Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Isn't that running routine of yours a bit... excessive? To the uninitiated, it might seem like you're gearing up for a marathon or something..." Owen Reynolds just chuckled, a hint of sheepishness hidden within his laughter.

Roseanne pressed on, "Isn't the lab keeping you busy these days?"

"Well, I've delegated some tasks to Stoddard."

Meanwhile, Stoddard, still toiling away in the lab, sneezed repeatedly. "Achoo! Achoo! Look at you, so high and mighty!"

Owen asked, "Had breakfast yet?"

Roseanne nodded, "Yes, and you?"

"Same here. Got any plans for today?"

"Just a bunch of papers to dig into," she pondered.

"Got a package from a buddy in Montana last night, full of wild mushrooms. They're all yours now."

Wild mushrooms?

That was a real treat.

"Why are you giving them to me? Don't you want any?"

Owen laughed it off, "I barely cook as it is. Mushrooms go bad if you don't use them. Better you have them."

"Alright then, I won't hold back!"

They headed upstairs together.

Owen's place, Roseanne spotted a large

mushrooms - morels, chanterelles, truffles,

whole of Montana's edible

type of mushroom was vacuum-sealed in its own bag, still looking fresh

are hard to find in the market. Are you sure

them, "Go ahead,

for a mushroom hot pot tonight!" she declared, grabbing the box and leaving no room

five in the afternoon, Owen arrived on time

the kitchen, he found Roseanne had already cleaned

for

this afternoon, so

"You're taking my job."

He feigned grievance.

eagerness?" "Ever heard of 'bitten hand, shy away'?

the one who's

hand, shine

away'. These mushroomet

from your

Shy away ace orel

"So?"

"We're even."

Neither shy nor reserved.

the broth was bubbling

with a few dates, goji

of the prepped mushrooms and then

timer, the countdown

Montanan hot pot,