The Recipe for Romance

by Lara Van Hulzen

  “Working on a Sunday, heh?”

  He pointed to where they sat in her studio, the signs still sitting in front of them. “You judge?”

  “Touché.” She laughed at that. He was right. She’s spent her entire day off working. “However, I have a feeling you work on a Sunday way more than I do.”

  “That’s true. This wasn’t really work though. My father has me looking into something for him.”

  “What do you do, exactly?” In all their time together, she’d never asked him what kind of work he did, specifically. She just assumed it was something in his father’s business, which she didn’t know anything about either.

  “I run the family office, which means I manage the family assets, do deals, buy businesses. Real estate, things like that.”

  “Same as your dad?”

  “No. Dad made his money in television and broadcasting.”

  She turned to face him, tucking her legs beneath her in a crisscross pattern. “No way. That’s so cool. You know, that reminds me. Franchesca told me this morning she heard another rumor that the moneybags—her word not mine—who wants to buy this building is a big Hollywood director. Isn’t that crazy?”

  “Nuts.”

  It could have been her imagination, but she could have sworn Wes’s demeanor changed at her comment. The relaxed, laid-back, let’s sit on the floor and have a picnic guy disappeared for a second.

  “What else has she heard?”

  “Not much else. Again, it’s rumors. I’m not taking any stock in that.”

  “Are you still worried about what will happen to the studio if the building sells?” The relaxed Wes was back, but with an air of businessman about him. Which made sense. And was most likely the reason she’d talked to him about the situation. If she needed advice in the near future, he was a sure bet to ask for help if needed.

  “A little. But what would a Hollywood director want with this building?”

  She looked around then stood to take their plates to the trash. She hadn’t given it much thought since Franchesca had said something about it. But rumors were still flying, which meant there was a good chance they were partly true.

  Noelle tossed their plates and made her way back to their spot on the floor. She hoped they were mere rumors. Losing her studio would be another dream down the drain. Where would she be then? She didn’t dare think about it. Besides, it was much more fun to think about the man who sat on the floor of her studio now adding glitter to her signs. The man was a constant surprise. And Noelle did love surprises.

  Chapter Eleven

  Wes packed one last thing in his bag and zipped it closed. After an enlightening dinner with Noelle two nights before on the floor of her studio, he’d spent the rest of the evening and the following day making plans that could either thrill Noelle or have her upset with him. He’d talked to Holly though and after her reassurance, he was confident it would be the former response.

  “Where you off to?” Mike asked.

  “I’m going to New York. Just a quick trip. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Wes checked his work bag one more time. The trip was by no means meant for work, but he did have one meeting the next morning he would squeeze in while he was there. A meeting he had no intention of telling Noelle about, but an important one all the same.

  “You will, huh?” His brother stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the doorframe to Wes’s room.

  He looked up from his bag at his brother. “Why do you say it like that?”

  “I don’t know. You seem pretty keen on getting out of here sooner rather than later. I wouldn’t be surprised if you stayed. Didn’t come back.”

  It was tough to argue with that. Wes had made it clear when he’d first arrived that Montana was the last place he wanted to be. It was to be a short visit. Key word being short. But circumstances, along with a leggy brunette who now filled his almost every thought, were changing his mind.

  “Yeah. Well, I have a Bake-Off I need to get back for, remember?”

  Mike laughed. “Oh, I remember. I think the beautiful woman you get to bake with has more to do with you wanting to return than anything else though.”

  Wes couldn’t argue with that either. So he said nothing. Zipped up his work bag and set it beside his small suitcase.

  “I see. No answer. Stoic Wes decides once again not to share.”

  “Come on, man. You make me sound like a…”

  “Like a man who keeps things close to the vest? Who won’t get into a real relationship because it’s messy and something he can’t control?”

  “Okay, Oprah. I see where you’re going with this. You want me to talk? Fine. I’ll talk.” Wes sat in one of the chairs at the base of his bed. He faced his brother, who was still in the doorway. “I like Noelle. There. You happy now?”

