Don’t go there, Ellie. Crying will only run the mascara, and looking like a raccoon is not going to sell cupcakes. Hearing the chime announcing a customer was entering Toot Sweets, she turned with a smile as cheery as her display case.
“Good morning, welcome to Toot Sweets. How are you today?”
The woman came over and said, “I heard you’re the best in town.”
“I try. Are you looking for anything specific?” Ellie asked.
“I’m getting married in a week and the person who was making the cake, well . . . she and I aren’t speaking any longer. So I’m hoping you can save the day.”
“Wedding cake? I’ve—”
“You definitely came to the right place,” Josh’s voice boomed from the doorway. “She can do anything.”
She hadn’t even heard him come in, and although she appreciated his vote of confidence, it was misplaced. Ellie hadn’t ever decorated a wedding cake. Given the short time frame, it’s not like she had time to practice.
“That’s what I heard as well,” the woman said to Josh before turning back to Ellie. “I have an idea of what I’m looking for, but no picture.”
Her heart was racing, and she wanted to turn the woman down and recommend a few other places better suited to her needs. Yet, with Josh staring at her from across the room, she couldn’t bring herself to admit she wasn’t up for the job.
“Let me get a pad so I can take notes.” Ellie went into the back room for a minute, let out a long exhale and said a quick prayer that she wasn’t about to make a huge mistake that would ruin Toot Sweets’ reputation. When she returned, Ellie was better prepared for at least providing the best customer service she could—the wedding cake, well that was yet to be seen. Pencil in hand she asked, “So what is this vision you have?”
The woman beamed with joy. “I can’t believe you’re really going to do this. The last few nights have been sleepless with worry. But now I know my wedding will be perfect.”
“I’m sure it will. But we only have a week so why don’t you and I get started so I can provide you with a draft of what I’m thinking. How does that sound?” The woman nodded, and Ellie said, “Let’s start with your name.”
“Coralee.”
“That’s a beautiful name. And how many people are you having for the wedding?”
“Small. About fifty.”
Manageable. Okay, that’s better. “Flavor?”
Coralee said, “I know this is going to sound strange, but I’m going for something unique.”
“That’s what I specialize in.”
“I want my cake to taste like a pizza.”
Ellie’s mouth practically dropped, and she heard Josh briefly chuckle. With a sideward glance, she shot him a warning look, and he stopped immediately. She couldn’t honestly blame him. Ellie was tempted to look around for a hidden camera somewhere because this entire thing was farfetched.
Trying to hide her disbelief, Ellie asked, “Pizza?” The woman confirmed. “Okay. Cheese or pepperoni?”
All the excitement seemed to vanish, and she became very serious. “Oh, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. All I know is I want it to taste and look like a pizza.”
“That is an . . . interesting cake choice.”
“You’re not the first person to tell me that. But it’s what I want, what I need. My dad used to own a pizza parlor. I spent hours there with him when I was younger. Then I moved out, went to college, and didn’t return until . . .” She sighed heavily. “Two years ago there was a fire after Dad had gone to bed. He lived in the apartment upstairs. There weren’t any witnesses, but they said he must’ve suspected something, gone back downstairs, and entered the restaurant trying to put it out. When the fire department arrived, it was too late. Not only did he lose everything, I lost him. And doing the cake like this is like having him here with me on my wedding day,” Coralee said as her eyes glistened.
Ellie’s heart broke, seeing the pain Coralee was in. She reached across the counter and covered Coralee’s hand. “I think that’s a beautiful thing to do. And I promise I’ll make you the best pizza wedding cake you could ever imagine.”
Sniffing, Coralee said, “Thank you. This cake means everything to me.”
“Why don’t you come by tomorrow and I’ll have a drawing ready for your approval.”
Coralee leaned over and pulled Ellie into her arms, squeezing her so hard it was painful. “After I lost the first person, everyone else laughed at me. Said it couldn’t be done. No one else even bothered to listen to why I wanted it; they just said no. But you . . . you . . .”
