Chapter 296 Chapter 296
“Anything from Illias or anyone?”
Deacon jerked his head up to find her sitting there watching him. “No.” He shook his head, then had to brush the hair back off his face. “I checked when I got up.” Where was his hat? He didn’t even know at this point, which was crazy, he always knew where his hat was. Always.
“Are we allowed to reach out and make inquires?”
The way she said it was so proper and cute. “We could, but the problem with that is all my numbers are in my own phone and we can’t turn those on.” He lifted the cup to his mouth, “there’s only one number programmed into my phone, and it says emergency only.” He took a sip and burned his tongue.
“Oh.” She closed her eyes for a second, then opened them and shook her head. “I only know one number off by heart, and I doubt Walker could be helpful right now.”
He noted again that her brother, Walker, she held dearest out of her whole family. “I have a CB to reach Calum, but he’s not at his place, so that won’t help either.”
“I guess we wait then.” She looked around. “Do you have anything that resembles food around here?” She smirked, “I’m starving and if you don’t the other options are jerky and protein bars or shifting and hunting me down some small critters.” Her smile was big when she said that.
Deacon couldn’t help smiling when she did. “I have canned and dried goods.” He cleared his throat, “I set the traps last night, so we should have some fresh meat later today.”
Gia took a sip of her coffee, then set it down. Moving the sleeping bag, she slid her legs out from under her and put her feet on the floor. “Educate me on how to create food with these dried goods.”
He was stunned for a moment, that she wasn’t disappointed he didn’t have fresh ingredients to make for breakfast. He set his cup down and then picked up his shirt. “I can radio Beckett later and meet up with him for some eggs and things later today.” He pulled the shirt over his head.
She walked to his cupboards and opened them.
His feet were stuck in place as he looked at the back of her bare legs.
“Who’s Beckett?”
He blinked and looked to see her giving him a look over her shoulder. “Uh, he’s an old shifter that Cal’s known a long time.” He shrugged and went over to the cupboard, “he looks after our places and vehicles when we’re not around.” Taking out the canister of oatmeal, he set it on the counter and looked down at her.
“Can Beckett get us bread, or do you make that yourself?”
He grinned, “I wouldn’t have the first clue how to make that.” The smile faded from his face as her scent filled his system. She stood there, looking up at him, a soft expression in her eyes and it took every ounce of restraint he had to not lean down and kiss her. “Uh,” he turned his head back to the cupboard, “I have dehydrated berries and oatmeal for breakfast.”
“That sounds good.” She moved away and opened another cupboard and found the two bowls he owned but didn’t say a word as she took them out of the cupboard. “What’s on the agenda for the rest of the day?” She set them on the counter beside the canisters he was getting out.
“I should get the wood split before winter gets here.” He watched her open one of the containers and look in it. His brain reminded him that hot water was required. “Calum and I cut the trees last spring, but I haven’t been here much since then.” Grabbing the kettle, he turned to see her leaning back against the counter putting a dried berry in her mouth. He licked his lips as he watched her chew it.
“I’d like to help.” She made a face, “I’ve never done that.” She pointed at him, “and this year is all about new things for me.”
He grinned, “like rescuing shifters.”
“Exactly,” she grinned, “rescuing shifters, splitting wood, and,” she looked around his cabin like she was searching for something, “washing my clothes by hand?”
He laughed, “I can show you how to do that too.”
“Perfect because I haven’t got a clue.” She popped another berry in her mouth and walked back over to get her coffee. “But first, I should probably put some pants on.”
He nodded his head about six times before he spun around to fill the kettle with the pump. Cal, you need to get in touch soon. Only bad, wonderful fucking things are going to happen here if I’m left alone with her too long. He clenched his teeth together and tried not to hear her pulling her leggings over those appealing bare legs.