  “That’s it? You sat down to have a long chat with me, bare your soul, and all I get is ‘I like Noelle?’ Tell me something I don’t know.”

  Wes ran a hand through his hair. “You’re killing me, man. Seriously.”

  “How about telling me why you’re so against being here? Or why you can’t understand Dad wanting to be here?”

  Not thrilled with having to talk about his feelings about his family, Wes was still somewhat relieved to have the topic off Noelle. “I don’t know. I just don’t get it. Why would Dad want so much change after all this time? New York is his home. It was their home. His and Mom’s.”

  “Was.” Mike looked down at his feet. “Sometimes life throws you changes you don’t want. You don’t get to choose.”

  His heart ached for his brother. Burying his young bride was something Mike never could have anticipated. Hell, no one could.

  “I’m sorry, Mike.”

  Mike looked at him again. “Don’t be sorry. Life happens. I made the decision to bring myself and Annalise here and it’s been a good change. One I chose, and I’m happy with it. I’m just asking you to give Dad a little room to be different than he used to be. Mom’s death changed all of us.”

  Wes nodded and looked out the window. Maybe he had been too hard on the old man.

  “For you, this place, this house, reminds you of when Mom was sick. And I get that. But it was where she was happiest, even through her illness. And Dad knows that. I think it’s where he feels her presence the most still. If he needs to cling to that a bit to get through it, who are we to fight him on it?”

  “Okay. I hear you. He does seem…happy, in his own sort of way.”

  Mike laughed. “Yeah. I’m not sure happy is the right word. Maybe peaceful.”

  Yeah. Peaceful. Daniel St. Claire had never come across to Wes as unhappy. Busy. A great businessman. A good husband and father. And a serious man. But Mike was right, there was a peace about him that was new.

  Maybe that’s what was eating Wes. Everyone said he was a carbon copy of his father. Business was their first love. Sure, his father had married and had a family, but Marian St. Claire was a rare breed. A woman who wasn’t jealous of her husband’s attention to his work. She supported him, encouraged him. Was his partner in every way. And in turn, his father had adored her.

  Noelle made Wes want things he’d never thought of wanting before. But at what cost? Could she stand by the side of him that stayed up all hours working on a deal? Or would that side of him wear her down? Their conversation in the kitchen came to mind. She was quick to defend his success, how hard he worked. And after only knowing him for a short time.

  Mike pushed himself away from the doorframe and took a step into the hallway. “Have fun in New York with Noelle.”

  His comment pulled Wes from his thoughts. “How did you…?”

  “Our pilot called. Said the plane was ready. Verified four passengers and their names. I’ll see you when you get back.” With a smirk, he turned and left the room.

  Wes stood and shook his head. He’d forgotten to tell their pilot to call his phone directly. He must’ve called the house phone instead. Sometimes being in a big family wa
s like living in a small town—everyone knew your business whether you wanted them to or not. His punk of a brother knew more than he was letting on when he’d started their heart-to-heart.

  The clock on the wall caught his eye. With a groan, he turned and grabbed his bags off the bed. Because of said little heart-to-heart with Mike, he was now running late. Something he abhorred in life.

  As he made his way down the stairs and into the car Wilson had waiting for him, he put his conversation with Mike aside in his mind. He had a plane to catch and a gorgeous dancer to surprise.

  *

  “Just give me some sort of hint, Holly,” Noelle all but begged her sister as they packed their suitcases. Suitcases for a trip where Noelle had no idea where they were going, who they were going with, or how she was even going to do so with a performance at the end of the week and classes to teach. The only information she had was that they were leaving that morning and returning the following afternoon.

  “Nope. You love surprises, so be surprised.” Holly stood her ground as she pulled a sweater from Noelle’s closet and added it to her bag. Holly knew where they were going and said it would just be easier if she packed for the both of them.

