My Sweetheart (Book 3 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy)

by Guymon, Shannon

  Kit gave a half smile and shrugged. “There was a time I dreamed of Rob getting smashed up, but now that he’s being so sweet to you and helping you deal with Tate, I guess I don’t want him to end up in the hospital.”

  Jane bit her lip frowning. “Well Rob’s not some wimpy guy you know. He was a professional athlete. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”

  Hunter cleared his throat and smiled at her. “Jane, have you met Tate? I don’t care who Rob played baseball for, Tate could squish him like an ant if he wanted to.”

  Jane sighed. “Fine, I’ll try and convince Rob to back out. I just thought it would be a good way to put distance between me and Tate and still get to hang out with my new friends.”

  Layla stood up and stretched. “Well, Rob’s a big boy. Let’s warn him but in the end, the decision will be his. Besides, how hurt can he get? They’ll be on the same side, right?”

  Jane relaxed and smiled. “You’re right. There’s no way Tate would purposefully hurt Rob if they’re on the same team.”

  Kit and Hunter stood up too and everyone surrounded her to give her a good night hug. Jane grinned and had to admit it was kind of sweet that they’d waited up for her. She waved goodbye to everyone but as soon as she got in her room she looked down at her phone and saw a text from Rob.

  Seriously? Your new brother in law just threatened to string me up. Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone I kissed you. My life is at stake.

  Jane lay down on her bed and texted Rob back. Too late. They understand though. Your life is only in danger from Tate. We’re all worried he’s going to kill you during Rugby. Maybe you should re-think Monday.

  Jane blinked in surprise as he texted her back immediately. Not backing down from Tate. But if anything happens to me you and your sisters have to sing at my funeral and provide the refreshments.

  Jane grinned and put her phone down before turning over on her back and staring at the ceiling. Tate wouldn’t really hurt Rob. What would be the point? He didn’t want her, so why should he care if Rob did? Not that he did.

  Jane went to sleep that night and dreamt of Tate. He was standing in front of their glass case in the bakery shop and he couldn’t decide on what he wanted. She finally screamed at him to hurry up and pick but he shook his head, looked at her sadly and walked out without choosing anything.

  Chapter 10 – Games

  Monday evening rolled around and Jane was surprised to find that she was nervous. She was meeting Rob there because she had to work and Tate had promised to teach Rob the game an hour before. She held her stadium blanket in one hand and a plate of triple decker mint brownies in the other.

  “Jane! Up here. Hurry! We have to talk!”

  Jane looked up into the bleachers and saw Meredith and Tawni sitting at the top by themselves. Jane waved and hurried to sit by them.

  “Hey guys. What’s up?”

  Meredith flipped her long blond hair over one shoulder and glanced at Tawni. Tawni looked darling as usual with her short red hair and freckles.

  “You tell her,” Meredith ordered.

  Tawni looked horrified and shook her head. “No way. This is all your fault Mer.”

  Jane smiled curiously and wrapped her blanket around her shoulders. Now that it was September it was starting to get chilly at night.

  “What’s up Meredith? It can’t be that bad.”

  Meredith closed her eyes and bit her lip and looked just like a guilty five year old. “Well, before I tell you, in my defense, I did it to make everyone else happy. Honestly, everyone’s been after me to date and socialize. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”

  Tawni looked at Meredith with a horrified shake of her head. “Mer, I’ve met Kam’s uncle Toa and his aunt Pika. I can’t believe you got yourself into such a mess. What a disaster.”

  Meredith groaned and covered her face with her hands. “And now it’s all going to be ruined,” she said and then slowly raised her head to stare at Jane with red rimmed, desperate eyes. “Unless you help me.”

  Jane blinked in surprise and shook her head. “Meredith, stop being a drama queen and tell me what you did.”

  Meredith stuck her tongue out at her and sighed. “Well, I didn’t want to say anything, but ever since the party on Saturday Kam and I have been talking. And then, he sort of asked me out and we went to the movies last Friday night and it was so much fun Jane. And when he took me home, he kissed me,” she said, her eyes going soft as she scanned the field for Kam.