“Understand exactly how you feel. Now you just think about everything else to make your day perfect and let me worry about the cake.”
Coralee pulled her purse onto the counter and asked, “Do I need to leave a deposit or anything?” Ellie shook her head. “About how much will it be? I’m trying to make sure I budget correctly.”
“Consider it a wedding gift.”
“What? You can’t be serious,” Coralee said in disbelief.
“I am. I’ll see you tomorrow. I have a pizza cake to plan.”
Coralee nodded with tears rolling down her face, but she didn’t leave. Instead, she opened up even more. “My Dad used to donate pizzas to the homeless. It didn’t matter when they came in, if they were hungry, he fed them.”
“It sounds like he was a wonderful man,” Ellie said softly.
“He was. I feel as though he’s always watching out for me. Even now, when I was about to give up my search, I ended up hearing about your place. And here you are donating a cake to a perfect stranger. I really don’t know how you’re going to do it, but I know that if anyone can, it’s going to be you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Wiping her cheeks, Coralee turned and left the shop.
Ellie had been fighting back tears herself. If Coralee’s story wasn’t enough, it opened a line of thought she’d been afraid to ponder. If she ever got married, had children . . . or any other major event in her life, Frank wouldn’t be there to witness it.
“That was a really nice thing you did for her,” Josh said.
Ellie wasn’t sure if it was for Coralee or for herself. She couldn’t look at Josh as she responded. Pretending to be working on drawing the cake, Ellie shrugged.
“It’s never easy watching another in the same type of pain you’re trying to deal with.”
Choking back tears she said softly, “Harder than I ever realized. I wasn’t sure I could keep my composure.”
Since she wasn’t looking at Josh, she didn’t know he’d come around the counter and was standing beside her. But his musky cologne enveloped her before his strong arms wrapped around her.
“There’s no one here but us. You can let it out. I’ve got you.”
It sounded so easy. Her tears were burning to flow. But Ellie couldn’t. She had a business to run and now a pizza cake to make. And a murder to solve. All reasons why she had no time to wallow in her own sorrow. The time would come, but now wasn’t it.
Pushing away from Josh wasn’t easy. She felt safe in his arms, and that scared her. The last thing she wanted was to care too deeply for someone else who would disappear from her life. It was better to keep a distance, both physically and emotionally. Ellie changed the subject and asked, “What brings you here today?”
She thought Josh would hound her, but he didn’t. Instead, he said, “I realized I left yesterday without buying any cupcakes.”
Ellie wasn’t falling for that line. But then again, a sale was a sale. “It’s never too early in the day for a cupcake.” Pointing to her display, she added, “The peanut butter-marshmallow is one of my favorites for breakfast.”
“Then I’ll have one of those. You wouldn’t have any coffee to go with that would you?” Josh asked.
“Not for sale, but I do have a pot on in the back.” She hadn’t meant to invite him to stay, but it came out anyway. No matter how much she pretended she wanted some walls between them, that wasn’t exactly the tru
th. Ellie found being around Josh very comforting. Was there anything wrong with enjoying that in spurts?
Josh reached into the glass case and took the cupcake she had suggested before he headed into the back. It was perfect timing because a few of Ellie’s regular customers were coming in. They would have questions regarding Josh, and Ellie didn’t have any answers. Not yet at least.
“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Are you here for your usual?”
* * *
Although he was in the back, he could still hear everything going on in the shop just fine. With what he’d just heard, Josh wanted to pull his gun from his ankle holster, rush back in, and fly over the counter creating a barrier between them and Ellie. Parker was the one name he didn’t want anywhere around Ellie. Not after what Anthony Parker had put Vanessa through. And if you knew Frank was killed because of Parker, you’d feel the same way.
