The Reluctant Bachelor by Syndi Powell

Author:Syndi Powell [Powell, Syndi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-07-31T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

RICK LET HIMSELF into the back door of the house where the remaining women were staying—they no longer needed both places. He’d gotten a key from one of the crew members to plan this surprise breakfast. If Lizzie knew about it, she’d probably have his hide. So the less she knew, the better. This was something he wanted to do for the women, not the camera.

Silence greeted him in the kitchen as he set down the plastic bags of groceries that he’d brought with him. He took off his coat and tossed it on the back of one of the stools. Searching, he found the supplies he needed: whisk, bowls, pans, spatula. As well as a frilly apron that he was sure looked better on the sleeping inhabitants of the house than it did on him.

By the time the coffee had finished brewing, Rick had been joined by two of the contestants, Jenny and Becky. He used some flair to flip a perfect golden pancake onto a plate, then topped it with another. He added a few pieces of bacon to the side. And the first plate was served.

Becky murmured her thanks as Rick started on Jenny’s plate. “You guys are up awfully early.”

Jenny watched him. “Hard to sleep when the aroma of fresh coffee hits my nose.” She took her plate from him. “This looks fabulous. Thanks.”

“My pleasure.” He winked at her and started preparing another plate. “Everyone else still sleeping?”

The women nodded but continued eating. Rick topped off their mugs of coffee, then poured himself one. He started brewing another pot so it would be fresh for whoever came downstairs next. “So what do you think of my town?”

Becky swallowed. “It’s cute. But small.” She cut her pancake into tiny bites. “Kind of like me.”

Rick raised his coffee cup. “Hear, hear.” He heard feet on the stairs and started pouring pancake batter onto the griddle. “Sounds like we have more customers.”

When the women saw him standing there, some left to go upstairs and change. Put on makeup. Do whatever it was that women did before facing the world. He thought they already looked beautiful. Rick stopped them. “It’s a pj’s breakfast. Come as you are.”

Soon the kitchen couldn’t hold them all, so the women who already had breakfast took their plates into the dining room while Rick brought out more for those who had arrived later as he did at the diner. Sometimes, he couldn’t escape it. Once they had all been served, he took a seat at the head of the table. They looked at him as if waiting for him to say something. He stalled and took a sip of his coffee. They still waited. “So what’s on the agenda today?”

“We thought you’d know,” Brandy said.

She’d been the last to join them, the last at the table. He’d noticed how some had turned their chairs as if to shut her out. He caught her gaze then nodded at her, hoping it reassured her. “I’m as clueless as you.

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