Chapter 27

Twenty-Seven

Jake didn’t stayin any one place once we got past the Wall. Since he was one of the few who could see the plants in this insane fog, it was his job to scout. I ran along with him, partially as protection, partially so I could drive a stake into the ground and tie a guide rope to it. Really, I felt like I was back in my squire days with a simple task: stake, tie, follow. Stake, tie, follow.

I didn’t mind the drudgery because of how much we found. Each section Jake found yielded roughly two stone of potatoes. Apparently they grew in clusters? Some larger than others. With Jake’s enthusiasm, and the others’ determination, we harvested roughly six wagons of potatoes. More than enough to give every house some, start a field, and funnel the rest into Jake’s money-making products. Plus, as a benefit, we found quite a few more flowers as well. Not quite as many as the potatoes, about two wagons full, but more than enough to give to Jake’s projects.

My lover was worn out by the end of day, but I think he saw money when he looked at the plants, and that was motivation enough. Besides, we didn’t have much time on this foray. He, much like myself, was trying to tie up loose ends before we left for the capital tomorrow.

With the farmers all cued up for more plants, all my knights did was deliver fully loaded wagons to them, and they immediately set to planting. It was strange to see people who would normally spurn any root plant now eagerly take them. Jake really did have a way of persuading people.

I double-checked the flowers on top of the Wall, saw they were still thriving and apparently doing their job, and found some peace of mind from it. The one thing I worried about the most with leaving the duchy was some catastrophe setting in after I’d already left. Ara could handle most things, and she was my stand-in, but still. It was the stuff of nightmares for me.

All looked well. Satisfied, I headed down the Wall and back toward the castle. I wanted to spend time with Jake before we left tomorrow.

Let’s be honest. I always wanted to spend time with Jake.

The man was far too charming for his own good. I was still utterly stunned his own family could have been so callous toward him. Not once had he even hinted that he missed his family. After all they had done to him, I didn’t blame him for his attitude. But how could you have a son like Jake and not take pride in him? How could anyone look at him and only see a bargaining chip? It boggled the mind.

I, for one, would never take him for granted. I’d give that man the world if I could figure out how to do it. He didn’t want the world from me, though. He just wanted my affection, and that I’d happily give him every second of the day.

After spending most of the day beyond the Wall, I had no idea where Jake was. But I saw a wagon of potatoes heading for the castle kitchens. Where there were potatoes, there would be Jake. I promptly followed it.

Sure enough, Jake was in the kitchen gardens, directing people like a majordomo.

“Send half of that to the apothecary, they need more for potion making. Chellie, take three—no, four of the crates in for the kitchen to use. What? No, no. The rest need to be planted in the kitchen garden. Unless you want no potatoes this winter? That’s what I thought. Yup, straight to the table, I’ll meet you inside.”

Don’t get me wrong, it was Jake himself who had drawn my attention and made my heart take notice of him. But in these moments, watching him manage people with ease, I knew I had made the right choice professionally speaking as well. He’d be an amazing lord to my people. A partner I could depend upon.

Assuming our relationship grew from here. I’d do everything in my power to make it happen.

Jake half turned, spotted me in the process, and waved, a bright smile on his face. Look at him. Look at how beautiful he was when happy. I’d do very illegal things to keep that smile in place.

I waved back and stretched out my legs to catch up with him. “Jake, do we have enough?”

“Oh, more than,” he assured me, all giddy and adorable. “In fact, I’ve made snacks for tomorrow from some of them.”

Now why didn’t it surprise me that he was busy over here making things? “What did you make?”

“Potato chips.”

Jake put his hand on my arm, escorting me into my own kitchen, chattering the whole way.

“They’re very easy to store, as they don’t go bad quickly, especially if sealed correctly. They’re really fun with dip, and I made two types. I figured they were a good snack for our knights and farmers. You know, the high-calorie burners. We can snack while we travel.”

The kitchen smelled heavenly. Hot oil, salt, and what I’d come to recognize as fried potatoes. I enjoyed potatoes in all the forms I’d tried them, but the fried variety had become a favorite.

“Today I learned your onions don’t grow in the ground, but apparently on a vine?”

I gave him a blank look in return. “Of course onions grow on a vine.”

“Uh, hate to break it to you, but on Earth they are a root vegetable.”

“How horrifying.” If that had been the case here, we’d have lost one of our major seasoning vegetables.

“Trust me, just as glad it’s different here. And carrots apparently grow like a fruit to be picked. Still boggling my mind, those two, but I’m thankful. Anyway, try it! This one is French onion dip, that one’s loaded chip dip.”

Both looked interesting, a sort of creamy white in color, although the loaded one had bacon bits and cheese on top. Anything with bacon in it had my approval. I tried that one first, with the flat chip he presented me, and popped it in my mouth.

Ambrosia. Pure ambrosia.

I swallowed, seized his face with both hands, and kissed him.

Jake pulled back, laughing, green eyes like sparkling jewels. “I take it you liked it. You’re really rewarding to feed, you know that?”

“You’re an incredible cook,” I returned mildly. “I am appropriately compensating you for your efforts.”

“Oh, is that how it is?” He popped up on tiptoes and kissed me, a light smack on the lips.

I wanted to kiss him back, but if I did that, we’d end up making out in the kitchen, and there were far too many witnesses in here. Not to mention hot plates, oil, and other things I’d rather not trip over.

Chef poked me in the ribs, then handed me a plate full of hot chips with little bowls of both dips. An arch look accompanied the plate. No flirting in the kitchen, huh? Fine, I’d rather have privacy with Jake, anyway.

“I think we’ve been politely booted out.” Jake snickered, eyes twinkling in amusement.

