by Beth Ciotta
“Chloe spoke with Rae this morning,” Dev said. “She’s fine. Holding up anyway. I have a meeting with her later this morning. She’s dumping her lawyer in L.A. and hiring me as her financial advisor.”
Luke swayed a little on his feet, squeezed the bridge of nose struggling for a clear thought. “She’s staying in Sugar Creek?”
Sam glared. “You thought she’d give up on her dream that easily? Don’t you know Rae at all?”
Jerome growled in frustration. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee. Jayce, fill my son in on what you learned. And Luke, for God’s sake, focus.”
Luke felt himself being hauled into the living room by Dev and Sam. They dumped him on the couch then started clearing away bottles.
“The photos were definitely manipulated,” Jayce said as he sat across from Luke. “Rae’s head superimposed on another woman’s body.”
“Why?”
“I did some digging. Pretty confident this is part of a scheme Olivia and Geoffrey cooked up in order to gain control of Rae’s fortune.”
“Making her seem incompetent,” Dev said. “Mentally unstable.”
“Stein’s loaded,” Luke said. “Why would he need Rae’s money?”
“With men like that,” Sam said, “it’s also about control.”
“And maybe revenge,” Dev added. “Rae reiterated to Chloe that Stein made the sexual advance. Rae spurned his attentions and he threatened to crush her if she outed him.”
Luke’s blood burned just thinking about it, mangling any semblance of clear thought. “She should have told me.”
“So you could knock the bastard’s block off?” Dev asked. “That’s exactly why she didn’t tell you. She was trying to protect you from Stein’s wrath.”
“As for Olivia,” Jayce said, “it’s about attention. That act she put on yesterday? You can bet she had an orgasm with all those cameras firing.”
“The woman’s whacked,” Dev said. “And Rae’s dealing with the fallout while you’re getting trashed.”
“I tried calling. I tried…” Chest aching, thoughts blurred, Luke dropped his head in his hands. “She won’t talk to me. Doesn’t want to see me.”
“Oh, hell,” Jerome said as he came back into the room.
“Coffee’s not going to do it, Dad,” Dev said.
“I got this,” Sam said.
Next thing Luke knew, he was swaying in the downstairs shower stall. “Don’t—”
Sam turned the faucet on full blast and pinned Luke against the tiles as the freaking ice cold water pounded Luke into lucidness. “Got your attention?” Sam asked.
“I love her, Sam.”
“Then fight for her, dammit.”
“How?”
“Patience.”
THIRTY-FOUR
February 15
Rocky kicked off her morning, as was her routine, with a glass of OJ and a four-mile run alongside Jayce and Brewster. Unfortunately, the physical exertion did nothing to dispel the anxiety that had been building inside of her for the past few days. This was her wedding day and it wasn’t like anything she’d ever dreamed.
Yes, everything was set. Everything was going according to plan. The Cupcake Lovers hadn’t forgotten about making her cake. But instead of a joyful task, while baking up delicious perfection, they’d all battled the shock and sadness of seeing Rae humiliated by her whacko mother.
The next day, Valentine’s Day, had been all but forgotten as family and friends pulled together, trying to comfort and help Rae. As for Luke, Rocky had never known her carefree brother to be such a mess. Jayce said he was pulling it together, but as of her wedding morning, Luke and Rae were still estranged and everyone was feeling the effect.
Most especially, Rocky.
Now, moments before taking her wedding vows, her composure shattered. She burst into tears.
Her mother, who’d been arranging Rocky’s veil, swung around and cupped her daughter’s cheeks. “What is it, sweetheart? What’s wrong?”
“Can’t do this.”
“Of course you can. You’ve been waiting for this moment all your life.”
Chloe moved in and squeezed Rocky’s hand. “Just the jitters. Deep breath.”
“Timing’s wrong,” Rocky squeaked out over a sob.
“I’ll get Jayce,” Monica said.
“No. Not supposed to see me.”
“The timing’s perfect,” Kaye said. “You look beautiful. The church looks beautiful and all of your friends and family are waiting to share in your special day.”
“Rae?”
“She’s out there,” Chloe said. “She’s sitting with Casey and Sam and the kids.
“Luke?”
“He’s with Jayce, dear. Remember? Your brothers are standing up with him.”
“Have they talked?”
“Who, dear?”
“Rae and Luke?”
“I don’t know. I—”
Rocky felt a warm, large hand squeezing her shoulder.
“What’s the trouble, Dash?”
Heart pounding, Rocky turned into the arms of the love of her life. “Everyone’s supposed to be happy.”
“I’m happy, baby.” He smoothed tears from her cheeks. “I’ll be damned delirious when you say ‘I do.’”
“It’s just … today. It was supposed to be magical.”
Jayce kissed her with tender passion. “Then let’s make some magic.”
