Page 30 of Beautifully Broken Control

Anna began to fan herself exaggeratedly as she turned to Kennedy. “Where did you find him, and does he have a twin brother who wants to run away with me?”

Kennedy shook her head but kept grinning. “You’re awful. Cain is a college friend of Walker’s and Tuck’s. He just bought a house here.”

Anna turned back to me, eyes a bit more assessing now. “Hmmmm. And what’s your story, handsome? Why’d you move to Sutter Lake?”

I liked her instantly, and not just for her easy compliments. It was her unhindered honesty. There was no pretense, no hidden agenda. Everything was right out in the open. “I needed a change of scenery.” That was true enough.

“From where?” The inquisition was apparently on.

“Portland.”

Her gaze narrowed slightly. “You running from something?”

“Maybe.”

Anna’s eyes widened as though surprised by my honesty. She opened her mouth to ask another question, but Kennedy jumped in. “All right. I think that’s enough questioning for one day. Can we show him the ropes?”

Anna’s hands went to her hips. “He as helpless as you in the kitchen?”

Kennedy’s cheeks blushed the prettiest shade of pink I’d ever seen. “I have no idea.”

Anna turned back to me, pinning me with her no-bullshit stare. “You know your ass from your elbow in the kitchen?”

I chuckled. “Well, I hope I’m not using either in this kitchen.”

Anna shook her head. “Too charming for your own good.”

“I like it that way.” She scowled at me, and I held up a hand. “I can handle the basics.” I’d had no choice but to learn. When you were eight, and your mom was passed out drunk more often than not, you learned how to feed yourself.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Anna spun on her heel and headed for what I assumed was the kitchen. “Hurry up, you two. Time’s a-wasting.”

Kennedy stifled a giggle. “Believe it or not, that was her warm welcome.”

I chuckled as we followed in Anna’s wake. “I’d hate to see her cold one.”

Kennedy pushed open a swinging door, the red of her hair catching in the lights as she glanced over her shoulder. “Just wait till you see her put the smackdown on someone.”

“I heard that,” Anna called from the sink as she washed her hands.

“I wasn’t trying to hide it.”

Anna snapped the towel she’d been using to dry her hands in Kennedy’s direction. “You watch it, missy.”

I chuckled low. There was something special about Anna and Kennedy’s relationship. And that tightness in my chest relaxed just a fraction at the knowledge that Kennedy had someone looking out for her here. “Tell me what I can do.”

“Wash your hands first,” Anna instructed.

I dipped my hands under the spray, alternating with Kennedy. She handed me the soap, her wet fingers brushing mine, reminding me of slick bodies and a whole different scenario. I pushed the thoughts from my head, soaping up my hands, rinsing, and then reaching for a towel. “Ready and reporting for duty, ma’am.”

Anna pointed her spoon in my direction. “Now that’s the kind of attitude I can get behind.” She turned to Kennedy. “I think I should require everyone to call me ma’am.”

Kennedy chuckled. “Good luck with that.”

“No respect, I tell you. Come on, handsome. You’re gonna help me with the meatloaf, while Kenz works on the salad. Try not to cut off a finger, would you?”

Kennedy groaned. “It was one time, and I didn’t even need stitches.”

Anna shook her head as she led me farther into the space. “That girl is a walking disaster in the kitchen.”

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