Page 58 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘You think coming to help me will win you the bet? If anything I’d say it’s a sign I’m winning.’
‘Ah, but maybe that’s what I want you to think. So shall I stay, or do you want me to go?’
Eden sniffed. ‘You might not come back if I let you go, so you’d better come in.’
She moved from the doorway to let him through and went back to her chopping while he pulled an apron from a peg and put it on. Then she looked up at the sound of his voice.
‘Where do you want me to start?’
Eden waved her knife at some sacks in the corner of the room. ‘There’s a ton of veg to peel and chop over there. Take your pick which you do first. I also need some garlic mincing.’
‘I can do that.’
Cam went to the sacks and opened the first one. ‘Carrots?’ He looked up. ‘Want me to peel them?’
‘Yes, please.’
She went back to her peppers, the sounds of him tipping the carrots into the sink and then turning on the tap a soundtrack to her thoughts. Why was he here? What was he up to? He had to be up to something, didn’t he?
‘You know,’ he began as he turned off the tap, ‘it’s a shame we didn’t get to know each other better when we worked together.’
Eden looked round. ‘Is it? You said I was weird.’
‘I did. I suppose that was uncalled for.’
Eden raised her eyebrows. ‘Thank you? I’m assuming there was an apology of sorts in there.’
‘I suppose there is. I don’t think I’m the only one who made judgements, though, am I?’
‘I haven’t decided yet. If you think this is going to get me to drop my guard, you can think again.’
‘I’m trying to pay you a compliment. I won’t bother again.’
‘And there was no ulterior motive for that? Just like there’s no ulterior motive for coming in early to help me when you have no reason to and you know I’ll be alone?’
‘Don’t worry – I’m not going to jump you, if that’s what you think.’
Eden stared at him. The shock she felt wasn’t because of his statement – it was because suddenly, from nowhere, the image of them pressed against each other, right there at that moment in the kitchen, invaded her brain. The harder she tried to banish it, the more insistent it was, until she had to turn away for fear he’d be able to tell what was going on in her head.
He’s the enemy, he’s the enemy…
She had to remind herself of that. She had to remember why he was here and what his intentions for her precious community café were. He was up to no good, and no good could come from getting involved. It was probably what he was after: seduce her and soften her will. She couldn’t allow it to happen. She couldn’t even allow herself to fancy him – though that got harder with every hour she was in his company. She’d never told him she fancied him, had she? Or anyone else for that matter. But he was assuming that she did? How arrogant did that make him? Or was she giving off signs so obvious he couldn’t fail to notice? If she was, that would have to be wrestled under some kind of control because she couldn’t have him thinking that sort of thing.
‘It’s quiet in here,’ he said, tying his apron and rolling up his sleeves to wash. ‘It’s weird; I’m not used to it. Usually it’s all noise and chaos.’
‘It’s a busy kitchen, that’s for sure. I quite like it that way.’
‘I didn’t say it was bad, just that this is weird.’
‘Put the radio on if you like.’
‘I could. Or we could just talk.’
Eden burst into laughter. ‘Us? What would we talk about?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘There you are then…’ She paused. ‘And don’t even think of drawing me into a discussion about this plot of land thinking you might be able to twist me round to your way of thinking because that is not going to happen.’
