Laughing, Kendall distributed a filled roll to each of the men and took one herself.
Tate led the way outside while munching on the ham and salad filled roll. “We’ll walk up to the highest point first to see what we’ve got around the plot.”
“Let us know if we’re moving too fast for you,” Ran told her after swallowing down his late lunch.
“Why? I’m fit,” Kendall said indignantly. “People underestimate the amount of walking I do and the weights chefs heft each day.”
Tate knew otherwise. He and his brothers were fit, and Kendall wouldn’t keep up. He raised his head to test the air again and frowned at the leaden sky. “It will snow.”
“But it’s still summer,” Kendall said.
“Would you like to take a wager?” Tate asked.
She stared, and joy bubbled up inside him. He could love this woman. Hell, he was halfway there, and he’d done nothing more than kiss her. Fairly innocent kisses at that.
“A date. You cook me dinner and we watch a movie. Just the two of us,” Tate said.
“And if I win?” Kendall asked, lifting her chin.
Thankfully, Ran and Sax remained silent and didn’t butt into their negotiations. Tate spread his arms wide and offered what he hoped was an innocent smile. “You can have my body.”
Kendall snorted, the rude sound echoed by Sax. “We’ll negotiate when I win.”
This time Ran scoffed.
Tate captured Kendall’s hand and walked up a slope that led to the highest point. It didn’t take long for Kendall’s breaths to deepen and for her cheeks to color. He slowed a fraction, despite the whipping and wailing of the rising wind.
“Tate,” Ran whispered. “Hooter at ten o’clock.”
Tate slowed and murmured to Kendall. “An Arctic owl is perched in the tree to your left. Do you see it?”
“Wow.” Kendall lifted her camera and zoomed in closer. After taking several photos, she beamed at him. “Thank you.”
Kendall regained her energy after the quick stop, and they continued winding their way through trees and along narrow paths. Ten minutes later, Tate exited the spruce and came to a halt after several strides. He could see the roof of the cabin and the area where the polar bear mothers had their cubs. Over to their right, a lake filled a clearing. Today the waters were as dark as the sky, but on a fine day, it might be nice for swimming. He and Ran loved to swim.
“I like it here.” Tate checked on Sax and saw understanding in his brother.
Sax comprehended the attraction of the open spaces where Ran and Tate could shift and play in their bear forms. It made Tate wonder how Kendall would take the news of their otherness. Not something he intended to worry about now. First, the three of them needed to show themselves in a favorable light and woo her.
“It is a beautiful spot,” Kendall agreed. “I can understand wanting to get away from a busy life and immersing yourself in nature. A slower pace of life.” She slapped at her face.
Tate smiled as another snowdrop fell on her cheek, and she brushed it away. She was so enthralled with the view and her surroundings, she hadn’t noticed she’d lost her bet.
Kendall stared out the window of the cabin—the one that faded green shutters had screened—before they’d opened them to let in the light. “I can’t believe it’s snowing.”
“I’m looking forward to my dinner and a movie.” Tate sounded way too smug.
“What about the helicopter?” Kendall asked. “Can Renee land in the snow?”
“I doubt the helicopter will come until tomorrow now,” Sax said. “The visibility is too low for safe flying.”
“But…but Fiona is expecting me home. She’ll worry.”
“Fiona knows you’re with us. She’ll check on the helicopter and realize we can’t leave until the heavy snow stops. Don’t worry. There is enough wood for a fire and Gunnar left the place stocked with food. We won’t starve or die of the cold,” Sax said.
“But how are you all acting so calm? What about my job? I’ll get fired if I don’t turn up.”
“Kendall.” Ran took her hands in his and drew her closer. “I’m sure your boss will understand. Churchill residents recognize unexpected changes in the weather can cause delays.”
“Well, I had done most of the prep.” Kendall flinched at the roar of the wind. Already the snow had colored the ground white, and the trees wore a frosting reminiscent of Christmas. “How long will the storm last?”
“I don’t know,” Tate said. “Maybe a few hours or it could be a day.”
