RNWMP: Bride for Theodore (Mail Order Mounties)(8)

She had been certain the night before that Miss Hazel wasn’t really sick, and had only wanted her to be alone with Theodore, but now she wondered. The older woman was always awake and fidgeting in the kitchen before she woke.

Putting the coffee on, she made the first four pancakes, because she didn’t want anyone to be hungry for a moment longer than usual, and flipped them onto a plate, putting a plate over the top to keep them warm.

Thirty minutes later, she had a small mountain of pancakes, and was relieved to hear a knock at the door. She didn’t want to keep cooking and have no one arrive. Theodore had said the night before that all the men would be there for breakfast.

She rushed to the door, averting her eyes and blushing when it was Theodore. Would she ever get over the embarrassment of thinking he actually wanted to marry her, when he’d really only agreed for her to come as his mother’s traveling companion? “Good morning,” she said as brightly as she could.

“You’re up! Good. We’re ready for breakfast anytime you are.” He rubbed his stomach. “I know it sounds like we’re only happy you’re here for food, and that’s not true, but we’re very glad you’re feeding us.”

Jess smiled at him. “Breakfast is ready. Come in!”

Theodore waved his hand, and four men appeared behind him. “We’re awfully eager to have a breakfast without broken eggshells in it.”

She opened the door wide and watched as five men traipsed into the room. They were all quite young—around Theodore’s age, give or take a few years. All of them wore the bright red coats of their profession, but each one removed the brown Mountie hat he wore as he stepped into the small house.

Jess frowned as she watched them. The cabin wasn’t really big enough for five Mounties and two ladies, but she figured they’d make it work. Hurrying to the stove, she served up the pancakes, bacon, and coffee she’d made. “I thought you might want pancakes this morning.” Theodore had mentioned how much he’d missed his mother’s pancakes and how he couldn’t wait for her to cook breakfast at least six times at supper the night before.

“What gave you that idea?” Theodore asked with a sly grin.

Jess was startled to hear herself laugh. She’d thought she’d never be comfortable around the man, but here she was, laughing at his jokes. Maybe there was hope for her after all.

Three of the men automatically sat on the floor as she gave them their plates and coffee. They didn’t complain, and acted as if they would sit anywhere for the food Jess was providing for them.

After she’d served the last man, Theodore nodded to the remaining chair. “Sit and eat with us. You’re not here to serve us, though we’re all mighty happy you’re cooking for us.”

Jess took a seat hesitantly. It felt strange to eat surrounded by men in uniform. After one of the men said a quick prayer for all of them, Jess turned to Theodore. “Will you introduce me to your friends, please?”

“Yes, of course.” He gestured to the man beside him. “This is Joel. He’s the commanding officer of our unit. We were in the same training class at the academy.” Then he pointed to the three men on the floor, sitting in a row with their backs against the wall. “On the left is Kendall, the newest man in our division. In the middle is Elijah. And on the right is Nolan. Be careful of Nolan. He eats three times what the rest of us do, and he’s still always hungry.”

Jess eyed the lean man curiously. “That can’t be true!”

Nolan shrugged. “I’m afraid it’s very true, miss. I can’t seem to stop eating.” He held his empty plate out to her. “In fact…”

Jess laughed softly, taking the plate and walking to the stove where she piled another four pancakes on it. “Don’t get up. Do you want butter and syrup?”

“Please!”

She carried his plate back to him, noting that everyone else had only eaten a few bites. “Let me know if you want more.”

“These are the best flapjacks I’ve ever tasted,” Elijah told her, a curl hanging over his forehead. Jess couldn’t help but wonder if he knew how young the curl made him look.

“Thank you. I do enjoy cooking.” Jess would happily cook for all of them the entire week. “If you’ll tell me what you want for supper tonight, I’ll get started on that as soon as I can.” She planned to give the cabin a good scrubbing while she was there, simply because it needed it.

The men each seemed to be considering her words. “I’d like pot roast,” Theodore finally said. “That okay with you men?”

“And a lot of it!” Nolan said enthusiastically. He seemed to realize how rude he’d sounded and bowed his head for a moment. “Please, miss.”

Jess laughed. “Call me Jess. My full name is Jessica, but Jess is what my older brother called me when I was little, and it just kind of stuck.”

Nolan smiled. “I like it. Thank you for making such a wonderful breakfast, Jess. Is there more by any chance?”

She realized all the men were looking at her expectantly, and she smiled, got to her feet, and served them all more of the pancakes. She’d have to make a few more for Miss Hazel when she finally emerged from Theodore’s bedroom.

The men chatted about what their plans were for the day. Joel looked at Theodore. “Are you still planning on staying in town and me taking your rounds while your mother is in town?”