Her First Taste of Fire by Kristen Painter

Author:Kristen Painter [Painter, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sugar Skull Books

Nasha slid off Charlie’s back, landing between him and Laz on the ground in front of Henry’s cave. He’d invited them over for dinner, an offer they’d immediately taken him up on. His cave was one of the very first ones at the beginning of the valley.

From the flickering light of the fire inside to the delicious aromas wafting out, it seemed like Henry had planned pretty well for company.

Maybe he’d been hoping that company would be female. Nasha felt for the guy. He was such a nice man. He deserved love.

She also wished she’d had something to bring. Maybe it was the baker in her, but on the rare occasions she got invited somewhere, she usually took one of her cakes or pies. “I don’t like coming empty-handed.”

Charlie, who’d shifted to human form, came up alongside her. “We didn’t really have much to bring.”

She frowned. That wasn’t true. “Would it be a big deal if you took me back? I could get some of your chocolates. There’s enough of those.”

“That would put a big dent in your supply. You okay with that?”

She had pretty mixed feelings about it, actually, but not enough to stop her from sharing. “Absolutely. I want to do it.”

“All right,” he said with a smile. “Let’s go. Laz, tell Henry we forgot something. We’ll be right back.”

“Will do.”

Charlie returned to his dragon form and, in just a few minutes, she had the chocolates in hand and they were once again headed toward Henry’s cave.

She felt much better. So what if she’d run out of chocolates sooner? Once she got back to Shadowvale, she’d never be without them again.

They walked in, and she instantly noticed the temperature change. It was practically balmy in Henry’s abode. Not only was his fire twice the size of theirs, but his was built in the center of the space. A natural opening in the rock above it let out the smoke.

Around the fire were a single camp chair, another two-seater version, and a large trunk that looked like it might have been army issue. Laz was using that as a seat. A metal rack over the firepit held a big pot of stew, a pan of biscuits, and a pot of coffee.

A couple feet away was a cot that looked about as comfortable as any regular bed, with a thick foam mattress, a fluffy comforter, and a nice pillow. Next to it was a small folding table with a battery-operated lamp and two hardback books.

Henry clearly knew how to pack for a census. Or maybe he just camped a lot.

He greeted them with a big smile. “There you two are. Come on in. Lazarus said you’d forgotten something. Everything good now?”

She held out the chocolates. “Everything’s great. It was so kind of you to invite us.”

He took the box. “Candy?”

“Chocolates. Made by Charlie. He has a shop in our town.”

“Outstanding. These will make the perfect dessert.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m so glad you could all come.”

“You seem pretty well prepared for company.

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