Arve stood and joined Kendall. He rummaged through the pantry and tossed her two more potatoes. “It looks as if we’ll need more for dinner now that Leif is home.”
Since she’d arrived, Kendall had watched Fiona interact with Arve and Josef. Although she hadn’t kissed either of them the way she was still kissing the new arrival. “Uh, how long has he been gone?”
“A week.” Josef grinned at her. “She kisses all of us like that if we’ve been away.”
Kendall pictured the man she’d gone out with casually for the last two years. Very English, he hadn’t been big on affection. She’d never ever experienced a kiss of that magnitude. For the first time, a sense of being shortchanged filled her. Perhaps she’d missed out when at the time, she’d experienced relief he hadn’t put pressure on her for a commitment.
Fiona tugged Leif over to the counter. “Leif, this is my friend Kendall. Remember, she’s staying with us for a few days.”
“Of course.” The blond man was tall although not as solid as his brother Arve. “Fiona has been looking forward to your visit.”
“We have other visitors for dinner too.” Fiona bounced from foot to foot, her exuberance contagious.
“Oh?” Leif’s blond brows rose as he glanced at his brothers who’d returned to their seats.
“You remember the Hallstens?” Josef picked up a piece of wood and a sharp penknife. “Arve said they were on the same plane as Kendall. We caught up with Sax, Ran and Tate at Sax’s mother’s house and invited them to dinner.”
“I remember Sax. He’s a half—” Leif broke off with a quick look at Kendall.
“His mother was a single parent, and the kids teased him constantly,” Arve said.
The doorbell chimed.
Arve rose. “I’ll get the door.”
“Sax was bullied,” Josef corrected bluntly. “The kids at school made his life a living hell.”
Sympathy rose in Kendall. School days weren’t her finest memory. She’d been different, knowing what she wanted to do without question. Her one ambition had been to join the family business and work with the jams, marmalades, and pickles first made by her great-grandmother in a tiny kitchen. Even back then she’d known change was inevitable for the company if they wanted to survive. Once she’d joined the business after leaving culinary school, she’d set about instigating the modifications required to transform an ailing company.
Too bad she’d gotten kicked in the teeth for her hard work.
Kendall scrubbed a piece of dirt clinging to a potato so hard, the slippery tuber shot from her hands. It scooted across the tiled floor and thumped into a pair of legs. Embarrassment emblazoned Kendall’s cheeks with hot color. Oh, she couldn’t see the blotchy pink or red, but the heat in her face enlightened her. Muttering a curse under her breath, she chased after the potato.
The owner of the legs stooped at the same time as Kendall reached for the escapee and their heads clashed.
“Ouch!” Kendall dropped the potato and clutched her head.
Masculine hands cupped her shoulders, steadying her while she saw stars. A tear leaked from one eye as she pressed her fingers to her aching skull.
“It’s Ms. Biography,” a husky voice declared from somewhere above them.
“Are you okay?” A strong grip banded her upper arms, and masculine strength helped her to stand. Bright blue eyes stared at her in concern.
“Yes.” She studied the man’s rugged face, her gaze coming to rest on his stubbled jaw. A surge of jealousy and yearning took her unawares. “You’ve got lipstick on your face. Who have you been kissing?”
Of course, at that instant, all conversation came to an abrupt halt. That wretched heat stabbed into her cheeks again, and she wanted to moan in mortification.
“Kendall is right.” Fiona’s grin resembled a mischievous child’s as she picked up the loose potato. “Your face is covered with lipstick. Who have you been kissing?”
“Let’s do the introductions first.” Josef’s lips quirked as if they wanted to smile but he exerted strict control. “Then we can interrogate Sax together. This is Saxby and his twin brothers Ranulf and Tate Hallsten. Guys, this is our mate Fiona, and you remember our oldest brother Leif?”
“Why didn’t you tell me your mother left lipstick on me?” Sax groused, glaring at his brothers.
Fiona tsk-tsked. “Your mother? That’s disappointing.”
