Strawberry Kisses (A Rocky Harbor Novel Book 2)

by Marianne Rice

  “You should put in a special order and avoid the middleman cost. I can deliver to you daily if you’d like.” She’d hate to take the business away from Mackenzie, but if the owner was buying so much, it was the right thing to do. She’d talk to Mackenzie about it.

  “That would have been the smart thing to do. I’m still new at this.” The woman laughed. “Anyway, can you come by today?”

  “Sure. But just to warn you, I’m not exactly dressed for an interview. I rode my bike to work and have been baking all day.”

  “Bring me one of your white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and I’ll forgive you.”

  “Deal. Can I bring you a coffee as well?”

  “You really want this job, don’t you?”

  “I do.” Rachael danced around the kitchen with excitement. “Oh, I didn’t even ask you your name.”

  “I was so excited to hear you’re the mastermind behind my secret vices that I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ellie Fairfield. Oh, and I’d love an iced coffee with skim milk and sugar. The real stuff. I’ll see you in a bit.” Practically skipping down the cobblestone sidewalk twenty minutes later, Rachael smiled at tourists as they window shopped, at the little kids licking their cones as ice cream melted down their hands, at couples walking hand in hand down the street. While she hadn’t grown up in the heart of the town, just outside of it, Rocky Harbor would always be home to her.

  It was where she wanted to raise her family. She could picture mini-Jakes tugging at the bottom of her shorts as she baked in the kitchen. Little girls with their daddy’s chocolate eyes and dark hair, boys who would be the charmers in their preschool.

  They’d never talked about too far into the future. What if he didn’t want to marry or didn’t like children? No, Jake’s gentle nature with his sister and even the students in his class proved he’d be an excellent father.

  As she neared the Inn, Rachael forced her thoughts back to her job interview. Ellie sounded fun. Hopefully they’d have a good working relationship like she had with Mackenzie. If the job only required breakfast, she could do the baking for Coast & Roast at night, or maybe get up a little earlier and multi-task.

  The Rocky Harbor Inn was at the end of the square and had served as a centerpiece of the town for many years. There was great history to the place, but Rachael didn’t know the story. She couldn’t wait to hear about it from the new owner.

  The house was exquisite, old and well cared for. A classic white three-story colonial that faced the main road, while the back yard sloped toward the ocean, giving guests a million dollar view from their room. Rachael tried to calm her excitement at the prospect of another job. It meant everything to her.

  That constant struggle for complete independence.

  Not that she didn’t love living with her mother. Doreen was amazing, but she really didn’t want to be living at home anymore. Bounding the steps, she reached out to knock when she heard a loud scream from inside. Yanking the door open, Rachael rushed into the foyer and followed the noise toward the back of the house.

  “I hate you!” she heard from the kitchen.

  Fear and tension filled her body. The moves Jake had taught her during class kicked in. Looking around for the nearest weapon, she picked up a pewter bell from an end table and slowed her pace, inching around the corner, scared of what she’d find.

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” yelled a petite brunette as she kicked an ancient looking refrigerator.

  The pressure in her chest let out and her grip around the bell loosened. “Hello?” The brunette, presumably Ellie Fairfield, screeched and turned. “I’m sorry. I never meant to scare you.” How cruel of her to sneak up on Ellie. Rachael knew how it felt to be spied on.

  “Oh, hi. Sorry. I’m having a brawl with this fridge from the forties and I think it won. Or lost. Not sure how to look at it. She’s totally useless. It’s cooler in the kitchen than it is inside this honking thing. All my food has gone bad. Looks like takeout until I can get a new one.” Ellie rubbed her hands on her jean-clad thighs and then stuck one out. “You must be Rachael. Sorry to look so sordid, but I was hoping to have the kitchen cleaned up for you before you arrived.”

  “Oh, don’t go to any trouble. You were clear on the phone that it hadn’t been used in a while. Here’s your coffee and cookies.” Rachael handed her the bag and cup and looked around the space. It would be perfect for her Kids in the Kitchen classes. More roomy than Mackenzie’s.

