by Kathy Ivan
This book was one of her most prized possessions. Her great-grandmother’s recipe book, passed down from her great-grandmother, to her gran, and then her mother. Now it was hers, because Beth hadn’t wanted it. While her sister loved the recipes they’d eaten as kids, after she’d gotten married it had become a well-established fact that she couldn’t cook. At all. Even making toast surpassed her limited culinary skills.
But Tessa loved cooking, and making those old family recipes filled her with joy. Lovingly, she ran her hand across the embossed front, felt the supple leather, the worn places where hands had held it through four generations of women. Pulling it to her chest, she closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of aged leather and paper. With a shuddering breath, she willed away the tears threatening to fall. Oh, the meals her mother made using these recipes handed down through the years. Old Southern classics, the kind of things you didn’t find in fancy restaurants, but good, hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meals.
“Mom, I miss you so much.”
A feeling of warmth suffused her, and she clutched the book tighter, before laying it across her lap and opening the front cover. Looking at the first page, she saw her great-grandmother’s handwriting, neat and precise, and perfectly legible even all these years later. The instructions for a dash of this or a pinch of that made her smile.
“I promise, I’ll take very good care of this. Someday it’ll be passed along to my daughter or Jamie. I won’t let the love and care of these recipes be forgotten.”
She flipped through the next few pages, finding little loose pieces of paper stuck between pages. Sometimes there were measurements written down in a spidery script. Sometimes it was an ingredient list. Receipts from the nineteen fifties. Even a grocery list from her grandmother for her mother’s sixth birthday party. The emotions and memories overwhelmed her, and she placed the book on the top of the bookcase. It was a good spot for now, though she had no doubt it would end up in the kitchen eventually, once she’d fully settled in.
Emptying out the rest of the box’s contents, she pulled the last one in front of her. Before she could peel back the tape, a knock sounded on her front door.
“Just a minute, I’m coming,” she yelled, rising from the floor in a not-so-graceful stumble. She rushed toward the door and pulled it open, grinning when she saw who stood on the other side.
“Jill! Come in, come in. I’m so happy to see you!”
Her friend gave her a hug, and walked into the living room. “The place looks great. I noticed fresh paint on the porch and shutters too. You have been busy.”
“I can’t take the credit for the changes. The Boudreaus are responsible for sprucing up the outside. They showed up Saturday morning, and before I knew it, they’d pretty much taken over.”
Jill shook her head, chuckling. “Girlfriend, you’re going to find the Boudreaus will steamroll right over you if you’re not careful. If Ms. Patti takes you under her wing, you’ll probably never have to lift a finger again. Seriously, the woman is a miracle worker.”
“Well, they certainly worked miracles here. Now, tell me everything going on with you.”
“Not much to tell.”
“Wait, I thought you were dating what’s his name, Walt, Wilt…”
“Ugh, don’t remind me. Walt and I are kaput. Finito. Splitsville. As in, the lousy, cheating, good-for-nothing louse better never show his face around me again, or I will not be responsible for my actions. He’s been lying to me the whole time, and I probably wouldn’t have found out if his wife hadn’t found my number in his phone.”
“Wife?” Tessa reached over and grabbed Jill’s hand, squeezing tight. “He was married?”
“I do not date married men—ever. And the lying scum knew it too. Probably why he didn’t tell me. I even asked around before I agreed to date him, and nobody said a word. Of course, he doesn’t live in Shiloh Springs, so they might not have known, but still…”
“Tell me where he lives and I’ll make him sorry he ever messed with Jill Monroe.”
“Don’t worry, I think the soon-to-be ex Mrs. Walt can handle things with the lying scumbag. Besides, he’s made his bed and now he can suffer the consequences of being a cheating hound dog.” Flinging herself down on the sofa, Jill curled one leg beneath her, and patted the cushion beside her. “Never mind about me. Tell me what happened with Trevor.”
Tessa bit back the curse which immediately sprang to her lips. “Trevor wasn’t any better than Walt—except he wasn’t married. Things got really, I don’t know, creepy. He was always around, even when we didn’t have a date. Showed up at my house. Heck, he even showed up at my job. And the phone calls. Constantly checking up on me, needing to know where I was every minute of the day. It finally got too much, and I dumped him.”