Kendall wrapped her jacket tighter around her waist, the chill seeping to her bones. There was a reason she’d traveled to Spain or Italy with the rest of her family during the dreary English winter.
“Are you cold?” Ran asked.
“A little.”
The brothers burst into action. Sax built a fire in the fireplace while Tate stoked the wood burner, which sat in the corner of the kitchen area.
Ran filled a kettle and placed it on the hot plate above the wood burner. “We never did get around to finishing lunch. Why don’t we eat the rest now? We can have canned soup or stew later.”
“Is there flour?” Kendall asked. Maybe if she kept busy, she’d forget the isolation and the snow that kept falling from the sky. “I might be able to make bread or something to go with soup.”
“All the food supplies are in this cupboard.” Ran gestured at the stocked shelves. “Feel free to check it out. There isn’t much wood inside. We should grab more before it gets dark.”
“We’ll help,” Sax said. “Will you be okay on your own for ten minutes, Kendall?”
“What?” She pulled her head from out of the cupboard, belatedly realizing the three men were speaking to her backside. Her best view, for sure.
“We’re collecting wood before the snow gets too deep and darkness sets in,” Sax repeated.
“Ah, okay. Yes, I’ll be fine.”
The brothers filed outside, closing the door behind them, and Kendall’s breath eased out. She wasn’t uncomfortable exactly. More aware of her isolation and the fact she was alone with three men who attracted her way more than any of her suitors at home in England.
For an instant longer, she stared at the contents of the cupboard, automatically cataloging the items and what she could use to add interest to their soup dinner. Beer bread, soup, and an apple pudding. Hot chocolate for later. Ah! Boozy hot chocolate with rum.
Kendall pulled ingredients from the mini pantry and measured flour and salt for her beer bread.
Tate started talking as soon as they left the cabin and were far enough away that Kendall couldn’t eavesdrop. “This could work to our advantage—if we handle things carefully.”
“We don’t want to scare her,” Sax said. “As much as we want to, we can’t all jump her.”
“I hear you.” Ran sighed. “One on one to start. She doesn’t trust us yet.”
“Which one of us will make a move and romance her?” Tate asked.
“You and Ran decide.” Sax excused himself. “I’ll wait and spend more time with her. You’re both more laidback than me. You’ll put her at ease.”
Ran and Tate fell silent and seemed to connect mentally. An entire conversation without words. The twin thing in motion. A beautiful phenomenon.
“Tate will do it,” Ran said.
“Are you sure?” Tate asked.
Sax nodded.
“Okay.” Tate lost his victorious grin. “I’ll do an excellent job of winning Kendall over to our side.”
“We like Kendall,” Ran said. “Don’t fuck this up.”
10 Hijinks In A Secluded Cabin
If she were at home, the males of the family would’ve sat back with a pre-dinner drink and waited for a meal. Since she was a chef, her mother and grandmother expected Kendall to pull her weight and coordinate with the housekeeper, especially if they had guests.
The Hallsten brothers were different. Each of them asked for a task and wanted to
help with the meal. They chatted about their building projects and discussed her work as a chef. Their interest was genuine, and it made Kendall ponder what she wanted from her life. She needed a challenge, she realized.
“Do you want to return to Devon?” Sax asked while she supervised him making their dessert—an apple roll-up pudding with a sweet sugar syrup sauce.
“Probably. I don’t know,” she said, feeling stupid. But at least she hadn’t stuttered.
Humor sparkled in Sax, transforming his entire countenance and making him resemble his mischievous brothers. “Okay. Think of it this way. You haven’t been in Churchill for long, but are you enjoying it?”
“I was glad to meet Fiona. I like her very much.”
“Is that all you enjoy in Churchill?” Tate asked. “What about the other people you’ve met? The charming ones?”
Kendall fought a grin and tapped her chin. “Charming? No, I have met no one with those characteristics.” Her lips quivered as she fought the humor bursting for release. A snort escaped.
