Free The Ranger's Passionate Love by Nicole Jordan Page A

of yours tomorrow."
     
    Crystal looked stricken.
     
    "What happened?" the girl gasped, teenage melodrama heightening the situation to new levels. "Women have been chasing him since, like, the dark ages. And you broke up with him before you even went out? Why?"
     
    Kyara shrugged.
     
    "I really don't want to discuss it. Can we just focus on the food, please?"
     
    Politeness warred with curiosity on Crystal's face, but politeness won out.
     
    "Alright," allowed the teen at last. "But make sure there's more of this cornbread."
     
    She really is a good kid, Kyara thought, getting ready to go back in the kitchen for the dinner shift. If only everyone in this town were as genuine as she is.
     

 
    The next afternoon Kyara waited impatiently in the kitchen with a buffet of soul food spread before her. The fried chicken, mac n' cheese, ham, and cornbread were back. To that, she'd added a meatloaf, a slew of fried vegetables, fried crawfish, Cajun fries, and ribs.
     
    She just hoped she hadn't made too much, or the leftovers were going to kill her.
     
    Crystal was acting like a five year old with a surprise birthday party planned. She kept going between the kitchen and the dining area, giggling to herself as she did.
     
    Each time, she brought out more food, returning with an empty tray. Vaguely, Kyara heard some exclamation from the dining area, but she had been warned to stay away.
     
    Crystal had strictly forbidden Kyara from making an appearance or even peeking out there until she was called for, and Kyara was prepared to indulge her.
     
    That, or I'm just terrified that this won't work either , Kyara admitted to herself.
     
    Finally, after what seemed like ages, Crystal came back in, her eyes sparkling. She held up a single finger to her lips, warning Kyara to keep quiet, then gestured for her to come closer to the door to listen.
     
    Through the door, she heard the voices of Kyara's friends, all muffled by mouths full of food.
     
    "Holy shit, have you tried this cornbread?"
     
    "Naw, I don't like cornbread."
     
    "Dude, you have to try this. It's not like your mom's at all."
     
    "Hey, I didn't say I didn't like my mom's!"
     
    "You didn't have to. No one likes your mom's cooking. She's great in bed, though." The sound of scuffling chairs followed, quickly cut off by a young woman's voice.
     
    "If either of you two dickweeds spill my meatloaf, I will kill you myself."
     
    "You're eating meatloaf? I thought that stuff was, like, banned by the Geneva Convention or something."
    "You're thinking of the school meatloaf. Try this instead," said the girl's voice.
     
    It went on like that.
     
    After the eating sounds had died down, Crystal decided the time had come. Sweeping into the dining room with her hands raised, she faced the group of teens.
     
    "Ladies and Gentlemen," announced Crystal.
     
    "And dickweeds," added another girl.
     
    "And dickweeds," allowed Crystal without missing a beat. "I give you the provider of tonight's feast."
     
    Kyara took that as her cue, and stepped into the dining hall.
     
    The teens sat around the empty remains of their plates, sprawled backwards in their chairs. They applauded her as she came in. Kyara smiled at the absurdity of the situation.
     
    Crystal gestured imperiously for the applause to stop, and it died away.
     
    "Now," the girl announced, her voice mock-serious. "You have tasted of this divine bounty, and found it good."
     
    "Yup," said one boy.
     
    "More chicken!" called out another.
     
    A third just belched, loudly. The girl next to him swatted at him, then stole a remaining green bean off his plate.
     
    "So," thundered Crystal, her voice carrying over them all. "Now you all must face a terrible choice." She looked around at each of the other teens, he eyes squinted in faux-menace.
     
    I really hope this wasn't just to be silly worried Kyara. I don't see how it keeps us open. I mean, teenagers liking to eat isn't exactly news.
     
    "Either," continued