by Beth Ciotta
“No promises. Got it.”
Thunder boomed, the door slammed open, and Rocky blew in, soaked and scowling. “Could it be any more miserable out there?”
“Thought you were laid up with a stomach bug,” Devlin said.
“Ran its course,” she said, grimacing when she spotted the bottles on the counter. “We’re having wine?”
“Dessert wine,” Sam said. “Not you. You get whacked on wine. If I’d known you were coming—”
“I’m sure Dev’s got coffee. He practically lives on the stuff.”
“I’ll make you some tea,” Sam said, snagging her soggy coat and hanging it next to his. “You’re flushed.”
Devlin frowned. “You should’ve stayed in.”
“I’m not feverish, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m pissed because I had to rely on Jayce for a ride. Leo’s backed up at the garage. Who knows when he’ll get to my Jeep?”
“If it makes you feel better,” Devlin said, “you can use my wheels this weekend while I’m in Florida.” He felt a little guilty about pushing Jayce into staying at the Red Clover. Instead of mending bridges, his friend and sister seemed to be burning the remnants. Had the tension contributed to her ill health?
“You know what would make me feel even better?” she asked while wringing rain from her drenched braids. “Coming with you to Florida. Sunshine. Sand and surf. Mom and Dad.”
Taken off guard, Devlin stalled, seemingly giving the matter thought while unrolling his sleeves and buttoning his cuffs. Actually, he was scrambling for a good lie because, according to their mom, the truth wasn’t his to tell. Then he remembered. “You can’t come with me. You and Gram have plans this weekend, remember? You can’t bail and leave her to God knows what mischief.”
“Won’t Chloe be around?” Sam asked while uncorking the wine.
“Thanks to Luke and Nash,” Devlin said, trying not to sound churlish, “she’s otherwise engaged Friday and Saturday.”
Sam quirked a wry grin. “Beat you to the punch, did they?”
Rocky smirked while filling the teakettle. “He wasn’t even in there swinging.”
Before Devlin could comment, loud knocking announced the arrival of another club member. Not wanting to discuss his attraction to Chloe or the green-eyed monster gnawing at his gut, he welcomed the interruption. “Whatever happens,” he said, heading for the front door, “don’t let Tasha sit next to me.”
“You’re sticking around?” Rocky asked with a smile in her voice.
“Apparently so.”
* * *
By the time she and Daisy reached Devlin’s house, Chloe’s nerves were shot. Driving the retro Caddy in a torrential downpour had been a nightmare. The headlights had seemed too dim, the windshield wipers too slow. She’d hydroplaned once even though she’d only been going 25 mph. Another time, she’d pulled over because she couldn’t see through the blinding rain. All the while Daisy had been oblivious, rambling about all the recipes she had in mind for the book project, fretting over which were the best, and bemoaning Tasha-the-Pinhead. Chloe could think of a dozen ways to deal with that cupcake tyrant, most of which she pushed from her mind in order to focus on the road. When Daisy complained about her cautious driving and how they were already ten minutes late for the meeting, Chloe blocked her out, too.
Chloe’s stressed-out body wilted with relief when she pulled safely into Devlin’s driveway. But five seconds later, as she was standing on his porch, knocking on his door, her anxiety returned tenfold. She hadn’t seen him since that searing-hot kissing session. Had he thought about the way they’d been all over each other? Had he dreamed about the clash and mesh of their hands and tongues? Fantasized about what might have happened if they hadn’t come to their senses?
She had.
So much so that she wondered why in the world she’d cooled the heat by pushing him away. Monica was right. Temptation was an überaphrodisiac.
The door swung open and the devil invited her inside. “We were worried.”
“You’d think she’d never driven in the rain.” Ditching her umbrella, Daisy relieved Chloe of the precious samples of her secret recipe cupcakes, then disappeared into the next room.
Devlin leaned close to Chloe’s ear. “I’m glad you took it slow.”
She didn’t answer—rendered speechless by his confident and charismatic presence. Mesmerized by his good looks and scrumptious physique. Luke, though a seductive force, had nothing on his older brother.
“You okay?”
