Page 40 of My Pleasure

“It’s like you unit warriors are everywhere,” Kiera teased.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” he boasted.

“Come back soon!”

“We will,” Kiera promised.

They walked out and headed down the street Zoe had pointed to.

“Kiera, do we have the same magic?” Keran asked.

“I think we may. Kendrick said he would look into it.”

Keran smirked. “Fake uncle was wrong.”

Kiera was overjoyed to hear him say ‘fake uncle’ without being scared. The support of Brennus and Hunter gave Keran the courage to speak up, and she would forever be grateful for it.

They walked for a bit before Nicol stopped. “It is an oven!”

Keran pulled them forward, and Kiera laughed at his enthusiasm.

They opened the door and heard a booming voice. “Welcome to the Brick Oven! What can I get you?” a large man called out.

Both Nicol and Keran stopped, tilted their heads back, and stared.

“He’s taller than Dad,” Nicol whispered.

Hunter stepped forward. “Peter, I take it?”

“That’d be me. Who do we have here?” Peter asked, looking down at the kids.

Hunter placed a hand on Keran’s shoulder. “I’m Hunter Armstrong, from Storm Keep. This is my mate Kiera Sorrel and her brother and sister, Keran and Nicol.”

“Do you have brownies for Auntie?” Keran asked.

Peter rubbed his chin. “Auntie?”

Keran’s eyes were locked on the glass case in front of him. “Auntie Meryn.”

Peter burst into laughter. His deep belly laugh had both kids smiling. “That one huh? Aye, I have plenty for our princess. What can I get you two?”

Keran looked back. “Can we?”

She nodded.

Both Nicol and Keran practically smushed their faces against the glass. Peter just chuckled at their excitement while he boxed up a stash of brownies. He handed Hunter the box that looked like a small brick. “This one is for Princess Meryn. I think I’ve got the ratios right for that natural sugar substitute. Tell her to let me know if it’s okay.”

Hunter took the box nodding. “I will.”

“Sir? Could I try the one with strawberries on top?” Keran asked.

“I want that one!” Nicol said in a rush, then realized how that sounded. “Please.”

Peter nodded. “Great choices. One strawberry tart for you Mr. Keran and one bear claw for our Miss Nicol.”

Kiera watched in horror as he passed a pastry to her sister that was clearly bigger than her head, maybe even Hunter’s head. Nicol almost struggled to hold it. “I second thought, let’s wrap those up, for after dinner. We don’t want the food to go to waste.”

Peter passed her two boxes, and the kids dutifully packaged up their desserts. Kiera reached for her wallet. “How much do we owe you?”