by Judi Lynn
He glanced at her, surprised. “Why would you need to please me? I don’t care what you choose.”
That pissed her off even more. “I suppose you like Ralph’s diner?”
“Sure do. Everyday food cooked the way it should be. Top quality.”
Her lips thinned into a grim line. “You don’t like me much, do you?”
Daphne squirmed. Tyne made a habit of saying what he thought. She opened her lips to intercept the conversation, but he shrugged. “If Daphne likes you, I like you. That simple.”
Daphne didn’t know what to say. She stared at him, surprised. Did he mean that?
He laughed at her expression. “Friends are there for each other, right? I get it.”
He flipped the potatoes onto a cutting board and added eggs to the nonstick skillet. When the eggs were ready, he sliced the potatoes into wedges, then topped each with an egg and some of the flavored sour cream. He added some spinach salad on the side and carried the plates to the small kitchen table.
Shelby had a sour look on her face, and Daphne doubted she’d like his food, no matter how good it was. But then she bit into it, and a low moan escaped her. A smug smile tugged at Tyne’s lips. Damn, the man was good! He could make you like him when you were determined not to.
Chapter 26
It surprised Tyne when he learned that Daphne was taking Shelby to Chase’s bar tonight. On a Saturday. With music and dancing. He grinned to himself. The cats went away, and the mice meant to play. It had to be Shelby’s idea. Daphne would never brave the bar on her own.
The hog roast at the inn started at five, earlier than the usual dinner schedule, but that didn’t mean he’d get off work sooner. Today was an event, a marathon of fun. He’d be dragging by the time it was over. Luckily, the rain and winds had stopped. At five, it would still be light out, and Ian had bought fire pits and placed them at intervals for people to sit around and keep warm. Guests could roast marshmallows if they wanted to. Wagons offered hayrides and took people back and forth between the Kruses’ corn maze and the resort. Luke, who oversaw the yard and outbuildings, had piled haystacks near the play area for kids to climb and sit on. Picnic tables were set up with pumpkin-carving stations, and there were low barrels for bobbing for apples. Kids’ movies—like Scooby Doo and Hocus Pocus—ran on the big screen TV that Luke had moved to the lobby, and at seven, each grownup was going to line up and distribute candy so that the kids could trick-or-treat.
Tessa had thought of a truly inspired idea. She’d gone to vintage shops and costume stores and bought lots of different outfits for kids to try on. There were old wedding gowns, flapper dresses, and cowboy vests, along with pirate eye patches and “hooks” for hands, orange prison suits, and farmer overalls. And lots and lots of hats, high heels, and boots. Ian had hired three teenage girls, who were in art classes, to paint kids’ faces.
At dinner time, Paula brought Aiden and Bailey to join the fun, and the kids ran to hug Tyne when they saw him carving pork at the long fire pit Ian had rented.
“I bet you want the tail to eat,” Tyne teased Aiden.
Aiden went to check the end of the pig and gave Tyne a dirty look. “You took it off.”
“Why? Did you want it? It’s sort of like eating a curly fry, but greasier.”
“Mom says you like to pick on me.”
Tyne bent to kiss Bailey’s hand. “I can’t pick on a sweet, little girl, so that leaves you.”
Aiden laughed. Tyne handed him a plate with some of the pork, and when he tried it, he nodded. “It’s good.”
Tyne piled more on for him and then offered some to Bailey. She took a piece and said, “Mmm,” then saw a friend at one of the fire pits and cried, “Gotta go.”
Tyne shook his head. That girl was going to grow up to be a socialite.
Guests came and went for the next two hours, and by the time serving ended, Tyne was surprised by how few leftovers remained. Ian came to check on him while he was bagging up the end of the pork and said, “What do you think? How did it go?”
“Looked like a success to me.” Tyne glanced over to where the parents were passing out miniature candy bars while kids made their way down their line. “I’d have been happy with this when I was a kid.” Not that his parents had ever taken him to Halloween events, but the expensive schools Holden and he attended had always done something for each holiday.