  “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Noelle paced the room. Watching Holly pack for her was making the anticipation even worse. With nothing to do, she could only fret over all she was skipping to go on this adventure, whatever it was. The only reason she’d agreed to it was Franchesca all but pushed her out the door of the studio the night before saying their friendship was over if she didn’t go, and Holly assured her all her classes would be covered by the other teachers. Everyone acted as if it was imperative she take this surprise trip, and as much as she did love a good surprise, it was killing her that Holly wouldn’t say where they were going.

  A knock at the door stopped her from pacing.

  “Who’s that?”

  “Why don’t you go open the door and see?” Holly zipped up her bag and handed it to her. “I’m going to go get my bag.”

  Noelle made her way to the front door, her flowered duffel bag in hand. Were they flying somewhere? They didn’t really have the extra funds for that right now. Was Franchesca giving them a ride to the airport? Possibilities swirled around in her head as she opened the door.

  All thoughts of travel fled from her mind as she took in the sight of Wes St. Claire on her doorstep. Impeccably dressed from head to toe, as always, his smile warmed her to her toes. “Are you ready?”

  Ready? Ready for what?

  He put out a hand and took her bag from her. “Let me help you with this.”

  Wait. Why was Wes helping her with her bag?

  Holly breezed by her in the doorway. “Come on, Sis. Let’s go.”

  Still unsure of what was happening, Noelle let her sister guide her out the door before she closed and locked it behind them.

  “Here. Put these on.” Holly placed Noelle’s coat and scarf in her hands and made her way to the car waiting for them by the curb. Wes put their bags in the trunk and Holly thanked Wilson who held open the car door for her.

  Still unable to move, Noelle stood at the entrance to their apartment. Wes came up to her, almost toe to toe. “Surprise.”

  His voice was like a whisper against her skin, the light in his eyes dancing with mischief.

  “You?”

  He smiled. “Me.”

  “But…where are we going?”

  “Do you trust me?” He put his hand out for her to take.

  She shook her head. “This is crazy.”

  “Maybe.”

  She placed her hand in his and with a soft brush of his lips to her cheek, he turned and led her to the car.

  As if floating on air, she followed, her mind trying to shift gears from a quick getaway with her sister to a quick getaway with Wes and Holly and…

  “Hey, Noelle,” Jeff said as she ducked into the back seat of the car.

  So. A double date type of getaway. Things were beginning to fall into place.

  Wes got in after her, taking the seat beside her. The back of the Town Car was designed more like a limo with seats facing one another. Jeff and Holly sat across from them.

  Wilson handed a bundle of roses over the front seat to Jeff and Wes who then placed them in Noelle’s and Holly’s arms.

  “Oh my gosh! You two are the best!” Holly all but jumped into Jeff’s lap, kissing and hugging him.

  He leaned back laughing. “As much as I love this response, I have rose thorns digging into my chest.”

  Holly sat back and cradled the flowers once more, now a bit more mushed than they’d been a minute ago. “Sorry!” Noelle could tell her sister’s apology was halfhearted. She was sorry she’d mushed the flowers, but was for sure not sorry she’d gotten kisses out of it.

  Noelle avoided Wes’s eyes. Holly’s public display of affection made her even more aware of Wes’s presence beside her and how much she’d like to hop in his lap and thank him with kisses as well.

  “I wasn’t sure what your favorite color was so I went with Fire and Ice roses,” Wes whispered to her.

  Noelle looked at the flowers in her lap. The petals where white at the bottom with red on the tips. Each one flawless, they were beyond beautiful.

  “They reminded me of Christmas.”

  “They’re gorgeous.” Looking at him now, and thankful for a reason to not continue watching her sister and Jeff snuggle as Wilson drove them down Main Street toward wherever they were going, Noelle had to grin at the boyish look on his face. He must’ve given countless women flowers in his lifetime, and yet at that moment he looked like a school kid hoping the girl he asked to prom liked the bouquet he’d chosen. “Truly. They’re breathtaking. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” His smile did funny things to her insides and had her considering once more hopping in his lap and thanking him with kisses, especially when his eyes wandered to her mouth.

