As Anandur spotted Jackson’s blond head behind the counter, he grinned and waved. “Jackson, buddy, I’m glad to catch you here so early in the morning. I need to talk to you.”

“Give me a moment.” The guy finished frothing milk for a cappuccino, filled the small paper cup, and handed it to Ingrid. “Anything else? Can I offer you a pastry with that? They are freshly baked.”

The boy was a born salesman.

“I had my eye on that Danish.” She pointed. “Can you heat it up for me?”

“Sure. Let me pop it in the toaster oven.”

Anandur pulled out a stool and sat down. “As long as you’re at it, heat up one more for me.”

Jackson smirked. “I knew you wouldn’t want to talk on an empty stomach.”

“How did you know I didn’t have breakfast yet?”

“Is Magnus back?”

“No.”

“That’s how. Unless he makes it for you, you never eat at home.”

Astounding observational skills. “True. Listen, I wanted to ask you if you still need someone to help around here.”

“Why, do you have anyone in mind?”

“In fact, I do.”

As the toaster oven beeped, Jackson grabbed a pair of tongs, pulled out the steaming Danishes, and put them on two plates. “One for you.” He handed a plate to Ingrid. “And one for you.” He put the other one in front of Anandur. “Do you want coffee with that?”

“A simple drip will do. Small, black.”

Jackson lifted the carafe and filled a small paper cup. “Here you go. So, who is it?”

“You must’ve heard about Wonder, right?”

The boy’s lips twisted in a smirk. “The girl who kicked both your and Brundar’s asses? Yeah, I did.”

Anandur pointed a finger at him. “Wipe that smirk off your face, boy, before I wipe it for you.” He went for a stern expression and failed.

It was hard to pretend anger while watching Jackson’s face contort in an effort to keep his lips from smiling.

“Yes, sir,” Jackson croaked, his belly shaking with suppressed laughter.

“Anyway. She needs a job, and she thought she could help Carol out.”

“Is she going to scare off my customers? I heard she is huge.”

Apparently, the clan rumor machine worked just as well in the village as it had in the keep, blowing things out of proportion and turning every molehill into a mountain. Or in this case a gorgeous young woman into an ogress.

“She isn’t huge. She is about Kri’s size, and she is a beautiful young girl with a sweet and gentle personality.”

Unless someone pissed her off, but he wasn’t going to mention that. “She had very good reasons for what she did to Brundar and me.”

Jackson lifted a brow. “You have a thing for her, don’t you?” It wasn’t a question.

“No, I don’t. She is still a baby immortal, like you. I’m just helping her get settled.”

“A baby, really?” Jackson’s blue eyes blazed like Wonder’s had last night.

It was ridiculous how the young took offense to being called young.

“Do I seem like a baby to you? I’m a mated male, and I run my own business.”

Anandur lifted his hands in the universal sign for peace. “Don’t get your panties in a wad. You’re an awesome guy, Jackson, and I didn’t mean to belittle you in any way. It’s just that to an old fart like me you’re a baby and so is Wonder. I can’t think of her as anything other than a little sister.”

He heard Carol snicker behind him. “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” She sauntered over and pulled out a stool for herself.

“Whatever. Can Wonder work here or not?”

“Of course she can work here.” Carol waved a hand. “Starting today. Mister Jackson the Great is only here for a couple of hours before heading back to his business empire.”

Jackson flicked her with the corner of a dish towel. “That’s no way to talk to your boss.”

“Ouch! This is workplace abuse!” She turned to Anandur. “Guardian, arrest that man.”

“Sorry, but I need him to hire my friend.”

She threw her hands in the air. “Old boys’ cliques. That’s what it is.”

Jackson smirked. “He is an old boy. Supposedly, I’m a baby.”

Carol chuckled. “Baby boss. I like it. I think I’ll start calling you that.”

He pointed a finger at her. “I can always replace you with more vending machines. The keep’s old café is running well and turning a good profit without any employees. I can do the same here.”

Anandur grimaced. “Well is a relative term. You’re not there at the end of the day to see how messy the tables are. The Guardians are pigs. They leave crumbs and spills behind. It’s good that Kian allows the cleaning service to take care of the place at night.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

“And what would you do? Come over twice a day to wipe the tables?”

“You should hang up a sign,” Carol said. “It should say self-serve also means self-clean.”

Anandur stuffed the rest of his Danish in his mouth, washed it down with the remainder of the coffee, and rose to his feet. “I’m going to get Wonder. Which one of you is going to interview her, and what’s the starting pay?”

“She is hired,” Carol said. “No need for an interview. I like her.”

“And the pay?” Anandur looked at Jackson.

“Same as what the waitresses at Fernando’s are getting. Fifteen an hour plus tips.”

“Sounds good.” He pulled out his wallet and put a twenty on the counter. “Keep the change. I need to start leaving more generous tips.”