Some of the tightness in Kendall’s chest eased as she glanced at Ranulf and Tate. They grew big, handsome men here in Churchill. That was for sure. The heat in her cheeks dipped downward to her breasts when Tate winked at her. Flustered, she averted her gaze to Ranulf, and he grinned at her in open admiration. He was the one who read romance and didn’t seem to care the pursuit wasn’t on the manly bill.
Unable to hold his gaze, she turned her attention to Sax, the suit-wearing hottie. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.
“Check your face in the mirror over there,” Kendall suggested, her voice emerging in a sultry tone. She had no idea where that had come from. She wasn’t a flirt. Men usually glanced at her stubborn curves and their gaze drifted to the next slender flower in the room. She loved to cook and had to taste to make certain the flavors blended. The result—ample curves when the current fashion declared beanpole was the in thing.
“Clean his face for him.” Ranulf eyed her in a clear challenge.
“Here.” Fiona handed Kendall a packet of wet-wipes. “It will be easier than spitting on a handkerchief.”
Who mentioned spit? Good grief. Kendall took two shaky steps toward Sax and stilled to reinforce her knees. Her heart was beating fast and loud as if she’d run a hundred-meter sprint.
Sax seemed as confused as her, she saw when she risked a glance at him.
“Um, do you want to do this yourself?” Kendall darted another glance at Sax and couldn’t help appreciating the blueness of his eyes. So pretty. They reminded her of the lakes in the Lakes district she’d seen in England during a family holiday.
“You do it for me,” he murmured, relaxing. “Please.”
It was the please that propelled her to open the pack of wet-wipes and tug one free. She sucked in a breath and aimed the wipe at his cheek.
“I don’t bite.” He paused a beat as their gazes meshed. “Much.”
“Are you flirting with Kendall?” Tate asked.
Kendall jumped, and Sax’s arms curved around her shoulders to hold her steady.
“Go and act social with your friends instead of bothering me,” Sax ordered.
Tate laughed. Then he whispered something in his brother’s ear. Kendall didn’t hear a word, but Sax blinked. He stared at his brother for an instant, a tinge of pink highlighting his cheekbones. Tate chortled, and he and Ran ambled off to join the Swenson brothers in the lounge area.
“Sorry about that,” Sax said. “Do you have brothers or sisters? If you do, you’ll understand how annoying they can be. They don’t grow out of it,” he added in a rueful tone.
“I have a younger brother.” Immediately, Kendall’s mind darted to her problem, and she scowled.
“Don’t you get along with him?”
“We’ve never been super close. We were both sent to boarding school and only saw each other during the holidays. Sometimes, not even then.”
“That sounds lonely.”
Yes, it had been solitary since her parents liked to jet away on holiday to the French or Italian Riviera and spend time with friends. She’d stayed at home with the domestic help, yet those holidays had been the happiest times.
She dabbed at the lipstick on his cheek, his stubble rasping as she scrubbed away the hot-pink stain.
“Do you not have the same mother?”
He hesitated before answering. “No. My mother died several years ago. Cancer.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It was hard at the end. I didn’t like to see her in pain.”
Kendall hesitated, the wet-wipe hovering above another lipstick
imprint. “It’s hard losing someone you love.” And even harder if you learn your feelings aren’t returned, that in life and in death they didn’t trust you.
“Where do you live?”
“Devon in England,” she said. “My accent probably gives me away.”
“You’re here on holiday?”
Kendall hesitated, not wanting to lie to Sax. “I’m not sure how long I’m staying yet. Fiona suggested I get a job and have a holiday at the same time. A sort of working holiday.”
“What work do you do?”
“Chef, but I don’t mind bar work or waitressing. I have experience in those, plus I’ve worked in hotels, making beds and cleaning. All jobs I worked to pay my way through culinary school.”
“Those skills will be in demand,” Sax said.
“That’s what Fiona told me.” She turned his face, dabbed at another lipstick imprint and nodded. “You’re makeup free now.”
“Thanks. How did you meet Fiona?”
