Chapter 29

Clark stirred. Sleep pressed him for extra time on that particular morning. Warmth and Bliss relaxed him. Mmm…now what? He sucked in a deep breath.

He could almost Tease coming from Jonathan's lips. Good Afternoon, Sleepyhead. So glad you could join us.

I really did oversleep. Glad Dad's not here. He looked around the farm's guest room. "Maybe I'll help with chores." He dressed at super speed. He edged out of the room and toward the stairs.

He'd check downstairs and head out….

[Dining Room—Ten Minutes Earlier]

Dubois set three mugs on the counter. Mocha's scent filled his nostrils and the rest of the room. Tune hummed through his lips. He waited for Waffle's baking to conclude. Two others sat covered on a platter next to it. "Sorry, Folks. I'll have these ready in a minute. I can let you start if you'd like?"

"We would rather have your companionship. If that takes a few more minutes, David, then so be it." Katrina drank from a freshly squeezed glass of juice.

"Haste leads to waste. Your kitchen is truly a symphony of aromas. I do wish Miss Mills had stayed here instead of with the others. She is missing out on a truly special treat!" Hunger ate at Crane's palate. Aromas reminded him of the early breakfasts of centuries gone by in the next room.

"I hope not to disappoint." Dubois bowed to him. "Real maple and butter all right? I have chopped strawberries and whipped cream too."

"Perhaps I might have a bowl of fruit on the side? I would like maple syrup and that butter please." She looked toward the perking pot. "I can help you."

"You're guests. I have this, Katrina. You certainly did enough to help out in Smallville." Dubois brought the mugs to the table. Then he brought cream, sugar and honey. "I forget how you like it."

"The coffee you brew will serve nicely with a bit of sugar I do believe." Crane regarded Dubois' activities. He expected Multi-tasking to overwhelm the host. Instead he watched Dubois manage four different things simultaneously.

"I shall get Katrina's fruit. Some for you? The berries are fresh from Baumann's Orchard in the next town. You passed by it on the way to deliver the fireworks." Dubois scooped out two bowls worth. "I'll leave the rest for Angie." He brought out the two bowls. "Let you get started on these."

"Is that the same orchard your ancestor and I stopped at?" Crane sampled a strawberry. "Mmm! These are as sweet as I recall!"

"His family was there before the Revolution. So I'd say yes. Glad they're as good as you remember." Dubois opened the waffle iron. He gently slid his waffle onto a plate. "Okay. Guess we're set." He brought the waffle to the table. "Butter and real maple coming up." He fetched the butter dish, syrup bottle and a knife. "And here we are."

"My thanks. Please sit and join us, David. Your companionship is anticipated." Crane patted the empty place.

Clark stepped into the room from the stairs. "Hi, Everyone. Something smells great!"

"Hi, Clark. Take a seat and have that waffle. I'll make another." Dubois turned the waffle iron on again. He stirred up the batter and filled it yet again. Then he started that cooking. "I hope the coffee's okay."

"I can take anything right now. Thanks." Clark rubbed his eyes. "Where's Lana? I knocked on her door but there was no answer. She's doing something."

"You might look outside." Dubois flipped the iron. "Angie, Miranda and she are out in the barn doing chores." He raised an eyebrow. "You have problems sleeping?"

"Yeah sorry. I was thinking of you know who." Clark frowned. "I guess those ghosts and that thing were close by last night."

"Indeed they were, Master Kent. The wizard lurked in the forest just behind the initial stand of trees. We were prepared." Crane took a draught from his mug.

"As prepared as we could be, Ichabod. We should be grateful nothing happened." Katrina shook her head at him. "The situation did not suit the demon's agenda. We could have a full demon war between Moloch and the Coven's master demon."

"Demon war?" Clark swallowed hard. Bad enough he and Lana had heard about one demon and its sorcerous servants. Now there were others too?

"There are a lot of demons, Clark. I'm sure you heard that in church or Sunday school." Dubois plated his own waffle. "They're real. I'm just glad Moloch hasn't tried anything. We've got enough to worry about otherwise." He sat down and bowed his head for Grace. Then he took a bite of waffle.

"Yet another reason to have Mistress Grace back in Kansas," Crane presumed.

"If those creeps want to make a stink, Captain, they know the way there." Dubois stuffed another bite of food into his mouth. He looked toward Cherry Plain and the hotel where the others stayed.

Trouble should stay away or so he hoped….