“Just happy to be here.” In one piece. With you. She took a deep breath—get a grip, Madison—and smiled. Her gaze darted past him, into his home. Richly painted walls, maple-planked floors, old-fashioned braided rugs. Warm and welcoming—like the man helping her out of her wet leather jacket. “It was nice of you to host the meeting,” she said. “Again.”
“I had an ulterior motive.”
She made the mistake of looking into those blueberry-blue eyes. Her heart skipped, then raced, then pounded. She shifted her weight, a reality check, since it felt like she was floating on air.
“I’m leaving for Florida tomorrow.”
“Daisy told me. I know we agreed to keep our distance, but that’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?”
His lip twitched. “When I get back—”
“So you must be Chloe.” A formidable energy blasted into the foyer, hijacking the conversation. “Sam and Rocky have been singing your praises for the last ten minutes. A professional chef. Aren’t we lucky to have you as a guest tonight?” The slender, buxom woman with dark bobbed hair and model-perfect makeup slipped her arm through Devlin’s, a possessive move meant to put off Chloe, not that it did, mostly because Devlin looked annoyed. “And speaking of lucky,” she rushed on, “I don’t know what we would have done if this generous man hadn’t opened his doors to us tonight.”
“You would have met at another member’s house,” he said, slipping her touch and stuffing his hands in his pant pockets.
Ignoring the diss, she nailed him with a thousand-dollar smile. “Modest as always.” Tearing her gaze from their host, she extended a manicured hand to Chloe. “Tasha Burke, wife of the mayor of Sugar Creek, president of Cupcake Lovers.”
Even if she hadn’t introduced herself, Chloe would’ve known who she was. The family had been dead-on in their description. Plus she was one of those people who commanded attention. Of course she emphasized her titles. Everything about her was pretentious and fake, from her 36C breasts and acrylic nails to her collagen-injected smile. Chloe had met a hundred Tasha Burkes in her lifetime. She was neither impressed nor intimidated.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, too,” Chloe said with a pleasant smile. “As well as the charitable efforts of Cupcake Lovers. No wonder you’re inspired to share their recipes and goodwill with the world.” She lowered her voice for dramatic effect and leaned in, feigning collusion. “I don’t know if anyone mentioned it, but in addition to my culinary degree, I also worked for a Madison Avenue PR firm and wrote food articles and reviews for a prominent New York City e-zine.” Amazing how impressive that sounded when it really wasn’t. “Between my experience and connections, if I can do anything to help…”
“That’s generous of you.” Though Tasha’s smile was intact, her unnaturally apple-green eyes shot venom. “We should join the others. Especially since we’re already off to a late start.” Thanks to you hung unspoken in the air as she spun on her designer heels and strode toward the sound of voices.
Devlin squeezed Chloe’s elbow as he guided her into his home. “You realize you just made an enemy.”
“What a relief. Who’d want to be friends with her?” Chloe knew she’d come off strong, but she also knew Tasha’s type and hated the way they manipulated people and situations for their own benefit, usually without regards to anyone’s feelings. Knowing how she’d crushed Daisy with negative appraisals of her cupcakes was enough to cause Chloe to draw her verbal sword.
�
�You were quick to see through her façade. You’d be surprised by how many people she bullshits.”
Chloe didn’t comment, but she wondered plenty. Had Tasha managed to fool Devlin over a certain period of time? Had she cast a spell? Hooked him with her physical charms? Chloe was almost certain, by things said and from the jealous vibes rolling off the woman, that they’d been an item. Not that Chloe cared, but it certainly intensified her curiosity. Was Devlin one of those people who excelled at professional matters but sucked at personal relationships? It made him less than perfect and all the more intriguing.
They stopped short and Chloe absorbed the living room in one sweeping glance. Cobblestone fireplace, burgundy leather sofa, large-screen plasma television. Tidy, simple, cozy. A small room made all the more intimate by the seven people crowding up the comfortable-looking furniture.
“Thanks for driving Gram over in this crappy weather, Chloe.”
