Page 25 of Hidden Depths

None of us pretended.

What you saw...

Was exactly who we were.

A burst of laughter drifted up from the galley.

Ward grinned.

"I'm guessing Scott found the kitchen."

I laughed.

"Let's go see."

The smell reached us before we opened the galley door.

Fresh garlic.

Butter.

Warm bread.

Willow stood at the stove stirring a sauce while humming quietly to herself.

Scott leaned against the counter with a spoon in one hand.

Another cinnamon roll in the other.

"You're eating again?" I asked.

He looked offended.

"I'm taste-testing."

"For dessert?"

"For quality control."

Willow pointed her wooden spoon at him.

"He's surprisingly thorough."

Scott nodded proudly.

"I take my responsibilities seriously."

Ben walked into the galley behind us.

"No, he takes pastries seriously."

"I can do both."

"You've had three cinnamon rolls."

"They're small."

Willow looked at me.