(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Family time with the Woods

When Kellen finally stepped downstairs, Hill, Gunther, Brent and his Mom were seated around the island while his Dad was bumbling around in the kitchen. Kellen glanced around, trying to find Gwen, Casper and the Captain, but didn’t say anything as he couldn’t find them. He grabbed his apron from it’s hook near the fridge and his Dad smiled at the sight of him.

"Anything in particular you want to make?" He asked, and Kellen shrugged, tying the strings behind his back.

"Nope. I’ve made them beer snacks before, so we can do practically anything." His Dad nodded, before the two of them stood in front of the open fridge and discussed. While they were doing that, a knock sounded at the door and his Mom got up to answer it before anyone else could. In came Casper, Gwen and the Captain. The Captain and Gwen were carrying more stools, and it looked rather precarious, while Casper had his arms full with bags.

"We’re back!" Gwen called. "We grabbed as many chairs as we could, and Captain Thatcher piled up Lieutenant Casper’s arms with liquor. It’s the weekend!" Her grin was infectious, and Hill laughed. Hill got to her feet, heading over to help the two unpack their chairs, while Casper placed his bags on the island.

"Ah, I think I like this side of recruit Woods." She reached out and ruffled Gwen’s hair on the top of her head, and Kellen watched as Gwen’s eyes went wide. "When we’re just hanging out, you can drop the formalities, Gwen." Hill told her with a grin as she helped her by taking one of the extra stools. Kellen’s Mom did the same for the Captain. Kellen kept an eye on them as him and his Dad continued to discuss the dinner plans.. Gwen tilted her head to the side in thought, before nodding.

"Understood, Ms. Hill." Hill groaned, putting her head in her hands.

"What the hell is up with you siblings? Seriously? Kellen, did you tell her?" Gwen seemed baffled by the turn of events while Kellen laughed.

"I didn’t say a thing, Ms. Hill." She growled.

"I worked so hard for you to call me Hill. Gwen!" Gwen straightened up at hearing her name called by one of her instructors. "Do not call me Ms. Hill! I am not your teacher right now, I am a friend of your brother. Just Hill is fine." She declared and Gwen giggled. What a freaking cutie Kellen had as a little sister. Too bad her mouth was foul. But Kellen could also tell that some of the other members of the group noticed how cute Gwen was as well. He frowned.

"Alright, I won’t call you Ms. Hill. Is just Hill alright? I was really nervous to overstep while you guys were all here." She told them, and Captain put his chair down and wrapped his arm around her shoulder comfortingly.

"Of course you wouldn’t overstep. Hell, I’d like it if Kellen called all of us by our first names, but he’s been on the front lines for too long. We have to get to you first so his habits don’t rub off on you." He teased both of the siblings, with a grin. Kellen felt his lips twitch, before he turned his attention back to his Dad. His Dad was watching all of them with a tender look in his eyes.

"Awe, you’re the best brother-in-law a girl could ask for!" Gwen declared, and Kellen glanced over his shoulder again to see that Gwen had wrapped the Captain in a hug.

"Focus Kellen, or are we going to end up ordering take out while you have all these amazing ingredients in house?" Kellen felt his face go red, but he fully turned around to speak with his Father.

"We were just humming and hawing over making something with potatoes, so why don’t we make gnocchi with a protein, and salad, with a cream sauce or something?" Kellen suggested and his Dad’s eyes lit up. He clapped his hands together. _{freeweɓnovel.cѳm}

"Oh! We can make a garlic and spinach cream sauce! I’ll turn the oven on right now! Chicken or pork?" He asked and Kellen shrugged. He was in the fridge grabbing the refrigerated ingredients they would need now that they had decided on something.

"Mom? Chicken or pork?" Kellen asked and she shrugged, her smile mischievous.

"Why don’t you ask my son-in-law?" She said, and Kellen froze. Silence around the room as Kellen came out of the fridge, his face warm and he glanced over at the Captain. Even he had a slightly red face. It was one thing if Gwen teased them, it was another when it was Kellen’s own parents.

"What do you need, Mr. Woods?" He asked and Kellen felt his body untense.

"Well, do you have a preference over chicken or pork?" He asked, fiddling with the ends of his apron. He could feel the Captain’s eyes watching him intently.

"I do have a preference for chicken out of the two, since I’m not too fond of meat in general." Kellen froze. Oh fuck, how could I forget that? Kellen turned wild eyes towards his Father, and he got the signal. The Captain froze at their response. "Uh, you don’t need to-" Gwen stopped him this time as the two Guide’s rushed to the pantry to find a substitute.

"Don’t mind them. You need to let this happen. I know that all Guides like to take care of people, and this is how Kellen and Dad do it." Casper nodded in agreement as he popped open a can of beer, handing it to Hill who took it, before popping open another and handing it to Gunther. He offered one to Kellen’s Mom, who took it with a smile, before offering one to Brent, Gwen, and then the Captain before opening his own. Gwen smirked. "See? All Guides take care of their people. Which reminds me, Brent, how long did you work with my brother on the front lines?" Gwen turned to Brent, who up until this point after Kellen’s warning, had been avoiding the younger woman. Now, faced with her full attention, he grew slightly nervous. If anyone thought this was strange behaviour for Brent, no one said anything, especially Kellen. Kellen and his Father, for the most part, were busy coming out from the pantry with their arms full of ingredients, including and not limited to, potatoes, squash, onions, several spices, flour, and some other extra things. Brent turned in his stool to face Kellen’s younger sister with a slight smile.