10 Chapter 10: What's cooking?

Charley rifled through the kitchen. Rafe was in his office and she needed to think. Cooking had always been therapeutic for her, especially when she had a problem. And boy did she ever! Hmmm, chef salad sounds good. She got out some fresh produce, a dozen eggs, fresh cheese, and cold cuts.

A couple dozen cheddar drop biscuits and homemade honey mustard vinaigrette would complete the meal. Charley set up her ingredients, sighed, and got started.

Everything she could ever want was right in front of her. And not just inside the kitchen of her dreams, but Rafe, and the others too. She walked over to the extra-large double sink and rinsed her hands. Oh, the Christmas breakfast she could prepare here! Charley smiled.

She and her grandfather always made a large breakfast to celebrate Christmas Day. It was the one tradition she kept since his passing. Though nowadays it mostly consisted of a single pancake, citrus fruit salad, and a strip of uncured bacon. It was no fun cooking just for yourself.

Maybe she could make some quick cookies for after lunch too? She quickly prepared a batch of butter-cookie dough and was not surprised to find a cookie press and sprinkles in the cabinets. She smiled as she quickly prepared a sheet of her favorite Christmas cookie. Tree shaped with red and green sugar crystals. Just how she liked them.

Her hands moved automatically as Charley thought about what was important to her. She had always wanted to get married and raise a family. In her daydreams, she was the mom who stayed home to raise her children. She'd make them cookies and treats and help them with homework. She'd be there for them.

Maybe it was because her grandpa was her only parent and he had worked long days to keep her in private school. He did his best and she loved him, but she had spent a lot of time with strangers or in after school programs.

She disliked the ideas of daycares and nannies. If she were married to a man like Rafe, he could easily provide her with the security and stability to stay with the kids. Wait, where the heck did that thought come from?

She shook her head and winced. No one mentioned marriage. True, she didn't ask to come here, but she never felt so at home before. This place, these men, felt like they were hers in a way.

They were polite, funny, incredibly courteous, and sweet. Like the brothers she never had. Then there was Rafe. He was truly one of a kind. A gentle and generous lover. Gracious, intelligent, and he had an air about him that commanded attention.

An innate power that was subtle, yet undeniably strong. Her heart beat faster just thinking of the big guy. Heavy footfalls fell behind her and she straightened her back. Rafe.

"Hey," he walked up to her, placed big hands on her hips and kissed her neck. Charley almost dropped her knife. She leaned back into him, eyes closed.

"I'm sorry I had to leave you this morning. There was something I needed to attend to. Mmm, smells good."

"Thanks. I guess I missed breakfast. I made enough for everyone."

"I meant you, but the food smells great too. You know, you don't have to do that."

"Mmm, I know, but I like to cook."

More footfalls, some sniffing, then groans of pleasure.

"Oh my God, are you making us lunch?" Dib or Kurt said. They both sniffed the air, identical looks of ecstasy on their faces.

"Oh, thou fairest maiden, Charley! Wilt thou honor me as my personal chef forever unto eternity," Liam dropped to his knees at her feet.

"Beat it, pup," growled Rafe, only half kidding.

"Alright, alright, come on, boys, go wash your hands and set the table. Lunch is in ten minutes."

They howled and ran for the lower floor bathrooms. Shoving each other like twelve-year old kids.

"My God, you'd think they never saw food! Animals!" Rafe shook his head and went back to nuzzling her neck.

"Pardon my frankness, but none of you look like you never saw food. And, mmm, Rafe unless you want one of my fingers in the salad you better stop that now or I'm afraid I'll cut myself," he stepped back immediately. Charley missed his warmth.

"I'd never let a single hair on your head be hurt," he vowed.

"Good to know. Please carry this inside," she nodded at the pitcher of vinaigrette and the two-giant bowls of salad. He dropped a kiss on her temple and picked up the food easily in his big hands.

She took the cookies and biscuits out of the oven. She scooped the warm, golden biscuits into bread baskets and placed the cookies aside. Charley put the baskets on the dining table and was surprised to see no one eating.

"Isn't it alright?" she had used plenty of cold cuts, cheeses and hard-boiled eggs.

"It's perfect, darling, we were just waiting for you," Rafe pulled out the chair to his right.

"Thanks," Charley sat awkwardly and waited, but no one moved. She reached for the salad and was surprised when Rafe took the tongs from her and filled her plate. He filled his next and passed the dish to Seff. He did the same with the dressing and biscuits.

He surprised her even further by taking her hand and saying a brief grace over the meal. Charley had to blink back tears. They were all being so respectful, so kind. For her.

Conversation started and soon they were joking and talking about the upcoming holidays. Charley laughed with real joy as the guys ribbed each other. The front door opened, and she heard a female voice.

"Hello? Anyone home? Hey, is that food?" in walked the tallest, most beautiful woman Charley had ever seen. She was thin, toned, and had long wavy blonde hair.

She had a gym bag slung over one shoulder. A badge on her hip and a gun. Fresh snow dusted clothes and hair, giving her a sort of fresh glow. Charley's eyebrows rose.

"Oh, hey! How you doin'? You were passed out last time I saw you and you had less on," at Charley's blush the woman winked. She dropped her bag, grabbed a plate and helped herself. The men seemed at ease with her except for Tate who ignored her completely.

"Jeez, Cat, slow down. Let me introduce you. Carlotta, this is Catriona, my baby sister," Rafe said with an indulgent grin on his face.

"I'm sorry, are you a police officer?" asked Charley.

"Macconwood Sheriff's department, actually, I'm a deputy. Nice to meet you, officially."

"Well, that's just great! You, you're sworn to uphold the law? Congratulations, officer, you're an accomplice to a kidnapping!" the room got very quiet.

Everyone averted their eyes except for Rafe and Cat, who met Charley's glare. She averted her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.

"You know, Charley, you don't look like you're being held against your will. Besides Pack comes first," she dug into her salad.

"Oh, so you're delusional too then. Great, just great!" Charley stood up hands on her hips and walked over to Cat.

"Carlotta, we can talk about this later. Besides, you agreed to stay, -"

"Yeah, but not when your sister undressed me. Hey, I'm talking to you, at least look at me! You had no right! As a woman and a deputy, you should have done something. Well, what do you have to say for yourself, young lady?"

Catriona stopped eating and stood up to her full height. Not backing down a step, Charley stood toe to toe with her and stared her directly in the eye. Cat dropped her gaze first. Even before she heard Rafe's warning growl.

"I apologize, ma'am," she grinned and bowed to Charley before reseating herself and taking another bite.

"Hey brother, I like her. Try not to fuck it up," Cat said in a not so whisper to Rafe. In fact, all the Guard seemed to watch Charley with admiration in their eyes.

Charley looked at each of the stunned faces at the table and sat back down next to Rafe. Her posture was stiff, displaying her annoyance, but her heartbeat was normal. Rafe let out a relieved breath. Yes, he thought, I have clearly chosen well.

"Well, eat!" she commanded, and they did.