“I can take the hint.”

I looped an arm around his waist and drew him out of the room, Jake amenably going along.

Now, where could we go where it would take a minute for people to find us? So I could eat my snack and cuddle my boyfriend in peace?

Jake made a noise of inquiry as I led us toward the stairs.

“Music room. Make us harder to find,” I explained.

“Ah. Genius. Your office is generally the first place people look for you.”

“I know it.”

The music room had been refreshed recently: new flowers in the vases on the tables, everything dusted and gleaming with polish. Because Jake and I practiced here often? Likely the case.

We plopped down on the couch, setting our snack on the table in front of us. I did pop a chip into my mouth before truly settling. They were irresistible. Ooh, the other creamy dip was good too.

This was bad. For my waistline.

Jake munched on a chip too before reclining against my side, snuggling in like he had every right to be there. He did. I’d castrate anyone who argued differently.

“I started on a shopping list.” Jake pulled it free from his pocket. “Seeds—all of the types the farmers requested of me. New clothes for you?—”

“New clothes for you,” I corrected him immediately. “I have a wardrobe.”

“Baaaabe,” he whined at me. “I want to dress you up! You’re sexy as hell, but your wardrobe is beyond tired. Can’t we buy you a few things?”

The way he tucked my hair behind my ear, then lingered, massaging the fine point of it, was not playing fair. He knew I was very sensitive there and loved the attention. Come now, willpower, rally. You’re better than this.

“I have clothes that actually fit. You do not. You are the priority.” I stood firm on this. Even when he batted those eyes at me and looked pitiful. I had to hold firm on something, because otherwise I’d just give in to his every wish and then we’d be in trouble.

Be firm, me. Logic, back me up here.

But…but those eyes…ugh, the eyes were killing me.

My willpower abruptly crumbled without a single speck to be found.

“Fine.” I sighed. “One outfit for me, but we’re buying clothes mostly for you.”

Jake leaned in to kiss me, soft and sweet. “I do love a man who can compromise.”

“I love how giving in to you is compromising.”

He smirked at me and didn’t deny it. I was already in trouble here, wasn’t I? No need to answer, I already knew.

“What else is on your list?”

“Actually, most of it is a to-do list. The apothecary has turned out a truly incredible number of potions and tonics for us to sell. I’ve got that standing contract with Melva to fulfill, which means we should get some cash very quickly for them. Plus, I’d like to make other merchant contacts. Putting all my eggs in one basket is a huge no.”

I nodded. “Anything you want to see or buy while we’re in the capital?”

“I don’t know what’s available there. That’s the other thing I want to do. Spend some quality time in shops and markets, see all the wares.”

I had no problem with that since we needed to go to those places anyway. “That’s fine. Just take heed. I don’t want the government or the High Temple to know about you. Not yet, at least. They’ll do their best to steal you away.”

“You’ve alluded to this before.” Jake’s expression turned somber, thoughtful. “If I say no, do you think they’ll accept that?”

“No. I think they’ll kidnap you and force you there. I don’t have the means to fight that many people in authority. I’d try, don’t mistake me, I just don’t give myself good odds. So let’s please, please avoid trouble like that if at all possible.”

“Got it. I don’t want to go to them, anyway. I have priorities here.”

Reassured, I tried to let that worry go. It was hard. I knew how greedy those bastards could be, but it wasn’t something I could do much about except keep Jake’s identity hidden.

“After we get back, I’d like to invite my family to visit. To meet you.”

Jake seemed surprised by this for some reason. “This soon?”

“Do you not meet the parents quickly in your culture?”

“Uhhh…not usually? Generally speaking, we date a good three months before meeting the families comes in. Just to see if we’re compatible as a couple first. What’s the timeline of that for you?”

“Ah, well, most of the time children are introduced through their parents. So we know the family before we ever start courting.”

“Ahhhh.” Jake sat on that for a second and then shrugged. “Invite them to come, then.”

“You’re sure?”

“I want to meet them. I can tell you’re dying to introduce me.”

He had me there. Still… “I won’t do it if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“Naw, it’s fine. Unless you think your mother will be the stereotypical mother-in-law from hell.”

“Ha, no. She’ll be relieved I’ve finally found someone I like. Then she’ll meet you, love you instantly, and will instead demand we come home so she can spend more time with you.”

Jake wrinkled up his nose in disagreement. “Such faith.”

It was those bastards who had broken his heart time after time that made him believe this. Jake was immensely loveable; he shouldn’t ever doubt that. Meeting my family—my parents especially—would prove it to him. Given time, and the love he should have always had, his heart would recover.

For now, I needed to be patient.

I shifted the topic to something else. “We’ll leave tomorrow at dawn. Are you packed?”

“Well, I am, but I haven’t ridden a horse in years. I’m a little nervous about it, truth tell.”

“It’s fine. You’ll ride with me. I’m sure you’ll get more comfortable with it as we ride south.”

“Sure, that’s fine by me. Um. Be aware I’m not generally a morning person, so I might only grunt at you until the brain cells come back online.”

“It’s fine. So long as you can hang on, you can take as much time as you need to wake up.”

“What about you? Are you packed?”

“Eh. Mostly.”

“I love how you’re not concerned about it.”

“I’ll finish tonight. I just need to throw a few more things in my bag.”

We talked easily of logistics, of wishes and wants, as we snacked on the potato chips. It was lovely spending the afternoon with him and not having to share.

I hoped Jake had told the kitchen staff to make a lot of the potato chips, though. I finished those off before realizing what I was doing. If we didn’t pack enough for the trip, I didn’t envision that going over well.