  Jane grinned and hugged Meredith. “I’m so happy for you! But how is that a disaster? Everything worked out perfectly.”

  Tawni snorted and Meredith glared at her. “Well, there’s one little problem. I’m not even sure how it happened, but I sort of invited Kam and his parents over to my house for dinner,” she said sounding terrified.

  Jane sat back and blinked in surprise. “Oh wow. You are in so much trouble.”

  Tawni nodded in full agreement. “Pika is famous for being a good cook. If Meredith doesn’t pass the test, then this relationship might be over before it even begins.”

  Meredith looked depressed at the thought and hugged herself. Jane frowned and couldn’t help thinking that maybe a relationship built on the love of food might not be the best foundation, but she decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

  “Well, here’s a thought. So Pika’s a great cook. I bet she’s a great Samoan cook. What if you made them an Italian dinner or Mexican? There’s no point in trying to compete with her on her home turf. Give them something amazing to eat and something different so there’s no basis for comparison.”

  Tawni smiled at her, her light blue eyes lighting up as she thumped Meredith on the back. “Jane, you are brilliant. Who can’t make tacos?”

  Meredith nodded her head, as she pursed her lips. “Okay, there’s hope. Jane, you have to help me. Come to my house and make sure I don’t screw up anything and then leave right before they get there. Please,” she begged, clasping her hands together.

  Jane laughed and shook her head. “Of course I’ll help you. It’s all for love right? How could I refuse? Let’s make a shopping list during the game. You can prep most of the food beforehand. Easy.”

  Meredith made a loud whooping sound and pumped her hand into the air, making everyone in the stands turn around and stare. Tawni grabbed her hand and yanked it down. “Control yourself Mer. Toa and Pika just looked back at you. They’re here to watch Kam and Tate play today. Make a good impression,” she hissed, before smiling serenely.

  Meredith winced and composed herself. Jane grinned and then saw all the guys run onto the field. Time for the Haka. She smiled as she saw Rob stand to the side, watching the chant and movements. And then her eyes were drawn to Tate, standing a few feet away from him. He’d taken his shirt off with the rest of the team. She tore her eyes away from the sight of a gloriously bronzed six pack and wished she’d worn a few rubber bands on her wrist. She’d have to come late from now on. Watching the Haka was not helping her fall out of love. At all.

  The game began and she cheered for Rob. He’d never played rugby before in his life, but he caught on fast and was excellent at tackling. The next time the other team had the ball, Rob and Tate went after the same guy, jumping at the same time, taking the guy down and rolling into a snarl of legs and arms.

  Jane gasped and stood up trying to see if Rob was hurt. Rob stood up grinning, holding the ball and then the man from the other team stood up. Tate was still on the ground. Not moving. Jane squeaked and ran down the bleachers and over to the field, ignoring everyone and running to Tate’s side.

  Rob was there, kneeling down by his side looking concerned. Tate was awake, but he was gritting his teeth in pain.

  “What’s wrong?” Jane demanded, picking up Tate’s hand and scanning him for blood.

  Rob shook his head and winced. “Looks like a dislocated shoulder. He’ll be okay, we just need to get it back in the socket.”

  Tate groaned and shook his head.
“I’d rather have a professional opinion Rob. Someone can take me to the emergency room.”

  Jane looked up and the whole team was now surrounding them and she began to feel a little strange being the only girl on the field. Kam winked at her.

  “Cupcake can take Tate to the ER. We got a game to win. That okay with you Tate?” Kam said, picking his cousin up in his arms easily and walking toward the parking lot.

  Jane ran to keep up and barely heard Tate mutter something under his breath. Kam laughed and headed straight to her car. She unlocked the door for him and Kam slid him in. She leaned over and buckled him as gently as she could but by the way his face turned pale she could tell he was in pain. She shut the door and looked up at Kam smiling down at her.

  “Meredith told me about you and Tate. He’s a lucky man,” he said and turned and jogged back to the game.