  “So, what do you think? Minus the I Love Lucy refrigerator. I’ll get you a new one. Well, C.J. and I will need to use it as well.”

  Rachael took a few minutes to walk around. The room was amazing. Open and airy, with a view overlooking the lawn and ocean and a large eat-in area that could probably seat twelve kids. The kitchen space was gigantic, built and designed to serve the patrons in the restaurant area of the Inn. The butcher block island had to be at least eight feet long and four feet wide.

  Pale yellow walls kept the kitchen bright and airy, as did the white farmhouse-style cabinets. She trailed her hand over the beautiful woodwork as she checked out the two Viking wall ovens and eight-burner stove. “They paid top dollar for these, I wonder why they didn’t upgrade the refrigerator.”

  “The appliances were replaced as they shut down, which makes sense. I guess this girl is the last to go.” Ellie kicked it with her bare foot and bit her lip at the pain.

  “I’d love to hear the history of the Inn.” Rachael opened an oven door, impressed with the size.

  “Let’s go out back in the Adirondack chairs. It’s beautiful out today and I haven’t had a chance to sit yet.”

  Once they settled in their chairs, Ellie began. “The previous owners stopped serving lunch and dinner about a decade ago, but they kept the dining room open for breakfast for guests. The terms of my owner’s contract state that I have to have the restaurant up and running in the next year. At least for breakfast, and ideally dinner as well. I can only fit fifty in the dining room, so it would be more intimate setting. Long, leisurely meals with a slow turnover. Think you’re up for the challenge?”

  “Don’t you want to interview me? Sample my cooking?”

  “If you’re as great as everyone says you are, then why not? I like you, we seem to get along pretty well, and I need a chef.”

  “Who is everyone? We barely met and you haven’t even tasted any of my recipes yet other than my muffins.”

  “I’m assuming the soup at Coast & Roast is yours as well?” Rachael nodded. “I’ve sampled every baked good there and it’s all amazing. I don’t know her well, but the few times I’ve talked to Mackenzie she’s raved about you. I don’t know why I didn’t think about stealing you from her before. Oh, is that going to be a problem?”

  “I don’t think so. I have a pretty good routine going, and now that I know the bulk of my order is coming to the Inn anyway, I can kill two birds with one stone.”

  “I met Maggie O’Fallon briefly. I don’t know her well either, I don’t know anyone, really, but she lit right up when she heard Mackenzie and me talking about you. I remember her talking about your cooking.”

  “You have quite the memory. Maggie is engaged to my brother, so she has to say nice things about me.”

  “Maggie attested to your cooking skills. And we won’t be serving dinner until next year anyway, and then probably just for guests. They’ll have to order ahead of time so there’ll be plenty of time to prepare. We can see how that goes and then build from there.”

  Rachael laughed. “It sounds like you’ve thought this through.” She liked Ellie. “Can you tell me what kind of breakfast you’d like to serve?”

  “Don’t ask me. My meals consist of Frosted Flakes in the morning, macaroni and cheese for lunch, and spaghetti for dinner. I’m sure whatever you come up with will be wonderful.”

  “First, I’d like to hear about the Inn. Maybe it will give me some recipe inspiration. Or maybe there are some tucked away in the cabinets.”

  “Could
be. I haven’t had much time to snoop through the kitchen. C.J. has, but I doubt he’s been looking for recipe cards.”

  “Your husband?”

  Ellie’s smile faded and she shook her head. “No. No husband.” She sighed and slowly the smile returned to her face. “C.J. is my son. He’s my world. He doesn’t eat much, mostly snacks. I’ve been trying to put more meat on his bones, although I can’t blame him for not wanting to eat my cooking.”

  “I can’t wait to meet him. Sounds like he may be a willing guinea pig if I want to try out new recipes.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “So, tell me about this place. I heard you won it through an essay?”

