Sweet Love of Mine: Sweetly Southern

by Lindi Peterson

“Thanks.”

  I push through the doors into the kitchen. Two young men and a young girl are helping bring trays in. I see Kelly, the woman I talked to at Celebration Station. She’s dressed impeccably in black pants and a black long-sleeved shirt. Black flats compliment her outfit and her hair is pulled back into a tight bun. She’s got a clipboard in her hand. It doesn’t appear that she does a lot of hands-on work. “Ms. Conrad,” she says as she sees me. “This is a gorgeous kitchen. So much room. And those ovens. This will be like working in a dream.”

  I quickly glance around the room that I thought was an average kitchen. I shrug. “I’m glad it’s perfect for you. Thank you so much for accommodating me at the last minute. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  Kelly smiles. “It’s what we do at Celebration Station. Now to go over the menu, we have the twice-baked potato soufflé.” She taps a stack of silver serving trays. “And here,” she points to the next stack of trays, “is the asparagus with light garlic butter sauce. The rolls are here, and the beef, right here.”

  Standing in front of all the food should make me a happy girl. But it simply depresses me. It’s all here. All but the cake.

  Kelly stares at me. I’m sure she expects a response from me. So I oblige. “Everything seems to be in order. Thank you again. I’m sure the guests will enjoy their dinner. The club has three staff members that will help serve. And I’ll be available if you need anything.”

  Scarlett joins me. “Flowers are all in place. Everything good with the food?”

  “Yes.” I smile as I speak hoping it will improve my mood.

  “I even brought food for the servers. They can eat as soon as they’re ready. It’s a little something I do extra.”

  Kelly has gone the extra step for sure. “That’s really nice. Thank you for doing that. Maybe there’s enough for Cheryl, the coordinator. I’m sure she’d love to grab a bite before things really get going. The guests will arrive between six and six thirty.”

  “There’s plenty. Have her come and see me.”

  “Will do.” I turn to Scarlett. “Ready to get ready, friend?”

  “Yes. You’ve run yourself ragged. It’s time you started relaxing. Especially now that you know everything is here and perfect.”

  Scarlett is right. I now officially have nothing to worry about. The only thing I haven’t visibly put my gaze on is the cake.

  My phone dings. The bakery delivery is here with the cake. I hold up my phone. “I’ll get this cake put in place then join you.”

  The guests have been arriving for fifteen minutes. I’ve heard nothing but amazing comments on the room and expectations are high. My parents are so well loved by their friends and their community, and tonight it shows.

  I excuse myself to check my lipstick and leave Scarlett to welcome the guests. Truth be told, I need a minute to myself. I’m not sure what that says about me as an event planner needing a moment fifteen minutes in, but it is what it is.

  My bra is cutting into my skin like I’ve hooked it one hook too far, so I step into the stall to fix it. The main door creaks slightly indicating someone else has come in.

  “That food wasn’t what I expected.” A woman’s voice says. “I’d have thought anyone having this fancy of a party would have better food.”

  My hand stops mid hook.

  The sound of running water fills the room. “I know what you mean. There isn’t anything wrong with it, it just doesn’t have any flavor.” A different voice speaks this time.

  I feel the now familiar warm flush come over my face. And to think I thought all that was behind me. I struggle to clasp my bra back into place.

  “I hope there is plenty of salt and pepper on the table. I’m still trying to figure out how food that looks so good tastes so bland.”

  “Truth. Charlie dug out some barbeque sauce from the back of the refrigerator and covered his beef in it. Said it was still tough, but at least it tasted good on his tongue.”

  The water stops running, the paper towel holder makes its noise, the door creaks and their laughter disappears along with my hopes of having a successful party for my parents.

  CHAPTER NINE

  I have to find Scarlett. This is too much. This is probably karma. I went with what I thought was the sure thing instead of letting my instinct make the decision. A trusted caterer or a world-renowned chef who had lost his passion for cooking, therefore losing his sense of what went with what.

  I mean really?

