by Robyn Neeley
“Easier said than done now that Caitlin’s graced this town with her presence. Do you remember how mad she was when she found out my name appeared in Brandon’s batter?”
“You mean her storming into the bakery and saying she’d fight for him? Yeah, I remember that. Funny how she skipped town shortly after. There wasn’t a lot of fight in her.”
Abby pushed off the counter and peeled her apron off. “Oh, God. I just thought of something. What if she tells Brandon?”
“Tells Brandon what?”
“He doesn’t remember Batter Up night and your prediction. What if she brings it up?”
Emma stopped kneading the dough. “That is a problem. Maybe she won’t say anything.”
Abby shook her head, knowing that probably wouldn’t happen, especially if Caitlin wanted Brandon back. “Emma, I hate to do this, but there’s something I need to do. Can you handle the pies?”
Emma’s eyes narrowed. “Where are you going?”
Abby grabbed her coat and threw it on, searching her pockets for her car keys. “To make sure Caitlin keeps her mouth shut.”
* * *
Brandon finished his conversation with the painters, said a quick good-bye, and went to the kitchen for a drink. It was almost 3 p.m., and he was looking forward to spending the next couple hours setting up his office.
What a freakin’ day.
Seeing Caitlin sporting a baby bump had made all the hairs on his arms stand at attention.
She reassured him that it wasn’t his, but she didn’t offer up a name to whose it was either.
Brandon opened the refrigerator, grabbed a water, and unscrewed the top. Her news still shocked him. She must have gotten pregnant shortly after they stopped sleeping together.
After she finally sat down and joined him for lunch, she explained that she wanted him to hear the news from her first because half the town would probably suspect it was Brandon’s, and she didn’t want him thinking for a second that it was his.
That had been a relief. They’d always been careful. Listening to her talk about how excited she was to have the baby made him wonder if this was exactly what she needed to finally grow up and become a responsible adult.
Maybe it was a one-night stand that had got her in this situation, but she seemed thrilled about becoming a mother. Well, good for her—and good for him that it wasn’t his. He wasn’t ready for that kind of responsibility with any woman and definitely not with one who would never have his heart.
Speaking of hearts, he grinned down at the grocery list Abby had left on the kitchen island. Little pink hearts watermarked the slip of paper she had used.
She was starting to make herself at home in the kitchen, and judging by the full refrigerator and stocked pantry, she’d had a successful shopping trip this morning before work. Her plan was to start cooking tomorrow in preparation for Thursday’s Halloween party. He couldn’t wait to see her in action, tasting all the delicious appetizers she’d no doubt whip up for their guests.
He should have offered to help her shop before heading to the Star Lite. That was a bonehead move to not even offer.
He was really looking forward to whatever she had planned for them tonight and couldn’t wait for five o’clock to get here.
His thoughts drifted back to his earlier conversation with Caitlin. Before he left the Star Lite, he’d asked her if she needed anything. The same question he’d asked Abby when he’d found out her news. Were all the bachelorettes of Buttermilk Falls headed straight for motherhood?
He’d invited Caitlin to his Halloween party, and she’d promised she’d try to make it. Then she’d done the strangest thing—she asked him how Abby was doing?
Maybe the two were friends and that question wasn’t all that strange. He didn’t think so given Emma and Caitlin’s animosity toward each other, but what did he know? He said Abby was doing great and that her new catering company would work out of the inn.
That news had gotten a sarcastic laugh, and he decided their talking about Abby was over. Abby’s own pregnancy wasn’t something he needed to broadcast.
His phone buzzed, but he didn’t recognize the number. “Brandon, here.”
“Hi, Brandon. It’s Emma.”
“Emma, what’s going on?” He leaned against his kitchen island.
“Is Abby with you?”
“No.” He straightened. Emma’s voice had an uncomfortable amount of concern. “Everything okay?”
“I’m sure it is. Abby was supposed to be back here for her baking lesson with the after-school program kids, but I haven’t seen her, and she isn’t picking up her phone.”
At that moment, Brandon heard a crash in the background followed by Emma demanding someone back away from the stove.
“Sorry, I have all these pies to deliver and twenty kids running around the bakery ready to make cupcakes . . .” She added in a lower voice, “and most of the mothers came, too.”
Brandon sprung the idea that popped into his head into action. “Have no fear. Young moms love me. Have them bring their kids to the inn. The kitchen’s ready for use, and Abby bought some things this morning.”
“Are you sure?” Emma asked. “I mean . . .” She paused. “. . . it’s twenty kids.”
“It’ll be fine. I’ll be waiting for them, and I’ll make some calls and try to track down Abby, too.”
“Thank you, Brandon. You’re a lifesaver. I’ll give a couple of the moms all the supplies, cupcake pans, and ingredients for the recipe. If I get ahold of Abby, I’ll send her to the inn to take over.”
“Sounds good, and if you could send over mixing bowls and spoons that would be great. Just not your enchanted one.”
“Wouldn’t think of it. Oh, thank you, Brandon. How can I ever repay you?”
“Maybe I could be your bachelor one Batter Up night.”
“Again?” she asked, sounding distracted. “Alex, please don’t stand on the stool.”
