“Well, then, how about bringing me one? I haven’t even had the chance to find the baby this year.”
Laura Jo walked over “I don’t think—”
Mark looked at her. “It just so happens that your mother owes me a favor.”
“I do?”
“Anna.”
* * *
Laura Jo’s heart fell. She did.
“So how about you and your mother come over to my house tomorrow night and I’ll fix sausage gumbo and you bring the king cake. Better yet, your mother can make it at my house.” He looked at Laura Jo when he said, “She did say my kitchen was the perfect place to make a cake.”
“Can we, Mommy? I want to see Gus. You don’t have to work tomorrow.”
“Great. Then it’s all settled. I’ll expect you at four o’clock.”
“Do you two think I could say something since you’re making plans that involve me?”
Mark looked at her and grinned. “Talk away.”
“Allie, I think we need to take it easy while we have a day off. The next few days are going to be busy.”
Mark leaned forward, making eye contact. “And I think that you owe me a favor that you are trying to welch on.”
Laura Jo shifted from one foot to the other. She did owe him big for helping her with Anna, and the check, and Allie being in the parade. Even so, going to Mark’s house again wasn’t a good idea. “I thought you might be enough of a gentleman that you wouldn’t stoop to calling in a favor.”
He gave her a pointed look. “Sometimes you want something badly enough that the social graces don’t matter.”
She swallowed. The implication was that she might be that “something.” When had been the last time she’d felt wanted by a man? It had been so long ago she couldn’t remember.
Mark looked at Allie and grinned. “Manners don’t matter when you’re talking about king cake.”
Allie returned the smile and nodded.
Why was she letting Mark talk her into it? Because the least she owed him was a king cake for all that he’d done for her. And she had to admit that deep down inside she’d enjoy cooking in his kitchen and spending time with him.
* * *
Mark couldn’t remember the last time he’d looked forward to a king cake with such anticipation. He suspected that it had nothing to do with the cake and everything to do with seeing Laura Jo. She and Allie were due any minute. He gave the gumbo a stir. He’d missed the stew-type consistency of the dish while he’d been in California. As hard as he’d tried, he hadn’t been able to get the ingredients to make good gumbo. What he had used had never tasted like what he was used to having when he was in Mobile.
He slurped a spoonful of gumbo off the tip of the ladle. It was good.
The doorbell rang. Should a man be so eager to spend time with a woman? For his own self-preservation he’d say no. With a smile on his face, Mark opened the door. To his amazement, Laura Jo smiled in return. He hadn’t expected that when he’d given her no choice about coming to his home today. Allie brushed passed his legs.
“Where’s Gus?” she asked as she went.
“He was in his bed, sleeping, the last time I saw him.”
He liked Allie. He’d never spent much time around children but he found Allie a pleasure. She seemed to like him as much as he did her. What would it be like to be a father to a child like her? Maybe if he had Allie as a daughter he’d have a chance of being a good father.
“I hope Gus is prepared for this,” Laura Jo said.
“I wouldn’t worry about Gus. Can I take those?” He reached for the grocery bags she carried in either hand.
“Thanks.” She handed him one of them. “I guess I’d better get started. It’s a long process.”
It occurred to him that she’d be anxious to get away as soon as she had met her obligation. He didn’t plan to let that happen. “We have plenty of time. I have nowhere to be tonight—do you?”
“Uh, no, but I’d still like to get started.”
“Okay, if that’s the way you want it.” To his astonishment, he said, “I’m going to take Gus and Allie outside to play. Gus needs some exercise.” When had he started to think that he was capable of overseeing Allie?
“All right. Just don’t let Allie get too close to the water.”
“I’ll take good care of her.” He was confident he would. He headed in the direction of the living room.
* * *
Laura Jo watched as Mark left the kitchen after he’d placed the bag on the kitchen counter. He headed out as if he’d given her no more thought. For some reason, she was disappointed he’d not worked harder at encouraging her to join him and Allie. She was even more surprised that she trusted him without question to take care of Allie. Was it because she’d seen him caring for others or that she just innately knew he would see to Allie like she was his own?
Running a hand over the granite counter, she looked around the kitchen. It was truly amazing. If she had this kitchen to cook in every day, she might never leave it. But she didn’t. What she had was a small corner one and it was plenty for her and Allie. Mark’s kitchen reminded her of her childhood when she’d stood beside Elsie Mae, their cook, and helped prepared meals.
It was time to get busy. She planned to make the most of Mark’s kitchen while she had it. Shaking off the nostalgia, Laura Jo pulled the bread flour and eggs out of the bag she’d brought. Over the next twenty minutes she prepared the dough and set it aside to rise.
Going to one of the living-room windows, she looked out. Allie was running with Gus as Mark threw a ball. Laura Jo laughed. Gus showed no interest in going after the ball. Seconds later Mark opened his arms wide and Allie ran into them. He lifted her over his head. Laura Jo could hear her daughter’s giggles from where she stood. Her chest tightened.
