Page 25 of Abundant Moon
Robert frowned. He wasn’t interested in talking if it meant another one of Donna’s attempts to bring him up to date on current shifter life. Besides, he hated that stupid nickname, even if she were the only one to use it.
Donna left him alone, knowing exactly what annoyed her brother. Within ten minutes of arrival, a pack Alpha masterfully shanghaied him into dinner and he faced one of Donna’s “lectures”. She didn’t intend to harangue him, but the man remained seriously out of date regarding recent issues. Most centered on Gladstone – the ideal pack for a man like Robert to avoid at all costs. Yet here they were, and she intended to take advantage of it.
To their left, Robert noticed the wide curve of a below-ground structure, easy to see among the leafless trees. Donna waved in that direction with an explanation.
“Those are the Eastside apartments. In the spring, we start construction of above ground cabin-style homes in this area. They’re going to be gorgeous! I’ll show you the plans when we get to the packhouse.”
Without saying so, Robert was reluctantly impressed. The packlands he remembered were somewhere between grubby and rustic - this place far exceeded his expectations. Up ahead rose a beautiful two-story home with a wide porch and an attached structure with a separate entrance. Behind and to the right lay a wide, tree-less meadow he assumed they used for pack gatherings and runs. His peripheral vision revealed other buildings, but he didn’t stop to take a closer look. Whoever designed the layout of this place knew what they were doing.
Donna held the front door open for him and he stepped gratefully into the warm house. An inviting, open floorplan revealed clean lines and simple furniture – a reflection of his sister’s good taste. She brought him upstairs to a large, comfy spare bedroom where he deposited his things. Donna gave his slacks, button down dress shirt, and leather shoes the side-eye and made a suggestion.
“Wouldn’t you like to change into something more comfortable while I put on the coffee? Please tell me you brought at leastonepair of jeans!”
Chapter 14
ROBERT’S HEAD SWAM. He’d actuallyenjoyedthe coffee and conversation with his sister, learning more in thirty minutes than the last quarter century. The amazing danger, sacrifice, and wrenching change experienced by Gladstone astonished him. Had his upbringing been in a pack like this one, his life would have taken a far different turn. Too late for regret now.
After coffee, Donna took him through her beautiful home and attached infirmary, followed by a cold walk around the central compound. He’d acted on Donna’s suggestion of more comfortable clothing with a pair of cuffed designer jeans, a cashmere turtleneck, and pair of trendy walking boots – the closest he came to casual. Breathtaking scenery surrounded him, interspersed with the fabulous new houses of Westside, practical mobile homes in the Village, and a sleek, comfortable packhouse.
While he found the structure itself amazing, the scrumptious baking smells from the kitchen were enough to leave even his mouth watering. He and Donna shed their coats while she explained that Friday’s baking focused on brownies, pointing out the whiteboard menu for the day. There were three varieties to choose from: candy cane crush with dark chocolate, caramel white chocolate chip walnut, and peanut butter pecan swirl. All available warm and with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
Robert’s professional training demanded he try all three, and Donna ordered him a sample platter with ice cream on the side and a glass of water. They took a seat, others flowing in and out as she watched her brother lose himself in the experience. With a shifter’s powerful sense of smell and taste, Robert enjoyed a significant advantage over human food critics. His unique metabolism also prevented any unwanted weight gain – not insignificant in his line of work.
He photographed each brownie with his smartphone prior to the scenting, tasting, and consuming of each selection – interspersed with eye rolls, moans, and an occasional growl he probably didn’t know he’d let slip. In between he recorded copious notes and cleansed his pallet with water. Lastly, the remaining ice cream disappeared before the sated man leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile.
The gathered observers, unnoticed until now, burst into applause - startling the absorbed and distracted man with their appreciation for the show. His embarrassed blush deepened further as Donna chuckled, having watched the entire scene with interest.
“Are you quite satisfied? I believe I’ve just witnessed the equivalent of multiple food orgasms!”
The small crowd laughed at his discomfiture, dispersing with friendly waves and thumbs up. Robert smiled at them, clearing his throat before responding.
“Can you blame me? I taste alotof food in year’s time and those were... exceptional. Do you know who made them?”
“Not specifically, but we can ask. Come on.”
Donna led him to the open pass-through window and called for Michelle or Perdy. They both appeared, curious what they were needed for and about the oddly-dressed visitor at Donna’s side. She introduced her brother, explained his profession, and let him take it from there.
“Ladies, the brownies were fabulous! Delicious, perfectly balanced, and some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Were they your recipes?”
Looking pleased and a bit flustered, Michelle answered for them.
“They started out as ours, but like many of our menu items, they were modified by Cody Erwin – Ben’s personal chef. He used to work here in the pack kitchen before the Alpha stole him away!”
Robert thanked them again for the tasty treats and then added five stars to the menu board above the word “Magnifique!” and his scrawled signature. If this Cody person cooked as well as he baked, tonight’s dinner promised to be truly delightful. He and Donna left the packhouse for a trip into town, with planned stops at her medical clinic, the LRC office, and the New Moon Artist’s Co-Op.
