by P. L. Harris
Sweet Delights
Table of Contents
Title Page
Sweet Delights
Contents
Introduction
A Lesson in Love
Cinnamon Buns and Blind Dates
The Bake Sale Reunion
Lemon Snippets
Plus One
Sunflower Love
Falling
Count Me In
Sweet Ginger
Tourist Attractions
Rose’s Path
Passionberry Dreams
Welcome Home, Jemma Harlow
Give Us This Day
Contributors
About the Publisher
Western Australia
FIRST PUBLISHED BY Gumnut Press
Copyright © 2021 Gumnut Press
Edited by Nas Dean (www.nasdean.com)
Proofed by Beth Hale (www.magnoliaauthorservices.com)
Cover design by Carolyn de Ridder
ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or any other device now known or invented hereafter without permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organisations is entirely coincidental. The authors acknowledge the use of various trademark and copyright names.
These forms include, but are not limited to xerography, photocopy, scanning, recording, distributing via internet means, informational storage and retrieval system. Because of the dynamic nature of the internet, any web address or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.
National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-publication data:
Sweet Delights/Gumnut Press
ISBN: (sc) 978-0-6451151-0-9
ISBN: (e) 978-0-6451151-1-6
Romance-Fiction
Contemporary Romance
Romance Anthologies
Gumnut Press books may be ordered through online booksellers or by contacting Gumnut Press on [email protected]
Contents
INTRODUCTION
3
A LESSON IN LOVE by P.L. Harris
7
CINNAMON BUNS AND BLIND DATES by Fionna Cosgrove
17
THE BAKE SALE REUNION by Belle Griffin
31
LEMON SNIPPETS by Helen Walton
43
PLUS ONE by Alyce Caswell
57
SUNFLOWER LOVE by Frances Dall’ Alba
67
FALLING by Jan Prior
77
COUNT ME IN by Sioban Timmer
89
SWEET GINGER by Mickey Martin
99
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS by Valerie Latimour
113
ROSE’S PATH by Lauren Loos
127
PASSIONBERRY DREAMS by D. D. Line
139
WELCOME HOME, JEMMA HARLOW by Mandy May
155
GIVE US THIS DAY by Jenny Lynch
167
CONTRIBUTORS
180
Introduction
Welcome to Gumnut Press’ second anthology venture. After the success of Paw Prints of Love, I knew in my heart there were more writers out there with wonderful stories to tell and considered it my privilege to find them and share them with the world.
While this anthology doesn’t focus on one particular town, it goes one step better and showcases many beautiful locations scattered throughout this stunning country of ours. From the charming South West region of Western Australia to the rolling hills of the Hunter Valley. Picturesque Inglewood, Victoria to Daly Waters in the Northern Territory. So many amazing journeys all in one book.
Thank you to the writers for creating amazing stories full of love, blossoming romance, yummy treats, and the odd challenge or two. We have weddings, café’s, cooking classes, bake sales, family reunions, lost loves reunited, but what is unique about each story is your author voice. Your stories made me want to jump through the pages into your imaginary worlds and live there forever.
To our readers – Thank you. I hope you lose yourself in the many stories and fall in love with the characters, their lives, their loves and of course, their sweet delights.
Peta Flanigan - Gumnut Press
A Lesson in Love
P.L. Harris
Holly McPherson’s stomach knotted as she flicked the lights on in the cooking classroom for the very last time. Her final cooking class, and her last day in Sundance Creek. Holly’s chest tightened like a vice at the thought of leaving, but she knew it was only a temporary cover for Kathy’s maternity leave when she applied for the job.
“I’m going to miss this place,” she muttered.
More importantly she’d miss the wonderful people she’s met through her cooking classes. One in particular. A familiar buzz ricocheted through her body as thoughts of Sam Erickson bombarded her mind. Tall, dark, and handsome. Every woman’s ideal man.
Well, mine anyway.
But once she learned of his heartbreaking story, in her heart she knew he was off-limits.
Warmth filled her chest as she busied herself preparing for class, her mind reminiscing over the last four weeks. She’d turned out some extraordinary young bakers, but Sam’s son, Kyle, had been one of her star pupils in her Middle School Sensational Sweets class. A twinge of sorrow caught in the back of her throat. Kyle’s gut-wrenching words flooded her thoughts.
‘My mum’s in heaven with my Gran. She’s been there for three years watching over Dad and me. It’s okay cause I’m twelve now and I understand she was sick, and her body just gave out on her, but she loved us. I just want my dad to be happy again.’
Such grown up words for a young boy.
A high-pitched nasal voice called from the front servery shooting Holly back to the present. “Morning Holly Molly.”
“Morning Stefanie,” Holly called as she glanced towards the front of the shop giggling and shaking her head at Stefanie’s pet name for her.
Stefanie peeked around the door, her bright lolly pink coloured hair high on her head in her usual shaggy top knot. A smile beamed from her face. “All ready for class? The crazy little munchkins will be here any minute.”