“Good riddance, I say.”
Tessa didn’t say anything else, because she hoped her past would stay back in North Carolina, and she’d use this year to put some time and space between her and Trevor St. James. Much needed time, because after the breakup, he’d gotten even worse. She’d changed her phone number, yet he somehow managed to get it and the calls didn’t stop. As a last resort, she’d taken out a restraining order against him, stating he wasn’t allowed within a hundred feet of her. It worked—for a while. She’d gotten a few months respite. Now she was in Texas, maybe he’d finally get the message and let things go.
Jill laid her head on Tessa’s shoulder and gave a loud sigh. “Feels like we’re back in college, doesn’t it? How many times did we lean on each other, help each other through the line of losers we seemed to attract?”
Tessa gave an exaggerated shudder. “More than I care to remember.”
“Does it ever get easier?”
“Are you sure I’m the right person to ask? I’m still single too, and haven’t dated in longer than I care to remember.” Tessa nudged Jill’s leg aside and stood, headed for the kitchen. “I don’t have anything stronger than iced tea. Want some?”
“Sure. Don’t suppose you’ve got any ice cream to go with it?”
Setting the filled glasses on a tray, she took down two bowls and filled them with the fudge ripple ice cream she’d picked up the day before. Adding spoons to the tray, she headed back to the living room, and set the tray on the coffee table.
“Here you go. Dig in.”
Jill grabbed the bowl and shoved a heaping spoonful into her mouth, leaning back against the cushions with a contented sigh. “Thanks, I needed that.”
When they’d finished the ice cream, Tessa turned to her friend. “You still working for the insurance company?”
Jill rolled her eyes before nodding. “Unfortunately. I’m beginning to think I’m going to be answering phones and writing policies when I’m ninety.”
Tessa knew how much her friend hated her job. She’d bemoaned the fact unless she moved to a bigger city, she was stuck with a dead-end job without any prospect of advancement. “I only wish there was some way you could follow your dream.”
“Not much chance of that happening, girlfriend.”
“You are still baking, aren’t you?”
“Sure. I love it, even if there isn’t much call for anything more than a birthday cake every now and then. I only do them for my friends, you know?”
“Girlfriend, I remember some of the creations you whipped up in your spare time. I’ve never seen anything like them—or tasted any better. Why haven’t you considered opening up a shop?”
Jill nibbled on the edge of her nail before reaching for her phone. “I think about it every day. I know exactly how I’d set it up, what I’d offer. But starting a business takes money, and working at an insurance company isn’t exactly bringing in the big bucks.” She scrolled through some photos on her phone before handing it to Tessa.
The photo on the screen displayed the most beautiful cake Tessa had ever seen. An exquisite confectionary masterpiece, it stood four tiers high, and was covered with a pattern of flowers and lace, the intricate delicacy of each blo
om a work of art in itself. The vivid colors along with the detailed exotic blooms made the cake seem like a three-dimensional sculpture.
“Jill, it’s stunning.” She touched the screen, enlarging a close-up of one of the blooms. “The details—you’d swear these were real.”
“Yeah, I’m kinda proud of that one. I spent days getting every detail right.”
“Tell me you sold it for some really special occasion.”
Jill hung her head, refusing to meet Tessa’s gaze. “I told you, I make the occasional birthday cake, nothing special.”
Tessa’s gaze shifted between her friend and the photo on the screen. Playing a hunch, she slid her finger on the phone, and pulled up the next photo. Another cake displayed, this one a sheet cake with a tropical beach scene, complete with palm trees and a vibrant sunset. Each sweep of color made the waves washing against the shore come to life, the seashells decorating the border fragile and unique.
“These should be gracing the pages of cooking magazines. They’re exquisite.” Her hand moved again, and picture after picture showed delectable confections—cupcakes, macarons, and eclairs—each one the picture of perfection. With reluctance, she handed back the phone, wishing there was something she could do or say to help Jill fulfill her dream. She’d been baking ever since Tessa met her. Heck, in school she’d kept them supplied with enough cookies and pastries to last through binge-worthy stretches of studying.