* * *
Rae sat in the pew, flanked by Casey and Sam, struggling with twisted emotions. She’d spent the last day and a half taking control of her tattered life. Harper had flown back to L.A. this morning but not before working miracles for Rae with the media and she’d promised to continue her PR efforts on Rae’s behalf. In addition to Harper, Rae had also had the support of Sam and Casey, Dev and Chloe, Luke’s parents, and Rocky and Jayce. So many people had stepped up to her defense.
Even Luke.
At least he had tried. Rae had shut him down. Shut him out. All because of that one moment of doubt.
She didn’t blame him. Truly she didn’t. She should have told him about Geoffrey’s sexual advance. She should have trusted that Luke would have handled the news appropriately. If he’d had that heads-up, maybe he would have instantly seen through Olivia’s twisted version. Those compromising photos hadn’t helped. She knew she wasn’t the girl in those pictures and even she had been rattled. Logically, she understood why Luke had lapsed. Logically, she knew the moment had quickly passed. She’d agreed early on to a paternity test if he wanted. She hadn’t lied about the baby. Luke was the father. Logically, she knew he believed that. And she believed that Luke loved her.
Unfortunately, logic was no match for emotions and Rae had needed time to sort out her thoughts and feelings. Luke needed time, too, even if he didn’t believe that at first. She knew through the grapevine that he’d taken their separation hard. Sam had been his greatest champion, although her friend hadn’t told her anything she didn’t already know. Most essentially, Luke was a kind man. A good man. Still, Rae had needed time. They hadn’t spoken since that awful confrontation. She hadn’t seen him.
Until now.
Casey reached over and squeezed Rae’s hand as Luke entered from a side room and took his place beside his brother and Jayce.
Rae’s pulse raced. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo and when he smiled over at his brother and Jayce, her heart did this funny dance. She knew he was hurting, but he was pulling it together for family. Just one of the reasons she loved Luke. He was all about family.
The bridal march signaled Rocky’s entrance and everyone stood. Rae’s eyes filled with tears as Jerome, looking more dapper than frail, escorted his daughter down the rose-petaled aisle. Rae tried to imagine what Rocky was feeling.
She couldn’t.
When Jerome handed his daughter over to Jayce, Rae grabbed a wad of tissues from her purse.
Sam reached over and patted her knee then he shushed his daughter, who’d started to squir
m.
Rae’s pulse raced as the preacher started the ceremony, heart in throat along with everyone else in the church. This moment had been a long time coming for Rocky and Jayce. It was all so beautiful, so perfect … until Rocky stopped the preacher just as he reached the vow portion.
There was a stunned sort of silence as Rocky whispered into Jayce’s ear. He nodded then kissed her cheek. She turned and addressed her wedding guests.
“As you all know, this is a very special day for me.” She glanced at Jayce with a shy smile. “For us. We’re about to say our vows, to pledge our forever love, and though it won’t be official, I’d like to invite every couple, anyone who’s in love, to stand and take these vows with us.”
Rae stared, her chest exploding with wonder as, one by one, couples stood.
Rocky’s parents.
Monica and Leo.
Daisy and Vince.
Dev looked at Chloe and, smiling, she moved from her bridesmaid position to stand beside her intended.
“Brace yourself,” Sam said close to Rae’s ear and then suddenly he was jostling her so she was seated at the end of the pew.
She blinked through confusion and tears to see Luke striding down the aisle.
He reached down and pulled her to her feet then, with everyone watching, he took a folded red paper from his pocket and gave it to Rae. “I made this for you.”
“A valentine?” she whispered. Hands trembling, Rae unfolded the fairly large heart, her throat tightening as she noted the long, painstakingly neat handwritten message. She met his vulnerable gaze, swallowed, then looked back to the note. A note professing his love.
She imagined it had taken him as long to write the note as to gather his thoughts. He’d had to work hard to produce the beautifully written words. And he’d done it for her.
Words failed Rae, but she did smile. And she followed, when Luke took her hand and led her toward the altar to stand alongside Rocky and Jayce and Dev and Chloe. The moment could not have been any more perfect.
Until Rocky signaled the preacher to continue after smiling at her siblings and saying, “Magic.”
HONORARY CUPCAKE LOVERS
Submitted Recipes and Tips from On-Line Members
RECIPE 1
RED VELVET CUPCAKES FILLED WITH VANILLA BEAN PASTRY CREAM
(submitted by JoAnn Schailey of Pennsylvania)
Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream
Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
½ cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split along the length and scrape out the seeds
4 large egg yolks
¼ cup sifted cornstarch
Directions
• Combine the milk, sugar, vanilla bean pods and seeds and whisk mixture constantly over medium heat until it gently boils. Remove from heat.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and cornstarch about two minutes. Slowly add ½ cup of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly until smooth. (Slowly stream the hot milk into the eggs to prevent the eggs from cooking). Add the egg yolk mixture to the pan of hot milk and whisk to combine. Return to medium heat and cook. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. (The pastry cream may need to cook between 3 and 7 minutes to thicken.)