“I met her online through her graphic design business, and we hit it off,” Kendall said. “She’s nice. I’d better see if I can help with the dinner preparations.” Yes, she was running away. She admitted it, but something about Sax and his brothers set her on edge. They seemed wild. Overwhelming. And worse, their sexy smiles made her crave something she’d never have—not if she acceded to her grandfather’s final wishes.
Love. Family. Security.
She shook herself, irritation coming to the fore. The only person she could rely on was herself. Hadn’t she learned that from her family? Her brother? Her grandfather?
Kendall marched over to Fiona. “Can I help with anything else?”
“I’m organizing drinks for everyone. The guys are drinking beer. Red wine for me. Care to have a glass of red too?”
Kendall nodded. “That sounds lovely.”
“Sax likes you,” Fiona whispered. “Ran and Tate do too.”
“They do?” The spark between her and Sax hadn’t been her imagination?
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Fiona squeezed Kendall in a friendly hug. “Are you still working on your recipe book?”
“The last few months have been busy at work. I haven’t had a chance to write more of my book or test my recipes.”
Fiona pulled six bottles of beer from the fridge and opened them. “Any time you want to test your recipes you can do it here. One, I’d adore the company, and two, there will always be hungry mouths here to feed and they’ll give you honest feedback. Do you mind ferrying these over to the guys?”
“My clumsy gene will kick in again with that much responsibility,” Kendall protested.
Fiona giggled. “There are plenty of strong masculine arms to catch you.”
“And what you’re too polite to say is that if I fall, my padding should cushion the tumble.”
“My men love my curves,” Fiona said. “Lots of men prefer padding rather than cuddling a bony woman. You should keep that in mind instead of talking yourself down.”
Kendall nodded, questions popping into her brain as she picked up the first two bottles and delivered them.
“Thank you, sweet Kendall,” Tate said.
“Thanks, Kendall.” Ran drawled her name, drawing heat to her cheeks with his quiet intensity. His chuckle had her scurrying back to collect the next two bottles. For a second, she considered carrying three but decided not to risk it.
“I’ll help.” Sax lengthened his long stride to catch her. “Are you staying with Fiona permanently?”
“No,” Kendall replied. “Just for a few days until I find my own place. It depends on where I get a job. I understand some employers offer accommodation as part of the wage package.”
“I have a house,” Sax said. “It was my mother’s. The last tenants moved out today. They’ve damaged the place and created a mess. My brothers and I will do repairs, but that shouldn’t take long. Would you be interested?”
“Yes.” Kendall couldn’t believe things were falling in place so easily. “Definitely.”
“Stay here until the house is ready,” Fiona said. “I’d welcome the company since the boys will be away while they sort out the ice road and make repairs before the first big snowfall.”
“How much is the rent?”
Sax named a weekly rental that seemed very reasonable. “You’re welcome to check out the house. It’s in a quiet street, near to Kelsey Boulevard. An elderly couple lives next door. Actually, you’d better give us two days to clean up the mess the tenants left or we might scare you off. It will take a few days more—maybe a week—to fix the structural damage.”
“Arve told me it was the caretaker’s sons. I haven’t heard a good word about them. Drugs and alcohol,” Fiona explained to Kendall.
“Alcohol for sure,” Sax agreed. “They’ve left empty bottles everywhere.”
“Is that the worst of the damage?” Fiona asked.
Sax grimaced. “Broken windows and at least three holes in the walls. They’ve scratched up the floor and the furniture that came with the house isn’t in good condition. My brothers and I can fix everything, but it will take time. It depends on the available materials too. My mother always talked about knocking out the wall between the dining room and the lounge. According to her, the dining room was on the cold side of the house and she never used the room. I might do a bit of renovation while I have the opportunity.”
Kendall reached for two beer bottles. “I’d better take these over before they get warm.”
“Do you intend to sightsee while you’re in Churchill?” Sax handed a beer to Arve while Kendall offered the bottles she held to Josef and Leif.
“I’d like to see polar bears. Although I’ve read stories online. I don’t want to see them too close and personal.”
The men stopped their ice hockey conversation and each of them turned to stare at her.