Ian nodded. “I didn’t think about including kids when I first thought of offering specials for holidays, but I guess parents aren’t going to leave them for Thanksgiving or Christmas either.”
“We should plan farther ahead for those, come up with something really unique.”
Ian reached for a napkin and the pen he always carried. “Do you have something in mind?”
Tyne shrugged. “A friend of mine asked me to go with her when she took her kid to a Harry Potter event. A bookstore put it on, went all out. Had lots of different booths for kids to visit—magnets they could paint for their refrigerators at home, a petting zoo, games, Kool-Aid flavors they could mix into magical brews.”
Ian looked excited and would have asked more, but people ran out of marshmallows at one of the fire pits, and he had to go find more. Tyne got back to cleaning the food stations outside and then pitched in to help clean the kitchen. It was after nine before the inn was back to normal, and then he remembered that Daphne and Shelby would be sitting at Chase’s bar. Nine’s when the band started up.
Should he, or shouldn’t he? Oh, hell, why not? He drove home, took a quick shower, and changed into his jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. He couldn’t stay late. He had to be back to work early tomorrow morning. He and Paula were making more goodies than usual for the brunch buffet before the guests left to return home—pumpkin pancakes and poached eggs in tomato sauce, and serving Bloody Marys as well as Champagne—but he could let loose for a while tonight. Relax.
* * *
The bar’s parking lot was full. This was where the adults of Mill Pond were celebrating their Halloween night. When he walked inside, Chase waved a hello, and heads turned to see where Tyne would land. He spotted Daphne and Shelby at a booth and went to slide in beside Daphne.
She looked at him in surprise. “I didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.”
“I’ve dealt with kids and one roasted marshmallow too many, and I need a drink.”
Louise, Chase’s waitress, came to take his order. She offered him a big smile. “I didn’t think you’d get brave enough to come back.”
Daphne frowned, not sure what that meant, but Tyne shrugged. “All of the scratches were shallow. None of the women got their claws into me that deep.”
And then Daphne understood, he could tell. “They groped you, right?”
Louise poised her pen over her pad. “He was lucky he escaped in one piece.”
Shelby’s lips curled in a smile. “So you’re fair game on the dance floor?”
“Nope, I came to nab a few dances with Daphne and serve as her protector. She could get mobbed here, too.”
Daphne shook her head. “I don’t think . . .”
“Really? Since guys know you’ve broken up with the professor? You’re up for grabs again.”
Louise tapped her notepad. “Your usual?”
He nodded, and she left. A few minutes later, Chase came to deliver his beer. He slid in the booth next to Shelby. “Hey, didn’t expect to see you tonight. How’d the weekend special go at the inn?”
“Paula hasn’t come home yet?”
Chase shrugged. “She and the kids stayed to visit with her mom. I’m always busy on Saturday nights.”
“I’d give us four-and-a-half stars out of five,” Tyne said.
“That good? That’s awesome. Paula was nervous about the weather, but the rain stopped in time, right?”
They talked a few minutes before Chase had to go back behind the bar. Shelby looked at Daphne. “He’s married, right?”
“Very.” Daphne smiled. “Just like Harley. Both taken
.”
“What is it with men around here?” Shelby asked. “Is there something about lake water the rest of us haven’t heard about?”
Daphne laughed. “Ian and Tyne aren’t from around here.”
“There’s another one?”
“He’s married, too,” Tyne said.
Shelby looked him up and down. “You owe me a dance.”
The band started up again, and Tyne led Daphne and Shelby out onto the floor. Before long, they were surrounded by other people. Chantelle tried to worm her way next to Shelby, but Tyne did a sidestep and cut her off. Their space shrank, and soon, they were dancing closer than he’d intended to. Women twirled and accidentally touched him. One wrapped an arm around his back. He took it all in stride, concentrating on the two women in front of him.
