Page 14 of Temel

The cluttered kitchen bothered her just as much as it had previously, and she decided it offered a small way to show her gratitude… Rolling up her sleeves she set to work.

The rest of her family was still asleep when she put the last clean dishes into the dish cabinet and regarded the now gleaming kitchen with satisfaction. Much better—but would it make any real difference to Temel? Perhaps the mess didn’t bother him. She thought for a moment, then grinned and opened the pantry cupboard. Hopefully he had a sweet tooth.

Deciding on a simple, familiar cookie recipe, she made a double batch, humming as she switched the trays in and out of the oven. Once they were done, she piled some of the still warm cookies on a plate and went to find Temel.

The rest of the house was much grander than the kitchen and servants’ quarters. A huge dining table with twelve chairs was centered beneath an elaborate chandelier, although everything was covered with dust and there were pieces of some kind of machinery on the table. The elaborate furniture in the large formal parlor put her set to shame, but it too was dusty and neglected.

She clucked her tongue and moved out into the wide entry hall. A beautifully carved staircase rose to a landing with a large stained glass window, but she was more interested in the double doors that opened into what was clearly a study. Temel sat behind the big desk frowning down at some papers. As she watched, he sighed and rubbed his forehead between his horns, the gesture eloquent of weariness, and her heart ached for him. It couldn’t have been an easy morning for him and he was already back at work.

Before she could announce herself, he looked up and their eyes met. Something flashed between them, and she felt oddly breathless as she went to join him.

“I made you some cookies.”

He gave the plate a puzzled look.

“Cookies?”

“It’s a kind of sweet treat. I hope you don’t mind that I used your supplies to make them. And tidied up a little,” she added guiltily.

“Of course I don’t mind. I told you to treat my house as yours.” He was still staring at the cookies. “You made these for me?”

“Yes, but I made a lot so there’s enough to share with your men—I mean, your males. Aren’t you going to try one?”

He rather cautiously picked one up and took a small bite, then a much larger one before closing his eyes and groaning in appreciation.

“These are amazing.”

“Oh, good. I wasn’t sure if you liked sweet things, but most people do and I know the recipe by heart so it seemed like a good idea…”

Realizing she was babbling, she came to an abrupt halt as he opened his eyes again. He smiled, a slow, sensual smile that made her stomach flutter.

“I do believe this is the most delicious thing I have ever put in my mouth.” His eyes dropped to her mouth. “So far.”

She knew she was blushing again and quickly turned away to study the bookcases lining one wall of the room.

“What a lot of books. Have you read them all?”

She winced at the stupidity of the question, but he only laughed.

“No, and I don’t believe the previous owner did either. They don’t appear to have been touched for many years. But I’m improving my ability to read in your language and I intend to go through all of them eventually.”

“Really?” She studied the titles—everything from ancient Earth poetry to farming methods. “I think he bought them just to look impressive.”

“I don’t mind. I enjoy reading and I’ve had little opportunity to do so for many years now.”

She turned back to find him looking at her over the empty plate. He must have inhaled the rest of the cookies.

“I guess you were hungry.”

“Yes.”

His eyes were on her mouth again, but although the heat returned to her cheeks, she didn’t turn away. Instead, she forced herself to discuss more practical matters.

“Did you find an alternate route back to town?”

“Yes and no. There is another road, but it would at least double the travel time.” He gestured towards the window and she realized that it was already past noon. “You could ride cross country, but it would be easy to get lost. Unless you’re familiar with this territory?”

“Not really. I had a passing acquaintance with Mary’s mother, but I only ever saw her in town. I never visited her out here.”

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