“She’s teasing,” Ran said in delight. “Her eyes are laughing. Are you ticklish? I bet I know a way to pay you back.” He approached with a gleeful cackle, his hands and fingers making tickling motions in the air.
Kendall chortled and backed away. She darted behind Sax. “Sax will protect me.”
“I don’t know if I will protect you.” Sax whirled and caged her in his arms.
Kendall wriggled but couldn’t get free. She couldn’t stop giggling either, and the sound must’ve been infectious because each of the brothers wore wide grins. “Please don’t tickle me.”
“Okay,” Sax said, and he kissed her instead.
Everything in Kendall stilled, and her mind focused on the press of lips against hers. Heat and pleasure poured through her, and she moaned when Sax nipped her lower lip. This kiss—it made her ache and long for so much more.
When Sax pulled back, he smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear, the motion gentle and at odds with the wildness of his kiss. “I like you, Kendall Essex, and hope you stay around Churchill for a while instead of going home.”
“I-I like you too.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Good. Now, what is next with this roly-poly thing?”
Confusion filled Kendall, and frightened to check on Ran’s and Tate’s reactions, she buried herself in the familiar world of food. Each of the brothers attracted her. All of them. Three men. And equally astounding, they seemed to return the sentiment.
If she was at home, she’d conclude they were playing a prank on her and worry how her reputation might suffer. Her mother and grandmother would have kittens, fretting themselves silly about gossip and damage to the family name.
But she didn’t think that way about Fiona.
The locals never included Fiona in their gossip either. Not in Kendall’s proximity. Somehow, she doubted the Swenson brothers would put up with anyone who maligned Fiona. Although she hadn’t met the two youngest brothers, Arve, Leif and Josef adored her friend.
“Are you all right, Kendall?” Tate asked.
It made her realize no one had spoken for several minutes.
“What? Oh, yes. I’m fine. Just thinking about Fiona. I’m sorry she couldn’t come with us, but it was best because her men might have worried.”
“You’re safe with us, Kendall.” Sax squeezed her shoulder. “I promise.”
“I know,” she replied, even before she saw the sincerity radiating from him. If she protested the kisses and the casual touching, the brothers would stop. She sensed this with every particle of her. “Do the locals gossip regarding Fiona and her men?”
“Not in front of me,” Tate said. “Although, the Swenson brothers would stomp on any rumors or discussion of Fiona.”
Kendall nodded. “You roll out the dough into an oblong now,” she told Sax. “We don’t have a rolling pin, so we’ll use this beer bottle.”
Sax followed the instructions while Tate and Ran watched.
“Perfect,” Kendall praised. “Now spoon the apple slices in a strip along the middle of the dough. Keep it away from the edges. Tate, can you hand us that dish, the one I got you to grease? That’s good. Now it’s time to roll it.” Although she could’ve done this herself, she let Sax do the work. He curled the sides over and rolled it, enclosing the apple within the dough. “All right. Now lift the roll and sit it in the middle of our dish. Good moves, Mister. The first time I did this I dropped apple over the kitchen floor. The housekeeper was most crabby with me.”
“Housekeeper?” Ran asked.
“Ah, yes,” Kendall said. “Now we need to pour the sugar syrup into the dish with the apple roll. Sax, pour it around the dough, rather than on top. Good. That’s perfect. Put it in the oven now. We can’t control the heat so we’ll check it every ten minutes. We’ll turn the dish to ensure even cooking.”
“Is your family wealthy, Kendall?” Ran asked.
“Not really.” They wanted her to marry into money to save them.
Tate stared. “But you have a housekeeper.”
Kendall squared her shoulders and lifted her chin in a hint of attitude. People always had this reaction. “We live on a country estate that has been in the Essex family for over four hundred years.”
“That long,” Sax drawled, and she could practically hear their brains clicking into gear.
Blast the slip of her tongue. She refused to pull up memories of home and problems. Loyalty and commitment to family. The Hallstead brothers were intelligent. Stubborn too.
“Do you have a title?” Sax asked.
