5 Reasons To Love Again

Chapter 22

I woke up feeling a little happy. I did my usual routine of bathing then getting Lexine and I ready and dressed for the day. We headed to the kitchen and found Preston and Brady pulling some things out of the fridge and pantry. I looked at everything they had out on the counter and was puzzled. I couldn't figure out what they were trying to make. Judging from the looks on their faces, neither did they.

"Good morning." I said to them. "What have we got here?"

They looked a little sheepish.

"I'm not really sure." Preston admitted.

"Why don't you leave this to me? You guys take Lexine and entertain her ok?"

"You're on!" Brady said with relief.

They took her out to the living room and I started to look at what they had out. I decided to make a hash brown and onion casserole, scrambled eggs and drop biscuits. I put away whatever things I didn't need such as peanut butter and a can of peas? I shook my head at that one.

Soon the kitchen began to have a savory smell as the hash brown and onion casserole sizzled in the skillet. I quickly made the biscuit dough and popped it in the oven. While those two things were cooking I whipped up the scrambled eggs.

Arms slid around my waist and a voice asked, "What smells so good?" I turned my head to see Jake smiling at me.

"Breakfast." I answered feeling a little foolish. I couldn't think straight when they were this close to me.

"Is it almost ready? I'm starving."

"Should be ready in about five minutes."

"OK, I'm just going to make some coffee. I really need some caffeine."

He kissed my neck and let go of me. I stopped breathing for a second. The buzzing of the oven timer woke me up and I turned it off. I pulled the biscuits out of the oven and snuck a look over at Jake. He was busy making coffee and didn't see me watching him. I admired the muscles in his arms. I liked the way they had felt around me. My eyes traveled down his lean body and back up to meet his smirk. Busted!

"Everything ok Delphine?"

"Uh, breakfast is ready?" I was so embarrassed.

Jake took pity on me and offered to let the others know. I was grateful to have a minute to get myself together.

A minute later we sat down to eat together. Just like yesterday morning, there were groans and compliments. I was pleased that something so simple as home cooked meals would make them so happy. It was the least I could do for them after they took us in.

"I think that I have died and gone to food paradise." Jake said. "I can't wait to taste everything that you can cook!"

"There are a lot of different things that I can make but I'm not sure if all of you would like it."

"If you make it, we will love it! None of us are very good at cooking, so we lived on a lot of take out and sandwiches. You in the kitchen is a dream come true for us."

"Ok." I said with a smile, "I'll keep cooking as long as you would like me to."

After Breakfast was over, I ran upstairs to grab my phone so that I could call the place back and schedule an appointment. I was almost to the bottom of the steps when Preston came over to me. He stood in front of me and I stopped on the next to last step which gave me some height. I was almost eye to eye with him.

"I have to get going to the office. Jake has to go on a job as well. Brady has the day off so he will be at your disposal today. Anything that you or Lexine need, he will take care of. I'll see you later tonight." He caressed my cheek and I couldn't help but lean into his touch. Preston ducked his head down and just as his lips were barely touching mine, we heard whistling and footsteps coming our way. He straightened up and took a step back and cleared his throat. His look was full of promise for later. Without another word he turned and went out the front door.