  Did he want to kiss her as well? It was obvious they enjoyed each other’s company, but it was also obvious that a relationship between them wasn’t the best idea. She’d just settled into Marietta, into a new world. One she liked. How Wes St. Claire could fit into all of it, she had yet to figure out.

  “So, are you ladies ready for a fun-filled thirty hours or so?” Jeff asked.

  “Yes!” Holly answered.

  “Well, I might have a more accurate answer if I knew where we were going or what we are doing.” All she was aware of at this point was that Wes and Jeff were involved in the getaway beyond her and Holly, but that was all. There were many more details missing.

  “Your sister said you like surprises. I thought it might be fun to give you a surprise trip. To thank you for all you’re doing for me, helping me with the Bake-Off and all.”

  Ah, and there it was. He wasn’t interested in her. He was being nice. Thanking her for all her help. As friends. A part of her heart sank. She’d been reading too much into things. Him bringing them dinner at the studio, this grand gesture of a trip. In his world, those were most likely typical thank-yous.

  As her heart adjusted to being friend zoned, she managed a smile. “This is really too big of a thank-you. It’s just one friend helping another with something.” He seemed to buy her attempt to shrug it off; her true feelings were masked well. She buried her face in the flowers, pretending to be enthralled with their beauty and letting their scent take precedence in her senses over his cologne that made her want to snuggle in close and never leave.

  “You’ve been working so hard, Noey.” Holly leaned forward in her seat toward Noelle. “Wes called and asked me if I thought this was a good idea. Franchesca and I and the other teachers at the studio got things covered for you. Franchesca even said she’d disown you as a friend if you didn’t go.”

  Noelle had to smile at that. It wasn’t a hollow threat either. Franchesca meant everything she said.

  “We’ll be gone for just over a day’s time. I wouldn’t have moved forward with t
he surprise if your family and friends hadn’t approved.” Wes looked at her, needing reassurance he hadn’t done something she’d be upset about.

  Although he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, he’d gone to a lot of trouble to thank her. The last thing she wanted was to seem ungrateful.

  “You thought of everything. I can’t thank you enough. It sounds wonderful. Whatever you have planned, I’m sure I’ll love it.” He rested his hand beside her on the seat. Part of her wanted to reach out, touch him. But she smiled at him instead. She meant every word. She was grateful to him. And if friendship was all he wanted, she could live with that. Her head said so, even as her heart fought the idea.

  “I hope so.” He took her hand in his and kissed it.

  Oh dear. Maybe she couldn’t live with it.

  “We’re here.”

  Distracted by the conversation, Noelle hadn’t even noticed the car had stopped. She looked out the window. All she could see were miles and miles of open land. “We’re where?”

  Wilson opened Wes’s door. He got out of the car then turned to offer her his hand. She took it and crawled out, the roses still in her grasp.

  Noelle stood staring, her hand still encased in Wes’s. Where there had been miles of open land on her side of the car, on the other sat a private jet, complete with red carpet leading up to the stairway.

  Holly and Jeff got out of the car.

  “Did you guys get a new G6?” Jeff asked.

  “Dad bought it a few months ago,” Wes answered.

  “Man, I love being friends with you.” Jeff clapped a hand on Wes’s shoulder.

  Wes laughed. “So you’ve said.”

  Jeff and Holly made their way to the aircraft. Noelle’s feet couldn’t move.

  “You have a plane.”

  “We have a plane.”

  Still holding Noelle’s hand with his left hand, he waved his right hand toward the plane. “You up for an adventure with me?”

  Was she? She feared an adventure with Wes might lead to a broken heart. She took in the sight of the plane. And Wes. A lock of his hair had fallen down his forehead from the wind. Everything in her said a broken heart might just be worth it. There was only one way to find out.