It was a demand, not a request. Besides, she did need a break. She’d been baking since early this morning. Supplies had gotten low very quickly at the mid-morning rush, and she’d had to start baking again almost immediately to ensure the upcoming lunch rush would be covered.
She sat opposite Christian and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t realise how much she’d needed a break.
“Aunty says I have to sit with you,” she said with a grin. “Do you mind?”
He looked up sharply, then laughed. “I fear the old dear is trying to push us together.” She looked at him in horror, and he added, “She has a habit of doing that sort of thing, you know. She’s a notorious match-maker.”
Charlotte was shocked. She had no idea. “Does she do this often,” she asked as he continued to eat.
Lizzie chose that moment to deposit two coffees on the table. One for Christian and another for Charlotte. “Enjoy, you two,” she said, then returned to the front counter.
Charlotte laughed. “We were nearly sprung! So tell me, does she do it often?”
Christian took a sip of coffee, then stared at her over the brim of the mug. “Are you kidding me? Nearly every eligible bachelor in town has been partnered up and married off – all because of your dear aunt.”
She sat there open mouthed. “No. Really?” She couldn’t believe her laid back and generally quiet aunt would do such a thing.
Christian looked across to Lizzie. She was still at the front counter. He leaned in and Charlotte did the same. “There are still a handful of us around, but not many. Every opportunity she gets, she partners us up.”
Charlotte sat there in disbelief.
Christian finished off his food and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Now that she’s decided we are to be together, she won’t give up until we are.” He looked at her pointedly. “You know that, right?”
She sat back in her seat. “Please tell me you are joking,” she said in a whisper.
He was amused at her distress, which irritated her no end. “There’s a way around it,” he said, apparently brewing up an idea. “We can pretend to like each other.”
She was rather taken aback at that, and also annoyed. “Well, I like you,” she said in a huff. “Don’t you like me?” She placed her arms across her chest. “As a friend,” she quickly added.
He grinned. “Of course I do. But that’s not what Lizzie wants. She wants us dating.” He looked at her crossed arms. “Don’t be mad. I’m just the messenger.”
She sat there stewing for about a minute, then sipped her coffee. “Well...” Did she really want to do this? It was a big ask, but Christian did seem like a nice guy. “Okay,” she said. “But I need to lay my cards on the table before we decide whether or not to do this.”
He frowned at her. What did he think she was about to say?
She put both hands palm down either side of her coffee and braced herself. “I left Los Angeles because of my husband.” Her voice broke and she felt her resolve dissolving.
“Your husband? You’re married?” Christian’s voice rose in disbelief.
“He was a cop,” she said. “He...” she couldn’t get the words out. “He’s dead,” she said quietly. “Killed on duty three years ago.”
His hand slid across the table and covered hers. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “And now your aunt is trying to throw us together, and you’re probably not interested in another guy wearing the uniform.” His expression was compassionate. “Am I right?”
She nodded, and he squeezed her hand.
“So back to our plan,” he said, empathy written all over his face. Damn! She didn’t want sympathy, from him or anyone else.
“I guess it’s my turn to come clean,” he said, and braced himself to do just that. “I need to say right up front I’m not interested in a relationship.”
He looked down into his lap, his hand still covering hers. She stared at their entwined hands. It felt nice. Warm and comfortable, and if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want him to move it.
“Christian, you don’t....”
She hadn’t heard her aunt move, but suddenly she was hovering over them. “Everything all right here,” she asked, as though they were regular customers, and not a couple she was trying to set up.
Christian cleared his throat. “Everything is fine,” he said. “More than fine in fact. I’ve asked Charlotte to come out with me tonight.” He grinned at Charlotte who smiled.
Lizzie clapped her hands together. “Yes!” It was like a war dance, and Charlotte began to see that Christian was not being untruthful earlier. Her aunt really was trying to push them together.
“Where are you going?” She directed the question at Christian, who couldn’t stop grinning.
“Uh, not sure yet,” he said. “We were just working that out when you arrived.” He was taking a last sip of coffee as his pager went off. “Sorry, I have to go.” He pushed a notebook over to Charlotte. “Write your cell phone in here, and I’ll call you later.”
She scribbled her number down in disbelief that this had all unfolded so quickly, then pushed the notebook back to him.
“Sorry, gotta go.” And before she knew what was happening, Christian had left the café.
~~~
Chris got out of his vehicle and walked toward Lizzie’s “cottage” as she so fondly called it.
Charlotte stepped out of the front door.
He stepped back momentarily in surprise then circled her, looking her up and down. “Words fail me,” he said, and he wasn’t lying. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever set eyes on.
She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she said, as she winked at him. “You scrub up pretty well.”
He reached over and took her hand. Need to keep up the pretence for Lizzie’s sake. Just as the thought entered his head, the lady herself stepped out of the cottage.
“You both look pretty snazzy,” she said, giving them the once over. “What’s on the agenda for tonight?”
Chris squeezed Charlotte’s hand. “Dinner in Bolton, maybe at the Chinese restaurant, depending on where Charlotte would like to go, then a movie.”