Holly nodded, excitement bubbling up from her belly. “Yep, all ready and today we’re finishing with the piece de resistance. My red velvet cupcake tower.” She stepped aside and held her arms out towards her display wiggling her fingers jazz hands style. “Ta-da.”
“Oh my God, the kids are going to go ape over that,” Stefanie said, clasping her hands together at her chest. Her smile suddenly dropped at the same time as her hands. A cutesy pout stuck her bottom lip out. “I can’t believe it’s your last class today and you’re going back home to Perth tomorrow. You are a talent that we can’t afford to lose.”
Satisfaction blossomed in Holly’s heart. “Thank you, that’s sweet of you to say.”
“It’s true.” Stefanie’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Wait a minute, I have a brilliant idea. Why don’t you see if Kathy will let you stay on
part-time?”
Part-time won’t pay the bills.
Her old job back in Perth was waiting for her, albeit a mundane boring accounting job. Her passion was for teaching and nurturing the next master chef, not in dull and dreary numbers.
“I mean that way you could keep teaching here which means more time with kids and more time with their dad’s, if you know what I mean.” Stefanie winked at Holly and giggled.
Heat washed up from Holly’s neck to her cheeks. Oh God, had she been that obvious? Surely not. “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
Stefanie rolled her eyes to the roof and shook her head. “Oh, come off it, It’s obvious you like Sam Erickson and there’s a connection there.”
There is?
“Have you noticed how no other mum or dad stays that long after class to discuss their child’s lesson? Only Sam.”
Really?
“Or how his eyes light up when he’s talking to you?”
They do?
Stefanie continued. “Or how Kyle stands quietly by and lets the two of you have some time alone?”
Holly quickly dismissed Stefanie’s words, ignoring the spark of hope in her heart. “Pfft, he’s just a caring dad that’s all, interested in his son’s chosen career. He told me on many occasions that since his wife has passed away his son comes first.”
“If you say so,” Stefanie said with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders. “Woah, either they have arrived, or a herd of elephants have come through the front door. I’ll leave you to it.”
HOLLY WIPED THE SWEAT from her brow and sighed in triumph. “Congratulations everyone. These are the most amazing red velvet cupcake towers I’ve ever seen. I’m so proud of each of you as I’m sure your parents will be.” A raucous roar of applause burst from her students, filling her heart with love. After numerous goodbyes and thank you gifts from students, exhaustion began to creep into her tired limbs.
“Thank you, Holly. You’re the best,” Kyle said, as he threw his arms around her waist and squeezed. She’d miss him the most.
“Easy there, buddy. You don’t want to knock Holly off her feet.”
A deep sexy voice echoed from behind her, speaking straight to her soul. She tensed.
Sam.
She spun and her breath caught in her throat. He looked so gorgeous in his casual chinos and navy-blue polo shirt. Butterflies fluttered inside her stomach. His cobalt blue eyes sparkled behind his frameless glasses and with the cutest dimple on his chin he looked good enough to eat.
“For you,” he said, as he presented her with a rather large bunch of native Australian flowers. Her jaw dropped and the familiar sugary scent of Wattle fanned out across the classroom.
She gasped, and her hand flew to her chest and Kyle slowly stepped back. “Oh my God, they’re stunning.” Had Stefanie been right? What use was it starting a relationship when she was leaving tomorrow? Her thoughts ran away with the possibilities. Sam would definitely be a reason to stay in Sundance Creek.
Sam smiled and the glint in his eye rocked her core. “It’s the least I can do. You’re amazing, Holly.”
“Isn’t she, Dad?” Kyle asked, looking at her with the same cobalt blue eyes.
“She sure is.” Sam paused, giving her the dreamiest smile to date. Their eyes locked and a spark ignited between them. “I can’t tell you what these classes have done for Kyle. I haven’t seen him this alive in...well, in years and it’s all down to you. I promised him I’d get you a special thank you present.”
Thank you present?
A rush of heat worked its way up her neck to her cheeks. He didn’t ‘like her like her’, he was just being polite. Saying thank you for teaching his son to cook. Embarrassment washed through her like a rising storm.
You idiot. How could you be so stupid? This will teach you to let Stefanie put fanciful ideas of love and romance in your head.
The urge to escape was strong. “They’re beautiful. Thank you so much.” She paused and turned to Kyle, his tormented frown gutted her. “And thank you for being my number one student. With the talent you have, you’re going to go far. Remember me when you’re rich and famous, okay?”
A tear threatened to break his strong façade. He smiled and hugged her one last time. “I’ll never forget you, Holly.”
“Holly...I...” Sam’s tortured voice stabbed her in the chest.
She smiled a fake smile locking away her shattered heart. “You have one special boy here, Sam. I wish you all the best and thank you for my beautiful flowers. Kathy will be back next week and I’m sure Kyle will impress her just as he has me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a tonne of things to do before I head back to Perth tomorrow.”