  Ellie pulled her knees toward her chest and wrapped her arms around her shins. “Over a hundred years ago, James and Charlotte Peabody built the mansion expecting to have dozens of children, only to find out Charlotte was infertile. For years they opened their doors to the less fortunate, giving them a place to stay in exchange for honest work. Cooking, cleaning, landscaping, and the sort. Then one day Charlotte had the grand idea to turn the rest of the rooms into affordable rooms to rent. When she and James passed away they left the house, completely paid for, to their head housekeeper, Eleanor Smith. She continued operating the house in the same manner as the Peabodys, but as she got older she knew she needed to figure out a way to keep the integrity of the Inn.”

  Rachael, totally enchanted by the story, shifted her body so she was facing Ellie. “And Eleanor started the essay contest.”

  Ellie nodded. “She didn’t have children and wanted to give back to the community. She met with a lawyer and had a contract written that made sure whoever took over the inn would not renovate, only upkeep, would not change the name or the colors on the outside, would keep the integrity of the inside, keep rates affordable, and wouldn’t sell it off.”

  “Smart lady.”

  “Yup. I’m the fourth person to earn the Inn. It’s mine until I want to pass it on to another. I’m required to keep the building up-to-par, the grounds groomed and the guests fed. Well, at breakfast. Unfortunately, the last of the help left with the owner. She’d been getting up there in age and couldn’t handle the responsibility.”

  “Doesn’t the contract say everything had to be status quo? I thought you said the restaurant hadn’t been used in ten years.”

  “There’s a clause in there somewhere. Actually, there wasn’t a restaurant back when Eleanor Smith ran the place. She provided three meals for the guests, but that wasn’t even required in the contract, just breakfast. Susan Kennedy added that piece right before she left.”

  “She could do that?”

  “I guess. Again, clauses. I haven’t read them too carefully. I was thrilled to win and to have a place to start over with my son. I’ve always loved Maine.”

  Respecting her privacy, Rachael didn’t pry even though she wanted to know more about the intriguing woman.

  “Well, Ms. Fairfield, it looks like you found yourself a new head cook. When do I start?”

  “How about tonight?” She joked. “I have no clue what to cook C.J. and myself for dinner. You can move in whenever you’d like.”

  “Move in?”

  Ellie nodded. “Per the contract, anyone who works for the Inn gets free room and board.”

  Independence. Exactly what Rachael needed to feel whole again. Tears filled her eyes and she blinked fast in an attempt to bat them away, not wanting to appear weak.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  “Allergies. I’m wonderful. You’ve made my day, Ellie. No, you’ve made my world complete. Thank you. Wow. Thank you.”

  They stood and shook hands. “Heck, is it inappropriate for me to admit I’m a bit lonely and in need of a friend? And a hug?” Ellie hugged Rachael. “Welcome to the Rocky Harbor Inn. I think we’re going to work fabulously together.”

  Rachael raced back to Coast & Roast. She wouldn’t leave Mackenzie high and dry, which meant she needed to figure out a plan to keep both jobs.

  “Have a minute?”

  Mackenzie looked up from her laptop and beamed. “You got the job. Congratulations.”

  “How did you…?”

  “Small town.”

  “I left the Inn less than five minutes ago.”

  “Ellie called before you went over. She wanted to make sure she wasn’t stealing you from me. I told her we’d work it out.”

  “We will. I promise. I’ll keep up with your orders here. I promise.”

  “I know. You’re honest and reliable. I have no doubts. Besides, I’m capable of baking a few things. My brownies are kick-ass and were doing just fine before you brought more variety to the counter. I need to make some business decisions anyway. Do I keep status quo or expand and offer lunch? Maybe expand and open a bookstore? I’m still not sure what I want to do with my life. You gave me options. Things to think about.”

  “I’ll keep up with your orders. I promise, Mackenzie. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have gotten the job at the Inn.”

  “Sure you would. You’re awesome. I just happened to be the first person to take advantage of your culinary skills. Besides, with you out of the way I’ll have more opportunities to christen the counter out back. Unless you and Sexy Abs have already done that.”

  Close, but no. “It’s yours to christen.”