Lizzie smiled. She obviously wanted to see her niece happy after the tragedy she’d endured. “Wonderful,” she said quietly. “Enjoy – both of you.”
He held the car door while Charlotte sat down, then went to the driver’s side. When he looked up again, Lizzie was gone. Probably off celebrating her match-making skills he decided as he chuckled. Little did she know.
~~~
“I had a wonderful night,” Charlotte told Chris as he slowed outside Lizzie’s cottage.
It was late – nearly midnight, but he didn’t care. He’d had a wonderful night with Charlotte. If he didn’t know better, he’d think it was a real date, not something they’d concocted to get Lizzie off their backs.
He had to admit, if she hadn’t interfered with her match-making, they may have gotten together naturally. Maybe.
Or maybe not.
But this was not real. He had to keep reminding himself of that.
Nor did he want it to be real. His brother had gone to hell and back when he’d fallen in love, and Chris was not going to allow himself to be put in the same position.
“Charlotte,” he said, wanting to clear the air. She’d declared her situation, and now it was time for him to do the same. “I think it’s only fair, I tell you I don’t want a relationship.” He took a deep breath.
“Neither do I, silly,” she said, leaning across to give him a peck on the cheek. “This is all pretend, remember?” She leaned back in her seat. “For auntie’s benefit.”
“I have to tell you something,” he said. “It’s only fair, because you told me about your husband.”
She stared into his eyes and lifted her hand to his shoulder. “You don’t have to,” she said. “There’s no obligation....”
He interrupted her words. “Obligati
on or not, I need to say it before you hear it from someone else.” He stared unblinkingly into her hazel coloured eyes and took a deep breath. “My sister-in-law killed herself and my beautiful little baby niece.” He spoke so quietly, she probably wouldn’t have heard if they hadn’t been in the confines of his car.
“Oh my gosh!” Charlotte blurted out. “That is so horrible. You must have been devastated.” He watched as tears welled in her eyes. “I mean, I was distraught about my husband’s death, but a baby? That is beyond comprehension.” He brushed her cheek and wiped a stray tear from her face.
Her bottom lip quivered, and he pulled her to him in a comforting hug.
“It was a long time ago,” he whispered. “But it still hurts like hell.”
She pulled back and gazed into his glistening eyes. “And that’s why you don’t want a relationship. Am I right?”
His head shot up. She knew him better than he knew himself. Until now, he had never admitted that fact. Not to anyone else, nor to himself.
“Does,” she adjusted her shirt that didn’t need adjusting, and wiped another tear from her cheek. “Does my aunt know?”
He laughed. “Your aunt knows everything about everyone that ever walked into this town, let alone into her café.” He grinned and felt better for it. “Yeah, she knows. And she was there when I needed her. She’s a wonderful person, your aunt.”
“Anyway, enough of this,” he said. “On a brighter note, when would you like to go out again.” He brushed a stray tendril of hair behind her ear, and then realised this was the first time he’d seen her without her cook’s hat on. That was why she looked so different. He gave himself an invisible head slap.
“Your hair looks beautiful, by the way,” he said, trying to penetrate the depths of her eyes.
She reached up and covered his hand. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” She squirmed in her seat before answering. “I have Saturday’s off,” she said. “So maybe next Saturday?”
She smiled and his whole world lit up. He had to remind himself again they were not dating for real.
This lady took his breath away, and he didn’t know what to do about it.
~~~
Their next date was a little different.
After dinner, Chris decided to take her to the lookout up on the hill. You could see all over River Valley from there. And then some.
It looked good during the day, but at night it came into itself. Amazing and beautiful. Just like Charlotte.
He winced. His thoughts went to her too much. This was all about keeping Lizzie off their backs, and nothing more. He forgot that at his peril.
The place was near deserted at this time of night. People had no idea what they were missing.
He opened the door for Charlotte and guided her to the lookout in the muted light. It was a full moon, which was just as well, since the lighting was out. No doubt the vandals had been up there again.
They were walking side by side toward the lookout when he suddenly felt compelled to touch her. His hand slid into hers and she stopped momentarily, searching his face. Then she squeezed his hand and continued on.
His heart skipped a beat. She didn’t push him away, didn’t force her hand out of his. His heart was happy, but he wasn’t sure he was.
This was supposed to be pretend, and he was feeling things about this woman he had no intentions of feeling. Things he shouldn’t be feeling when it wasn’t real.
“Oh, it’s beautiful!” She was standing at the protective fence; the one that stopped visitors from falling down the hillside.
He stood behind her. “Yes it is,” he said, moving a little closer.
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
“Cold?”
“A little,” she replied. “I should have brought a jacket.”
He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her in an effort to keep her warm. He knew the moment he did it, he’d made a mistake.
She felt soft and gentle. But he could feel the coolness on her skin. And that’s what this was about, right? Keeping her warm.
He leaned in further, until his cheek was against her cheek. It felt nice standing here like this with Charlotte.
