Page 24 of Draco's Fire

Tyson

Tyson was already making breakfast by the time Shayla awoke. When she walked into the kitchen, she was wearing one of his t-shirts. Tyson wasn't sure if she had on anything underneath, but he did find the thought appealing.

"Good morning," she said sleepily.

"Good morning. There's coffee," he said, nodding his head in the direction of the coffee pot. "Coffee cups are in the cabinet right above the coffee maker."

He went back to cooking.

She had to reach to be able to take a mug down from the cabinet. This house was built for someone taller. But she managed it by herself and soon had a coffee cup in hand.

"There's cream in the fridge and sugar in that little ceramic container to your left," he said.

"I take it black." She took a sip and then asked, "What are you making?"

"French toast."

Tyson started laying the thick-cut slices of batter-dipped bread onto the griddle. The scent rose into the air. Tyson heard Shayla's stomach growl and then saw her face flush red.

"Sorry, I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I smelled that. It's heavenly."

"It won't be long, but if you are about to expire, Gil left some apples and oranges in the bowl on the table. Real fruit, I promise. Not just for decoration."

"I'll wait. I want to save room for," she took a deep breath, inhaling through her nose, "that."

"Well, if you'd like to speed things along, you could get the maple syrup out of the fridge. Bottom shelf, on the right."

When she bent down, Tyson was pretty sure he had confirmation she'd opted to wear only his t-shirt. The information caused him to smile. He could get used to this, the calm, the normalcy.

He still knew there was an outside world to deal with. But having her with him made it seem distant and manageable. He hadn't felt this level of contentment in a long time. He felt almost at peace.

He stacked two plates with French toast, along with some strawberries and some nice plump sausages, and set them on the kitchen table. Shayla poured syrup on hers before slicing off a corner with her fork. Tyson watched as she put the bite in her mouth, and then her eyes went wide.

"Oh, my god. This is amazing. What did you put in this?" she asked.

"The secret is using melted vanilla ice cream mixed with the eggs instead of milk."

"That sounds so decadent."

They finished eating, and Tyson asked, "After breakfast has settled, how would you feel about going horseback riding?"

Shayla sat there and thought for a moment, tapping her forefinger to her chin. "I suppose that would mean I'd have to get dressed."

"You could try the full Lady Godiva naked horseback ride, but I wouldn't recommend it. There's a reason they make riding breeches, and you see all those cowboys wearing jeans." Tyson smirked. "Not that I wouldn't enjoy the sight. I just wouldn't want you in a lot of pain from chafed thighs."

Shayla winced. "I think I'll go find some jeans to wear."

While she went to change, he packed up things they could take with them for lunch out near a lake that was a comfortable riding distance away. They wouldn't have to push the horses to make it there around noonish.

When she came down, dressed in sturdy jeans and a short-sleeved t-shirt, he said, "There's also a reason you see cowboys wearing long sleeve shirts when they go out riding. It may be hot, but it keeps the sun off your arms, so you don't burn."

She laughed and asked, "Anything else I should know?"

"Not that I can think of, but I'm sure I'll remember something when you come back downstairs again."

She rolled her eyes and went back upstairs. When she came back, she was wearing a red, long-sleeve button-down.

"Satisfied?" She curled an eyebrow at him, almost daring him to send her back upstairs again.

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