  Rachael wanted to race home and pack and tell Jake her news. Maybe she wouldn’t tell him about her room yet, but surprise him tomorrow night after she moved in. She hadn’t even asked to see what the room looked like. She didn’t care. Her own personal space. Rent free and private.

  It took forever to get home—granted, it was more uphill going inland. Finally, speeding down the driveway, she parked her bike in the garage and hobble-jogged to the house. Her mother had texted her earlier saying Maria had picked her up to volunteer at the shelter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and that Rachael could use the car.

  She jumped in the shower and got ready in record time. She found a cute pink skirt and black sleeveless top in her closet, slid her feet into black sandals, and checked her reflection one more time. The glow in her cheeks was either from the sun or from her news. She didn’t care.

  Rachael drove out to Jake’s worksite, a new development in Saco, and got out of the car looking for him. She recognized some of his crew who Jake had introduced her to a few weeks ago and waved. Joey nodded, dropped his shovel and sauntered over.

  “Hey, Rachael. You looking for the boss?”

  “Hi, Joey. Is he here?”

  “He had a meeting at the diner on Marginal Way. Goes there every Friday at three.”

  “Thanks. I’ll see you around.”

  She could wait for him here, stalk him at the diner, or go home. Too anxious and excited to wait, she drove to the diner. It wasn’t far and she got there in less than twenty minutes, hoping he’d still be finishing up.

  She found Jake’s truck in the parking lot and pulled up next to it. Not wanting to crash his meeting, she rolled down her windows and waited. Rachael wondered what type of meeting he could have every Friday afternoon. A business meeting? But that didn’t make sense, since his clients were always changing and his projects lasted different lengths of time.

  At four o’clock he came around the building with another man dressed in slacks and suit coat. They talked for a minute and shook hands before the other man walked toward a Cumberland County police car.

  Rachael’s head swam with questions.

  Jake pulled out his phone and read the screen as he headed toward his truck. A smile appeared while he tapped the screen and Rachael’s phone beeped, signaling a text.

  He slid the phone in his pocket and looked up, stopping suddenly when he spotted Rachael. Jake turned his head, looking toward the man in the police car, who just pulled out of the parking lot, before he made his way over to her.

  “Rachael?”

  She got out of her car and leaned against it, the heat radiating through her thin clothing.

 
“What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you.”

  “I just got your text. You’ve some good news?” The smile that reached his eyes a minute ago while texting wasn’t the same one he donned now. This one was forced, as if was covering something. Jake wasn’t one to squirm, but his shoulders and feet twitched and his eyes looked everywhere but at her.

  Rachael spent too many years with a man who spent more of his time covering up his lies than telling the truth, and she didn’t want to live that life anymore.

  “It’s probably none of my business, but are you in some sort of trouble?”

  “No. I promise. I’m not.”

  “So why the secret meeting?”

  “It’s not a secret meeting. And you’re right, it’s none of your business.”

  “Joey said you meet here every Friday. Do you meet with the police every week? Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

  “I don’t run my schedule by you, nor do you give me yours,” he snapped.

  Rachael shot back as if slapped. “I apologize. Carry on with your schedule. I have my own to keep.” Wanting to get away before she completely broke down, she yanked open her car door and slammed it shut before he stepped closer.

  Jake didn’t chase after her. He stood in his spot as she drove off, the dagger in her heart twisting as she sped home.

  Chapter Eleven

  There were no texts. No calls. No Jake at her doorstep ringing her doorbell, begging to talk. Saturday morning Rachael rolled out of bed before the sun came up, left her mom a quick note, and rode her bike to work again. By the time she neared the center of town, the sun was making its way over the horizon, casting rays of a beautiful sunrise across her path.

  A new day. A beautiful, picture perfect day for the people of Rocky Harbor. Except for Rachael. She had no idea why Jake seemed so shocked and upset at her yesterday, but he wasn’t the Jake she’d fallen in love with.

  Yes, she loved him. And that’s why the dagger he’d twisted in her heart hurt so freaking much. She’d packed up her bedroom last night and asked Lucy to help her move into the Inn this afternoon.