Chapter 25 #2
I blink, surprised, but before I can put my thoughts together, the door opens.
“Come in,” Aiden says, stepping aside.
Nathan gestures for me to go in first, then follows behind.
The house feels alive.
Containers of jam line the counters. A large bowl of peeled peaches sits near the sink. The air smells like fresh bread and something sweet I can’t quite place.
“You’re the man,” Aiden says, taking the crate from Nathan and setting it on the counter. “How many are in here?”
“Twelve,” Nathan answers. “I’ll grab more from the garage. Need anything?”
“No. May’s letting me use her oven, so I’m starting the bagels once I get these jars packed.”
Nathan nods and disappears back toward the garage.
Aiden turns to me. “Have you had coffee yet?”
“I haven’t,” I admit. “But you’re doing so much — I can take care of that.”
“That pot just brewed.” He points toward the coffee maker. “Let me get you a mug.”
He reaches up to a high cupboard just as Nathan comes back in carrying another crate filled with bowls covered with shower caps.
“I’m taking the rest of the Vampire Slayer,” Nathan says. “I think you only have blueberry and red velvet left. I’ll be back later.”
He heads out the front door.
I stare after him. “Vampire Slayer?”
Aiden laughs. “Nathan named it. That’s actually the loaf you’re about to eat. I make it with garlic cheddar. It’s really good.”
“Have you named any of your other breads?”
He shakes his head while filling a mug with coffee. “Not really. I usually just write the flavor on the bag.”
He hands me the coffee, then starts slicing a loaf.
Steam curls from the bread as he places a thick slice on a plate, with little pockets of white cheese running through it. He halves an avocado, slices it neatly, and spoons it onto the toast before finishing it with a sprinkle of Celtic salt.
He sets the plate in front of me.
I don’t even know what to say.
I sit on the counter that overlooks the kitchen, sipping coffee and watching him work.
He pulls a large ceramic pot from a cabinet and lays parchment paper on the counter. From the fridge, he takes a bowl, removes its shower cap, flips it over, and a perfectly round ball of dough drops onto the parchment.
He grabs a small, sharp tool and scores the top with one long line, then makes smaller cuts to form a simple pattern.
It feels almost… artistic.
He lowers the bread into the pot and places the lid on top. The oven timer goes off behind him. He slips on an oven mitt, opens the oven, removes the lid from another pot already inside, closes it again, and resets the timer.
Then he turns toward me.
I’m still watching him.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Just… perplexed by your work,” I admit.
He laughs under his breath, lifting the pot with the new loaf.
“I need to take this over to your oven.”
“I can do it,” I say, slipping off the counter.
“No.” He shakes his head. “You eat. I can do it if that’s okay with you.”
I pull my keys from my pocket and hand them over.
“I’ll be right back,” he says.
I take a bite of the toast and immediately decide this is the best avocado toast I’ve ever had in my life. The bread is still warm, garlic and cheese melting into the avocado in a way that feels borderline unfair. If there’s anything that will make June feel better, it’s definitely this.
I’m not alone for long.
Skye comes trotting down the hallway, nails clicking softly against the floor. She stops beside me, tail wagging once before leaning in to sniff.
“Hey, little girl,” I say, reaching down to pat her head.
She accepts the attention, then casually makes her way over to her bed, circling once before settling down.
A moment later, I hear voices coming from the hallway.
Within seconds, Uncle Mike appears, followed by a young man dressed in scrubs. Uncle Mike spots me, and his face lights up.
“May, you’re back!” he says happily.
“Good morning,” I answer.
The man beside him smiles. He’s tall, with dark hair neatly trimmed, warm brown eyes, a full beard, and a bright, friendly smile.
“This is Andres, my caretaker,” Uncle Mike says.
“Hello,” Andres says.
“Hi,” I reply.
“He’s about to take me for a walk down by the harbor,” Uncle Mike adds. “You want to come?”
“Oh, I’d love to,” I say, “but I have a few things to do. My sisters are coming into town tomorrow, and I need to get everything ready.”
Right as I say it, Aiden walks back through the front door.
“Well, maybe next time,” Uncle Mike says, already moving toward the door. He pats Aiden on the shoulder as he passes. “You two be good now.”
Aiden shakes his head with a small smile as they leave.
He leans against the counter and looks at me. “Did I hear you say your sisters are coming?”
“Yeah,” I say, taking another sip of coffee. “They’ll be here tomorrow.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“You already have plenty going on,” I say, taking another bite of toast.
He watches me for a second, and I close my eyes briefly, enjoying the flavors.
“This bread is amazing,” I tell him. “The garlic cheese is so good.”
“Thank you,” he says, smiling. “I’m glad you like it.”
He pours himself a mug of coffee. After a beat, he says, “I have an extra bed. If you want, I can move it into your guest room.”
“I was just going to have one of them sleep on the couch,” I say. “It feels like a lot of work for just a few days.”
“It’s not,” he says. “Nathan can help me carry it. It’s no big deal, and they’ll be more comfortable.”
My chest warms a little.
“Thank you,” I say. “That’s really kind of you.”
He nods, easy and certain, like helping me is the obvious choice.
“I need to run to the store later,” I add, finishing another bite of toast. “But before I go — seriously — how can I help you today?”
“I’m sure you have a lot…” he starts.
“No, not really,” I interrupt. “You’re doing so much, and I can help. Just tell me what you need.”
He thinks for a second.
“Are you up to making some peach jam?”
I grin.
“I cannot wait.”