Allie wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck as he brought her back down. They both had huge smiles on their faces. Laura Jo swallowed the lump in her throat. The man had obviously won her daughter over and Laura Jo was worried he was fast doing the same with her.
She pulled open the door and walked out to join them. Allie and Mark were so absorbed in playing that they didn’t see her until she had almost reached them. Seeing Allie with Mark brought home how much Allie needed a male figure in her life. Had she done Allie a disservice by not looking for a husband or keeping her away from her grandfather? Had she been so wrapped up in surviving and trying to take care of other mothers that she’d neglected Allie’s needs?
“Is something wrong?” Mark asked.
“No, everything is fine.”
“You had a funny look on your face. Was there a problem in the kitchen?”
“No, I found what I needed. Now I have to wait for the dough to rise before I do anything more.”
“Then why don’t we walk down to the dock?” Mark suggested.
“Okay.”
“Come on, Allie,” Mark called.
“So, do you boat or water-ski?” Laura Jo asked.
Mark stopped and looked at her. “You know, I like you being interested in me.”
“Please, don’t make more of a friendly question than there is. I was just trying to make conversation. You live on the water, were raised on the water so I just thought…”
“Yes, I have a small sailboat and the family also has a ski boat.”
She and Mark walked to the end of the pier and took a seat in the Adirondack chairs stationed there.
“How about you?” he asked.
“I don’t sail but I do love to ski.” She watched the small waves coming in as the wind picked up.
“Maybe you and Allie can come and spend the day on the water with me when it gets warmer.”
Allie ran past them to the edge of the pier.
“Be careful,” Mark called. “The water is cold. I don’t want you to fall in.”
“You sure do sound like a parent.”
Mark took on a stricken look that soon turned thoughtful. “I did, didn’t I?”
“I
don’t know why you should act so surprised. You’re great with kids.”
A few minutes went by before he asked, “I know who your parents are but I can’t remember if you have any brothers or sisters.”
“Only child.” Laura Jo wasn’t pleased he’d turned the conversation to her and even less so to her parents. She didn’t want to talk about them. The people who had been more interested in their social events than spending time with her. Who hadn’t understood the teen who’d believed so strongly in helping the less fortunate. Who had always made her feel like she didn’t quite measure up.
“Really? That wouldn’t have been my guess.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re so strong and self-sufficient. You don’t seem spoiled to me.”
“You do have a stereotypical view of an only child.”
He shrugged. “You could be right.”
Laura Jo kept an eye on Allie, who had left the pier and was now playing along the edge of the water as Gus lumbered along nearby.
“So tell me about growing up as a Clayborn with a big silver spoon in your mouth.”
“I had no silver spoon that I can remember.”
She gave him a sideways look. “I remember enough to know you were the golden boy.”
“Well, I do have blond locks.” Mark ran his hand through his hair with an attitude.
“And an ego.”
They watched the water for a while before she stood and called to Allie, “Do you want to help braid the dough?”
“I want to do the colors,” Allie said.
“Okay, I’ll save that job for you.”
Laura Jo headed back along the pier and Mark followed a number of paces behind her. As she stepped on the lawn her phone rang. Fishing it out of her jeans pocket, she saw it was Marsha calling and answered.
“Hey, I’ve just been given tickets to see that new kids’ movie. Jeremy wants Allie to go with him. Would you mind if I come and get her?”
“I don’t know, Marsha…” If she agreed, it would leave her alone with Mark.
“You mean you’d keep your child from seeing a movie she’s been wanting to see because you’re too afraid to stay by yourself with Mark Clayborn.”
Put that way, it did sound kind of childish. But it was true.
After a sigh Laura Jo said, “Let me speak to Allie. She may rather stay here with the dog.”
Laura Jo called to her daughter. Hearing the idea, Allie jumped up and down, squealing that she wanted to go to the movie.
“Okay, Marsha, but you’ll have to come and get her. I’m in the middle of making king cakes.”
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
While they waited for Marsha to arrive, Laura Jo punched the dough down and placed it in the refrigerator to rest. She then cleaned Allie up so she’d be ready to go when Marsha arrived.
“Who’s going to hide the baby if you leave?” Mark teased Allie.
“I bet Mommy will let you.”
He looked over at Laura Jo. “Will you?”
“Yes, you can hide the baby.” She made it sound like she was talking to a mischievous boy.
“Mark, will you do the colors for me too?” Allie asked, as she pulled on one of Gus’s ears.
“I don’t know if I know how to do those.” Mark was sitting in a large chair in the living area with one foot on the ottoman.
“Mommy will show you. She knows how to do it all.”
Mark met Laura Jo’s gaze over Allie’s head. “She knows how to do it all, does she?”
A tingle went down her spine. Leave it to Mark to make baking a king cake sound sexier than it really was.
Five minutes later there was a knock at the door. Allie skipped to it while Laura Jo and Mark followed behind her. Laura Jo stepped around Allie and opened the door.
“Come on, Allie,” Marsha said. “We need to hurry if we’re going to be there on time.” Marsha looked at Laura Jo. “Just let her spend the night since she was coming to me early in the morning anyway. Enjoy your evening. Hi, Mark. Bye, Mark.” With that, Marsha whisked Allie away.
