Page 99 of Rejection and Redeemed

Jacob shook his head at them, pleased that they both got on. He hated to think what would have happened if they took a dislike to each other. “It looks like there is about an hour until lunchtime. Who fancies walking downstairs with me? That way I can rest first and have lunch with you all.”

CHAPTER 42

Lunch was fun. Berni, Aubrey, and Christine were out and about with the Duke and Duchess doing royal duties, while Emory and Robbie were at work, so it was just Finn, Ezzy, Fran, Jacob, Joe, and Frank.

It had taken Jacob a while to walk down the stairs, and he had to sit and rest once he reached the bottom, but once he had his energy back, Fran showed him and Joe some of the downstairs rooms until it was time for lunch.

“It’s good to see you downstairs, Jacob,” Frank said to him.

“Thanks. The stairs were still a struggle, but I wanted to join everyone for lunch and then rest before shifting.”

“I said I would stay with Jake while he shifts,” Joe said.

“We all can,” Ezzy said. “Unless you’re busy, Uncle.”

“I have some meetings this afternoon, but the four of you can shift together, remembering to stay just round the front of the castle and only for fifteen minutes,” Frank replied.

“We’ll make sure Jacob behaves,” Ezzy said with a grin.

Jacob laughed. “What are you going to do, squirt me with water if I do too much?”

“I’d not thought of that, I’m sure the garden hose will stretch far enough,” Ez replied.

“I hate to break up this happy lunch, but I need to get going,” Fran said, finishing his meal.

Jacob pulled Fran into a kiss, keeping it short because, well, they were in the dining room. Pulling back, he smiled at Fran. “Have a good afternoon, dear.”

Fran laughed. “I will. Remember, lots of rest.”

“Promise,” Jacob replied.

“See you all later,” Fran said to the table, standing up and walking out of the room, touching his dad’s shoulder on the way past.

Jacob watched Fran leave.

“Yeah, pretty sure we all look like that when our mates leave,” Finn said, smiling at him.

“How lucky are we?” Jacob said, looking round at his new family.

Frank took Joe’s hand. “So very lucky.”

Lunch brokeup and the friends decided to meet up in about an hour.

Jacob walked out of the dining room and, following his nose, walked down a hallway looking for the kitchen.

He walked in and saw a lady sitting at a kitchen table reading what looked like a cookbook.

She looked up before Jacob could say anything and smiled, standing up. “You must be Jacob, I’m Laura.”

Jacob liked the look of the castle cook. He always thought cooks and chefs were large people on account of tasting their cooking, but Laura was a slender woman who seemed like she should be a model, not a chef.

“I am,” he replied. “I came to thank you for the delicious food you made me while I was ill.”

“You’re very welcome, Jacob. If you have a favourite meal, let me know and I’ll make it for you.”

“I’m happy with anything. But I wonder if I could ask you a huge favour.”

“Of course,” she said, still smiling.