“It’s a pipe dream. Maybe someday, who knows?” Jill sat up straighter and reached for her tea. “Enough with Melancholy Nelly. Tell me how things have been since you got to Shiloh Springs.” She waved a hand toward the front door. “You’ve obviously met the Boudreaus.” The grin accompanying her words was infectious, and Tessa found herself responding.
“From what I understand, I’ve met some of the Boudreaus. Apparently, there are a few more, but I’ve been invited out to their home on Saturday. Guess I’ll meet the rest of them then.”
“Lucky you. Which ones have you met?”
“Hmm. Douglas and Ms. Patti.” She paused, letting the silence draw out, knowing Jill wouldn’t let her get away without telling her every little detail. Though she probably wouldn’t mention exactly how she’d met her first Boudreau.
“And…”
“Let’s see. Brody. And Lucas. Oh, and Liam.”
If she hadn’t been watching Jill’s face closely, she probably wouldn’t have noticed the slight wince at the mention of Lucas’ name, though she quickly disguised it. Not quick enough, though. There was a story there, and Tessa would find out—but not now. She was just getting over the whole Walt fiasco, might not be a good idea to open any old wounds.
“I think you left somebody off your list, girlfriend.”
Trust Jill to notice.
“You mean our esteemed sheriff?”
“A little birdy told me the two of you met your first night in town. Interesting how you neglected to mention it.”
Tessa scrunched her brow, trying to figure out how Jill knew. Who in the world could have told…
“You know Serena.” It wasn’t a question.
Jill giggled. “She mentioned you and the sheriff looked decidedly chummy when she pulled into the drive.”
There was no way she was telling Jill about what happened, and how Rafe threatened her with jail. Giving her friend that kind of ammunition? She’d never hear the end of it.
“It was nothing. He saw me waiting on the porch, and stopped by to make sure everything was alright. That’s it.”
“Hmm, why do I get the feeling there’s more to the story than you’re telling?”
“Because you’ve got a twisted imagination? Seriously, Jill, I barely know the man.”
Her friend suddenly sat up straighter. “Now, I know something happened. Look at your guilty face. Come on, spill.”
“Seriously, nothing happened.” When Jill crossed her arms over her chest and gave her a mulish expression, she gave in. “Fine. He did stop by Saturday night and brought dinner, but nothing happened, I swear.”
Jill settled back against the cushions, a dreamy expression on her face. “Dinner with Rafe Boudreau. The two of you, all alone, no prying eyes watching your every move? Was it romantic?”
“No! He was simply being neighborly. We talked, we ate. End of story.” Except when he touched my lips, and looked into my eyes. That certainly felt more than neighborly. It felt—magical.
“Well, shoot. I was hoping for some excitement, maybe a few sparks. I could live vicariously through you, since I’m obviously not jumping back into the dating pool anytime soon.”
“We’ll commiserate together. In the meantime, we’ll eat more ice cream.”
“Sounds good, except I’ve gotta run. Have I told you how happy I am you’re here in Shiloh Springs?”
“Maybe once or twice,” Tessa grinned, hugging her friend. “Let’s make plans to have dinner next week. Really spend some time catching up.”
“It’s a plan. I’ll call you.”
Tessa walked her to the door, and stood on the front porch until the taillights faded from sight. Seeing Jill, reconnecting with her friend, felt good. Gave her a bit of an anchor to Shiloh Springs, and helped her feel settled. Not that she hadn’t been welcomed by the people she’d met—to the contrary, everyone seemed thrilled she was covering for their beloved Mrs. Edwards. But being the new kid on the block was an odd feeling for her.
Turning off the porch light, and locking the door, she headed back for the office to unpack the final box.
CHAPTER NINE
Saturday morning dawned way too early, and Rafe was up to meet the sunrise after a sleepless night. It had been a long shift, with two deputies out sick, leaving the sheriff’s office shorthanded. The night seemed endless, filled with domestic disturbance calls, one drunk and disorderly charge, and somebody firing potshots at Old Man Grady’s barn. Nobody got hurt, but Grady had been fit to be tied, swearing he’d hunt down the varmints and blast ’em full of buckshot. It took a bit of fast talking to keep Grady from heading out with his shotgun, hellbent on dishing out his own brand of justice.