  Jane blushed and knew she would kill Meredith later. She hurried around the side of the car and jumped in, driving quickly out of the parking lot. “St. Joseph’s is just down the street Tate. Hold on,” she said trying to be comforting.

  Tate kept his eyes shut and didn’t say anything. When they arrived she was able to get him a wheel chair and got him inside quickly. They still had to wait twenty minutes to see a doctor but that gave her time to help him fill out his forms. Tate answered her questions briefly and kept his eyes closed as much as possible.

  Jane sighed in relief when a nurse took Tate back to see the doctor. She ran down to the cafeteria and got a drink just so she had something to do. She smiled to herself thinking about Rob as she walked back up to the waiting room. She’d left him without a second thought and hoped he wasn’t mad at her.

  She sat down and started thumbing through a magazine. A half an hour later Tate walked down the hallway toward her, looking grumpy. She smiled and put the magazine down before standing up.

  “Hey there. Was it dislocated like Rob said?” she asked curiously looking at the sling his left arm was in.

  Tate made a growling sound in his throat and nodded jerkily. “Yeah, it was pretty simple to get it back in the socket. At least it wasn’t broken. I hate desk duty,” he muttered.

  Jane put her hand on his back as they walked out of the ER together. “I’ve heard it’s pretty painful to fix a dislocated shoulder. Are you okay?”

  Tate shrugged with his good shoulder. “It wasn’t fun. Jane, do you mind just driving me home? The doctor gave me some pain medicine and it’s going to make me kind of fuzzy soon.”

  Jane nodded and opened the car door for him. She helped him get buckled again, leaning over him and realized this time he was staring straight at her, watching her. She blushed and pulled back, shutting the door and rushing around to the driver’s side.

  On the way back to Fircrest it was so silent she felt like screaming. “Um, Tate would you like me to stop at the store for you? Do you need anything before we get to your house?”

  Tate shook his head and pointed to the road up ahead. “Take a left at the next light and then take the first right.”

  Jane followed his directions and he pointed her to a small little ranch house with a neat yard. “Is this your house?” she asked curiously. “I thought you lived with your aunt and uncle.”

  Tate shook his head. “Nope, I’m on my own. I have been for a few years,” he said without any expression.

  Jane frowned and glanced at him as she pulled up to the curb. “Come on. Let’s get you inside and comfortable,” she said and got out of the car.

  Tate had already taken off the seatbelt and opened the door. She stood back for a moment but then stepped forward and gently pulled on his good arm to help him stand.

  Tate looked a little embarrassed and muttered his thanks. She followed him to the door and he sighed. “Great. I left my keys at the game. I’ve got a spare but it’s kind of hard to get to.”

  Jane smiled. “Just tell me where it is and I’ll get it. Come on, you need to get inside. Tell me,” she urged.

  Tate pointed at a large tree to the side of the house. “I put it up in that tree with a rock over it.”

  Jane looked at him with her mouth open. “You have got to be kidding me! I’ve gotta climb a tree? Most people put it under the door mat,” she said irritably.

  Tate smiled. “Hence the need for police officers. If you’re not up to it. I can call someone else to help me.”

  Jane glared at him and then walked over to the tree. Tate was so tall all he would have to do was reach up to the nearest branch and pull himself up. She wasn’t 6’2” though. She glanced around the yard and noticed a plastic lawn chair. She jogged over and grabbed it and set it down right under the limb she wanted. She stood on the chair and pulled herself up, flipping her body over and up. She was desperately glad she’d worn jeans today. She balanced on the branch and then scooted over toward the trunk. She found the rock and the key immediately. She slipped it in her pocket and then used the branch to flip down, gasping a little as the bark scraped her tender palms.

  Tate frowned and walked over. “You hurt yourself. Come inside so I can look at it,” he said, motioning with his chin toward the house.

  Jane followed him, taking the key out of her pocket and groaned a little when she got some blood on her jeans. What. A. Pain.

  Tate glanced at her quickly, stepping aside so she could unlock the door. She pushed it open and stepped inside the dark house. Tate followed her and flipped on the lights.

  “Come in the kitchen,” he said walked down the hallway and turned another light on.