Spying Rocky, Chloe busted into an ear-to-ear grin. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I’m feeling a lot better. Even if I weren’t, I’d drag my sorry butt here. Wouldn’t miss this meeting for the world.”
“Unfortunately, not everyone shared your dogged commitment,” Tasha said to Rocky. “Of all the meetings for anyone to miss. I have exciting news!”
“Ethel, Helen, and Judy are as committed as any of us,” Monica said, breezing over the “exciting news.” “They’re also older and not as willing and able to drive in inclement weather.”
Tasha smirked. “Daisy’s here.”
“I had young eyes,” Daisy said in defense of her senior friends. “And even she had trouble driving in this deluge.” Daisy sniffed at Tasha, then smiled at Chloe. “Take a seat, kitten.”
Feeling like the new girl in class, something she’d experienced a lot, Chloe sat on the sofa, in between Daisy and Monica, while Sam introduced her to Rachel Lacey, a day-care assistant, and Casey Monahan, a jewelry maker. Rachel looked twentysomething and Casey maybe a decade older. From what Daisy had said, Chloe knew they both had brothers serving in the military. She also knew Sam, who she guessed was in his late thirties, had eyes for the sweet-looking, if not plain, Rachel.
“Now that everyone knows everyone,” Tasha barreled on, “I officially call this meeting to order.”
“Mind if I listen in?” Devlin asked.
Tasha looked surprised yet pleased. “It’s your house.” She motioned him to join her on the love seat.
Monica scooted over at the same time, and Chloe’s heart pumped when Devlin sat next to her instead.
“Curious about your news,” he said to Tasha. “Also jonesing to try one of Sam’s cupcakes.”
“He got a whiff when I first arrived,” Sam explained. “Vanilla almond with salted caramel buttercream frosting.”
“I brought cupcakes, too,” Daisy piped up.
“Traditionally,” Tasha said, “we feature one recipe per meeting.”
“Yes, but it’s not written in stone,” Rocky said.
“I’m feeling adventurous tonight,” Casey said.
“Me, too,” Rachel said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be here. Anyone else hydroplane on their way over?”
“I did,” Chloe said.
“Maybe I should drive you home,” Sam said to Rachel.
A hush fell over the group as the blond-haired, brown-eyed girl shifted in her seat and looked everywhere but at Sam. Chloe assumed everyone, except maybe Rachel, knew about Sam’s crush. She wondered if everyone else was on pins and needles like her, because that sure as heck sounded like a move. Say yes! her mind screamed at Rachel. He’s nice and handsome and amazingly talented with his hands. Plus he likes to bake!
“That’s sweet of you, Sam,” she said. “But I’ll be fine.”
Damn, Chloe thought.
“Of course you will,” he said with a quick smile. “I’ll get the cupcakes.”
“Me, too,” Daisy said, following him into what Chloe assumed was the kitchen.
There was an awkward pause, one of those oh-crap-my-friend-just-blew-it moments.
Devlin broke the tension. “Speaking of adventurous, Sam brought a dessert wine.”
“What fun,” Monica said.
“I wondered about those,” Casey said, motioning to the long-stemmed glasses on the mahogany coffee table.
“I’ll pour,” Devlin said.
“Just half a glass for me,” Chloe said. She also cut him off at the halfway mark when he poured a glass for Daisy. When he raised a questioning brow, Chloe shot him a look that promised she’d explain later. And she would. She couldn’t help worrying about Daisy mixing liquor with medications, especially since she had no idea what combination of pills Daisy had taken today or how many. Maybe Devlin knew about her meds. Maybe he could ease Chloe’s mind.
Sam and Daisy breezed back into the room along with their cupcakes and served them up, side by side, on Devlin’s cobalt-blue dessert plates. Almost everyone oohed and ahhed when sampling the dual creations. Sam’s cupcakes weren’t fancy looking in the least—white frosting on white cupcakes—but the combination of sweet and salty was distinctly unique and exceptionally pleasing along with the dessert wine.
Four Forks Up, Chloe thought.