“What do you mean by ‘again?’” He waited for her to answer his question. “Emma?”
“I’m sorry, Brandon. What did you say?”
“You implied that I’ve been to Batter Up night, but I haven’t.”
“Oh, that’s right. Sorry. I got you confused with someone else. I’ve got to run, thanks again.”
Brandon hung up and stared down at his phone.
He hit his contacts app and tapped on Abby’s name. It rang a few times and then went to voicemail. Where the devil was she? It was so unlike her to disappear, especially when she’d mentioned this morning how much she was looking forward to this afternoon.
He rolled up his sleeves and inspected the kitchen. Was he—the swinging bachelor of Buttermilk Falls—really going to spend the afternoon baking with twenty elementary school kids? Maybe he should have asked Emma to mix up a little bit of magic to pull that off.
Speaking of mix up, Emma mistaking him for some other guy whom she’d performed the Batter Up spell on was a little weird. He’d never attended Batter Up night, let alone been one of her infamous bachelors to get a glimpse of the name her batter spelled out announcing his soul mate.
Maybe he could talk her into giving it a whirl for him sometime soon. He raked his fingers through his hair. There was only one name he’d like to see in the batter, and he was pretty sure those four letters weren’t going to happen.
Chapter 16
Abby turned into the inn and shoved her car in park. She hadn’t meant to cause panic. After driving around for twenty minutes trying to decide how she’d confront Caitlin, she chickened out and went home.
Not only did Caitlin know about Brandon’s batter and Abby’s name appearing in it, she was a smart woman. Annoying but clever. Once she found out that Abby was pregnant, she’d easily put two and two together and come to the conclusion that Brandon was the father. All of this was very bad.
She got out of her car and took a deep breath, heading for the entrance. She was running out of time and would need to tell Brandon the truth.
When she finally talked to Emma, her cousin filled her in on where the kids were. She couldn’t believe it. Sure, Brandon appeared to be able to make simple dishes, but could he teach a kitchen full of kids how to bake? She’d wanted to impress the mothers so badly, now she was going to look like an irresponsible flake.
Emma assured her that it would be okay, but Abby needed to see for herself. Entering the inn, she was nearly trampled by five kids playing tag. “Hi, gang.” She walked across the main room toward the kitchen where she could hear a whole lot of laughing going on.
Her heart stopped at the sight in front of her. The kids that weren’t playing in the other room were huddled around the kitchen island, decorating cupcakes with the ingredients she’d purchased. Brandon was hunched over helping a young girl add a black witch’s hat to hers while Shane taped the whole thing.
“Hi, everyone.” Abby smiled at several of the moms, all enjoying a glass of red wine Brandon must have opened up for them. Smart move on his part.
“Red, how are you feeling?” Brandon looked up from his culinary masterpiece.
“I’m fine.”
He gave her a look that she suspected was code for him wanting her to play along. “I think it was something I ate.” She turned to the moms. “I’m so sorry about this afternoon. I went home to lay down and didn’t hear my alarm go off. I hope the kids are having a great time.”
The mothers all agreed that they were.
Brandon joined the group of adults and clapped his hands. “How about that tour I promised. You’ve got this in here, Red?”
Abby smirked. “I think I can manage.”
While Abby took over for Brandon and helped the children decorate their cupcakes, he took all the mothers on a tour of the property.
When half the moms returned to help in the kitchen thirty minutes later, Abby took a moment to join Brandon’s tour. He’d just finished showing them the second floor, explaining what he planned on remodeling into sleeping rooms and office space.
Abby stood on the landing, letting all kinds of wonderful feelings rush through her. She loved watching Brandon in his element and how he lit up when he talked about his plans for the inn. He’d even mentioned how excited he was for his business partnership with Abby and Emma and that their catering company would be the talk of the town.
She hoped so. As the mothers started to descend the staircase, she greeted them. “The kids are anxious to show off their cupcakes.” She laughed, adding, “and eat them.”
While the women headed back into the kitchen, Abby hung back with Brandon who’d taken a call. She took a few minutes to gaze at his incredible broad shoulders underneath his familiar flannel.
He’d really come through today and, to her surprise and delight, had been wonderful with the kids. Maybe this bachelor was father material after all.
That is if her secret growing each day didn’t scare the hell out of him. She looked down at her hands, caked with frosting.
He ended his call and turned toward her. “That was Mitch. He needs me to work on Saturday.”
“On Saturday?” Her face fell. There went her plan to invite him over to dinner to tell him the truth.
“Yeah. I guess you’ll have the night off from me.”
She smiled wryly. “Can we get together on Sunday then? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“You sound like Caitlin.”
She was nothing like that conniving schemer. “How did that go?”
“Fine. She’s actually doing quite well. You two might have more in common than you think.”
“Doubt it.” Her gaze slid down the banister to the first floor where a bunch of kids had started dancing for the camera. “Think Shane’s having fun?”
Brandon nodded. “He’s in it for the cupcakes.”
“I owe you big time.” Before she knew what she was doing, she threw her arms around him, melding her body to his in a hug that lingered a few seconds longer than it probably should have.
