by Cindy Kirk
“I’m wondering if that’s why she gave us this chocolate frosted one with the white flowers.” With the elegant sweep of her hand, Eliza gestured to the next example.
“Dan is allergic to chocolate.” Lindsay expelled an exasperated breath. “While that one is pretty, he wouldn’t be able to eat a bite.”
“O-kay.” Eliza moved on to the third selection. “Classic white with elaborate scrolling on the sides.”
“It’s beautiful.” Dan glanced at Lindsay.
“But very traditional.” Lindsay turned to Eliza for confirmation, got a nod.
“The other cakes are definitely more unusual.” Dan’s gaze focused on the ones Ami had “staged” to full advantage on the table.
The first appeared to channel Chanel. Each tier of black fondant was separated by a thin strand of pearls. Hand-sculpted white bows embellished with a black broach with pearl-white trim adorned each layer.
The groom’s cake sported a tuxedo pattern along with black and white fondant bow ties.
The final sample, a mini wedding cake, had a zebra-stripe pattern on the bottom topped by two black tiers with black and white fondant flowers.
“I think any of the three would work.” Lindsay turned to Dan. “What do you—?”
“I’m sorry.” Dan held up his phone. “Joe Lyle. I hoped I could make it through this without being called away, but he’s in the hospital and—”
“Go.” Lindsay stood. “That’s why we drove separately.”
When he opened his mouth as if to protest, Lindsay continued, “I’ll be fine. You don’t really need to be here for this, anyway.”
“You’re the best.” Dan leaned over and brushed her cheek with his lips. “Let me know which one gets the thumbs-up.”
When the front door shut, Eliza waited for Lindsay to sit so they could continue. Instead, the blonde pulled her keys from her bag and slung the purse strap over her shoulder.
Puzzled, Eliza stared. “Where are you going?”
“To see Owen.” Lindsay gestured to the cakes with one hand. “I know this competition is important to the community, but the man just lost his child. You heard Dan, he doesn’t care which cake is chosen. Whatever you and Kyle decide is fine with me.”
Lindsay was nearly to the door when Eliza called out, “Wait.”
Lindsay whirled, and her eyes flashed blue fire. “You’re not going to talk me out of seeing Owen.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Eliza placed Anita’s chocolate cake back in the bakery box. “Take this to him. He can serve it to visitors. Please give him our condolences and tell him we’re thinking of him.”
Lindsay’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.”
Eliza walked her friend to the door. When she returned, she found Kyle pouring himself another cup of coffee.
She gestured to his bandaged hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” His smile held an impish edge. “I think I’ll be one hundred percent after a piece of that zebra cake.”
Chapter 19
“I’m taking off early,” Kyle told his foreman when the clock hit four on Friday afternoon. He unhooked his tool belt and set it aside.
“A couple of us guys are stopping by the Flying Crane.” Sean Flannery lifted his head from the piece of trim he was installing. “Join us.”
“Thanks for the invitation.” Kyle smiled easily. “But I’ve got—”
“No explanation necessary.” Sean shot him a wink. “I’d pick the smokin’-hot brunette over us any day.”
“Have a good weekend.” Kyle ignored the twinkle in Nate’s eyes, knowing exactly what had put it there.
An hour earlier, Eliza had passed by the job site, looking incredible in her fitted black dress and heels. Alerted by one of his crew, Kyle had dropped what he’d been doing and hurried out to speak with her.
They hadn’t had much chance to connect the past couple of days. Lolo had been flattened by news of Mindy’s death. Since Tuesday, every conversation—at the dinner table and in the parlor—revolved around Mindy.
Kyle understood the need for his sister to express her feelings, but he missed talking with Eliza about his day, learning about hers. Missed seeing those smoky gray eyes narrow and those lips curve in a suspicious smile.
As tonight was Katherine’s turn to be home for Mindy, there was no need for him to rush home.
Since Eliza had mentioned going to the Bayshore in order to meet with the event planner and check out the setup for the singles event tomorrow night, Kyle hoped to catch her there.
He quickened his step. It had been almost an hour since she’d passed by. The door to the hotel slid open, and Kyle hurried inside. Then he took a moment to simply breathe.
Thanks to the gargantuan flower display on a table in the lobby, the air in the Bayshore smelled like a tropical garden. He wondered if Eliza would be open to coming here sometime, having dinner, perhaps renting a room…
With Lolo and Katherine always around, there was little opportunity for romance in the house.
Bypassing the front desk, Kyle followed the signs to the ballrooms. He found Ballroom 1 in the process of being decorated for a wedding. He moved farther down the hall to Ballroom 2.
This was a smaller room with numbered tables that were big enough for only two, set up in the back half of the space. With the quick, efficient moves that were as much a part of her as her trademark black, Eliza moved purposefully from one table to the next, leaving cards at each place setting.
He stood there for several seconds, watching and enjoying the view.
“What are you doing?” His voice echoed in the silence.
She whirled. When she saw it was him, the tense set to her shoulders eased. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I got off early. I thought I’d see if you needed any help.” He gestured to the tables. “What kind of setup is this? It looks like some kind of speed-dating thing.”
