Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

L unch was fun. Berni, Aubrey, and Christine were out and about with the Duke and Duchess doing royal duties, while Emory and Robbie were at work, so it was just Finn, Ezzy, Fran, Jacob, Joe, and Frank.

It had taken Jacob a while to walk down the stairs, and he had to sit and rest once he reached the bottom, but once he had his energy back, Fran showed him and Joe some of the downstairs rooms until it was time for lunch.

“It’s good to see you downstairs, Jacob,” Frank said to him.

“Thanks. The stairs were still a struggle, but I wanted to join everyone for lunch and then rest before shifting.”

“I said I would stay with Jake while he shifts,” Joe said.

“We all can,” Ezzy said. “Unless you’re busy, Uncle.”

“I have some meetings this afternoon, but the four of you can shift together, remembering to stay just round the front of the castle and only for fifteen minutes,” Frank replied.

“We’ll make sure Jacob behaves,” Ezzy said with a grin.

Jacob laughed. “What are you going to do, squirt me with water if I do too much?”

“I’d not thought of that, I’m sure the garden hose will stretch far enough,” Ez replied.

“I hate to break up this happy lunch, but I need to get going,” Fran said, finishing his meal.

Jacob pulled Fran into a kiss, keeping it short because, well, they were in the dining room. Pulling back, he smiled at Fran. “Have a good afternoon, dear.”

Fran laughed. “I will. Remember, lots of rest.”

“Promise,” Jacob replied.

“See you all later,” Fran said to the table, standing up and walking out of the room, touching his dad’s shoulder on the way past.

Jacob watched Fran leave.

“Yeah, pretty sure we all look like that when our mates leave,” Finn said, smiling at him.

“How lucky are we?” Jacob said, looking round at his new family.

Frank took Joe’s hand. “So very lucky.”

Lunch broke up and the friends decided to meet up in about an hour.

Jacob walked out of the dining room and, following his nose, walked down a hallway looking for the kitchen.

He walked in and saw a lady sitting at a kitchen table reading what looked like a cookbook.

She looked up before Jacob could say anything and smiled, standing up. “You must be Jacob, I’m Laura.”

Jacob liked the look of the castle cook. He always thought cooks and chefs were large people on account of tasting their cooking, but Laura was a slender woman who seemed like she should be a model, not a chef.

“I am,” he replied. “I came to thank you for the delicious food you made me while I was ill.”

“You’re very welcome, Jacob. If you have a favourite meal, let me know and I’ll make it for you.”

“I’m happy with anything. But I wonder if I could ask you a huge favour.”

“Of course,” she said, still smiling.

“I wonder if you could make Fran’s favourite meal just for the two of us to eat in Fran’s room. I want a lovely meal to thank him for looking after me and forgiving me from when I was a complete shit to him.”

Laura’s smile got even wider. “I can certainly do that. Would you like the meal tonight?”

“Not if it will put you out today.”

“Nonsense, I can make it tonight, I have everything needed.”

“Then thank you, Laura. I’m not sure what time Fran will be home, though. I know he was only working this afternoon.”

“That’s okay, I can work around his shift.”

“Also, would it be possible when I have more energy if you can teach me how to make his favourite dishes?”

Laura beamed at him. “That would be entirely possible and completely lovely of you. I always hoped Fran’s mate would be wonderful and you are.”

Jacob felt himself blushing. “Thank you. Also, I wondered if it was possible to get him some flowers. Is that silly? I don’t want to embarrass him.”

Laura walked closer and touched his arm. “No, that’s not silly. It’s a lovely thought and completely romantic. Leave everything to me and Clairmont and we’ll make Fran feel like the special person he is.”

“He really is. Thank you, Laura.”

“You’re welcome, dear. Now go and rest.”

Jacob laughed. “Will do.” And Jacob left a happy Laura bustling around the kitchen.

Jacob still had time before he was due to meet the others but decided he had been inside long enough and walked to the main door.

“Hello, Jacob. Running away?” he heard Clairmont say from behind him with a smile in his voice.

Jacob turned and grinned. “No, I thought I would sit on the front steps until the others came so I could shift. I’m really not used to staying inside so much.”

“I can understand that. Let me get the door for you. Can you manage the front steps?” the butler asked, opening the door.

“I can, thanks, Clairmont. If you see the others, can you tell them where I am?”

“Certainly.”

“Thanks, Clairmont,” Jacob said, walking outside. He moved to the side of the door and, leaving the walker on the top step, walked down two, before sitting on the next one.

Jacob took a deep breath and then coughed. Maybe no deep breaths, Jacob thought to himself. Instead, he closed his eyes and turned his face upwards, enjoying the gentle breeze, and soaked up being outside the castle.