He finally let go and brushed her long bangs out of her eyes. “You’re welcome.”
“Hey, you two want to let me know when you’re about to get close next time?” Shane’s question caused her cheeks to overheat, and she took a step back.
“Will do, sir,” Brandon said, linking arms with Abby and escorting her down the staircase.
“Your pizza is here,” Shane said, turning off his camera. “I think that’s enough footage. I’ve got to get out of here before these kids tackle me again. I’ll see you both later tonight.”
“You got my directions, right?” Abby asked.
“Sure did. See you soon,” Shane said, heading out the door.
“You ordered the kids pizza?” Abby’s own stomach had been growling nonstop. She could definitely go for a slice.
Brandon nodded. “And the moms. I couldn’t just give them wine and cupcakes. What kind of host would that make me?”
Abby grinned, loving his thoughtfulness. Where had that side of Brandon been hiding?
They joined everyone in the kitchen where they all enjoyed the scrumptious pizza and finished decorating the last of the cupcakes. Abby snapped several pictures of each kid holding up their masterpiece. She’d ask Emma and Bridget to help her make baking apprentice certificates and paste a picture on each one.
An hour later, all the kids had a half-dozen cupcakes to take home to devour with their families.
Abby stood on the front porch and waved good-bye to the last child and his mother before walking back through the foyer into the kitchen. Brandon was busy wiping down the island counter.
“Man, these kids got frosting everywhere.”
“Don’t I know it.” She went over to the sink and turned on the faucet, washing her hands. “That was quite an afternoon, Mr. Swift.”
“What can I say? Witch and spider cupcakes are my specialty.”
“And let’s not forget the spooky pancakes this morning.”
“I really am a master chef.”
“Okay, Bobby Flay, it’s time to wrap it up.” She glanced down at her watch. It was almost 7 p.m. “I might need a rain check on what I had planned for this evening.”
“You don’t want to go out tonight?”
“It’s not that. I was going to treat you to dinner—which we’ve already eaten—followed by a movie at the old Majestic Theater. The movie starts at seven, so we’d miss a few minutes, and I don’t want to do that. Plus, it’s always fun to get there a little early and take in all its special nuances. They’ve got this great wall of pictures of actors and patrons from the old days. It’s quite a gem.”
Brandon grabbed her coat, handed it to her, and then slid on his own. “Why don’t we go back to my place then? We’ve got a whole pizza left, and we can watch a movie on Netflix. Sound good?”
“Sure.” Abby tapped her fingers on the pizza box. She’d only had a slice, so another actually sounded pretty awesome. “Should we invite Shane to come over?”
“Nah, he can watch his own movie,” he joked and sent Shane a quick text letting him know that tonight’s plans had changed, and they’d check in tomorrow. “He got enough footage this afternoon, anyway.” He flashed Abby a mischievous grin. “Although if you want to throw yourself at me like you did upstairs, I could text him back and ask him to bring over his camera.”
“I did not throw myself at you. I was merely thanking you for saving the day.” Her cheeks grew hot, thinking back to Brandon’s warm embrace, his strong arms around her. Her tone grew serious, “Thank you for today. I really can’t thank you enough for not letting the kids down.”
“We’re a team, don’t you forget it.” He reached for her hand. “Let’s go enjoy part two of our date. I’ll whip up a salad to go with that pizza, and we can hang out and rela
x.”
Abby smiled up at him, letting her hand fold into his. An evening alone with Brandon where they didn’t risk running into Caitlin was exactly what she needed.
* * *
Brandon set the warmed up pizza on his coffee table and sat down next to Abby. Earlier, he’d brought in a mixed greens salad, a Sprite for her, and something for him with a little more kick.
“We did it.” She raised her soda can to his bottleneck beer.
“Yes, we did,” he agreed and clinked his drink with hers. “The Swift/Stevens team at its very best.”
“You mean Stevens/Swift, right?”
He chuckled. “Of course, beauty always goes first.”
Her eyes rolled, and she grabbed a slice of pizza.
When he had suggested they forgo going to the movies and instead watch one on Netflix, he was happy she’d agreed. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go on the date that Abby had planned, but after this crazy day, he just wanted to curl up on the couch, chomp down on some pizza, and have a beer.
“You know, Brandon, you were pretty awesome with the kids.”
“I was, wasn’t I?”
“And giving the mothers a glass of wine was brilliant.”
“Yeah, I figured they wouldn’t critique my baking too much if they were a little lit up.” He chuckled and picked up his beer. “I think they all liked you, too.”
“I hope so. I can use all the child-rearing advice once word spreads about this little bambino.” She patted her tummy, adding, “Who thanks you by the way for ordering the yummy pizza.”
“He’s welcome.”
“He?” Her eyes danced with amusement. “You think it’s a he?”
“Or she.” He tilted the long neck all the way back. “I had a lot of fun today.”
“I could see that.”
Reaching over, he gave her shoulder a squeeze and then draped his arm over the couch. With one move on her part, she could easily fall into his embrace. He was in dangerous territory, sitting so close to her. “So, do you want to have the talk now?”
She blinked. “Talk?”