“It’s a kind of speed-getting-acquainted thing.” Eliza dropped a second card on the table. “There are a lot of singles in Good Hope. A survey was done last year, and results showed there was interest in such events.”
“You’re making it happen. Good for you.”
“I’m one of many who make it happen.” She smiled modestly, but he could see his compliment had pleased her. “These events have the support of many community organizations.”
Idly, Kyle picked up one of the cards she’d been dispensing. “What are these?”
“They contain the get-acquainted questions that everyone will answer.”
He must have looked skeptical, because she pointed to the chair. “Sit. I’ll tell you how we plan to use them, then you can give a thumbs-up or -down.”
“Always happy to help.” Kyle pulled out a chair and sat down.
He wasn’t sure which of them was more surprised when Eliza leaned over to press her lips against his mouth before sitting opposite him. “Thanks for being a good sport.”
“Tell me how this is all supposed to work.” As he spoke, he lifted one of her hands and kissed each finger, featherlight.
Eliza cleared her throat. “There will be cocktails and appetizers. Each person who chooses to participate will get a number when they walk through the door. After giving everyone time to mingle, we’ll move into the getting-acquainted part of the evening. Those with numbers will go to their table. The couples will be given eight minutes to answer the questions. When the timer goes off, the men will get up and move to the next table.”
“This sounds similar to the speed-dating craze of several years back.” Kyle cocked his head. “Did you consider that those who expressed a preference for more singles events in Good Hope may have simply wanted activities that weren’t family oriented?”
Eliza tapped her temple with an index finger. “You’ve got some brains in there.”
Kyle was still processing the backhanded compliment when she continued.
“I brought that up at one of our first organization m
eetings. While these first few events may seem like matchmaking, they’re really intended to help the singles in the community get better acquainted.” Eliza leaned across the table, her gray eyes focused and intense. “We want them to feel like they’re among friends at the rest of the activities we have planned this year.”
“Yet you’re not requiring everyone to do the speed-getting-acquainted part of the evening.”
Though it was more of a comment than a question, Eliza nodded. “That’s right. We don’t want anyone feeling uncomfortable.”
Her gaze dropped to the card in front of her. “The questions are pretty innocuous.”
“Tell me about the questions. How did you come up with them?”
“One of the committee members suggested them. Would you like to go through them with me?” Though her tone was offhand, he sensed she’d be disappointed if he didn’t play along.
“Sure. I’m game.”
Eliza nodded, picked up the card and read from it. “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”
Relief skittered through him. “That’s an easy one.”
“These aren’t intended to be difficult. Or too personal.” Eliza met his gaze, her expression serious. “While the focus is on getting better acquainted, we needed them to be simple enough that each person would have time to answer all three in eight minutes.”
“Can it be done?”
“Let’s give it a try.” Eliza set the timer on her phone to eight minutes and gestured to him. “The clock is ticking.”
“Something you don’t know about me.” Absently, he tapped the table with his hand. “My dad taught me to run a band saw when I was four.”
A look of shock crossed her face. “You were a baby.”
“I was four. I made something for my mother’s birthday. She still has it.” He smiled. “But that’s a discussion for another time. It’s your turn. What don’t I know about Miss Eliza Shaw?”
“My grandmother used to send me white roses for no special reason.”
“Your favorite flower.”
“And hers.” Eliza’s eyes were dark with memories. “No one loved me like she did. Probably no one ever will.”
She shook her head, as if tossing aside the past. “Next question is, Tell me something we agree on.”
Kyle considered the question. “Honesty in a relationship is essential.”
She nodded, thought for a moment. “Trust.”
Usually, Kyle didn’t have any trouble keeping up with conversation shifts, but she’d lost him.
“That’s something else we agree on.” Eliza smiled and glanced down at the paper. “One last question. Tell me something you like about me.”
“Quick question.” He raised a hand to stop her protest. “How does that question work if the couple isn’t acquainted?”
“The answer can be as simple as liking the other person’s smile or the shirt they’re wearing.”
“Ending the encounter with a compliment.”
“Yes. We thought breaking on a positive note would leave both participants with a good feeling.” Eliza gestured toward the phone lying on the table. “The clock is ticking.”
“There are so many things I like about you that it’s hard to pick one.” He smiled at the skeptical look she shot him. “But since I have to choose one, I’d say it’s your heart. You care about people and you care about this community.”
“I’m the executive director of the Cherries.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Caring about Good Hope goes with the territory.”
Kyle took the hand he’d kissed moments earlier to his lips, his eyes fixed on hers. “You have a big heart.”
“I’ve been called hard-hearted more times than I can count.” She gave a little laugh. “I have a reputation for being a hard-ass.”
“Don’t.” He tightened his hold on her hand when she attempted to pull away. “How many times do I have to tell you? You’re a smart, intelligent and caring woman.”
She stopped struggling. A soft look filled her eyes as an invisible web of attraction wove around them.
“There’s a couple of things I like about you, too,” she admitted almost grudgingly.
“That’s what I like to hear.” Kyle couldn’t stop the grin. “Too bad you only have time to name one.”