He was feeling pretty good until a tall, dark-haired man with a goatee grabbed Daphne’s arm and spun her to dance with him. Damn. Tyne reached for her, but then thought better of it. What if she wanted to dance with this guy? Chantelle slid into the space Daphne had vacated. Oh, goodie. Another woman moved into their circle. Not good. Shelby locked gazes with Daphne, and they switched it up. Shelby was dancing with Goatee Guy, flirting like crazy, and Daphne was practically on top of Tyne. He grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist. They started moving in sync—dirty dancing. Chantelle looked pissed and left. When the music ended, Daphne’s cheeks were pink, and she started back to their booth.
“Is everything okay?” Tyne asked, following her.
“I just got too warm.” Her cheeks flooded with more color.
He smiled, amused, but then Shelby stepped between them. “My turn.”
That was the end of the fun. After he danced with Shelby, women grabbed and yanked at him, pulling him toward them. He finally threw up his hands in surrender and said, “I need a little more beer,” and went to join Daphne.
He slid next to her and had to laugh at himself. Why had he fled the dance floor? What was wrong with him? Before he’d come to Mill Pond, he enjoyed all the attention. There’d been times when he’d danced with a dozen women at a time. But now he wanted to be left alone. He wanted to concentrate on one woman—and she was sitting in this booth.
Daphne looked flustered, and he knew why. She was stepping out of her comfort zone, and she wasn’t sure if she should. She’d surprised herself when she’d danced with him. No, shocked herself, and it left her uncertain. Shy women were like that, overthinking each and every thing. He backed off and glanced at the clock. “I have an early day tomorrow, only needed a break after a long day of work. I’d better call it quits for tonight. You two have fun without me.”
Shelby looked disappointed. Daphne looked relieved. He knew she would. With a grin, he finished his beer and gave them a wave, then made his way to the door. Hands reached for him, and he let them touch. Then he was outdoors in the cool air, and he couldn’t stop smiling. He’d made his sweet, innocent Daphne all hot and bothered. Damn, that felt good! Thank God, her friend left early tomorrow morning. He’d be happy to see the back side of Shelby.
Chapter 27
Tyne and Paula sat at the kitchen worktable and finished off the last of the Bloody Marys before they got started on what she’d serve for supper tonight.
“You know, all you have to do is your entrée,” Paula argued. “Supper’s my shift on Sundays.”
“After this weekend? I can give you a helping hand, and when you come back, everything will be ready to go. You’ve earned an easy night.”
“So have you.” But she looked damned happy to have his help. Chase’s bar was closed on Sundays—always. If he helped her, and they got done fast enough, she could go home and hang out with her hubby and kids a little more than usual before coming back for the supper shift.
Tyne felt like they’d survived a horde of locusts who’d swept in and ate everything in sight. The coming week would be a piece of cake. He grinned at the cliché, but it fit. In November, people began to button down. Only fifty guests would be staying this week. No kids, all adults. So no kid menus. By the second week of December, guests would be sparse, then the number would pick up for the week that Mill Pond went all out and decorated every store and street for the holiday. Ian’s December special was scheduled for the three days leading up to Christmas Eve. Then they’d turn around and offer another special for New Year’s Eve. Life would be busy. Part of being a chef. While other people played, they worked.
For tonight, when the new guests arrived, he and Paula had decided to keep it simple. He was making white wine–braised rabbit with Dijon mustard and fresh herbs. Paula was going with pork candy ribs. They’d decided on roasted vegetables for sides, along with roasted Brussels sprouts. They were going to let the ovens do most of the work. Tyne even stayed to help Paula make the mixed green salad.
“Are you going home to put your feet up?” she asked as they left the restaurant together.
He shook his head. “I’m going to help Steph with a few of the appetizers for tonight.”
“And then you’re going to relax?”
He gave his crooked grin. It had a 90 percent success rate with Paula. Smiles melted her resistance faster than well-thought-out arguments. “Then I’m going to pick up Daphne and drink wine and dance.”
“No Shelby?”
“She had to leave today.” He couldn’t keep the lilt out of his voice.
She laughed. “One way or another, you have to pay the piper. You’ll go home and die after you work the early shift tomorrow.”
He nodded. Daphne would be back at work in her shop, and he could catch up on sleep. Daphne’s parents didn’t come home until Tuesday morning. He planned on cooking her supper tomorrow night. So far, she hadn’t had any time to think about the professor, and he intended on keeping it that way.
