by Annie Rains
His shriek had been loud and high-pitched—unworthy of his action hero persona on-screen.
“You’re right. I don’t deserve this job. I deserve better.” She’d marched past the cleaning crew, trembling and praying to God he didn’t chase after her. Then she’d taken a cab straight to the police station to file a report. She doubted it’d done any good though. There were no witnesses, and a hand up her skirt was as far as Bradley had gotten. When she’d gone to work the next day, her boss had summoned her to his office. Bradley had called to complain. He’d said that Kaitlyn had made an inappropriate and unwanted advance toward him. She’d also assaulted him with her knee to his groin, and he was threatening to press charges.
Kaitlyn had tried to explain what had happened. She was the victim, not Bradley Foster. But her longtime boss had fired her anyway. Her career with one of the leading design firms in New York was over.
Kaitlyn blinked, realizing her eyes were stinging. A tear slipped down her cheek. Crap.
Then the front door opened, and Mitch stepped inside.
She could feel his gaze assessing her as she quickly wiped the tear away. “Hey. I was just, um, cleaning. All the dust in here seems to be stirring up my allergies.” She kept her gaze hidden, hoping he’d buy her excuse even though the house was spotless these days.
He nodded. “I thought I’d get to work fixing the front door. It’s still catching a little bit.”
“Um-hmm.” She pulled her sketchbook to her and pretended to make herself busy, though the page was blank and her pencil lead broken. She’d never been good at lying, and even if she were, she doubted she could pull anything over on Mitch.
He graciously pulled his gaze from her and looked around the room. “Looks like you found more of Mable’s Christmas decorations.”
Kaitlyn looked up and watched him assess what she’d done. “Hopefully there’s not a rule about waiting until after Thanksgiving here.”
“Not according to Mable. She was as bad as the stores, playing ‘Jingle Bells’ before Halloween.”
Kaitlyn smiled at this. Thanksgiving was next Thursday so she wasn’t quite that bad. And she’d never had a house and several boxes’ worth of decorations to put out. This was new, and it challenged the interior designer in her.
“You’ve been busy.”
“So have you. We’ve barely stopped working over the last few weeks, and it’s paid off, I’d say. The magazine will be floating around the country anytime now. Then I expect the phone to start ringing off the hook.” She looked over at the old-fashioned phone on the table by the wall. It was silent just as it had been all day. No matter if the December issue of Loving Life wasn’t out yet, the B&B was in the phone listings. People could happen upon it and book reservations anytime.
Mitch was watching her again. She probably looked a mess. “You know what? This place is ready,” he said.
She shook her head. “No. There are still a few things left to do.”
“Maybe, but everyone deserves a break.” He stepped closer. “You haven’t explored the town since you’ve been here. When the guests arrive, how are you supposed to direct them where to shop or eat?”
“I’ve been to Sweetwater Springs before,” she said.
“Not recently. Go get dressed. I’m taking you out.”
“You don’t have to. I’m sure that’s not how you want to spend your afternoon.”
“And you’d be right about that. I hate sightseeing almost as much as I hate shopping.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Then why are you offering to take me out to do just that?”
“Because I know you’ll love it.”
* * *
What am I doing? All Mitch knew was he’d walked into the B&B and Kaitlyn had been in tears. She’d been working too hard. Blue circles underscored her brown eyes, telling him she wasn’t sleeping. How could she when she’d spent the last couple of weeks cleaning and decorating so that she could revive this old inn in such a short time? He could suffer through a couple hours of exploring downtown if it’d help her relax.
She didn’t move an inch.
“Might want to wear a heavy coat,” he advised. “Once the sun goes down, it’s freezing in the valley this time of year. I have spare clothes in the truck. I’ll clean up and change in one of the guest bathrooms.” He wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“Mitch, really, I’m fine. You agreed to help me fix up this place, nothing else.”
He walked over and sat down on the edge of the couch. He’d been working outdoors all day and didn’t want to dirty anything up. “Okay. Have it your way. It was a bad idea. I was kind of looking forward to the homemade fudge though.”
