Page 43 of Sol Survivor

“Moo,” he grinned.

She chuckled.“You named her, didn’t you?”

“Yup.”He carried the bucket to the door, expecting her to follow.“Captain said I could since it was my chore for a while.”

“That was sweet of him.”

“Sweet?”Dieter laughed.“Captain wouldn’t give a damn if I named her Blessings, as long as she supplies his milk and cream.Hungry?”

“Starving.”Vic checked the pens were properly shut, then hurried after him.“I could kill for a coffee.”

“Same.Nikko’s making breakfast so prepare for a feast: bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, mushrooms, and fried tomato.”Dieter hummed as he lugged the bucket.It wasn’t heavy but cumbersome.“We’ll decant this in the kitchen, sol-ray the bucket, and return it to the pen after breakfast.”

“Then what’s your next task?What’s mine?”She trailed him into the mess, the delicious aroma of coffee and bacon enticing her to savor each inhale.Grunt sat at the table, sipping black tea.

“You’re with me as a new employee,” Nikko answered as he cracked an egg into the pan.“Later, Tiny will show you how to make butter and cheese.”

Vic bounced on her toes, excitement flooding her body with pre-battle adrenaline.“It’s like I’m on a farm.”

Nikko sliced a glance at her.His lips twitched before he lowered his gaze.“I’m happy you approve.”

“I do.I’m like a kid in a tech store.”

“Hey,” Grunt called out, looking up from his tablet.

“Thanks for yesterday, Grunt.I owe you one.”She sat on the bench beside him.“Victoria Har…Barnes pays her debts.”Shit, that was close.She had to practice saying her new name.

“Excellent.My evil plan is working.”He rubbed his hands together in fake glee.“Next time it’s my turn to muck out the chickens…”

“Deal.”

He grinned.“That was too easy.What’s the catch?”

“There is none.”She smiled at Dieter in thanks for the coffee he offered her.Taking the cup, she took a sip before placing it on the table before her.“Well…”

“I knew it.”Grunt waved his hands.“Give it to me, woman.”

She laughed.“Recipes.If I’m to cook, I need to learn how.”

“Oh, I can have fun with that.”Grunt laughed like the teenager he was, finding too much joy in his own sense of humor.“Cake anyone?”

“Cake?”Tiny hurried in, her hair unbound, and her cheeks flushed.“Am I late?What cake?”

Vic laughed.“It’s my birthday, so Dieter’s going to teach us how to make a cake.”It was all lies.She’d seen an image depicting a multi-colored cylinder with tiny fireworks on top.Not that she’d ever tasted one.

Dieter met Vic’s gaze.“I am?”

“Oh, how sweet of you, Deets.”Tiny patted his shoulder.

He blushed and ducked his head.“Yeah, couldn’t resist the urge to bake.What man can?”

“Idiots, the lot of you,” Nikko grumbled, despite the warmth in his voice.He placed a plate of eggs and bacon on the table, then followed it with brown circles and dark gray bulbs.

“Isn’t Leah joining us?”Vic shuffled along the bench to allow someone else to squeeze in.

“She’s delivering the captain and Webb’s meals.”Nikko sat beside Vic, pressing his side to hers.Before she could say anything, a fried egg, two strips of bacon, a brown circle, and a pile of bulbs landed on her plate.“Toast?”

She blinked at Nikko.“I don’t know.”

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