He closed his eyes tight. What was he thinking? Neither of them wanted a relationship, this was all for show.
Her heard her intake of breath. “It’s really beautiful,” she said quietly. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Thank you for bringing me here.” She turned around in his arms and smiled.
His heart beat a little faster as he looked at her lips. Her warm and inviting lips. The lips he wanted to kiss right now.
He started to lean in, slid his hands up her arms. “Charlotte,” he said. “I need to confirm this is all a ruse.” He took a breath. “To get your aunt off our backs.”
She stared into his eyes for longer than he’d expected. Then her tongue darted out and licked her lips. “Of course it is,” she said, turning her head away. “We both said we didn’t want to get involved.”
He dropped his hands to his sides, and sighed, then pretended everything was okay. “Over to the left is River Valley,” he said, pointing to their little town. “To the right is Hudson Falls, another tiny town.”
He would keep up the pretence, they both would.
Chapter Three
“First we eat, then we get down to business.”
Charlotte placed a meal in front of each of the committee members for the fundraiser, then one for herself. She sat next to Chris since that was the only empty seat available. He was certain Lizzie planned it that way.
The table was a little crammed, and her thigh pushed gently against his. It felt nice. Better than nice in fact. Cosy.
“This is fabulous,” Chris said, glancing at Charlotte. “Where did you learn to cook?”
Lizzie stared across at him. “Charlotte,” she said pointedly, “Is a trained pastry chef. Her food is amazing.” She smiled across at her niece, but her glare toward him sent daggers.
“I’m not surprised,” he answered, savouring every mouthful. “This is delicious.”
He surveyed the roast beef on his plate. Not only did it taste delicious, it looked amazing. “Thank you,” he said to both women. “I have no idea what I would have eaten tonight. Nothing as wonderful as this, that’s for sure.”
Charlotte blushed. “You are very welcome,” she said, obviously embarrassed at the fuss. “But it’s nothing. A roast is one of the easiest meals of all to make.”
“It is very good,” Sheriff Chase Callahan added. “Best I’ve ever had. Not that yours is bad, Lizzie,” he quickly added.
Chris grinned. Lizzie was touchy about her cooking. Always had been.
“Just eat the damned food so we can get on with it,” Lizzie demanded.
There was no more talk. What Lizzie demanded, Lizzie got. Most of the time.
After the dishes were cleared away, dessert was served. Strawberry cheesecake with cream on the side. While Charlotte served dessert, Lizzie made coffee for everyone.
“Right. We’ll start the meeting while we eat dessert,” she said putting the last of the coffees on the table. “First I’d like to thank everyone for coming, and special thanks goes to Charlotte for the delicious meal.”
“Here, here.” Several people spoke at once. They were all in agreement about the meal.
Chris moved his leg even closer to hers, in a personal acknowledgement. Charlotte’s eyes opened wide, then she smiled at him.
“First on the agenda,” Lizzie brought him out of his revelry. “Missy Callahan has offered to be the entertainment, along with her backing crew.” Lizzie looked around the table. “Any objections?”
No one would object, Chris was certain. Missy was an amazing singer.
“No? Good.” She scribbled something on the paper in front of her. “Next, Charlotte has offered to cook a three-course meal. The community hall has a commercial kitchen, so that won’t be an issue.” She looked down at the paper again. “I have includ
ed the proposed menu on the agenda. Please read it, and then we’ll vote.”
“Wow, amazing,” Chris said, reading the list of food. “I’m definitely going to this,” he said, licking his lips.
Lizzie laughed. “You’re going anyway. You’re on the committee, remember?”
Chris felt the heat move up his face. What was he thinking?
When Charlotte was around he didn’t think, couldn’t think. She was getting inside his head, which was not part of the plan.
He had always been so level-headed, a clear-thinker. His own person. Now he was tongue-tied where Charlotte was concerned, and it had to stop.
Chase laughed out loud. “Good one, Chris,” he said.
As they worked their way through the agenda, and everything on Lizzie’s list, his mind was on the woman sitting next to him.
He stared at her profile. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
Suddenly she turned and glanced at him. Had she seen him staring? His heart sped up, and he wondered what it would be like to hold her in his arms.
~~~
After all the planning the fundraising committee – meaning Lizzie, Charlotte, and Chris and a few others – had done over the past few weeks, the day had finally arrived.
They’d decided on a dinner dance arrangement, but there was to be a number of charity auctions throughout the night.
Most of the locals had turned up for the event, along with locals from the slain officer’s county. They should raise quite a bit of money for his family, which was the whole point of the fundraiser.
Chris stood at the door, greeting people as they arrived, resplendent in his police uniform. They’d decided that out of respect for the slain officer, all police personal would attend the evening in full uniform.
He stood there, hopefully looking smart, greeting the guests, and directing them to their tables. He also had to mingle with the crowd after everyone had arrived. He had it easy.
He looked across the room to where Lizzie was rushing about, Charlotte by her side.
The pair were setting up the tables ready for the silent auction lists, which would be brought out later.
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