  Although Grant won’t be at the party to see me fail, Sonya will be here. Not that she’ll gloat or say I told you so, but she might ask for her money back.

  I have to taste this food. See for myself.

  Deciding to do this on my own, I leave Scarlett at the front door for a while longer and I wander back into the kitchen. Kelly is busy pointing her clipboard in different directions, barking orders to everyone. When she spies me, she immediately tucks in the clipboard and calms her voice.

  “Hi, Eden. Is everything okay?”

  “Sure. Just checking in to make sure everything is good in here.”

  She nods. “It’s running like clockwork. I know how important this night is for you.”

  Her smile seems sincere. How can the food be bad with this nice woman running the show? Maybe she doesn’t know.

  “Wow. I appreciate that extra effort. I do have another favor, though. I’ve been running around like crazy all day getting everything ready and I haven’t had a chance to eat a thing. Can I have a tiny plate? Just to tide me over?”

  Kelly nods. “Of course. Give me one moment.”

  I’m not in the least bit hungry, but I have to see, taste, for myself. I watch as Kelly talks to one of the servers who grabs a plate and starts dishing food onto it. Kelly grabs what looks like a thermometer and walks back to me. “Sally is fixing you a plate. Cheryl and I are on track with when we need to start bringing plates out. Don’t you worry about anything.”

  Sally comes over as soon as Kelly leaves and hands me the plate of food and a fork. “Thank you,” I say, but the girl moved away so fast I’m sure she didn’t hear me. I keep an eye on Kelly who is shoving the thermometer into the trays.

  I thought she was going to use the ovens to heat everything up?

  Hesitantly I taste the potatoes first. Really. How can they be bland? They’re potatoes with butter, cheese, chives, bacon bits, sour cream.

  But they are.

  Bland.

  I take another bite.

  Nothing. How can the flavor leave the food?

  I quickly put a piece of the asparagus in my mouth. It’s soft and has been cooked way too long and that’s why the flavor disappeared from that. I’m already in disappointment overload, but I taste the beef anyway.

  Beef. Or chicken.

  If my eyes were blindfolded and I was given this, I wouldn’t know what to call it. The gals in the restroom were right on one account. This needed salt and pepper. And something else, and something else after that.

  I walk over to the trash can and scrape the rest of the food into it.

  Visions of Grant and the garbage disposal come into my mind.

  I start laughing. I have to or I’ll cry.

  As I’m wiping tears from the corners of my eyes, I hear Scarlett calling my name. “Oh, there you are. There’s a guy,” she stops talking and looks at me. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Everything is going great.”

  If she only knew.

  “Well, was going great. There’s this guy who is asking for you. He’s gorgeous to be sure, but he’s in jeans, cowboy boots, and a polo. Not exactly the attire for tonight.”

  Great.

  Grant.

  It has to be Grant.

  Why is he here? Why would he show up in time for my failure to come to light?

  If I’d eaten more I’d probably be ready to throw up right now.

  “I’ll see him.”

  “You know who it is? Just by my description? What have you n
ot told me, and why wasn’t he invited to the party? Oh, and is he hands off for me?”

  “Totally hands off, Scarlett.” I take a deep breath and head into the lion’s den. Of course, it’s not the lion’s den right now. Everyone is still mingling, sipping their drinks. No plain, boring food has been served to them yet. But shortly…

  I see him by the front door. He’s talking to one of the guests, but his gaze is drifting. It lands on me. Just like that morning in the hospital.

  He smiles.

  I want to smile, but instead I tear up.

  He nods at the woman he’s talking to, then walks toward me.

  We meet halfway. There are so many things I want to say, but “I’m sorry,” comes out first.

  He leans down and kisses me.

  Not the brush of lips like yesterday morning. No, this is crushing yet tender, like he’s telling the room he’s mine.

  And I’m his.

  He breaks our kiss. “Hi, Eden. Contrary to what this looks like, I’m not crashing your party. At least not on this side of those doors.” He points to the doors leading into the kitchen area, grabs my hand and leads me through them.