She turned to look at him.
This was going to be easy. He almost felt guilty about manipulating her. “Triple chocolate. Dawanda makes it better than anyone I know. I used to crave it on deployments, where the most you could hope for was a MoonPie from someone’s care package.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Dawanda’s Fudge Shop is one of my favorite stores downtown. It’s right next to a little gift shop my mom enjoys going into. You know, the kind where you’re afraid to move because you might break something?” He looked at Kaitlyn, whose big brown eyes were narrowed.
“Do you really think I’m that easy?” she asked.
He shifted his gaze. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“You do think I’m that easy,” she said, surprise lifting her voice. She let out a small laugh. “You actually think the mention of chocolate and knickknacks is going to make me race down the hall to get dressed and go out with you.” She chuckled harder.
Well, this was one way to make her feel better. Apparently, he’d made a fool of himself, and she thought it was hilarious. Watching her catch her breath, he decided he’d be a fool for her any day of the week.
She looked at him seriously. “Thank you,” she finally said. “I needed that. You know, you’re pretty adorable when you try to do something sweet.”
The s word made him twitch a little bit. “I’m not sweet.”
“It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.” She grinned and punched a soft fist into his shoulder. “It’ll only take me a few minutes to get changed. You can put on fresh clothes in the Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy room.”
“Thought you just called me out on my BS.”
She nodded. “I did. And to pay you back, I’m going to enjoy watching you suffer as we go into every single store downtown.”
* * *
After getting cleaned up, Mitch drove Kaitlyn to the town square. They parked and strolled along a strip of shops that hugged Silver Lake. He’d been right about the weather. The windchill was already in the upper twenties, even with the sun at their backs. Since she hadn’t heeded his warning about a heavy coat, he leaned in and wrapped his arm around her as they made their way along the boardwalk.
“For warmth,” he said, hoping to convince himself as well.
“I never would have guessed you were so sweet.”
“Not sweet, just trying to help.”
She laughed. “Does the word funny offend you too? Because I also find you pretty funny. Why do you hide it under a serious, macho shell?”
“I’m a marine,” he told her as if that were any justification.
“Were a marine,” she corrected. “Or is it ‘once a marine, always a marine’?”
He considered his answer. He’d enjoyed being a military police officer, but he’d always known he wasn’t a lifer. He’d only joined because he’d needed to leave town and wanted to help his mom financially. Now that he had job experience and highly sought-after skills, he could continue to help her as a civilian. “I guess I’ll always have a little marine in me. And a little cop.” He tugged her over to keep her from stepping on a broken piece of sidewalk.
She looked up and started to say something.
“Don’t call me any of those cutesy words,” he warned, only half joking, “or no
fudge for you.”
“Grouch,” she teased.
“That’s better.”
* * *
The air was a mixture of the surrounding evergreens and Mitch. Two of Kaitlyn’s new favorite scents.
“Fudge first, right?” he asked, his arm still draped around her.
“I’m curious about the best fudge I’ve never tasted. You know New York boasts just about the best of everything. You can’t walk a full block without seeing a sign promoting something that’s either the best in the world or at least world famous.”
“I’ve never been to New York,” he confessed.
She was surprised. “Everyone’s been to the Big Apple.”
“I’ve pretty much been everywhere else in the world though. And I can say with all confidence that Dawanda’s fudge puts everyone else’s to shame.” He stopped walking in front of a glass storefront. “Forewarning,” he said before pulling the door open, “Dawanda also likes to do complimentary cappuccino readings.”
Kaitlyn lifted her face so she could get a good look at him. Was he kidding? “I’ve never heard of cappuccino readings before.”
He laughed—a full-on, sincere chuckle. “Well, there’s one thing Sweetwater Springs has over New York. Maybe you can send some of your guests in Dawanda’s direction once they start arriving.”
The way he said your guests, referring to the B&B’s customers, didn’t go unnoticed. She and Mitch were just having a good time this evening and nothing more.