• Remove from the heat and strain into a clean container, scraping the bottom of the strainer with a spoon. (If the pastry cream is too thick to go through the strainer, return the contents of the strainer to the pot and whisk to remove any lumps. Strain the remainder of the pastry cream.) Discard the vanilla bean. Specks of the vanilla seeds will be visible in the cream.
• Press a piece of plastic wrap over the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled, approximately three hours. Vanilla bean pastry cream can be made the day ahead. Extra pastry cream can be kept for 2 days.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 package of Red Velvet Cake mix (moist) and the ingredients required to make the cupcakes
Directions
• Preheat oven according to the package directions.
• Line the cupcake pans with paper liners or use heart shape cupcake pans.
• Blend the cake mix according to the package directions.
• Bake according to the suggested cupcake baking times.
• Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool the cupcakes before filling.
Filling the cupcakes
Directions
• Use an apple corer or small knife to cut a plug about 2⁄3 depth of the cupcake. Remove the plug and trim off the excess cupcake to 1⁄8 inch, keeping the top of the cupcake plug intact. Put the pastry cream into one end of a plastic bag, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag, and squeeze the cream into the opening in the cupcakes to fill. Return top of plug to the cupcakes.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of butter
Directions
• Mix all ingredients and frost the cupcakes.
Chocolate Shavings
Grate chocolate over the cupcakes. Serve. Refrigerate remaining cupcakes.
RECIPE 2
WHITE CUPCAKES WITH FRESH STRAWBERRY FILLING
(submitted by JoAnn Schailey of Pennsylvania)
Ingredients
1 box of “moist” Classic White Cake Mix and the ingredients required to make the cupcakes. If the cake mix gives a choice of using only egg whites, choose that option.
Directions
• Preheat oven according to the cake mix directions.
• Use paper liners for the cupcake tins.
• Blend the cake mix according to the package instructions.
• Bake according to the suggested cupcake baking times.
• Cupcakes are done when a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool the cupcakes.
Filling Ingredients
16 oz. fresh strawberries
4 teaspoons of sugar
Filling Directions
• Wash and lightly dry the strawberries.
• Trim off the green tops.
• Puree strawberries in a food processor.
• Strain pureed strawberries and reserve the liquid in a separate bowl.
• Combine the pureed strawberries with 4 teaspoons of sugar and cook until thick.
• Allow the thickened strawberry and sugar mixture to cool.
Filling the Cupcake Center
• Use an apple corer or a small knife to remove a plug about 2⁄3 depth of the cupcake. Remove the “plug” and trim off the excess cupcake to 1⁄8 inch, keeping the top of the plug intact. Put a few tablespoons of filling into the point of a plastic bag and snip the tip. Squeeze the filling into the cupcake. Replace the “plug”.
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
8 tablespoons of butter (¼ pound)
3 cups of sifted confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 teaspoons of strawberry liquid (This is the liquid that has been strained after the strawberries have been pureed)
Directions
• Combine butter, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract and beat at medium speed until creamy. Add 4 teaspoons of strawberry liquid and beat until well mixed. To obtain a deeper color frosting, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of strawberry puree. (The icing will have small pieces of strawberry.) Frost the cupcakes.
• After serving the cupcakes, refrigerate any uneaten cupcakes.
RECIPE 3
CHOCOLATE COVERED BANANA SUPREME
(submitted by Dawn Jones of New Jersey)
All Ingredients
1 box Duncan Hines Signature Banana Supreme Cake Mix
1 whole Banana
1 can Dark Chocolate Frosting
Cake Directions
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1. Preheat oven according to cake mix
2. Line a muffin pan with paper liners
3. Follow directions on box
4. Pour or spoon batter into prepared liners
5. Bake according to cake mix, cake is done when it springs back to the touch or when a cake tester or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
Center Directions
• Using a steak knife cut out a plug (piece of cake) from the center of each cupcake and put it aside, then slice the banana and put a piece of the banana and a teaspoon of frosting into the hole then add the plug (piece of cake) and frost with dark chocolate frosting
• Makes about 24 cupcakes depends on the cake mix
St. Martin’s Paperbacks titles by Beth Ciotta
Fool for Love
The Trouble with Love
Anything But Love
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BETH CIOTTA is an award-winning author who specializes in romantic comedy with a twist. Her work includes contemporary, historical, and paranormal romantic fiction. “I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than writing stories where everyone (except the villain, of course) gets a happy ending!”
Beth lives in New Jersey with her husband, two zany dogs, and a crazy cat. A retired professional performer, Beth now pours her artistic passion into her writing. To learn more about her colorful life, visit her website at www.bethciotta.com.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
ANYTHING BUT LOVE
Copyright © 2013 by Beth Ciotta.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN: 9781466839458
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / October 2013
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.