Read Online The Mighty Quinns: Malcolm by Kate Hoffmann - Free Book Online Page A

partner had written a partnership agreement that was very favorable to him.
    And one that had left Maxwell Quinn’s wife and four children with almost nothing. Mal’s mother had always worked, but after Max’s death, her income had been barely enough to support the family. They’d relied on his father’s income as a guide and corporate sponsorships.
    Amy grabbed a pair of plates from the cupboard next to the sink. “I’ve heard Innis has talked about mounting an expedition to Everest to bring down your father’s body.”
    “I know. It would be almost impossible. But he’s getting publicity, appearing to be the good guy. I wish he’d just naff off and leave our family in peace.”
    She nodded, then slid half the omelet onto his plate. “Then you should say that,” Amy said, handing him the plate. “Publicly. The climbing community needs to know that you don’t want your father disturbed. Make Innis look like the...the bugger he is.”
    “Bludger,” Mal said. “Bugger is something entirely different.”
    “Bludger,” she repeated as she handed him a fork.
    Mal dug into the omelet, then smiled as he got his first taste. “Good on ya. Who would have thought to make an omelet stuffed with mac and cheese?”
    “And freeze-dried veggies,” she said. “In my opinion, you can put almost anything in an omelet and, as long as the eggs are cooked well, it will taste good.”
    “Even Vegemite?” he said.
    “All right, almost anything.”
    “Just imagine what you could do with real food,” he said. “If you can cook a decent steak I might have to lock you up and never let you go.”
    “I can,” Amy said. “But pasta is my specialty. And I make killer brownies.”
    “I love brownies,” he said, as he gobbled down the omelet. “Maybe we should stay here and you can just cook for me for the next week. The only time I get a decent meal is at my mum’s place. I usually lose at least a stone when I’m gone for a month eating freeze-dried food.”
    “How much is a stone?”
    “Around six kilos.”
    “How much is that in pounds?”
    Mal calculated silently. “Around thirteen, I think?”
    She took a bite of her food and nodded. “I suppose we could always wait a few days before we leave and I can fatten you up.”
    “It will take that long to get our gear together. And I have to arrange for the helicopter. Our pilot might not be available on such short notice. So what are you going to make for breakfast? I’ll go out and get you anything you need.”
    “Hold it. Back up, there. What helicopter?”
    “The one that will drop us at the edge of the glacier. That’s where we’ll set up our first camp and I’ll teach you how to walk in crampons. We’ll get you accustomed to the ice. And then we’ll walk across the glacier.”
    “I’ve never been in a helicopter,” she murmured. In truth, she’d never been very comfortable with heights. It took all her courage to get on plane, but a helicopter was a totally different thing.
    But she couldn’t pass up this opportunity because of some silly fear, she chided herself. People flew in helicopters every day and they survived. “Great. That should be fun.”
    “I can guarantee you’ll have fun,” he assured her.
    “And what do I get in return for my skills as a chef?”
    He set his empty plate on the counter next to him, then jumped off. “All the sex you want. Multiple orgasms. And a naked man in your bed willing to do whatever you ask of him.”
    “It’s your bed,” she said.
    “Don’t quibble over details,” he murmured, kissing her slowly.
    Amy drew back and speared a piece of her omelet, holding it out in front of his nose. Mal opened his mouth and she fed it to him.
    “Can you make pancakes?” he asked.
    “Blueberry, chocolate chip or plain?”
    “All three,” he said. He grabbed her waist and pulled her along with him toward the bedroom.
    “Where are we going?”
    “I need to start working up a credit balance,” he said. “I’m