  Kelly, still busy flailing her clipboard around, doesn’t even notice us.

  Grant looks around. “Good. The food hasn’t been plated yet.”

  Either his kiss has rattled my mind or I’m clueless. “No. That won’t be happening for a little while. We aren’t eating until seven forty-five.”

  “Perfect.” He looks at his watch. “One hour. Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but hear me out. Please.”

  “I’m all ears, Grant Allen.”

  “So, outside these doors,” he points to the doors leading outside, “is Thomas, Mason and a truck full of food. Good food. No, great food. And it’s all for your party.”

  I shift my gaze upward, like I can see God through the ceiling. Looking back at Grant I ask, “What do you mean you have a truck full of food?”

  “Well, word on the street is that Celebration Station doesn’t have a good reputation. So Thomas and I have been busy all afternoon. We have beef to die for, creamed potatoes and peas that will literally melt in your mouth with goodness, Thomas’s hand-made yeast rolls ready to pop in the oven, and carrots with a sugary, cinnamon syrup that will make everyone think they are eating dessert for the main course.”

  I grab onto Grant’s arm like I’m about to fall. And I probably am close to falling. With regret, with relief and with love.

  “You have no idea,” I start.

  “Shh. I do. And it’s all good. Let me help, Eden.”

  “You call it help, I call it saving the day. I’ll have Kelly clear her food out and you can move yours in. You don’t know what this means to me, Grant.”

  “Maybe not. But I know what you mean to me. Can I have the last dance of the night?”

  “You can have every dance.”

  “Eden, the night was incredible. Your business will be a hit across the city, the state. You did an amazing job. I’m so proud of my little girl.” My father hugs me, then steps aside so Mom can hug me.

  “We truly were surprised. We had no clue. You made our anniversary divine, one we will remember forever. We’ll talk tomorrow. Thank you again. Come on, Sonya. We need to get you home.”

  Sonya hugs me. “Everything turned out perfectly. I know you are going places, Eden. I already heard a couple of the ladies talking about hiring you.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you, Sonya. Now get some rest, and we’ll chat soon. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you.” My gaze drifts to Grant who is talking with Mason, Thomas, and Scarlett.

  “I’m sure you will. Until tomorrow.”

  I watch the three of them walk out the door, my dad graciously helping Sonya. I shut the door and walk over to where my friends are standing.

  Yes, friends.

  “Hi, Eden.” Grant moves over to make room for me next to him. “We were just talking about how flustered Kelly got when you asked her to take her food out of the kitchen.”

  “She was. But she knew the food wasn’t up to par.”

  “It was a lot of fun,” Mason says. “But now there’s clean up to do.” He looks at Grant. “Ready, chef?”

  Grant laughs. “Chef? There’s the real chef.” Grant points to Thomas.

  “Get on out of here, Mr. Grant. It’s all you. Don’t try to play me or any of these fine people.”

  “Honestly, Thomas is the real hero.”

  “I say you’re all heroes.” Mason looks around our circle. “Now let’s be super heroes and get this kitchen cleaned up.”

  “I’ll help,” Scarlett says, keeping close to Mason. “The more hands, the faster the clean up.”

  “Thanks.” Mason looks at Scarlett, his gaze lingering.

  “Eden and I will be there in a couple of minutes.” He grabs my hand, and we walk to one of the round tables that has been cleared by the club staff.

  Grant pulls out a chair, and I sit. He sits across from me and takes my hand. “Where to start,” he says.

  “I’ll start with I’m sorry and thank you. Without you this night would have been the biggest bust ever.”

  He shakes his head. “It wasn’t me. I was just having a conversation with Thomas about your decision, which I understood, and his eyes got big and wide when I told him the name of the caterer you were using. He said they had a bad reputation. He said we should cook up some food for the party. I thought he was kidding, but he wasn’t. The next thing I know we’ve gone to the store, bought the food, and started cooking up a storm. Mason got in on it too, and bam. We landed here with a short time to spare.”