They walked into the fudge shop and were greeted by a woman in her mid to late fifties with short red hair that formed tousled waves atop her head. She had lipstick color to match. Bright-blue eyes complemented her fair skin and vibrant hair and lips.
“Mitch!” the woman squealed, clapping her hands in front of her. “You’re home!” She came running around the counter, a tiny fireball shooting toward them.
“Just for a little while,” he said.
The sprite of a woman gave him a huge hug. “That’s what you say, but I told you”—she pulled back and pointed a finger at him—“one of these days you’ll come home, and some young thing will steal your heart and make you stay. The cappuccino never lies.” The woman, who Kaitlyn guessed was Dawanda, turned and looked at her. “Or maybe you’ve already found her. Who is this?” Dawanda pulled her hands away from Mitch and offered a hand to Kaitlyn to shake. “I’m Dawanda. You’re new in town.”
“Yes. Just arrived three weeks ago. I’m Kaitlyn Russo.”
Acknowledgment registered in Dawanda’s expression. “You’re Mable and Henry’s granddaughter.” The store owner’s eyes colored with sadness. “I’m so sorry about your grandmother. Mable spoke of you often. She was so proud of her granddaughter working in the big city. She used to tell me about some of your clients. Big names too!”
Kaitlyn lowered her gaze for just a second, thinking of the biggest name she’d worked with. The one who’d sunk her career.
“Kaitlyn inherited the Russos’ bed and breakfast,” Mitch told Dawanda.
“Oh, how wonderful. So you’ll be fixing it up?” the shop owner asked.
Kaitlyn gestured between herself and Mitch. “Mitch and I both inherited it, actually. We’re fixing it up together.”
“But I’ll be selling my half and heading out as soon as possible,” he clarified. “I have a security job lined up in Northern Virginia.”
Dawanda’s red lips tugged into a frown. “There are security jobs here. I know for a fact that the police department is shorthanded. What’s Virginia have that Sweetwater Springs doesn’t?”
“Certainly not the best fudge I’ve ever tasted,” he said.
“They certainly don’t. I have the best fudge.” Dawanda winked at Kaitlyn. “Would you like to try some, sweetie?”
“I’d love to.”
Kaitlyn and Mitch followed Dawanda to a table along the side of the wall and sat down.
“How about a sampler?” Mitch said.
“A sampler plate coming right up.” Dawanda disappeared, leaving them alone.
“Dawanda did one of these cappuccino readings on you?” Kaitlyn asked.
He shook his head and looked down at his clasped hands on the table. If she wasn’t mistaken, he looked a little embarrassed. “She did. But I’m not giving you any of the details.”
“Oh, come on. Something about a girl stealing your heart away?”
He met her gaze and stole her breath. “I don’t believe in fortunes, especially ones that come out of a coffee mug.” The corner of his mouth quirked softly.
She giggled in response. “Does she believe in them?”
“Who? Dawanda? Oh, definitely. Don’t try to convince her it’s just foam. I love Dawanda though. I’ve been coming to this place since I was a kid. Dad used to bring me here. My mom couldn’t much afford to take me out after he died. Dawanda always insisted on giving me a free treat when we came to town though. It meant a lot.”
“I’m sure.”
“Here you go!” Dawanda set a plate of fudge squares in front of them. “No fighting over them, you two,” she said. “And when you’re done, you’ll have a complimentary cappuccino.”
Mitch gave Kaitlyn a look that told her she was in for something she’d never forget, and she couldn’t wait. She was enjoying every second of this unexpected outing with Mitch, maybe a little more than she should.
CHAPTER SIX
Mitch didn’t have that much of a sweet tooth but he was enjoying the hell out of his visit to Dawanda’s Fudge Shop, thanks in large part to Kaitlyn.
“I think I have a sugar high,” she said, laughing at something he’d said.
“One might think you’ve been drinking Dawanda’s equally famous eggnog.”
“Eggnog too? I can’t wait to try it.”
It was good to see Kaitlyn having a good time. That was the whole point of tonight.
