing so it could dry. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw a woman with long hair like hers.

“We don’t see this weather very often,” she murmured.

“No,” he said. “I was just thinking it matched my mood.”

“Nah,” Robin said brightly. “It’s not nearly dark enough.” He turned and glared at her, but she grinned impudently. “That look does not scare me,” she said.

“Why not?” he asked. “It used to work well enough.”

“It used to,” she said. “That was a while back. Now? Not so much. Maybe because you use it so often.”

He shrugged. “Whatever.”

More commotion came at his door, and then somebody else walked in. The two women brightened.

“Hello, Dani. How you doing?” Robin asked.

“I’m doing fine,” she said. “Just came to check up on your brother.” Dani turned to look at him. “How are you doing, Keith?”

“Feeling a little worse for wear and wondering why my room is like Grand Central Station,” he said.

At that, Dani chuckled. “You’ll get used to it,” she said. “Buck up. People are moving all over the place at this center.”

“What about patient privacy?”

Robin protested. “Don’t be so cranky.”

“I’m always cranky,” he snapped.

“No, you were always cranky,” she said. “You’re not allowed to be cranky here. Everybody here is full of niceness and humor.”

“My world is not full of chihuahuas and birthday cake,” he said. “It’s full of rottweilers and death.”

At that, Robin reached out and grabbed his fingers and clung to him.

He knew that she understood, but it wasn’t fair to keep punching on her. He groaned. “See? You always made me cranky.”

She burst out laughing, and a reluctant grin came to his lips.

“And I can never stay mad at you,” he said with a half sigh. “You’re just too nice.”

The whole exchange between the two of them was witnessed by the other two women. Dani appeared way too young to be managing a place like this. Not only managing, according to his sister, but had started it in order to save her father. Though Ilse had really caught Keith’s attention.

As she walked toward the doorway, her long hair bounced off her hips, coming halfway down her buttocks. He couldn’t help but admire how trim