Daisy had utilized caramel buttercream icing as well, although, after piping on the frosting in a circular motion, she’d dipped the frosted cupcakes into a bowl of toasted coconut. What took everyone by blissful surprise was the chocolate ganache filling. “I used an apple corer,” she explained when Rachel asked about her method. “Cored out the center of the cupcake and used a pastry bag to fill the pocket with the ganache.”
“They’re delicious, Gram,” Rocky said with a smile, and Chloe knew she was thinking about the awful first batch a few days before.
“Semi-sweet dark chocolate,” Tasha said, “right?”
Daisy spared her a stiff nod.
“But there’s something else. Something other than chocolate and coconut.”
“My secret ingredient.”
“Which is?”
Daisy smiled. “A secret.”
Everyone except Tasha chuckled as they continued to sample the tasty treats. “You mean you’re not going to tell us?”
“Depends.”
“On?”
“Whether or not my special secret recipe cupcakes are good enough for the Cupcake Lovers’ recipe book.”
Everyone stopped mid-bite and looked from the scrappy senior to the pretentious prez.
Chloe mentally prepared her defense, although it was difficult to think straight with Devlin sitting so close—thighs touching, arms brushing, as they ate and drank. If she didn’t know better she’d think Daisy and Monica, who sat on either end of the sofa, were crowding them together. All she knew was that he smelled great and felt great and all she wanted to do was straddle his lap and kiss him senseless. Embarrassed, she focused on Tasha’s words.
“I can’t speak for everyone,” the woman said, “and of course we’d have to vote, but I think this creation is divine, Daisy.”
“Really?” the group chimed in unison. Obviously, like Chloe, they’d expected a thumbs-down from Tasha.
“Yours, too, Sam,” she went on with a dazzling white smile. “Both would be a stunning addition to Cupcake Lovers’ Delectable Delights—Making a Difference One Cupcake at a Time.”
Rocky’s brows shot up. “To what?”
“It’s just a working title,” Tasha said. “I needed to call our recipe collection something while pitching it to that editor in New York.”
“What editor?” Sam asked.
“That’s my exciting news!” Tasha set aside her plate and pulled a leather organizer from her purse. “Randall recently reached out to some prominent friends regarding my idea. After all, if we’re published and successful, the recipe book would draw attention not only to Cupcake Lovers but to Sugar Creek. Potentially, it could have a positive effect on tourism. Anyway, someone knew someone who knew someone—you know how that goes�
�and next thing I know, I’m having a conference call with Brett Pearson, a senior editor at a publishing house that specializes in nonfiction books!”
“When did this happen?” Casey asked.
“Monday.”
Daisy frowned. “And you’re just now telling us?”
“I wanted to research the company first—they’re legit by the way—and I also wanted to make sure I had all of my notes in order. As you know, cupcakes are the rage right now, so every baker from here to California is pitching a book. Brett was intrigued by the club’s history and what we do for soldiers as well as select charitable functions. Said that’s our platform.”
“Our what?” Rachel asked.
“Angle,” Chloe said. She glanced at Devlin and saw that, like her, he was intrigued. As much as she didn’t like Tasha, Chloe very much liked the idea of sharing the concept of Cupcake Lovers with the world. Their history was interesting and their efforts through the decades commendable. Imagining the thrill Daisy would get out of seeing her recipes in print, in bookstores, and online made Chloe’s heart swell.
“So what’s next?” Monica asked. Clearly the question on everyone’s mind.
Bursting with excitement, Tasha opened her organizer and started reading a list of all the things they’d need for a proposal. “The history of the club and a partial list of members throughout the decades. Personal stories about some of the members, past and present, including their ties with the military and maybe the one charity event that touched them the most. At least ten recipes, photos of the finished product, and candid photos from past events as well as a few professional shots of us.”
“I’m not comfortable having my picture taken,” Rachel said.
“Don’t worry,” Tasha said. “We’ll fix you up. A little makeup does wonders.”
As if Rachel needed a lot of help. Chloe marveled at Tasha’s insensitivity.
Rocky opened her mouth, but Sam beat her to the punch. “Not everyone gets their beauty out of a jar,” he said to Tasha. “Some people are naturally born with it.” He looked to Rachel. “You don’t need makeup.”