RNWMP: Bride for Theodore (Mail Order Mounties)(20)

She cooked a large breakfast of French toast, eggs, and bacon for the Mounties. Nolan's eyes lit up when he walked into the cabin. He was obviously very excited about the big breakfast. “Are you sure you won't stay? I’d do just about anything to keep you!”

Theodore shook his head. “Stay away from my girl! You only want her for cooking anyway.”

Elijah looked at Theodore. “Are you sure about that? She's awful pretty! Maybe he thinks he can steal her from you.”

Jess looked at Elijah with surprise. That was the most she'd ever heard him say, and his eyes were filled with mischief. “Don't poke the bear!” she told Elijah.

Theodore put his hands on his hips, towering over Jess. “So now I'm a bear?”

Jess patted Theodore's chest right in the middle of his scarlet Mountie jacket. “Yes, dear, but you only growl occasionally.”

Elijah laughed. “She's got your number.” He walked over to sit down at the table, winking at Jess, who giggled.

Theodore just shook his head. "I'm not going to let you bother me. Jess will only be here for a few more days, and I'm making the most of it. I'll growl after she's gone."

Jess smiled sweetly at Elijah. "I'll make sure you have my address so that you can let me know if he really did."

"You're not going to be giving your address to my friends. Why would you even say that?" Theodore asked.

"You're the one threatening to act like a bear."

"Just for that, I may not let you fix me lunch today."

Jess laughed. "Is fixing your lunch a privilege? I really worry about you sometimes, Teddy."

“My mother always said that feeding me was a privilege. Are you saying that you don’t think it is? You don’t have a burning desire deep inside your soul to feed me three meals a day?” His eyes were wide, as if he couldn’t believe she didn’t want to feed him constantly.

“Oh, I do have that desire. Please, will you let me feed you lunch today? I’m so sorry that I was rude and said I would give my address to your friend.”

Theodore frowned for a moment, but then nodded. “I will allow you to feed me. I forgive you for your transgressions.”

Jess shook her head at him, noticing that all the Mounties were watching them as they ate their breakfasts. “You should probably sit before Nolan eats your share of the food.”

“I’m a growing boy! I haven’t stolen any food since…Friday morning!” Nolan protested.

Theodore sat at the table, carefully moving his plate away from Nolan. “How many strips of bacon did you give everyone?”

Jess smiled. “Only six.”

“I only have three!” Theodore turned to Nolan, noticing all the bacon was gone from his plate. “How can you be an officer of the law if you’re constantly stealing from others?”

Jess laughed. “I gave everyone three. I just wanted to see what you’d say.”

Elijah smiled at Jess. “I really like you. Have I told you that yet? I think you should stay.”

“I don’t know about staying.” Jess was sad just thinking about it. Theodore would have asked her to stay by now if he wanted her to, right?

After breakfast, Theodore walked up behind Jess as the other men left for the day. “You’re not really going to give the men your address, are you?”

She shook her head. “Of course not. I’ve told you before. There’s only one man I’ll ever love. There’s no point in making another man think there’s a possibility of something more.”

“Good. I think it would break my heart if you started a correspondence with one of them.” He kissed her cheek and walked out the door to start his day.

Jess watched him go with tears in her eyes. He wasn’t going to ask her to stay. He’d all but told her he wasn’t.

Miss Hazel came out into the kitchen and sat at the table watching Jess for a moment before saying anything. “Don’t lose hope.”

Jess dashed away a tear that was drifting down her cheek. “I’m trying not to, but he’s not going to ask me to stay, Miss Hazel. I know it.”

“I’m not so sure. He has feelings for you, Jess. There’s no doubt in my mind. I’m curious as to why he isn’t being more forthcoming about asking you to stay, but he will be. I know it.” Miss Hazel walked over to hug Jess before taking her plate from the work table. “It is really nice to be able to sleep late and have my breakfast waiting for me when I get up. I’m starting to get used to being pampered by you.”

“I’m happy to oblige.” She finished up the dishes, leaving the water in the sink so Miss Hazel could wash her own. “I’m going to go berry picking. I’ll be back in time to make Theodore his lunch.”

She took two of the pails that were beside the door. They were metal and similar to the pails a school child would take their lunch in. She wandered away from town, not really knowing where she was going, but knowing she needed some time alone to think. And what better way to think than to walk through nature?

She walked around the lake and found a large berry patch. She quickly picked as many as would fit in the buckets…and then a few more for her mouth, because they were perfectly ripe and delicious. She found both blackberries and raspberries, which pleased her. She’d come back after lunch for another bucket of each. The men would be thrilled with the jams she made from them—and of course she’d make more muffins for Theodore before she left.