Shades of Deception Read Online Free PDF Page B

Caleb winced. “Keep your little ninja feet on the ground. Your cooking is . . . um . . . okay.”
    Amber laughed. “I'm just kidding. I'd be the first to admit that I'm not the best cook in the world. I don't think I'm going to make a very domestic wife.”
    Caleb considered Amber a moment and shrugged his shoulders.
    “Lucky for you, Hunter likes takeout. Actually, he can cook decently when he feels like it.”
    Amber pretended to be interested in a can of tomato sauce. This sudden talk about relationships and marriage, even if hypothetical, made her feel a bit weird. It brought up her encounter with Kayla. Who was she kidding? Could Hunter ever accept her with her past? For now, yes. But for marriage?
    “So I was thinking that I could do a nice chicken braised in wine sauce,” Caleb was saying beside her.
    Amber forced herself to pay attention.
    “Braised chicken in wine sauce? Sounds fabulous. Are you sure you're not trying to show off for Megan?”
    “I don't even know what Megan looks like because little ninja doubts my integrity.”
    Amber laughed. “You'll see soon enough. What time shall I have her come over?”
    Caleb checked the time on his phone.
    “Have her come by at six. We can get some appetizers together by then and I'll have the chicken ready for the oven.”
    Amber pushed the cart down the aisle.
    “We'd better get a move on then. We still have a good bit to get for our regular shopping list.”
     

Chapter 6
     
    Once they returned home, Amber put away groceries while Caleb prepped for dinner. Amber watched in amazement as he quickly sliced onions, carrots, and peppers with precision. She knew he could make breakfast items like French toast. But she had never seen him put together a whole meal. Who would have thought that a boy with muscles like that would be so at home in the kitchen?
    “Um . . . Did you spend time in a cooking school?”
    Caleb looked up and grinned.
    “Mom taught me when I was just a kid. I always helped out because she was so tired when she got home from work.”
    Amber smiled. “Your mom is really great.”
    She studied Caleb, seeing him in a new light. “You've been a really good son.”
    Caleb simply smiled back. “She did everything for me. I'll always look out for her.”
    “Well, I'll have to thank her for cultivating such a good chef. If I had known, I would have pestered you before now to make dinner.”
    Caleb laughed. “This isn't going to be a new thing, you know. I'll be back to my lazy ways soon enough.”
    Amber finished putting the last of the groceries away.
    “So, what should I be doing in the way of appetizers?”
    She smiled slyly. “This may be your one and only time to get to boss me around.”
    Caleb merely checked the time and pointed.
    “There's a platter in that cabinet you can use for cheese and crackers. We'll keep it simple.”
    Amber got to work, slicing cheese, and arranging crackers on the platter. She found a nice bowl for the dark cluster of grapes Caleb had chosen. She put everything on the coffee table.
    She was setting the table in the kitchen when there was a knock on the door.
    “I'll get it,” she said, seeing that Caleb was heating a pan over the gas burner.
    “Hi, Megan!”
    Amber gave her friend a hug. “I'm so glad you could make it tonight. Come on in.”
    “Wow. This is really nice!” Megan said, looking around in approval.
    “Let me introduce you to Caleb before I show you around.”
    Caleb had added onions and carrots to the oil in the pan and they were now gently sizzling. He turned the pan on low heat and wiped his hands on the chef's apron he had tied around his waist.
    “Megan, this is Caleb. Caleb this is my friend Megan. She's in my art and history classes.”
    Caleb and Megan exchanged pleasant greetings and Caleb returned to his cooking duties.
    Amber took Megan into her room and was surprised when Megan softly pushed the door shut.
    “Is something wrong?”
    Megan giggled. “You didn't tell me your