He guessed he'd be making a trip to the garage later as he left his room to head downstairs. I bet Caleb still doesn't even realize his phone's off.
In the hallway, the smell of food hit him so hard that his stomach suddenly growled like it wanted to run downstairs without him.
Eggs, bacon, green peppers, butter, and a little seasoning permeated his home from the stairs down. Curiously, he headed to the kitchen to find out exactly what was going on in there.
Rounding the corner, he found Ashley working contentedly on making plates that looked like they could've been served in a restaurant while humming along with the tune of a song she had playing on the cabinet radio next to the refrigerator.
Not something I wake up to everyday.
She’d made egg omelets with cheese and diced green peppers, including toast on the side instead of biscuits—probably because he lacked the ingredients to make them. But for that matter, he figured she was lucky to find a lot of anything.
Cade usually only bought the essential stuff, but he’d gone out a few days prior with his sister who’d insisted he get more than just the basics. He argued because he couldn’t cook worth a damn, and Sara told him it’d be something she could've whenever she stopped by if he didn’t use the items himself.
He was glad Sara had done so now. Ashley’s cooking smelled delicious. In fact, the way she was cooking said she knew a thing or two that not everyone did.
“Did you go to culinary school or something?”
“Yep,” she replied, turning around to place the plates on the table, the smile on her face suggesting she couldn’t have been happier with what she was doing.
“You have a wonderful kitchen too,” she added, going to turn the radio down once the plates were set out. “It almost reminds me of my grandmother's. Just more modern.”
“You cook with her a lot?”
Cade asked the question as he walked to the table and pulled a chair out, interested in seeing exactly how good this meal was going to be.
He couldn't help but notice that Ashley also seemed a lot happier than the night before. Getting some sleep must have done her good, and he felt like it’d done him some good too.
“Yeah, she got me started, and made it a lot of fun,” she replied. “Cooking's always made me feel more at home.”
“Well it smells great,” Cade spoke honestly. “It woke my stomach up.”
She smiled while sitting down and lifting her fork to dig in. “Good. I’ve always wanted to open a bakery, but I didn't get to go to business school, so I have no idea how to open one.”
Well, at least she has a goal, Cade thought. “You can still go.”
“Maybe, but it’ll take a while with the situation I’m in now. Guess I’ll just stick to private kitchens for the time being.”
Cade had taken a bite of his food while she was speaking, and he had to admit, it was delicious. Especially for something so simple. He’d had good cooking before, his mother was no slouch after all, but he dared to think this was even better.
“Damned shame if you ask me,” he mentioned after swallowing his food, “because this is perfect. You’d probably make a fortune.”
“Thanks,” she grinned, sounding as if she’d heard that a million times before but it just never got old.
Her confidence with it made him grin. Women who actually liked to cook seemed rare—at least, most of the women he’d ever known anyway. He hadn’t really thought she’d be a cook either, but taking a second bite, he was even more impressed over her culinary skills than before.
“We’re gonna have to get you some stuff to make,” Cade decided aloud as if there was no getting around it. “I wanna see what else you can do now.”
She snickered, asking, “Saying you want me to start cooking for you?”
“Hell yes,” he replied pointedly.
She grinned as if looking forward to the opportunity, and Cade couldn't help but admire her smile, remembering how cute she looked earlier when she was so sleep mussed, bruises or not.
Then he realized it was nice to talk to her without any friction in the conversation.
Actually, it was nice to have company at all.
Don't think about it.
Thankfully, Ashley pushed his more dreary thoughts away when she suggested, “I guess we both rested well last night. You seem to be in a better mood if you don’t mind my saying so.”
“Maybe,” Cade gave, looking her over. “You seem more relaxed too.”
“I slept pretty hard, and now I have a better outlook. I wanna get to work on starting over.”
Cade bit into more of his meal, enjoying it while hoping she remained this optimistic, but he wasn't going to hold his breath. Not yet at least.
Then again, maybe offering her a job would keep her this way.
“Sounds good. Guess I should tell you that I was thinking we need a new waitress at Blue Moon if you think you can handle that. But I wanna wait for at least a day or two, see how you settle in first.”
“I’ve done waitressing before. Shouldn’t be too difficult, and I do need a job.”
She seemed to mull over the possibilities in her head, giving Cade the sense that she was eager about it. But he didn't want her to jump the gun until they'd discussed the whole deal.
“You sure you can handle it?” he asked. “And I don’t just mean doing the job itself.”
“Well,” she started, “I don’t think I’d kill anyone.”
“We tend to have short tempers, Ashley. If a customer pissed you off enough, you could do just about anything without realizing it.”
Ashley settled her fork on the table, grabbing her glass to wash her food down. Once she was able to speak again, she retorted, “I’ve gotta try, don't I? I can’t just sit around being afraid to go out because I might snap and hurt someone. How am I ever gonna control myself if I don’t?”
“I know, and I’m not saying you need to sit around here,” he paused, thinking for the right words. “I just wanna make sure you’re comfortable before you throw yourself out there after everything you've been through.”
