Page 81 of Caveman Alien's Touch

“That looks good!” Alba exclaims. “And it smells incredible!”

I turn the pan upside-down and knock on it. The bread drops out, and I quickly turn it right side up. It’s about six inches high and twenty long.

“Not too burned, not rock hard,” I state, hopeful that it’s finally worked. “But it could still be liquid on the inside… hand me the knife, please.”

Alba gives me the knife. “Shouldn’t bread knives be serrated?”

“The Foundlings don’t have that, but I have one on order from Noker and his forge. This could still work.” I slowly, carefully cut off a slice. The bread resists the blade, like it should. Steam rises from the cut.

“Want the heel?” I hand Alba the end piece.

“Any piece is fine… oh, this smells so good!” She brings the slice to her nose.

I cut off another slice. “Pretty airy, looks like. Consistent structure. Whiter than we’re used to, but I don’t see that as a problem… The yeast worked.”

“Should we taste it?”

I take a deep breath. “Okay. No expectations, okay? This is just for fun.”

We both take a bite of our slices at the same time.

The crust is crunchy between my teeth, and there’s no uncooked, doughy part. The inside is not too chewy or sticky, but airy and with a tendency to melt on the tongue. The flavor…

“It’s nutty, but also sweet,” Alba sums up. “And that vanilla is just delicious. It’s hot!”

“Straight from the oven”, I remind her. “The way it should be. Oh my, Alba! I think it worked!” I do a happy little dance, taking another bite and chewing luxuriously, spreading crumbs everywhere. “A delightful twist on a classic favorite! Baked to golden perfection in our exotic outside oven, this soft and airy loaf combines the finest white drap roots with a generous blend of crushed…umm…mystery nuts, adding a satisfying crunch and a hint of sesame seeds to every bite. With a dash of fragrant alien vanilla, each slice offers a subtly sweet aroma and flavor that perfectly complements the jungly undertones. Whether toasted for breakfast, used for dinosaur bait, or roasted over a campfire, theFoundling’s Goldpromises a unique and delectable experience that will leave you wanting more.”

“You’re not kidding,” Alba says, pushing the rest of the end piece into her mouth. “Can I have another one?”

I slice one off for her. “Sure. You’re my trusty lab rat.”

“Let’s go!” Alba urges me with her mouth full. “The other girls have to taste this while it’s still hot. Bring it with you!”

I rake the fire out of the oven, and we walk quickly back to the camp with the bread.

The girls are suitably impressed, and we eat bread until only the other heel is left.

“I’ll give this to Noker,” I announce. “He has to know what his baking oven can do.”

“Great work, Bronwen.” Astrid says. “Best bread I ever had.”

I grin as I walk away. If it could cheerherup, then the bread is more of a success than I ever thought.

Noker is busy making charcoal for his forge. He’s standing beside a big mound of wood that’s been covered in dirt so that the wood doesn’t burn, but just releases the impure gasses.

He smiles when he sees me. “I was just thinking about you, my love.”

“So? Youalwaysthinking about me.”

“Yes, but this time I was thinking about your behind.”

“But your’ealwaysthinking about my behind! Here, look what Alba and I made in the oven!” I hand him the end piece. “This is the bread I told you about. The girls really like it.”

He turns it over in his hands. “How wonderful. It’s warm, I notice. So this is something that you… burn?”

I roll my eyes. “Is something you rub all over yourself. No, silly. Youeatit!”

He eyes the slice skeptically. “Do I? It feels dry.”

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