  Jane followed him and waited as he pulled a chair out from the little table for her to sit down in while he rummaged for Band-Aids and antiseptic. Jane took the opportunity to look around and smiled. It was a small house but very clean. His attempts at decorating consisted of a few family pictures, a television and a large leather couch. The kitchen was the same. Clean but bare. It was obvious a bachelor lived here.

  Tate sat down next to her and picked up her hand with his good one. “Ah Jane, you really scraped your hand up. Sorry,” he said softly.

  Jane shrugged and smiled. “I’m tough. It’s no big deal,” she said, pulling the band aid and the ointment over so she could tend to her scrape. Tate looked irritated that he couldn’t help her but with only one hand he couldn’t even open up the band aid for her.

  Jane was done quickly and she sat back and looked at him. “Can I make you something before I leave? You’re going to miss out on all the treats back at the game.”

  Tate’s eyes looked bleak and he looked away. “Doesn’t matter. Thanks for taking me to the hospital Jane. I appreciate it, especially since you’ve banned me from the bakery. I know you hate being around me,” he said quietly.

  Jane blinked in surprise and stood up walking over to the fridge and opening it up. “You’ve got an interesting way of spinning things Tate,” she said as she looked at the contents. She knew from Tate’s choices at the bakery that he was a sucker for chocolate. She opened up his cupboards and looked through his small pantry, pulling ingredients out and setting them on the counter as she went. She turned the oven on and then went through the bottom cupboards until she found a cookie sheet.

  Tate stared at her with a frown and ran his hands through his thick black hair. “You don’t have to do that Jane. Why don’t you just go on back to the game? I’m sure Rob is wondering where you are,” he said sounding mad.

  Jane ignored him and softened the butter in the microwave. She measured the flour, the baking soda and salt into one bowl and then got the butter out of the microwave. She measured the brown sugar and regular sugar and then looked around for a mixer.

  Tate motioned toward a drawer. “There’s a mixer in that drawer,” he said quietly.

  Jane got the mixer and creamed the butter and sugar and then added the eggs, vanilla and the dry ingredients. She opened the package of chocolate chips and poured them in, mixing them in with a large wooden spoon.

  “Whenever my sister Kit is sick or sad I ma
ke her chocolate chip cookies. She says they’re magical,” she said with a smile as she glanced over at Tate.

  Tate didn’t look so irritated anymore. “I can believe it,” he said softly.

  Jane finished mixing the cookie dough and then used a spoon to scoop out little balls of dough placing them two inches apart on the sheet. She moved quickly and slid the cookie sheet into the oven, glancing at the clock on the wall so she could time them. She walked over to Tate with the bowl and smiled down at him.

  “Do you like to live dangerously Officer Matafeo?” she asked, dipping her finger into the bowl and licking some off.

  Tate grinned up at her and tilted his head up. “You mean, Officer Matafeo, would you like some salmonella poisoning on top of an injured shoulder?”

  Jane laughed and set the bowl down sitting down in a chair on the other side of the table. “Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. I should have known you play it by the book.”

  Tate grinned and closed his eyes as he breathed in deeply. “My home has never smelled so good,” he said in appreciation.

  Jane smiled and kicked her feet up onto the next chair. “What did the Doctor say about your shoulder? How long before you’re back to playing Rugby and chasing down bad guys?”

  Tate sighed, “If I keep ice on it and I’m careful I can be back to my regular self in about a week.”

  Jane smiled and stood up to check on the cookies. “That’s good news,” she said and then looked around for a spatula. She grabbed the milk carton out of the fridge and poured Tate a tall glass of milk setting it in front of him before sliding on the oven mitts and taking out the cookies. She put three cookies on a plate and walked over to give them to Tate.

  Tate looked up at her with so much emotion in his eyes that she blinked in surprise. He cleared his throat and then took the plate from her. “Thank you Jane. I’ve been hurt before, but no one’s ever made me cookies to help me feel better.”

  Jane smiled sadly and thought about what she knew of Tate’s early life. “That’s a shame. I can’t think of anyone who deserves a chocolate chip cookie more than you.”