Chapter Fifteen
Meals on wheels for bikers…
Bristol
“Whoa.” Murphy stepped into the kitchen and whistled low. “Did you even sleep?”
I flipped the last pancake onto the platter and turned off the griddle. “Uh, a little.” I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand and sighed. I had made pancakes, waffles, cinnamon muffins, bacon roses, and coffee cake, and it wasn’t even nine o’clock. I really hadn’t slept at all.
Everything was laid out on platters, and it looked like we were expecting fifteen people for breakfast.
“Have you heard anything?” I asked. I moved the platter of pancakes by the rest of the food and wiped my hands on my apron.
Murphy nodded. “He’s out of surgery and in intensive care. He’s going to be on a vent for a couple of days until they are sure he is stable enough to breathe on his own.”
Oh, God. The thought of being on a ventilator was terrifying. To be so sick that you needed a machine to breathe for you did not seem good. “Do they have any idea if he’ll fully recover?”
Murphy grabbed a plate and laid a waffle on it. “They really can’t say for sure. He’s going to have a lot of therapy in front of him. They don’t know what was all affected by the stroke.”
I dropped my spatula into the sink and turned on the water. “Do you think there is anything I can do? Maybe make some food and bring it to the hospital?” I didn’t know what else I could do. Cooking and baking was what I did, and while a double chocolate muffin wouldn’t make this all go away, it would bring a little comfort.
Murphy nodded and grabbed one of the bacon roses. He smiled and held it up. “I’m sure they would appreciate some meals, but you can leave the bacon roses out.”
I rolled my eyes. “I saw it on Pinterest, and I figured I had the time, so I tried it.” Not sleeping left a lot of time to make new things I hadn’t been able to try before.
Murphy chuckled. “Only you, Bristol.” He popped the bacon rose into his mouth and smiled. “Fucking delicious.”
“It smells like heaven in here.” Royal walked into the kitchen with Kane in her arms. “I was hoping you would make breakfast.” A soft smile crossed her lips. “And coffee.”
“Marco sleeping?” Murphy asked.
I moved to the cupboard and grabbed a coffee cup. “Coffee coming right up,” I called.
Royal nodded. “We got home two hours ago. I fell asleep right away, but I think it took Marco a little bit. Kane started fussing so I grabbed him and decided to let Marco sleep.” Royal slid onto one of the stools and sighed. “Are those bacon roses?”
I filled the cup with coffee, and set it in front of Royal.
“Never been a fan of flowers, but I gotta say I’m a fan of these.” Murphy took another bacon rose and sighed after he put it on his mouth. “I don’t know how the hell you make everything you make taste so good.”
I shrugged and plugged the sink to start cleaning up. “Cooking and baking help to keep my mind occupied.” If I didn’t have cooking to keep me busy, I would have been a nervous wreck. More so than I already was.
Royal laughed. “Well, my stomach thanks you.” She cradled Kane in her arm. “Do you think you could make me a plate?” She cringed. “Lord, I sound stuck up. You already brought me coffee,” she sighed. “I can’t even make my own plate anymore.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed a plate. “No, you sound like a mom who was up most of the night and just needs a warm meal.” I loaded the plate up with a little bit of everything and set it in front of her. “There is plenty more if you want seconds.”
Apollo walked into the kitchen with his hand over his mouth as he yawned. “I was trying to sleep, but all I could smell was bacon.”
Murphy grabbed a bacon rose and tossed it at Apollo. “They’re fucking roses.”
Apollo snatched it out of the air and looked it over. “I’ll be fucking damned. It is a rose.” He popped it into his mouth and smiled. “A delicious rose.”
I set the syrup in front of Royal. “Uh, I was talking to Murphy, and I think I’m going to make a bunch of meals and food to take over to the clubhouse and the hospital. I know they have a lot going on, and they shouldn’t have to worry about cooking.” They needed to eat, but they didn’t need to worry about making food.
Royal grabbed the syrup. “That sounds like a really good idea. I can help if you want,” she offered.
“If you’re up to it. I figure I can run to the store after I clean up all of these dishes. You can come with, but maybe you might want to try to take a nap.” I grabbed the griddle and unplugged it. I had already started making a list in my head of things to buy and make.
Royal waved her hand. “Nonsense. I’m up, and I’m ready to go. I’m sure about nine o’clock tonight I’ll be wiped, but for now, I’m good.” She struggled to cut her waffle and laughed. “I think I need to grow a third arm.” Kane fussed in her arms and she smiled down at him.