“What? What did I say?” Kendall asked. “Polar bears are dangerous. At least that’s what I’ve read. Fiona told me I shouldn’t walk around by myself and I should keep my wits about me if I’m walking outside.”
“She’s right,” Sax agreed. “If you’re intending to spend a few months here, it would be beneficial to attend one of the polar bear safety talks.”
Made sense. “I’ll do that. Do you know where they give the talks?”
“I haven’t been back to Churchill since my mother’s funeral. Fiona will know.”
“Thanks. I’ll ask her.” Kendall crossed the lounge area to the kitchen at the far end of the room. The men started chattering again, but she had the strangest notion they were discussing her and hadn’t wanted her to eavesdrop.
“Fiona, do they hold polar bear safety talks somewhere in town?”
Fiona handed her a glass of wine, her expression a little strange.
“What? Why is everyone looking at me as if I have two heads?”
“Nothing. Well, it is something. We’re impressed you’re considering safety. Most new arrivals don’t understand the danger. They act too casual and think they’re bulletproof.” Fiona sipped her wine. “What would your ideal job be? Cooking? Waitressing? Working the bar? Something else?”
“I’d prefer to cook, but only if I have the freedom to shape the menu.” Kendall wrinkled her nose. “I have my way of doing things and that doesn’t translate well. Still, mindless cooking will give me a chance to plan more of my recipe book.”
Fiona squeezed her shoulder. “You’ll find something. Anything different will be a break from your normal routine. Besides, we’ll have fun together during your days off. It will be nice to have someone my age around. My guys are great, but sometimes only another woman understands a situation or problem.”
“That’s true.” Not having to answer to her family should help with her stress levels.
“There is an excellent café and bakery in the town. I can’t wait to introduce you to their doughnuts.”
“Are they likely to have any jobs?”
Fiona pursed her lips. “It’s
a family business, but it’s still worth asking them.”
“I thought I’d do the rounds tomorrow morning.”
“I volunteer to drive you to town and introduce you around.” She directed a broad and happy smile at Kendall. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Kendall expected to relax during the dinner. It didn’t happen. Every time she glanced up from her steak dinner or finished speaking with Fiona or one of her men, her gaze would connect with a Hallsten brother and her stomach swooped. Her pulse raced. She fidgeted. It didn’t matter which brother her attention zeroed in on. Her body reacted as if each stare was a physical touch.
If Kendall walked into a pub or a nightclub, she wasn’t the one the guys ogled or tried to chat up. No, she was the pity dance that got shuffled to the hot man’s friend. Hot men didn’t see her. Long ago she’d decided she didn’t possess the elusive x-factor, yet tonight…tonight she appeared to fascinate the Hallsten brothers.
Her stomach crawled upward in a rollercoaster climb. She peeked up from her baked potato—loaded with sour cream and bacon bites—and caught Sax’s regard.
“You have sour cream on your face,” he murmured. “Let me. After all, you helped me with the lipstick situation.”
He picked up his napkin and leaned close enough for Kendall to catch a hint of citrus and clean, healthy male. Her mind took an abrupt right turn into sexual territory and heat packed her cheeks.
“Where did your mind go?” he whispered.
“N-nowhere.” The cursed warmth in her face told her she’d blushed even harder. She couldn’t blame it on a steamy kitchen or rushing around. But… “I’ve had two glasses of wine,” she announced. “I rarely drink much.”
“No, it’s not the wine.” He leaned closer until the warmth of his breath feathered against the shell of her ear. “You’re imagining kissing me.”
“No!” Her denial came out louder than she’d intended and she found herself the center of attention.
Sax pulled back with a satisfied smile. The wretched man thought he understood her. Heck, her mind had turned a corner and considered sex. After all, it had been so long and the sex had been lackluster on that occasion. Nothing like the sex she and her first boyfriend had experienced during the heady first year of culinary school when she’d been away from family control. In her innocence, she’d thrown herself into every new experience. She’d had the world at her feet, and then, not so long ago, she’d grown up.
Kendall's Mates Page 3