“Does she always blow in and blow out with such force?” Mark asked.
Laura Jo closed the door with a heavy awareness of being alone with Mark. “Sometimes. I need to finish the cake and get out of your way.”
“I invited you to dinner and I expect you to stay. Are you scared to be here with me, knowing Allie isn’t here to protect you?”
“She wasn’t protecting me!” Had she been using Allie as a barrier between her and men? No, her first priority was Allie and taking care of her. It had nothing to do with fear.
“Then quit acting as if you’re scared I might jump you.”
Laura Jo ignored his comment and headed toward the kitchen. She pulled the large bowl of dough out of the refrigerator.
“So what has to be done to it now?” Mark asked.
“Roll it out.” She placed the bowl on the corner. “Will you hand me that bag of flour?”
He reached across the wide counter and pulled the bag to him. He then pushed it toward her. Leaning a hip against the cabinet as if he had no place he’d rather be, he asked, “So what happens now?”
“Are you asking for a play-by-play?” She spread flour across the counter.
“Maybe.”
“I have to divide the dough.” She pulled it apart and set what she wasn’t going to use right away back into the bowl.
“Why’re you doing that?”
“This recipe makes two cakes. Are you sure there isn’t a basketball game on that you want to watch?”
“Nope, I like watching you.”
Focusing her attention on her baking again, she dumped the dough onto the granite corner top. She reached into one of the bags and pulled out a rolling pin.
“You didn’t think I’d have one of those, did you?” Mark asked from his position beside her.
“Do you?”
“I’m sure I do around here somewhere. I’d have to hunt for it.”
“That’s why I brought my own.” She punched the dough flat with her palms then picked up the pin and started rolling.
“While I roll this out, would you find the cinnamon? It’s in one of these bags.”
“Sure.” He walked to the other side of the room and pulled a bowl out of the cabinet. They each did their jobs in silence.”
Heat washed over her. She was far too aware of him being near. All her disquiet went into making the dough thin and wide. “Would you also open the cream cheese? I set it out to soften earlier.”
“Will do.”
Laura Jo had never had a man help her in the kitchen. Her father had no interest in cooking, not even grilling. Phil had seen it as woman’s work and never helped. It was nice to have someone interested in the same thing that she was. To work with her.
“I’m going to need the sugar. I forgot to bring any.” Maybe if she kept him busy, he wouldn’t stand so close.
“That I do have. Coming right up.” Mark reached under the counter and pulled out a plastic container. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” Laura Jo brushed her hair away with the back of her hand, sending flour dust into the air.
“Turn around,” Mark said.
“Why?”
“Just turn around. For once just trust me.”
Behind her there was the sound of a drawer being pulled open then pushed back.
“What are—?”
Mark stepped close enough that she felt his heat from her shoulders to her hips. Strong fingers glided over her scalp and fanned out, gathering her hair.
Her lungs began to hurt and she released the breath she held. Every part of her was aware of how close Mark stood. His body brushed hers as he moved to a different angle. One hand drifted over her temple to capture a stray strand. His warm breath fluttered across the nap of her neck. She quivered.
There was a tug then a pull before he said, “There, that should help.”
He moved and the warmth th
at had had her heart racing disappeared, leaving her with a void that she feared only Mark could fill.
She touched the back of her head. He had tied her hair up with a rag. “Thanks.”
“Now you can work without getting flour all in your hair.”
He’d been doing something practical and she had been wound up about him being so close. She needed to finish these cakes and go home as soon as possible.
“Would you mind melting a stick of butter?”
“Not at all,” Mark said in an all-too-cheerful manner.
Laura Jo continued to roll the dough into a rectangle, while keeping an eye on Mark as he moved around on the other side of the counter. “One more thing.”
He raised a brow.
“Would you mix the cinnamon and sugar together?”
“Yeah. How much?” Mark headed again to where the bowls were.
“Like you are making cinnamon toast.”
“How do you know I know how to make cinnamon toast?”
“Everyone knows how to do that,” she said, as she finished rolling the first half of the dough. “While I roll out the other dough, will you spread butter on this one then put the sugar cinnamon mixture over that?”
“I don’t know. All that might be out of my territory.”
She chuckled. “I think you can handle it.”
Over the next few minutes they each worked at their own projects. Laura Jo was used to making the cakes by herself but found she liked having a partner even in something as simple as a cake. She glanced at Mark. His full attention was on what he was doing. He approached his assignment much as he did giving medical care, with an effort to do the very best, not miss any detail.
She looked over to where he was meticulously shaking the sugar mixture on the dough from a spoon. “You know you really can’t do that wrong.”
“Uh?”
He must have been so involved in what he was doing he hadn’t heard her. “Enjoy what you’re doing a little. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Mark straightened. “This comes from the person who only laughs when my dog gets the best of me.”
“I laugh at other times.”
“Really?”
Was she truly that uptight? Maybe she was but she could tell that lately she’d been starting to ease up. Ever since she’d started spending time with Mark.
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