Fighting back his first instinct, he opened the door just enough to scan the room. Ellie seemed to know this couple very well, she was relaxed, and her tone said she didn’t feel threatened at all. He opened it a bit more to take in the couple she was speaking to. They were much older, one in a wheelchair. Both looked far from threatening, and if they tried anything, Josh was pretty sure Ellie’s small stature could probably handle them.
Josh would still stand by the door, ready for anything. In a low voice, he put the surveillance team around Toot Sweets on alert. Each of them checked in that all seemed quiet. Quiet is good.
Mr. Parker was looking around slowly, which might be his only speed. He finally answered Ellie saying, “The usual for me, but my wife said she wanted to try something new.”
“I have a cupcake called A Bit Corny. Would you like to give one of those a try?”
Mrs. Parker didn’t respond, but Mr. Parker replied, “That sounds good.”
Josh watched as Ellie packaged up both cupcakes, rang up the transaction, and carried the bag to the door for them. “Have a wonderful day. See you next Tuesday.”
He had no idea how it was possible for Ellie to be so blissfully innocent. She went through her day as though she didn’t have a care in the world. Between Frank being with the FBI and all those high school kids that came around yesterday afternoon, he’d have thought she was much more in tune with the dangers lurking in every corner. But instead, she seemed to go with the theory of smile and the world smiles with you. Josh wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to keep her in that lovely protective bubble she lived it, but he sure as hell was going to try.
Once the Parkers were gone he let the team know it was all clear.
“Tell me you didn’t think that elderly couple was actually a threat,” one of the men said over the earpiece.
Josh may have overreacted, but as far as he was concerned, he held back. He’d contemplated tackling the guy and frisking him for weapons. “Last name Parker. Find out if they are in any way related to Anthony Parker.”
“You really can’t—?”
“Just do it!” Josh barked.
“Roger.”
It might seem irrational, but if there was the slightest chance there was a connection, he’d pull Ellie deep into hiding whether she liked it or not. And from where he was standing, she’d probably go kicking and screaming. This shop was her security blanket, but it also made it hard as hell to keep her safe. Every customer who entered could be the driver of the car that tried to run her down. They were no closer to finding any answers.
Ellie came into the back room with a look of concern. “Is everything okay?” She looked around the room. “Were you talking to someone?”
Shit! His frustration made him slip up. That wasn’t going to happen again. “I was talking to myself.”
“You mean arguing with yourself. About what?” Ellie asked, crossing her arms, waiting for an answer.
Thinking quickly, he said the first thing that came to mind and instantly regretted it. “About asking you out.”
Ellie’s eyes widened, and after a few seconds she asked, “And your decision was?”
“To ask if you’re free for dinner.” It worked within the guidelines he was given by Rafe. Stay close. What better way than to be by her side?
“I am.”
“Is that a yes?” Josh asked.
Ellie smiled shyly, which he found adorable. “I’d like that. Yes.”
Before they could continue making plans, the door chimed again announcing another customer. She dashed out of the kitchen, and he could hear her cheery voice greeting them. That gave him time to plan what they were going to do. It wasn’t about finding a romantic place. He needed one that would provide the best vantage point if it was necessary to get out fast.
Josh couldn’t spend the entire day pretending to drink coffee after coffee. And if anyone besides his team was monitoring the shop, it would be a flag that she was being protected. No, he needed this all to look as natural as possible.
Downing the coffee he didn’t really want in the first place, he washed the cup and placed it on the draining rack then headed out into the shop. It was approaching lunch time, and as usual, that’s when business started to pick up. He didn’t want to be inside when the crowds started. But he wasn’t going to be far.
Once outside, he pulled out his cell phone and called Rafe.
“Date? What the hell is that about?” Rafe snapped immediately.
“Doing my job. Staying close.” Josh didn’t hide the sarcasm.
Rafe grunted then asked, “What did you call for?”
“I think we need to get someone into that shop who can monitor the customers close up.”