Maybe he could blame it on the full moon, but everybody seemed extra loco, and a few folks ventured into plain old stupid.
The topper of the night? Eliza Boatwright, driving her husband’s beat-up John Deere into the center of town, belting out Jolene at the top of her lungs while driving down Main Street. Off key, and loud enough the ole coon hound of Marcus Givens took to howling right along with her. Of course, she’d been wearing a see-through nightie with nothing underneath at the time. Reeking of Dennis’ homemade moonshine, which tended to get stronger with each batch, she’d been three sheets to the wind. Since Dennis Boatwright wasn’t in any better shape to drive into town and claim his wayward bride, Rafe ended up calling in reinforcements, otherwise known as his momma, to help sober up Eliza before sending her home to sleep it off. Another fun night at the Shiloh Springs Sheriff’s office.
He’d returned home exhausted around five a.m. and fallen into bed, barely able to keep his eyes open, sure he’d sleep for hours. Instead, he’d tossed and turned, unable to keep his mind off the pretty redhead he’d be taking out to the family homestead later that morning. Tessa Maxwell was quickly making herself a part of Shiloh Springs, weaving her way into the hearts of the parents and their kids.
She’d gotten a list of students for the upcoming semester, and was methodically and efficiently working her way through it, introducing herself to each family, and letting them get to know her and her plans for the class, and letting the parents ask her questions about her background and her qualifications. Seemed like a great way to both get to know the community up close and personal, as well as let people know she wasn’t some stranger who’d come to brainwash their children with all sorts of newfangled teaching ideas. It felt great to have such a conscientious teacher becoming part of Shiloh Springs.
He also remembered his promise to tell her about his family. Shaking his head,
he picked up his coffee. Everybody around Shiloh Springs knew about his past. It wasn’t a secret. He didn’t try and hide away from the harsh truth of his early years, but he didn’t go around gossiping to every Tom, Dick and Harry who came along either. There wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for Patti and Douglas Boudreau—nothing. And he was pretty sure his brothers felt the same. Every one of them would lay down their lives for the couple who’d raised them. Loved them. Taught them right from wrong, and took them in when their worlds crumbled around them. Scared boys who didn’t know where to turn or who to trust. They’d been at their most vulnerable, lowest point, and Patti and Douglas had been the bright light in their darkness.
Glancing at the clock, he grimaced at the time. Barely eight, and he wasn’t picking Tessa up until eleven. Trying to fall back asleep was useless. He’d given up on getting any. Instead, he slid his feet into the sneakers by the kitchen door, and headed to the back of the house, straight for the shed. Might as well get a couple of hours in, while it’s still cool outside. Cool by Texas standards anyway. It wasn’t unusual for morning temps to already be in the upper seventies at daybreak, and easily reach triple digits by late afternoon. That was without factoring in the heat index, which made it feel like you were standing inside a kiln having your skin baked off.
He hefted a bag of mulch and tossed it into a wheelbarrow, followed by another. A bag of fertilizer joined them, and he guided the whole thing around to the side of the house. Every spare moment, he worked his way around the perimeter of the house, and things were finally taking shape. The height of summer wasn’t the best time of year for planting, but he kept soaker hoses dripping to beat the heat. They kept the earth damp, and made the greenery lush and the flowering plants bloomed well past when most everybody else’s died back.
Ms. Patti had been the first person who discovered his affinity with plants. As a scared, snot-nosed kid, he’d been terrified out of his mind at the rapid changes unfolding in his life. First, he’d been forced to move in with a new family. His entire life imploded around him, ended in shambles, and he’d wound up alone and frightened. The night his world fell apart, Douglas Boudreau arrived like a superhero, the kind he read about in his friends’ comic books. The bigger-than-life man had swooped in and claimed Rafe, giving him not only a home, but a refuge, a personal port in the midst of chaos. More importantly, though, he given him the one thing he’d never had in his entire life—a loving family.