Chapter Nine
Ripley
With enough wood stacked up to last for a good while, I followed Jude back into the cabin, once again struck by the Christmas decorations but able to move past it, at least for a little while.
The scents of bubbling elk stew, fresh sourdough bread, and almond cake had my stomach rumbling, and the omega’s presence held me grounded as well.
“If you eat like this all the time, how do you not weigh a ton?” I asked, breathing it all in. “Especially with the cookies and cakes.”
“I don’t eat it all.” He stirred the stew. “Or I’d never make a living. Oh, I taste test, but the only time I bake for the purpose of enjoying it myself is now, when I’m on vacation. I figure the baker deserves it.”
“I never thought about it like that. But most of what crosses my path are the boxes of donuts or maybe bagels I buy for the crews on my projects. Usually on Fridays.”
“Donuts?”
“Yes, probably not up to your standards.”
He set the wooden spoon down on a saucer next to the pot. “Dinner’s ready. Oh, and I love donuts. I just don’t make them myself because I don’t have a deep fryer. Or a brick-and-mortar shop. You really need one of those for that type of business.”
“Makes sense. So…how can I help you?”
“With the donut show?” He grinned. “Or dinner.”
“Dinner, for now.” I studied his face. “Did you want to open a donut shop?”
“No. I like how I do things, for now. But you could set the table, if you like.” He showed me where to find the bowls and silverware and things and picked up a couple of hot pads to take the bread and cake out of the oven.
I was still having a little trouble with the decorations, but Jude’s delicious dinner and the conversation while we ate, along with my wolf’s positive mood, helped a lot.
“The stew was incredible,” I said, standing to pick up our bowls and carry them to the sink.
“My wolf generally eats anything he hunts on the spot. I’ve never been able to cook any of it later. Never thought of it actually.”
“Kind of a deal we have. He eats the smaller prey, generally, but if we take down a deer or elk, it gives the human side of things a freezer full of meat for the winter.” He rose as well, and between us, we had the table cleared in a few minutes.
“Why don’t we have our cake by the fire?
I can make hot chocolate too, if you have room? ”
“That sounds wonderful, but I’ll do the dishes first. I need to pull my weight around here.”
He started to protest then nodded. “All right. I’ll make the cocoa and put the other food away, and we’ll have it all done between us. I really do prefer to relax knowing I’m not going to have to jump up and do more work right after I get comfortable and sleepy.”
The picture of him curled up in front of the fire, all “comfortable and sleepy,” carried me through dishwashing and on to the time when we were seated in the warm glow. On the low table in front of the sofa was a tray holding two mugs, a thermal pitcher of cocoa, and a plate of sliced cake.
I could almost forget the garland and bows draping the mantel as I sipped the warm chocolate and nibbled on almond cake.
“This is so good,” I said, licking the last of the crumbs from my fingers. “Such an interesting texture.”
“Almond flour,” he said, refilling both our mugs. “Makes for a different crumb. One of my favorite cakes, too.”
“I see why.”
“Do you want more?” he asked. “There’s still half a cake in the kitchen.”
“I’d better not. I had thirds of stew.”
He chuckled, cupping his mug between his palms. “I noticed. There’s almost none left for tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Darn. He’d probably counted on that for his next day or two and along came piggy me gobbling it all down. “You’ll have to throw me out before I eat you out of house and home.”
“I have plenty of meat in the freezer, and the pantry is stocked. I’m glad you like my food, alpha.”
When he said the word, my heart stalled. I’d been called alpha before, but not by this omega. His wolf was a friend for mine, but there was more between us. No…I was just feeling bad and this omega comforted me, reached parts of me nobody ever had. So fast? What were we to one another?
Despite my efforts to dismiss the thought, I reached for his mug and set it on the table.
Took his hand and stroked the back of it with my thumb.
“Your food is excellent, and the company is even better.” Then we were kissing.
I wasn’t even sure who precipitated it, but his kisses were as warm and nourishing as his food.
Settling him against me, I cupped his chin and deepened the kiss.
Mate.
Impossible. How would we ever survive the holidays? My gaze caught the Christmas tree and I jerked back. “I have to go to bed.”
“What?” Jude’s eyes opened, and he blinked. “I... Okay. I guess. Good night.”
And like the coward I was, I left him there. He deserved better than a damaged alpha. Maybe he was my fated, but maybe Fate made mistakes.