Undone by Her Two Masters(9)

He wanted Nevis to relax and enjoy herself while they got to know each other. He needed to relate to her on a much deeper level than came from playing cards in a group together once a week.

The next morning, while Savannah worked her magic in his tiny kitchen, he dusted the row of books on his bookshelf, straightened the pictures on his wall, and even put fresh linens on his bed. Not that he thought they’d end up in bed just yet, but it seemed the right thing to do. He might be single and live alone but his mom had taught him a few skills. It was just that cooking had never interested him when buying meals was so much easier.

By five to seven, the food was cooked, and he’d set the table. He thanked Savannah, who left, then he went and knocked on Nevis’s door. She was dressed and ready and followed him back to his room. Bronx was just coming out of the stairwell as they arrived, so York held the door open for his friend and they all went into the apartment together.

He placed the platters of hot food on the table, brought over the coffee, and then sat down.

“Wow. This is amazing. I didn’t know you were such an accomplished cook,” said Nevis.

He wanted to pretend he’d prepared the meal, but if they were to be together she’d find out soon enough his kitchen skills were limited. “I have to confess I asked Savannah, who really is a chef, to make this for us. I can cook, but not like this.”

“Organizational skills are useful, too,” replied Nevis, savoring a forkful of the omelet.

They didn’t talk much until their plates were almost empty, then Bronx said, “I’m heading out to Pine Corner this morning, to organize the contract on the warehouse and start the process for opening a branch office there. I hoped you’d both come with me. You really need to see it before we start living together there, and you’ll be better able to decide what we need to buy to get the place running.”

York already knew all this, but he didn’t say anything as Nevis was the one who needed to agree. If she refused to have anything to do with the plan they’d have to find out what her objections were and figure out how they could change her mind.

But she was smiling and nodding. “I thought about the project a bit last night. Likely at the start there’ll be plenty for me to do helping you get the office set up and so on. Once the branch is running I’ll see about working as a speech therapist a couple of days a week. If the town has a practice, that is. How big is it? Not geographically, I mean, how many people?”

“It’s getting close to one hundred thousand people, so there’s sure to be speech therapists there. My interest in the town is because it’s situated at the crossroads of two major interstate highways, one north-south and the other east-west. It’s the logical place for people to pass through, sending goods all over the country, and it means the new branch office should soon pick up work from other surrounding towns as well,” said Bronx.

Bronx kept talking but York knew all about what he was saying and let his gaze rest on Nevis. Mostly when they’d been playing cards he’d been concentrating on his hand and trying to win. Or at least not be the asshole at the bottom of the table. But he knew Nevis was smart with a great sense of humor. Now he was getting flashes of her personality in “work” mode as she was thinking and planning about the new venture. He was looking forward to sharing in it with her. At first he hadn’t been totally thrilled about leaving the mountain, but being logical about it, there were several other people who could do his job, and he wanted to move on, to find a mate. Being with Bronx and Nevis was the right move. The big man was kindhearted and loving under his gruff exterior, and being around him would never be boring, that was guaranteed.

York rinsed the plates and piled them in the sink. “What time do you want to leave?” he asked.

“Let me talk to Trenton.”

Nevis joined York at the sink, so he washed the dishes properly while she stacked them for him.

Bronx called out, “Can you be ready in half an hour?”

York looked at Nevis. “Sure,” she said. So he nodded as well. A flash of excitement ran through him. In less than an hour he’d be seeing the place where he, Bronx, and Nevis would be living together as a family. He couldn’t wait!



* * * *



Nevis was ready and waiting by the helicopter a half hour later. She’d tucked her cell phone into one back pocket of her black jeans, and a tiny notepad and pen into the other. She didn’t really expect she’d need to write down anything but there might be some details she’d find hard to remember so decided it was no trouble to have it in her pocket. When she saw Andorra sitting in the pilot’s seat she smiled and waved to her friend. Andorra waved back but her gaze was soon fixed on the dials in front of her once again. Nevis understood flying was a challenge for Andorra, and one she was determined to master as soon as possible.