She shook her head as her laughter died down. Then her gaze fell on the last piece of fudge on the plate.
“Dawanda said no fighting, remember?” he reminded her.
“I won’t have to fight you.” She grinned, and a little spark of mischief lit up her brown eyes. “We’ll decide who gets the final piece like two civilized adults.”
Honestly, he didn’t want that last piece but he was intrigued by whatever plan she had up her sleeve. “Okay.” He leaned forward on the table, resting his elbows there. “What do you have in mind?”
“A game of chance.” Her gaze flicked to the door, where only a handful of people had come and gone since they’d arrived half an hour earlier. “I say the next customer to walk in will be a woman.”
“How old?” he asked.
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Late twenties. Your turn. Whoever is closest to the actual truth wins the last piece of fudge.”
“Okay. I’ll guess that the next customer is a man in his fifties. Graying hair.”
She rubbed her hands together in front of her. “No way. The man would probably need to be watching his blood sugar.”
“Dawanda makes sugar-free fudge.” He liked how playful Kaitlyn had become now that she was away from her long to-do list. She seemed relaxed and carefree. And for a moment, he forgot that he was neither of those things as long as he was in Sweetwater Springs.
They both turned to look at the door but no customers walked through. Kaitlyn drummed her fingers on the table and looked at the plate of fudge again. Mitch was just about to surrender it to her when Dawanda buzzed over.
“Okay, you two. Cappuccino time!” She placed a tray with two cups of coffee and a metal pitcher of steaming milk in front of them and then grabbed a chair from a neighboring table and pulled it up to sit beside Kaitlyn. “All right, sweetheart. I’m sure Mitch here has told you about my special skill.”
Kaitlyn met Mitch’s gaze. “A little bit.”
“So you’re going to let me read your drink, yes?”
“Umm…” Kaitlyn hedged.
“Ah, come on. Don’t be a chicken.
” Mitch gestured to the mug. “It’s all in fun.”
Dawanda jerked her head up. “No, it’s not. It’s serious. I know you don’t believe me but you will. One day.” She moved her gaze back to Kaitlyn. “So, is the answer yes?”
Lifting a shoulder, Kaitlyn nodded. “Okay, I guess.”
“Good.” Dawanda set one cup of coffee in front of Kaitlyn and turned the handle until it pointed in Kaitlyn’s direction. “We need to make sure the cup knows who it’s reading.” Then she reached for the pitcher of shiny, white milk and ceremoniously held it up to the mug. “The cappuccino never lies,” she said solemnly as she poured directly into the middle of the beverage, making a creamy froth at the top.
Dawanda didn’t blink. She kept her blue eyes pinned to the design that formed inside the drink.
When Dawanda had read his cappuccino a couple of years back, she’d predicted he’d fall for someone here in Sweetwater Springs. If that happened, he’d be tempted to stay, and no part of him wanted to do that. But it was all in fun.
“Hmm,” Dawanda hummed, leaning over Kaitlyn’s mug. Her face was only a few inches from the drink. Not very appetizing.
“What is it?” Kaitlyn asked, looking worried. If Mitch didn’t know better, he’d think she actually believed in this unheard-of form of fortune-telling.
“Well, this is very interesting.” Dawanda looked up. “It appears that you will be entering into a long-lasting partnership that will change your life. See the door?”
Kaitlyn squinted at the frothy topping in her drink and shook her head. “Not really.”
“Right there.” Dawanda pointed. “The door is fully open. That represents a partnership or relationship.” Dawanda frowned into the mug. “Well, this is very unusual.”
“What?” Kaitlyn leaned forward.
Dawanda lifted her gaze to meet Kaitlyn’s. “I can usually read what type of relationship a person is entering into but yours is unclear. I’m not sure if it’s a friendship, business arrangement, or maybe something romantic. Could be you’ll fall in love in Sweetwater Springs too. Whatever the relationship, it’s a good thing for you. I don’t see any bad signs here. Embrace the relationship when it comes.” A wide lipstick grin spread through Dawanda’s high cheekbones.