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"Tyler Brennan. Do you want my Social Security number, birthday, and phone number?"

"Back to your snarky self. You must be feeling better."

"I'm okay. You didn't have to stay."

"Head injuries can be more serious than they look. Do you feel dizzy? Do you have any blurred vision?"

"No, Doc, just some pain in my head, but not as bad as before."

"Good."

"What have you been doing in my kitchen?"

"Trying to make magic out of not a lot of ingredients, but at least you'll have something to eat."

"I was planning to go to the store today, but that didn't happen. What did you make?"

"Why don't you come into the kitchen and see?"

He gave her a speculative look. "Are you waiting to see if I can walk a straight line to the door?"

"Just want to see how you'll feel when you stand up."

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He'd kicked off his shoes when he'd gotten into bed, so he walked across the room in his socks and paused at the door. "Satisfied?"

"Yes," she said with a smile. "And dinner is ready."

"Great. Lunch feels like a long time ago." They moved into the kitchen, and he took a seat at the island counter, noting the various pots and pans on the stove. "You've been busy."

"I needed something to do while you were sleeping, and it's always interesting to see what I can make with an odd assortment of ingredients. I actually developed that particular skill when I would spend weeks with my dad. He'd work late and forget to buy food, so if I wanted to eat at home, I would have to figure out what to do with whatever he had on hand. That's what I did today."

"I don't think I had anything to create the amazing smell going on in here."

She laughed. "It was a challenge, but I came up with spicy beer-glazed bacon and apple noodles, with veggies and a crispy egg."

"Now, I'm a little scared. Do those things go together?"

"Just keep an open mind," she said as she dished food onto two plates, then brought them to the counter.

He stared down at the glossy noodles and vegetables piled high with caramelized onions, apples, bacon, and topped off with a fried egg.

"You're going to want to cut the egg and let the yolk mix with everything else. It's going to be delicious," she said confidently. "At least, that's the hope."

He did as she'd suggested, watching the runny egg create a luxurious sauce that covered everything. Then he picked up his fork, swirled the noodles and veggies around so he could get a good bite, and put it in his mouth. He didn't know what he'd expected, but it certainly wasn't the explosion of flavor that warmed him from the inside out.

"That is surprisingly good," he said. "It's very spicy. Has a real kick."

"I used the chili flakes and cayenne in your cupboard. I figured you weren't afraid of some heat."

"I like heat," he admitted. "The spicier, the better."

She moved around the counter and sat down next to him. "I had a few second thoughts along the way, but I tried it, and I thought it was good. I just wasn't sure you would."

"Well, I think you're a magician," he said in between bites.

"I might be," she said with a gleam of pride in her eyes. "I could have done better with a few more ingredients, but I didn’t want to leave you alone. I checked on you a couple of times, but you were fast asleep."

"That was very thoughtful."