Thankfully, she seemed to take that to heart. “I know, but I'd be much more comfortable attempting than not. Besides, you’ll be around, right? I know you don’t need to babysit, especially at work, but if you know my situation, then you’d understand if I needed a few minutes alone to collect myself.”
That sounded reasonable, so Cade agreed. “Okay, we’ll try to set you up tomorrow then.”
She smiled over the verdict, and he realized that giving her a reason to do so was a double edged blade. It was nice to see her smiling, but also hard not to stare, specifically at her wide, hazel eyes. He couldn't help wondering what she might look like when she was healed up.
That's when he changed the subject to get his mind off of her looks.
“Why’d you never go to business school?”
Her expression became annoyed. “My dad. I went to culinary school on a scholarship while waiting tables to earn more money. But he was out of work, so I couldn't save much. Finally, when I graduated, he got a job, but said he didn't think I would be suited to business school and refused to help.”
Cade couldn't imagine having a father who treated him that way. His own supported anything his children saw fit to attempt doing, and her story was telling of the choice she'd made in leaving home.
Knowingly, he asked, “That why you left town?”
“One of the reasons. He was controlling, and it got more and more difficult to handle the older I got when he still refused to stop meddling in my business. But I was too passive to say anything out of the way to him.”
Shrugging, she then admitted, “I guess you could call me a doormat, which is why when I've snapped at you, I've been really surprised at myself.”
Cade couldn't help smirking over the comment, mentioning dryly, “Yeah, it was funny when you told me to move last night.”
“Oh god,” Ashley groaned, covering her eyes with her h
and. Apparently, she was embarrassed about it, which amused Cade even more.
“That was definitely said without thinking first.” Lowering her hand, she asked, “I really am gonna get in trouble, aren't I?”
Cade wasn't sure of the answer to that, but the sound of the front door opening distracted him from their conversation.
“Knock, knock!” he heard his sister calling.
“We’re in here, Sara.”
After saying that, Ashley finished her food and wiped her mouth with a napkin as if wanting to make a good impression. Cade smirked, taking another bite while leaning back in his chair.
He couldn't wait to see how these two might get along.
Chapter 10
“Something smells delicious.”
A taller than average woman with long jet black hair and steel blue eyes like her brother's stepped around the corner and into the kitchen. In her hand was a duffel bag, and when she saw the two sitting at the table, she grinned and looked Ashley over.
“Well ain’t you just a cutie?”
There's that word again, Ashley thought, having been called cutie more times than she cared to count. But she actually liked it coming from Sara because the woman made it sound like a fun quality to have instead of one that was childish.
With the thought of the way she looked in mind, she returned Sara’s comment with the question, “You mean besides the black eye and the scratches?”
“Oh, they’ll fade,” Sara promised with a warm smile, then glanced around the kitchen before looking at her brother. “She cooked?”
“She did,” he nodded, waving a hand, “Sara, this is Ashley. Ashley, my sister Sara.”
“Nice to meetcha,” Ashley replied with the friendliest smile she could muster.
“You too, honey,” Sara started. “When Rene called earlier and started jabbering to me about this girl Leo found last night, I thought it sounded like trouble. But I guess I was wrong cause you’re too cute to be trouble.”
“Well, you know what they say about the silent ones?” Ashley asked. When Sara nodded, she went on, “Same applies to the cute ones.”
Sara laughed, settling the duffel bag on the island counter. Ashley could only wonder what kinds of clothing might be in it judging by Sara's current apparel. She looked sleek, wearing a black top that had a high collar and a pair of jeans secured by a thick black belt around her narrow waist. A pair of heeled leather boots were on her feet to match.
In fact, with her getup and nicely done makeup, Ashley wondered for a moment if maybe she was high maintenance, but it was hard to tell.
As Sara unzipped the bag, she told Ashley, “Cade asked me to bring you some things I don't need. So go through it, and if you like it, it’s all yours. Lord knows I never get a chance to wear it.”
Ashley felt badly about taking handouts, but if the woman had gone to the trouble of packing a bag for her to pick and chose, she definitely couldn't be rude and turn her down.
“Thanks, I really don’t know what I can do to repay you.”
“It’s okay, you're doing me a favor. Come on, if you’re done eating I mean.”
Nodding, Ashley stood to go look through the clothing while Sara stepped to the side. The woman seemed to remember something important as well because she suddenly smacked Cade’s arm and exclaimed, “Oh yeah!”
Ashley had to stop herself from snickering when Cade gave his sister a what the hell expression.
“Mike’s gonna have a baby,” Sara announced despite the look on his face.
The news made Cade grin. “Good, that means he'll be at the bar with Leo to celebrate, and we could use the business.”
Sara started chuckling, and Ashley smiled, remembering how fond Leo had sounded over the thought of becoming a grandfather the night before while pulling out a light blue sundress with spaghetti string straps.
“That’ll go good with your hazel eyes,” Sara commented, walking over to lift some of Ashley’s hair as well, inspecting it. “Hmm, looks like you could use a trim too, and a little makeup will help hide the blemishes until you’re all healed up.”
Ashley sighed, muttering, “I don’t even recognize myself. I’m not usually so ragged.”