“Time?”
“Ticktock.” His gaze dropped to her phone. “You’ve got one minute.”
Eliza hesitated for only a second. “You’re kind. To Lolo. To Katherine. To me. You’re a nice guy, Kyle Kendrick.”
“Thank you, E. Coming from you, that means a lot.” He was seized with the sudden urge to pull her into his arms and never let go.
“So, thumbs up or down?”
He cast her a quizzical look.
“On the questions,” she reminded him.
“Thumbs up.” He illustrated. “I’m even willing to answer them all over again on Saturday night…as long as you’re my partner.”
Saturday dawned bright and sunny. Kyle stood in the Good Hope Cemetery, Eliza on one side, Lolo on the other. Katherine was with her friends.
Lolo buried her face against his arm, red-rimmed eyes spilling fresh tears. “She was wearing the dress.”
Eliza stood ramrod straight and dry-eyed. But Kyle saw the pity and sadness in her eyes before the casket was closed.
Mindy wore her sparkly scarf and the flower-girl dress with the pink feathers. Had it been only a week ago that she’d walked down the aisle, her face beaming smiles?
Kyle spotted Fin and Jeremy at the front of the church, sitting with Owen. They were supposed to have been in Hawaii for two weeks, but had flown back as soon as they’d gotten the news.
Owen sat in the front row under the tent, his gaze focused straight ahead. When he lifted the white handkerchief Jeremy had pressed into his hand to wipe his eyes, Kyle saw his fingers shook.
Owen would have done anything for his daughter. Kyle knew his dad would have been the same way. If cancer had struck him or Lolo, Scott Kendrick would have been at their side night and day. And if Kyle had been the one being placed in the ground, it would have been Scott Kendrick grieving, not Ed Rakes.
Scott was the man who had raised him, the one who knew him, who loved him. Why had he pushed so hard to get Jeremy to give the DNA sample? Was it really so important to find out if Rakes blood ran through his veins?
No more pushing Jeremy, Kyle told himself.
Eliza leaned close. “What did you say?”
He took her hand, laced his fingers with hers and spoke in a low tone. “I can’t imagine losing a child.”
“I can’t, either.” Her gray eyes remained solemn. “I hope we never find out.”
They’d never spoken about having children, but he wanted them. And Eliza was good with kids. He’d seen her with Ami’s Sarah Rose and with Lolo. She’d make a fabulous mother. She’d make a wonderful wife.
“There’s a luncheon thing at the church,” Lolo informed them when they returned to Eliza’s Subaru. “I want to go. It’s important.”
Kyle exchanged a glance with Eliza, who simply shrugged. He refocused on his sister. “Why is it important?”
“If there’s a lot of kids there, that will show her dad how much she meant to everyone.” Lolo was silent for a long moment. “If Prudie had killed herself, the only people at the funeral—except for me—would have been friends of her parents.”
“She makes a good point.” Eliza rested a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “When my grandmother died, I found comfort in the friends who showed up for the service.”
Kyle nodded. “Let’s go and celebrate a life well-lived.”
There had been nothing normal about the weekend, not when it started with the funeral of a child. Eliza and Kyle never did make it to the singles event at the Bayshore. Lolo needed comfort and wanted Eliza home with her.
Katie Ruth stepped in to oversee the event, which apparently went off without a hitch.
The week sped by. Eliza found herself tapping a
fingernail against the laptop as she studied the list of everything still needing to be done for the Ready, Set, Wed showcase.
“What’s with the frown?” Kyle set his plate down on the other side of the dining room table.
“Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“It’s Saturday, remember?” He gestured to the waffle and several slices of bacon.
The aroma had her stomach growling, reminding her she’d yet to eat that morning.
“Want some?” He lifted the dish, smiled. “I can share.”
“I’ll make something—” She stopped when she realized protesting was a wasted effort. He was already on his way to the kitchen.
Kyle returned seconds later with another plate, along with butter and syrup. He expertly halved the waffle and tossed a couple of bacon slices beside it before handing it to her.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He filled his coffee cup from the carafe on the table, then topped off hers. “What are you doing?”
“Figuring out how to get everything done for the Ready, Set, Wed showcase.” Eliza picked up a bacon slice and took a bite, chewed.
“I thought everything was done.” Kyle drenched his waffle in syrup. “You’ve got the dress and cake. What’s left?”
“Hair.” Eliza resisted the urge to glance at the list on the computer and focused instead on the food. “This week, Lindsay finally went to Golden Door. I swear it was like wrangling a cat to get her there.”
“Now you can check that off your list.” Kyle popped the bite of syrup-laden waffle into his mouth.
“I wish.” Eliza expelled a frustrated breath. “This afternoon, we’re scheduled for Marigold’s salon. Lindsay tells me this morning she’ll have to get back to me. She might not be able to make it.”
“Why?”
“It depends on how Owen is doing.”
Kyle appeared to choose his words carefully. “She and Owen have been spending a lot of time together. How does Dan feel about that?”
“Lindsay says it doesn’t matter what Dan thinks. She’s Owen’s friend. She’s going to be there for him.”