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“You are too, sunshine. Whatever we need to do to prove that to you, we will,” Kai told me. I wanted to believe him, but I refused to allow it to happen.
“I’m sorry. I’ll try to not freak like that again,” I said instead.
“You need to eat. You’re shaking like a damned leaf,” Hunter grumbled as he released his arms from around me and instead placed a hand at the small of my back to lead me back over to the counter in the center of the kitchen.
I blushed as I realised the unknown older guy still stood in the kitchen, looking to me with genuine concern. I folded my arms over my chest, conscious I didn’t even have a bra on under the thin t-shirt.
“Maddie, this is Sam,” Kai introduced. I smiled sheepishly as I reached my hand up to try and tame my wild hair.Great first impression, I thought to myself with a wince. I must have looked a fright.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Sam returned with a gentle smile.
“You too,” I agreed as I nervously folded my arms again. “I’m so sorry about that. I’m usually less insane than this, I promise,” I laughed halfheartedly.
“It’s understandable. Don’t even think about it again,” he assured me. “Now tell me what I can cook for you. You look in need of a good meal and there’s nothing I enjoy more than feeding people.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I can make something.”
“Don’t even waste your breath, Maddie. Sam does not take no for an answer,” Kai chuckled. I looked to Hunter who just nodded his agreement, so I gave in.
“Um…well, I guess a sandwich would be good, if it’s not too much trouble,” I uttered nervously. This was weird. I’d never had someone to cook for me before and it made me feel kind of lazy.
“No trouble at all. Take a seat, and I’ll see what options we have for fillings,” he assured me as he moved towards the refrigerator. I took the man in fully as Hunter and Kai led me over to take a seat on one of the tall stools at the island.
Sam was in good shape for an older guy, slim but with wide shoulders and clearly visible biceps beneath the white button-down shirt he wore. He was tall, standing just a tiny bit shorter than Hunter and he obviously worked out. He looked relaxed in jeans with his shirt, and he had a navy blue apron tied around his waist.
“I’m afraid we don’t have much. I need to order groceries tomorrow. There’s just cheese, turkey, roast beef, or I could make you some eggs. Does any of that sound good? I could whip you up some pasta, or a risotto? Do you like risotto?” he asked as he stood with a mountain of food in his arms. My eyes bulged as I took in all he had offered me. Didn’t have much? Was he crazy?
“T-turkey is fine. Thank you,” I whispered shyly.
“Please don’t tell me plain turkey is still your favorite sandwich?” Hunter groaned. I blushed again as I looked nervously to my hands.
“I like simple things,” I uttered, a little embarrassed. If I was honest, food wasn’t something I bothered very much about. I ate what was necessary to keep me going and that was that. It stemmed from my childhood, years of skipping meals when the foster parents I was stuck with couldn’t be bothered to cook or even supply groceries. I learned to survive on the bare minimum and that had continued ever since.
“Nothing wrong with simple, but you need some calories for that little bundle you’re growing. How about some hot chocolate too?” Sam offered as he worked to make me a sandwich.
I knew my eyes lit up at the offer of chocolate, judging by the huge smile that spread on Sam’s face. I had always been a sucker for chocolate but Edward had stopped me having it in the house, along with many other sweet treats. He was always mindful of Frank’s direction that I shouldn’t put on any weight.
“Hot chocolate coming up,” Sam told me as he passed me a plate with a perfectly made sandwich on it.
“Are you okay?” Kai asked as he ran his hand up and down my arm soothingly.
“I think so. Can I…is it okay if I see her again?” I asked as I nodded to the tablet Kai had set down in front of him. “I know it’s ridiculous, but I…”
“It’s not ridiculous, Maddie,” Kai cut in. “You’re in a strange place. We get that you need to be sure your kid is safe.” He touched the tablet and the screen lit up. Willow had moved and was now star fished across the bed, her legs hanging out from under the comforter. “We’ll hear her if she wakes up. The monitor picks up every sound,” Kai assured me.
“Thank you.” I smiled tentatively as I looked back to my sandwich and picked half of it up in my still shaky hand. “I really am sorry I freaked out. It won’t happen again.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Hunter told me. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Better than I have in a while,” I nodded. “Oh, and I love your shower. It’s amazing.”
“One hot chocolate,” Sam announced as he placed a huge cup, brimming with whipped cream and marshmallows before me.
“Sam, I think you and I are going to be good friends,” I laughed as I ogled the treat excitedly. It had been a really, really long time since I was given something that delicious looking.
“Oh I agree. And little Willow is going to be a delight to cook for. She cleaned her plate tonight, and thanked me three times, telling me I made the best pasta in the world apparently,” he chuckled. “She’s a perfect angel.”
“She definitely enjoys her food,” I agreed with a smile.