“We can get that fixed right up,” Sara grinned, casting her gaze at her brother. “Think it’d be all right if I took her down to the salon? Get her fixed up and such? After all, a woman’s not happy unless she can be a woman.”
“You’d know,” Cade replied plainly, seeming to consider it.
Ashley waited to see what he’d say without commenting, which turned out to be, “As long as you don’t take her anywhere needlessly, it shouldn't be a problem.”
She could tell Cade said that out of some need for caution, but she felt the urge to let him know she’d be fine, that it would be good for her. Sara managed to speak up before Ashley could get the words out of her mouth though.
“Oh, I’m not gonna get her into trouble. I’ll take her those places and then come right back. Introduce her to some of the girls and all.”
That’s when Cade’s expression changed to one that wasn't enthused. “I don’t know about that Sara. At least, not yet.”
Ashley was too curious to see what Sara would say to mention anything on her own. Maybe she could learn a thing or two about dealing with Cade from watching this exchange after all.
Like a typical sister might, Sara tilted her head and put her hands on her hips while pursing her lips at him. “Cade, she’s gonna meet ‘em sometime. Besides, she’s gotta make friends if she’s ever gonna learn what she is.”
Ashley liked Sara’s logic, and Cade let out an annoyed groan. “Fine. You know what to do since you’re the expert on women. I need to stop by the garage anyway, see if Caleb’s there. I think he forgot to pay his damned phone bill again because the call isn't connecting.”
Sara snorted as if Caleb routinely did this, saying, “Well there ya go.” Looking over at Ashley again, she added playfully, “So, why don’t you go get that dress on, and we’ll have a girl’s morning out.”
“Sara,” Cade drew out in warning.
Ashley interjected this time. “Things will be fine, relax. I didn't forget what you said. Stay close and don't talk to people I don't know. I'll let Sara do the talking.”
There was that snappy nature of hers again. Ashley quirked a brow in response to the look Cade started giving her, asking, “What?”
Sara was hiding a grin as if she thought it was amusing. But Ashley was excited at the prospect of going out and having a little bit of fun without going overboard. Getting her hair trimmed, meeting some new people—it all sounded perfect.
I'm not backing down.
“Ashley, don’t forget that you’ll do things without realizing it,” Cade reminded. “You might think I’m being an asshole, but I’m trying to look out for the both of you, including my pack.”
Ashley bit her tongue before she said something impulsively. After all, he was right, but at the same time, the situation was grating.
“Okay, I understand. So I’m gonna go change,” she spoke evenly, hopefully showing that she was honestly attempting to be agreeable.
On the way out of the kitchen, she reminded herself that she had clothes to try on instead of dwelling on the circumstances. I'll have a good day yet.
“She hates me.”
Cade let that out once Ashley was heading upstairs to get dressed. When he did, his sister began to smile.
“Don’t be silly, she’s a newborn,” Sara replied cheerily. “If she hates you now, she’ll love you this evening, then hate you again tomorrow morning. She’s just moody, that’s all.”
Snorting in amusement, Cade supposed Sara was right, though he wasn’t completely convinced.
“Even still, don’t encourage her. You know she’ll get riled up easily.”
“We've all helped with newborns before, Cade. I know about their tempers.”
“True, but they all gave permission to be turned to begin with. Ashley
didn’t, and she’s been abused for the past two weeks. I’m unsure about letting you go out alone with her at all.”
He knew his sister understood that, and at the mention of Ashley's abuse, Sara's countenance grew grim. “It definitely looks like she was used for those fights. Do you think it might be the same pack that Dad was . . . you know.”
“I don’t know.” he replied, feeling tired in that moment. “But if it is, Ashley might remember where they’re hiding eventually.”
His sister looked suspicious. “That’s not why you’re keeping her around instead of letting someone else try to help her, is it?”
Groaning, Cade replied, “I’ll admit, I’m hopeful she’ll remember something, but it's not the only reason. Besides, she sniffed them out in the territory last night. So if someone comes looking for her, I wanna be the one to deal with 'em.”
Sara's gaze was scrutinizing as if unconvinced. “Are you sure that’s all? Because I think there’s more to it.”
Confused, he asked, “Like what?”
“Like being here in this house all the time, alone. Taking in a stray just isn't like you.”
“Sara, don’t start. Of course I don’t wanna be here alone this time of year, but that’s got nothin’ to do with Ashley.”
“Okay,” his sister conceded, thankfully changing the topic. “Have you even told Ashley why we think she was turned yet?”
“No, I don’t want her to fly off the handle until we know what to expect out of her. She seems like a sweet girl, and it’ll be tough for her to handle the truth without getting pissed off and doing something stupid.”
“True. But even still, if she asks what you think happened to her, don’t lie, Cade. That might set her off even worse whenever she finds out the truth about it, which she will eventually.”
Cade sighed, standing up from the table. “I know. Just remember to keep a close eye on her while you're out. If she starts acting unstable, call me and bring her back here.”
“I know, and I will,” she returned confidently while he walked to the front door in the living room, grabbing his keys from the small table against the wall.
Blue Moon Page 9