about the shopping?”
“I enjoy it,” she said simply, putting two more slices of bread in the toaster.
“I thought women all over America were fighting to get out of the kitchen.”
“When a replacement is found, I’ll be happy to step aside.” She wasn’t comfortable with the direction this conversation seemed to be taking. Reed was looking at her as though she was some kind of 1950s throwback.
Ellen liked to cook and as it turned out, the boys needed someone who knew her way around a kitchen, and she needed an inexpensive place to live. Everything had worked out perfectly....
She spooned the cooked eggs onto one plate and piled the toast on another, then carried it to the table, which gave her enough time to control her indignation. She was temporarily playing the role of surrogate mother to a bunch of college-age boys. All right, maybe that made her a little unusual these days, but she enjoyed living with Derek and the others. It helped her feel at home, and for now she needed that.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Reed stopped her on her way out of the kitchen.
“I’ll have something later. The only time I can count on the bathroom being free in the mornings is when the boys are having breakfast. That is, unless you were planning to use it?”
Reed’s eyes narrowed fractionally. “No.”
“What’s the matter? You’ve got that look on your face again.”
“What look?”
“The one where you pinch your lips together as if you aren’t pleased about something and you’re wondering just how much you should say.”
His tight expression relaxed into a slow, sensual grin. “Do you always read people this well?”
Ellen shook her head. “Not always. I just want to know what I’ve done this time.”
“Aren’t you concerned about living with three men?”
“No. Should I be?” She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorjamb, almost enjoying their conversation. The earlier antagonism had disappeared. She’d agree that her living arrangements were a bit unconventional, but they suited her. The situation was advantageous for her and the boys.
“Any one of them could fall in love with you.”
With difficulty, Ellen restrained her laughter. “That’s unlikely. They see me as their mother.”
The corners of his mouth formed deep grooves as he tried—and failed—to suppress a grin. Raising one brow, he did a thorough inspection of her curves.
Hot color flooded her pale cheeks. “All right—a sister. I’m too old for them.”
Monte sauntered into the kitchen, followed closely by Pat who muttered, “I thought I smelled breakfast.”
“I was just about to call you,” she told them and hurried from the room, wanting to avoid a head-on collision with Reed. And that was where this conversation was going.
Fifteen minutes later, Ellen returned to the kitchen. She was dressed in cords and an Irish cable-knit sweater; soft dark curls framed her small oval face. Ellen had no illusions about her looks. Men on the street weren’t going to stop and stare, but she knew she was reasonably attractive. With her short, dark hair and deep brown eyes, she considered herself average. Ordinary. Far too ordinary for a man like Reed Morgan. One look at Ellen, and Danielle would feel completely reassured. Angry at the self-pitying thought, she grabbed a pen and tore out a sheet of notebook paper.
Intent on making the shopping list, Ellen was halfway into the kitchen before she noticed Reed standing at the sink, wiping the frying pan dry. The table had been cleared and the dishes were stacked on the counter, ready for the dishwasher.
“Oh,” she said, a little startled. “I would’ve done that.”
“While I’m here, I’ll do my share.” He said it without looking at her, his eyes avoiding hers.
“But this is your home. I certainly don’t mind—”
“I wouldn’t be comfortable otherwise. Haven’t you got a class this morning?” He sounded anxious to be rid of her.
“Not until eleven.”
“What’s your major?” He’d turned around, leaning against the sink and crossing his arms. He was the picture of nonchalance, but Ellen wasn’t fooled. She knew very well that he wasn’t pleased about her living in his home, and she felt he’d given his permission reluctantly. She suspected he was even looking for ways to dislike her. Ellen understood that. Reed was bound to face some awkward questions once Danielle discovered there was a woman living in his house. Especially a woman who slept in his bed and took charge of his kitchen. But that would change this afternoon—at least the sleeping in his bed part.
“I’m majoring in education.”
“That’s the mother in you coming out again.”
Ellen hadn’t thought of it that way. Reed simply felt more comfortable seeing her in that light—as a maternal, even matronly figure—she decided. She’d let him, if it meant he’d be willing to accept her arrangement with Derek and the others.
“I suppose you’re right,” she murmured as she began opening and closing cupboard doors, checking the contents on each shelf, and scribbling down several items she’d need the following week.
“What are you doing now?”
Mentally, Ellen counted to ten before answering. She resented his overbearing tone, and despite her earlier resolve to humor him, she snapped, “I’m making a grocery list. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” he answered gruffly.
“I’ll be out of here in just a minute,” she said, trying hard to maintain her patience.
“You aren’t in my way.”
“And while we’re on the subject of being in someone’s way, I want you to know I plan to move my things out of your room this afternoon.”
“Don’t. I won’t be here long enough to make it worth your while.”
SO REED WAS LEAVING. Ellen felt guilty and relieved at the same time. Derek had told her Reed would probably be sent on another job soon, but she hadn’t expected it to be quite this soon.
“There’s a project Boeing is sending me on. California this time—the Monterey area.”
Resuming her task, Ellen added several more items to the grocery list. “I’ve heard that’s a lovely part of the state.”
“It is beautiful.” But his voice held no enthusiasm.
Ellen couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment for Reed.
