Chapter Three Hundred and Ninety Eight

Daniel laughed as he stood aside to watch her. Sleeves rolled up above her elbows, she stirred with a look of grim determination. After a minute or two, apparently satisfied things were back under control, she shot him a look.

"Green peppers" she said.

"Right away" quickly, he scooped the pieces of pepper into his palms and brought them over to her. Leaning over her shoulder, he dropped them into the pan. "Allright?".

He stayed there, close enough to feel the warmth of her back against his chest. "Is this a takeover attempt, then?" he asked.

"You could call it that, I guess." she replied. Her hands on the spatula had gone very still. "Or you might think of it as a life saving rescue to avoid death by starvation. Do you mind?" she asked.

"Not at all" he said truthfully. "Would it make any difference if I did?"

"None at all" she replied. "What are we doing about the stock?".

"Stock?" he asked. He locked his arms around her waist, kissed the side of her neck.