Sam cleared his throat softly and placed his hand around Kyle’s shoulder. “Of course. I understand. Have a safe trip home.”
“Sure,” she said between pursed lips. It was all she could do to hold it together in front of the man who had stolen her heart.
HOLLY GLANCED AT THE wall clock as she shoved the last of her clothes in her suitcase and looked around her empty one-bedroom apartment now void of any signs of life.
“That should do it.” Six-forty and the sun was only just setting. Sleep would come slow tonight. The sweet fragrance from Sam’s flowers wafted towards her and she held her breath praying the longing would pass in a hurry. She picked up her last cooking book and flipped the front cover open to the inscription.
‘Never let fear stand in the way of your dreams. Dream big, my baby girl. Love, Mum.’
A silent steam of tears trickled down her cheek. “I miss you, Mum. More every day.”
The soulful voice of Michael Bublé blared through her apartment interrupting her beautiful memory. She grabbed her mobile off the kitchen bench. “Hello, this is Holly McPherson.”
A young distraught voice blurted between sobs. “Hol...H...Holly...you have to...to help me.”
Her brow creased. “Kyle? Kyle, is that you? What on earth is wrong?” Fear gripped her chest like a fist. Sam. “Has something happened to your dad?”
His tortured sobs continued. “Y...you...ha...have to help...help me. I did it all wrong and...and I’ve ruined the most important night for my...d...dad.”
Hearing the pain in Kyle’s voice broke her. “Of course, I’ll help you. Anything, just tell me what you need?”
A sniffle rumbled down the line. “I need your red velvet cupcake tower and I need it tonight.”
“My cupcake tower?” That was the last thing she expected him to say. “Why do you need my cupcake tower?”
“I had it all planned, Holly. It was supposed to be perfect for my dad. Dinner and then I was going to surprise him with my tower and...and I dropped it.” A fresh bout of sobs started. “It...it was going to be perfect and...and now it’s all ruined. Please Holly, I...I don’t have time to make another one. Please I need your tower, can you bring it over? Now?”
The anguish in his voice ripped her heart right out of her chest. She glanced over to the kitchen table where her tower still lay neatly packed in its Tupperware carry case. “Okay, first what I want you to do is take some deep breathes for me. Of course, you can have my tower. I’ll be right over.” Jotting down his address, she grabbed her coat and cupcakes and bolted for the door.
HOLLY’S HAND SHOOK as she rang the doorbell. Kyle’s voice faintly rang out from the other side of the Jarrah door. “I’ll get it Dad. You keep working in your office, it’s probably just the pizza boy.”
Pizza boy? What the...?
The door flew open and she stood face to face with a glowing Kyle. “Pizza boy?”
His eyes took on a haunted gaze and he grabbed her arm, pulling her into the house and shutting the door quietly behind her, her skin pinching underneath his grip. “Holly, thank goodness you came. Come on, we haven’t got much time.”
“Kyle?” she said between breathes as he yanked her down the double hallway, the smell of a delicious roast lamb sending her head into a spin. “I don’t underst
and?”
He sent her a cheeky grin. “You will.”
They pulled up at what looked like a formal dining room with a table elegantly set for two. Kyle and Sam, she expected. Her gaze scanned the surrounding rooms landing on Kyle’s red velvet cupcake tower prominently sitting on the marble kitchen bench in a place of honour.
Her lips thinned and she glared at the boy smiling beside her. “Kyle, what’s going on?”
He plastered his smile on and ignored her question. He stepped towards the doorway and yelled, “Dad, Dad, come quickly.”
“Kyle?” Sam’s voice rung out from the rear of the house, his words stricken with fear.
Holly’s jaw dropped as realisation hit her square in the chest. Kyle was playing matchmaker and she’d fallen for it hook line and sinker. For the second time today, embarrassment worked its way through her body inch by torturous inch.
“Kyle? What’s–” Sam blurted as he turned the corner, his words lost as his gaze landed on Holly, “–wrong? Holly, what are you doing here?”
“I think you better ask your son,” she said, looking down at Kyle. Sam frowned and folded his arms across his chest, his buff biceps bulging. Holly bit her bottom lip in a desperate plea to curb her want for the man standing before her.
In a stern voice, Sam aimed his questions at his innocent looking son. “Kyle, what is Holly doing here?”
“I brought her here,” he pouted.
“Why?” Holly and Sam asked in unison, their eyes locking in an unexpected moment.
Kyle threw his arms up in the air and began to pace the dining room. “Because Dad, I’m sick of you being unhappy and the only time I’ve seen you remotely happy since Mum died is when you’re talking about Holly or when you come and pick me up from class. You can’t stop talking about her. You like her. I know you do.”
Holly stood frozen in shock. Kyle’s words playing havoc on her emotions.