Chapter Nine

“Am I the first one down?”

The deep male voice from the doorway startled Elise, and she nearly dropped the frying pan in her hand. She spun around, grateful she had already dressed and flicked on some mascara, seeing her new boss fully dressed as well and in the kitchen, looking hungry.

“You are,” she replied, regaining her composure. “There’s coffee ready,” she said, gesturing to the pot. “What would you like for breakfast?”

“What are you making?”

“I was a short order cook for years – you give me an order, and I can probably make it happen in less time than you think – assuming I have the right supplies.”

“You were a short order cook?”

“I was,” Elise said easily, returning to the stove. “Helped pay for college.”

“Was it fun?” Tucker asked, doctoring his mug of coffee then sitting down.

She shrugged. “At times, but mostly it was really hard work, on your feet for eight hours, and then studying on top of that… I don’t recommend it.”

“Thanks for the tip,” he said easily, shifting in his chair. “Could I do bacon and eggs?”

She nodded. “Sure. How do you want your eggs?”

“Sunny side up?” He made it sound like a question, which surprised her, given his stern demeanor during their meeting yesterday.

“Be up in a few minutes. Toast?” She asked, already sliding two pieces into the toaster.

“You were telling me about your family,” Tucker said, taking a sip of his coffee.

She shot him a sideways glance. “Funny, I don’t remember that. How about you tell me about yours.”

“Ask Betsy,” he shot back and she laughed.

“I imagine her version would be a bit more embellished than yours. All I know is that you were the older of the two siblings, your father was ‘scary’, and this house is ‘rad’ and has been around for a long time,” Elise said, carefully frying bacon in the pan.

Tucker chuckled. “She’s mostly right.”

“Your dad was scary?” Elise asked, not looking at him.

“I was scared of him as a grown up; I imagine to a young girl he must have been terrifying.”

Elise gave him a small smile at that, but decided to leave it alone.

“Also, according to Wendy’s dad, you’re a logging baron.”

“Who the hell is Wendy’s dad?” Tucker asked.

“Betsy’s friend from Ahmeek – she spent the night there the other day,” Elise replied. “Are you a baron? Or just, I don’t know, a duke or marquis or something?”

Tucker rolled his eyes. “I’m in the logging business, yes, but I’m hardly a baron. The company was started by my great-grandfather, then run by my father, and now by me. And yes, it’s fairly successful.”

Elise raised an eyebrow and gesturing at their grand surroundings.

“Okay, very successful,” Tucker amended.

“What happened to your folks?” Elise asked gently.

“Dad died of a heart attack when I was twenty three, and Mom died of cancer a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Elise said. “This family seems to have had a lot of sadness to deal with.”

Tucker shrugged, not wishing to elaborate on the difficult relationship he’d always had with his father, his reluctance to take over the business, and his eventual adaptation to the job, to even enjoying it at times.

“Your turn.”

Elise raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“I told you things; you tell me things,” Tucker wheedled.

“I gave you my eHarmony profile – what more do you want?” Elise shot back and he chuckled. “I’d rather hear yours. Sir.”

He bit back a retort at the ‘sir’ comment, and then mentally composed his own smart ass remark.

“I’m a Virgo who like long walks on the beach, tearjerker movies and Mexican food I like going out to strip clubs with the hottest ladies, ponies, and Carhartt clothing.”

Elise couldn’t help but bark out a laugh. It was exactly the same format as the smart ass answer she’d given him the day before, and she had to wonder if any of it was true. He smiled in reply to her laughter, and then took a mock bow from his seat.

“Now, tell me, Elise. Was any of yours true?”

“Is yours?”

“Some, but I asked you first.”

“I am a Taurus, I actually do like long walks on the beach and Italian food. However, I much prefer action movies, I hate going dancing because I feel I have no rhythm, I think Chihuahuas are ridiculous looking yap yap dogs, and even if I could afford them, Jimmy Choos look damned uncomfortable,” she replied calmly, and he smiled.

“I am a Virgo who likes long walks on the beach. And I’ll eat just about any food, Mexican or not.” He paused, and then continued. “Yeah, that’s pretty much all that’s true.”

Elise smiled at him, setting a plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of him. “Eat up before it gets cold.”

Just as he was about to take his first bite, Betsy charged into the kitchen, launching herself into Tucker’s arms for a hug. He appeared initially taken aback by the show of affection, but reached his arms around the slight girl for a hug, then setting her back on her feet. “Good morning, Uncle Tucker,” Betsy said brightly. “Did you hear the coyote this morning?”

Tucker raised an eyebrow, and Elise nodded. “I heard it too – it woke me up, actually. I thought it was human at first, if I’m honest.”

“Me too,” Betsy said, sliding across the kitchen in her stocking feet and hugging Elise around the waist. “It was loud and creepy and stuff, so I figure it must be a coyote. Good morning, Elise. Can we do geography or science today? Math made my head hurt yesterday.”

“Actually,” Tucker said, clearing his throat. “If it was okay with your teacher, I was going to suggest a field trip.”

“Where to?” Betsy asked eagerly.

“Well, Elise isn’t from here and has never really been around the Keweenaw before, so I thought we could show her a few sights. Maybe drive up the coast to Copper Harbor, then down the other coast to Eagle River or something. It’s a beautiful day outside…” He looked at her. “I have a few sights that could feature a geology lesson, so the whole day won’t be lost.”

Elise pretended to consider his request, and then nodded her approval. “As long as you know there’s a quiz afterwards.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tucker and Betsy said in unison.

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