On the drive to Maxwell’s to meet Steph, he thought about Goatee Guy, who’d danced with Daphne last night. That had to let her know that guys found her attractive. If she wanted to get out there and meet someone, she could. He’d have to mention that to her. Aim her in the right direction. So why had it bothered him? That was easy. It left him stuck with Shelby and easy prey on the dance floor. Besides, he’d taken Daphne out to dance, hadn’t he? Mr. Goatee hadn’t had the nerve to come and ask her.
Steph sighed with relief when Tyne stepped through the bakery door. “Thank the Lord.” She pushed a rimmed baking sheet toward him. “I haven’t gotten to the buffalo chicken bites on crostini or the shrimp in cashew sauce.”
He nodded and got to work. Neither of them made small talk. They just wanted to get the job done. Two and a half hours later, Tyne helped Steph load everything into her minivan and watched her set off. He’d asked about Maxwell and India, but Steph only replied, “Same old, same old,” so he let it drop.
When he slid behind the wheel of his Jeep, he slumped with relief. He’d been on his feet all day. Had he overscheduled? Who did he think he was—the Energizer Bunny? But he couldn’t miss one of Harley’s parties. He always enjoyed himself.
Couples were dressing in costumes. Daphne had told him that she was going as a flapper, so he’d decided to dress as a gangster—a three-piece suit, fedora, and fake tommy gun. Before he got ready, though, he needed a long, steamy shower to relax his shoulders and muscles. The hot water soothed him. Maybe too much. When he flopped on the sofa and turned on the TV to chill for an hour, he fell asleep. Luckily, he’d set the alarm on his cell phone. The forty-minute nap did him a world of good, and by the time he knocked on Daphne’s door, he was ready for a good time.
When Daphne flung the door wide, Tyne stared. His throat constricted, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She wore a short flapper dress with swishy fringe that moved to show more of her legs. Great legs—long and shapely. Her hazel eyes were rimmed in dark makeup and her lips were bright with color. She had a feather tucked in a band that circled her head, pinning her wavy brown hair in place.
Did his heart skip a beat? Did that really happen? It ached a
nd he put a hand to it. It was almost painful. How could the prissy prof dump someone so drop-dead gorgeous? And why hadn’t she snagged someone long before now?
He swallowed down lust and crooked his elbow for her. “Ready, doll?”
She laughed. “Lead the way, Bugsy!”
The wine-tasting room was full of people when they made their way to the bar. Harley and Kathy were waiting on customers, so Vicki came to greet them. She had her pure-white hair pulled back in a white, ruffled cap, and she and Kathy both wore barmaids’ outfits from old English pub days. “What’ll be, mate?” she asked.
Tyne grinned. “You look great.”
“So do you two.” Vicki motioned toward a table near the dance floor. “Miriam’s saving you seats. She’s probably ready for another glass of wine.”
Tyne paid, and they carried their drinks to Miriam’s table. Tyne broke up laughing when he saw her. Tall and thin, Miriam had dressed as a basketball player in a numbered sleeveless top with a thermal shirt under it for warmth and matching long, baggy gym shorts. Knee socks covered her calves, and a sweatband circled her head, scrunching her corkscrew curls up in a hairstyle that rivaled the Bride of Frankenstein’s.
She reached for her wine. “You like?”
“It’s perfect.” Tyne never knew what to expect with Miriam, and he liked that.
Miriam turned to Daphne. “So, how did the visit with the leech go?”
Tyne choked on his drink.
Miriam rolled her eyes. “You met her, didn’t you? Have you ever met a bigger Me-First girl?”
“I felt used.” Daphne sounded irritated. “I hope she never comes back.”
Tyne frowned, confused. “Then why didn’t you tell her no? Why didn’t you tell her to buy her own damn glass?”
Daphne squirmed, and Miriam answered for her. “My friend here is too nice. She caves when it comes to any kind of unpleasantness.”
Tyne shrugged. “Who cares what Shelby thinks about you? You don’t need someone like her.”