“Officially, but I never use it. I prefer people to judge me by my character and my cooking.”
“Your parents?”
“Yes.” She wiped away the flour on the countertop.
“You’re embarrassed,” Tate commented.
“No, more angry at myself for letting this slip. People are weird when they learn I possess a title. Women wonder why I have a job as a cook, and most men speculate if they can live with my excess weight and marry into the family. They want my family’s connections.”
“But you’re a qualified chef,” Tate said. “I bet you studied hard to get your qualifications. Food is your passion. You’re way more than a cook.”
Kendall stared at him, and tears sheened her eyes.
“Babe, don’t cry.” Ran stroked her arm. “We’re not judging you.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Kendall took a breath, wanting to explain. “You appreciate I had to work to qualify. You get that I struggled.”
“Your family doesn’t.” Sax shot her a sympathetic glance.
“No. It’s part of the reason I decided to visit Fiona. I wanted to stretch myself and try new things. That was too difficult while I was at home.”
“You told us you worked for the family business,” Ran said.
“Yes, I did. I had a job in London for a while, then I returned home. We make jams and pickles from old family recipes. I helped to open an on-site café and I fine-tuned the recipes for modern tastes. I needed a change, so when Fiona invited me to visit, I jumped at the opportunity.”
She’d run away from her problems.
“Change is good,” Sax agreed. “In Churchill, I was the son of a single parent and the target of bullies. It was impossible to start a business here, so I left and learned a trade.”
“He studied to be an architect,” Ran corrected. “And took his interest in building to a new level.”
“You took your passion and used it to advance yourself,” Kendall whispered.
She’d done the same thing, and it had saved her sanity. Now all she had to do was deal with her family situation. If she refused to cooperate, they’d turn their backs. She should hate them for the pressure they were putting on her, but she couldn’t. They were family, and no matter what her mother’s and grandmother’s views, she remained loyal. She wanted them to succeed.
“Thanks to Sax, Tate and I became interested in constructi
on too. We’re both qualified carpenters. Building things is something we all enjoy. It’s satisfying. Our mother put up a huge stink before we left Churchill. She thought we’d get into trouble and end up murdered or something equally dire. She’s proud of us now and shoves our success at her friends at every opportunity. I’m sure your family is proud of you.”
“Not so much,” Kendall confessed. “I’m not married. I don’t have children. I’m not behaving as tradition dictates I should.”
“They sound old-fashioned,” Ran said.
“I bet that comes with the four hundred years of history.” Sax shrugged. “Expectation.”
“Yes.” Kendall rinsed her cloth and wiped away the last of the flour from the counter. “Can we change the subject? What will you do with this land?”
“Gunnar suggested we turn it into a lodge,” Tate said. “We haven’t discussed it yet, but we should do that and use it as a place for us to recharge.”
Sax nodded thoughtfully. “It would keep our crew busy.”
“Mom would love to have us around for a few months,” Tate added.
“I would too.” In that instant, Kendall decided to stay for longer.
“We’d have to apply for permits. I doubt we’d get the building started before winter arrives.” Tate gazed into the distance as if he were mentally ticking off a list.
“If we got our crew up here, the build wouldn’t take long,” Sax said. “A lodge to hold say twenty people plus room for a cook/housekeeper, a maintenance man, and two guides. Maybe accommodation for twenty-five people plus a lounge and dining room. A decent kitchen. We’d need a proper helicopter pad and would have to develop a platform so the guests could watch the dens without disturbing the bears. We’d need to get an official survey done to establish the size of the plot. It’s doable, but we’d need to pray that everything works and we don’t hit speed bumps along the way.”
“Agreed,” Ran said. “I have a good feeling about this place.”
Kendall listened to the building discussions and watched Sax do rough sketches on a notebook he pulled from his jacket. With Tate’s help, she served soup and slices of beer bread. The canned butter didn’t taste too bad when it melted into the warm bread. The apple roly-poly and custard was a huge success.
Kendall's Mates Page 9
