Page 29 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Angela said. “But I wanted to make sure you ate.”

I got up from the chair I’d been sitting in and moved out into the office just as Angela took the covers off the various plates. “Is this all just for me?” In addition to the eggs and bacon, there were pancakes, french toast, fruit, juice, and coffee. Angela pushed the cart closer to the small seating area by the window.

I snagged the coffee and took a sip. Oh, yes. So good. Coffee was usually the first thing I grabbed in the morning and after running into Dr. Beast last night, I was afraid to pop into the kitchen again on my own. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

She laughed. “This had nothing to do with me. Jaxon has a chef that comes in most mornings to cook for the day. I just get to eat it and heat up the food for the meals he’s prepped for all of us.”

“Oh wow. I’d love to have my own personal chef.”

“It can be nice. Although, with just the four of us here this summer I’ve told Jaxon I could do it.” A quick frown crossed her face. “But he insists I have enough to do.”

“You don’t agree?” I thought it was fascinating that a man that ill-tempered had any consideration for his staff.

“Not in the least, but once he’s made up his mind, it’s not easy to change it.” She shrugged.

That, I believed.

Angela laid out a plate, silverware, and a napkin on the small table. She gestured to the food. “Take what you want and I’ll pick up the rest when I come back later. Do you have a lot to do today?”

I filled a plate and took a seat. “I need to finish my report and get the work approved by Dr. Beast before I begin. It’ll take me most of the morning.”

“Are you free this afternoon?” Angela sat in the seat opposite of me, grabbing a mug with a tea bag’s string dangling from its rim.

What was she getting at? “I guess.”

“Jaxon wants to apologize for his gruff behavior and take you on a tour of the estate.”

I choked on the eggs I’d taken a bite of.

Angela made a move to get up as though to help me. I waved her off and covered my mouth as I sounded like I was hacking up a lung. When I could finally draw a breath, I wheezed, “What?”

“He knows he can be a little over the top and wants to make amends.” She gave me a brilliant smile that made me wonder if Jaxon had easily agreed to this outing or was being forced to do it.

Could I even say no? I needed to work with the man for the next few weeks. Even though his actions in the archives still made me angry, I had to put that aside. I was in his house, and this was business. I needed to be professional. “Okay.”

“Perfect.” Angela stood. “He’ll meet you out on the back patio just outside the kitchen at 11:00 a.m.”

“Great,” I said, hoping I sounded more enthusiastic than I felt.

Angela let out a quiet chuckle. Clearly my attempt at excitement fell short. “Don’t worry about the food or dishes. I’ll stop by later to get them.”

I nodded and continued to eat as she left the room. I’d hoped to only interact with Dr. Beast when I absolutely needed to while I was here. If that wasn’t going to be the case, I hoped the slightly less gruff man I met last night in the kitchen would be the one I worked with.