Page 29 of Enchanting the Elf
“Come again?”
“German meatballs and salted potatoes?”
I nod and bite back my grin.
“That would be lovely.”
This time, I don’t offer to help, knowing he’s in his happy place—though I know not to mention it out loud.
Adelbert has been so focused on making sure that I am eating after our little misunderstanding yesterday, and he was super sweet by preparing my embroidery supplies and breakfast. I wish there was something more I could do to help him.
After he told me that he prefers I give him space so he won’t be disturbed by my emotions, I decided to spend the day outside. It’s where I enjoy being the most, anyway. But maybe, just maybe, if we can have more meals together like this, I can make it my personal mission to get him to relax—perhaps even smile—and he can just be himself and not worry about everything else that is weighing on him.
This morning, I took all my supplies and went to sit close to the boundary Adelbert marked, right under the pretty ribbon he tied to a tree. Even though it’s summer here, there’s definitely a little nip in the air that I felt on my bare arms, but I wanted to be as far away from the house as possible.
My spot had the most beautiful view of the valley. Hills rise and fall for miles and miles with a symphony of different shades of dark green dappling their slopes as far as the eye can see.
I must have lost track of time as I outlined the valley with a forest-green thread, getting lost in the motion and comforting sound of needle and thread passing through the stretched material of the hoop. Thewhooshandpopof my stitches helped get my mind in that blissful state of blankness, free from the worries and stress of the past few days, as my focus was solely on recreating the scene in front of me.
When he came charging across the clearing, I was honestly happy to see him. But getting scolded for not realizing how long I had been in the sun really popped that bubble of joy.
I don’t blame him, though.
I sometimes think Adelbert has good intentions but his delivery definitely needs some work.
The sizzles from the stove and the swooshes and thunks of Adelbert’s knife on the wooden cutting board hypnotize me as I witness the meal come together. He adds a bunch of ingredients to the skillet and the delicious aroma wafts over to me, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.
Adelbert grabs two plates and dishes a couple of meatballs onto each, dribbling the gravy he cooked them in on top. He adds the potatoes next, and I have to swallow the excess saliva down before I drool on the table. Keeping his head bowed as he deftly adds some garnish—garnish—he flicks his gaze up and looks at me.
“Any allergies besides your strong dislike for peanut butter?”
“Nope. All good. Want me to tell you a secret?” I ask, hoping that maybe I can bring us back to that sense of camaraderie we had last night.
“Sure,” Adelbert answers hesitantly.
“I hate peanut butter so much that I sometimes tell people I have an allergy just so they take it seriously.”
Adelbert’s brows furrow. He looks like he can’t decide if he should be impressed or disappointed in me.
“That’s… that’s… not very nice, Ms. Everly. But also incredibly clever.”
“Was that just a backhanded compliment you gave me, Mr. Alberad?”
“I believe it was.”
A huff escapes from him and one might almost call it a laugh.
I call it a win.
Adelbert brings our late lunch over and carefully places mine in front of me. I hold my hands completely still on my lap so he knows I won’t make any sudden movements that could cause accidental contact.
An unexpected, and not at all unwelcome, feeling of giddiness bubbles in my chest as he takes the seat opposite me, and a blush blooms across my cheeks.
For someone who doesn’t want me in his space, Adelbert’s being very accommodating and kind, even if he won’t blatantly admit it.
I pinch my leg to ground myself, a reminder that this is not a date—just two people sitting down to eat a home-cooked meal. But it’s been so long since I’ve been on a real date that maybe I’ve forgotten what they’re actually like.
“Want to know my secret?” Adelbert asks, and I can’t help but sit up straight in my chair, eager for another glimpse of the male behind the frown.