  “I guess your mom gave you all the information. I should have trusted you.”

  “Why? I gave you no good reason. You did what you thought was right. No one can fault you for that, Eden.”

  I lose myself in his brown eyes. I want to stare into them forever, but I’m not sure where he stands. “I do trust you, Grant. I trusted you after you came to my place Thursday morning, but I had already given my word and your mom’s money to Kelly. Huge mistake. I guess I need some discerning skills.”

  “Everything will come with time. You can’t be perfect at everything, Eden. Although I do know something you are perfect at.” He leans toward me and I lean into him, our lips meeting with passion, softness, and need.

  He breaks our kiss only to scoop me onto his lap. “I think there’s a good chance I’ll be staying here in Georgia. I’ve made some really good friends.”

  “Hmm. I like that idea.”

  “Yes. Thomas, Mason. They’re good friends.”

  I smile. “No doubt.”

  “Then there’s this girl. Her name is Eden. She kissed me when I was like six. I think I kind of like her.”

  “You mean you kissed me.”

  “I think the important thing is that we kissed. And here we are, over twenty years later, still kissing.”

  “Eden’s not complaining,” I say, wanting him to kiss me again.

  “Eden is also wearing two different shoes.”

  I sit straight. “No. No way.” I look down. One blue shoe and one black shoe.

  Again.

  “I swear the only time I do this is when you’re around.”

  “Then maybe I should leave.”

  I kiss him. “No. You should stay. Just to keep me from wearing mismatched shoes, of course.”

  “You know you have to wear two different shoes at our wedding. It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t.”

  “Our wedding?”

  “Yes. Our wedding. You’re my future, Eden, my everything. I love you.”

  I could see my future connected to his, our lives being lived out together. He makes my heart happy and my soul complete. “I love you, Grant.”

  His lips meet mine and I shut my eyes, savoring every moment of his kiss.

  The End

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for journeying with me in Magnolias and Moonshine. How amazi
ng it is when a group of authors can get together and create a great reading community. I’m appreciative to each and every reader. I’d also like to thank Ciara Knight for inviting me to this project and all of the other authors who have worked graciously together.

  A huge thank you as always to my mom who reads everything. My editor Emily Sewell keeps me on track. Any mistakes are mine, she’s amazing.

  Thank you again for all readers. As a reader myself, I love immersing myself into another world and meeting new characters. I also love falling in love as they do. So here’s to falling in love!

  Preview of It Could Happen to Us by Lucy McConnell

  It Could Happen to Us

  Lucy McConnell

  Chapter 1

  Allie placed a fresh piece of pecan pie in front of Jack. Jack was a regular who said he hated to cook, but Allie suspected he just didn’t like eating alone. “You sure you don’t want ice cream on that?”

  Jack lifted his faded, gray-eyed gaze in her direction. “Wish I could, sweetie, but the doctor says I have to cut back if I want to live to see my grandchildren graduate from high school.”

  “Then I won’t tempt you again.” She patted his back before making her way behind the counter to clean up the crumpled napkins.

  Selina sat down at the counter with a cup of coffee she’d retrieved for herself. Her gray-blond hair was down today, hanging just past her shoulders, and she wore a pair of tight jeans.

  Allie hoped that when she was a mom she’d be just as stylin’. Selina had come in to pick up her check and decided to stay and chat. Her son met with a group at Aaron’s Home for Autistic Children on Fridays, so Selina had some time to herself.

  “How’s the hip?” Selina asked Jack.

  “Not so bad this time of year. Winter can be painful.”

  “My neighbor has arthritis in her knee. You’re supposed to walk to keep limber.”

  The bell over the door chimed, and Allie looked up to greet the new customer.

  “Welcome back,” Allie said with a smile. Two weeks had passed since the cops had stopped in for a quick meal, and while things hadn’t improved in her life, they hadn’t gotten worse. She was calling that a win. Besides, William, her miserly boss, was off having a root canal. He may return grumpier than a plucked goose, but his temporary absence lightened the whole restaurant.