“That would’ve been a better choice than asking her out,” Rafe replied.
“I wasn’t asking your permission. You can trust my judgment or not, but I’m doing this my way.”
For the most part, Rafe made a lot of the major decisions for Turchetta’s Promise. However, that was out of respect for him being the eldest. At no point was he Josh’s commanding officer.
“This is bigger than just you, just Ellie,” Rafe reminded him.
In a less defensive tone, Josh said, “I know. But we can’t rip her life apart for no reason. She’s lost enough. If she loses this business, what will she have left?”
“Her life.”
It’s how he would’ve responded before actually meeting Ellie. She was . . . as unique as some of the crazy cupcakes she conjured up. Beautiful on the outside and surprising on the inside.
“And I want it to be as intact as we can leave it. It’d be ideal if we can stop those bastards without her knowing about them.”
Rafe huffed. “If that were the case, Frank probably wouldn’t have been killed. Whoever it is pulling strings, they aren’t going to go down easily. We just need to limit the causalities.”
“Roger that.”
When he ended the call, he wasn’t sure why he’d called Rafe. Maybe it was to have Rafe tell him it was going to be okay. But that wasn’t Rafe’s style. It was the truth or nothing. And Rafe only said what Josh already knew. This was bad. And it was going to get a lot worse before it got better. His fear was he’d miss something because he was getting too close. This call was more about wanting Rafe’s usual lecture.
It was ironic. Rafe was so adamant about how to handle situations, but the longer he was married, the more understanding he seemed on certain issues. He was all hard-ass in combat, but his wife, Deanna, had changed him for the better. But that wasn’t a path Rafe or anyone else needed to worry about Josh going down. He loved his single life. Never having to discuss things with, or worry about coming home to, someone. Ellie deserves a man who couldn’t leave her. She’s had enough of that already.
Chapter Four
Josh hadn’t given Ellie any idea where he was taking her, but it didn’t matter. It’d been so long since she’d had a real date, and she was a bundle of nerves. At least it wasn’t a blind date. She already knew Josh somewhat, so the odds were they’d have a good time. Then what was the problem?
>
She tried on yet another dress, but none seemed right. It was as though she was trying too hard and for what? This was only dinner. Stripping off that dress and tossing it on the pile on the bed, she pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. It seemed a bit too casual yet it said she was comfortable and laid back. That was how she wanted to be viewed, even if it was a façade.
The shop had been closed for more than an hour, and she knew Josh would be arriving soon. While waiting for him to return, Ellie went to the kitchen in the shop and pulled out the list Frank had left for her. It was troubling her for some reason, and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was because she’d changed up the order he wanted her to make them? Or could it be as simple as Frank was no longer here to try each of her new creations?
Toot Sweets had always meant everything to her, and yet now, it meant nothing without Frank. He was part of this dream. She was going through the motions to make it seem as though she didn’t want to be anywhere else, but in truth, this place was haunting her. Everything she touched reminded her of Frank. He had either bought it for her as a gift or somehow it mysteriously appeared on her doorstep. Looking at the high-end ovens and mixers was a constant reminder of how badly Frank wanted her to succeed at this.
Yet every morning she was up bright and early, moving on as though nothing had changed. Her regular customers no longer asked how she was doing. Ellie had mastered the art of hiding her pain.
She was about to return the order of the vegetables to the way Frank had them when she heard knocking on the door. No one ever showed up after hours, so it had to be Josh. Placing the list back in the drawer, she grabbed her purse and went to meet him. Inviting him inside was a bad idea. This was a dinner date, and if she let him in, they might not make it out to eat. There was a part of her that wished she could feel his strong arms around her again like she had when they first met. It had been an instant connection, on her part at least. She didn’t want to want him, but that didn’t mean she didn’t. Physical attractions occur all the time. She needed to ignore it. That’s all. Let’s see how good I am at hiding my true feelings over dinner.
For Passion Page 4