“She didn’t attack Lori,” she assured him, and then burst out in laughter at the memory of the big dog going for those fluttering eyelashes.
Joe watched her as if she’d taken leave of her senses.
She continued laughing, though she was trying with all her might to stop. Joe was regarding her as if she were nuts, but she simply couldn’t stop. Earlier, she’d seen Gracie through a window, as she’d frolicked in the lawn and danced after the butterfly. It was the cutest thing she’d seen in a long time—a dog with the face of a pit bull, and the body of a large husky, practically tip-toeing through the grass. She was a doggie ballerina. It had touched her heart.
“Kristine,” Joe said, his voice stern with concern. “What’s so funny?”
Joe had called her ‘Kristine.’ He meant business. She sputtered and clutched her sides. Finally, after several false starts—or rather, stops—she managed to pull herself together. “Okay, okay, I’m really sorry,” she said, still biting back laughter.
“Kristine, Gracie may have hurt Lori.”
She practically rolled her eyes. “She didn’t hurt Lori…” Kristine’s eyes widened. She realized Gracie had likely ingested Lori’s eye lashes. Would they hurt her? They were small, and dogs consumed all manner of stuff. Surely she was going to be okay.
Joe now regarded her with sympathy, as she had finally sobered. “You’re worried for Lori.”
“No, I’m worried about Gracie.”
“Kristine!” Joe exclaimed. “My dog just attacked your sister! This is serious.”
“Gracie didn’t attack Lori, and Lori is fine!”
“Then what happened?”
“My guess is, when Lori began fluttering her lashes at you, Gracie mistook them for a butterfly.”
Joe regarded her for several long seconds. She could see he was struggling to keep from laughing by biting his lower lip. When Kristine burst out in laughter again, however, he lost it too.
“You saw her going after that butterfly earlier?”
She nodded. “It was adorable.” She aimed a finger at him. “You owe Gracie an apology!”
“Gracie’s intention doesn’t negate the fact that she went for your sister’s eye.”
“She didn’t go for her eye. She went for the ‘insect’ she perceived to have perched there.”
Joe scrubbed a hand across his jaw. “Gracie needs training. And fast. It’s a good thing I have her enrolled in a class coming up.” He grimaced worriedly. “Is Lori going to sue me?”
Kristine met his gaze. “I’ll keep you posted,” she said, biting back a chuckle. He looked devastated. “She’s not going to sue you,” she assured him. “She has other things in mind for you.”
He appeared taken aback. “Wha—?”
“No worries,” she said, laughing under her breath. “Well, I should probably get home, not that my sister and mother has noticed I’m missing…”
Joe had to admit, that was strange—Lori rushing off without any regard for the family member she’d left behind.
Odd.
Chapter Eight
Kristine went to work as usual Monday morning. Her mother hadn’t broached the idea of selling the bakery again, and she felt relief. She was too mentally and physically weary to give the idea thoughtful consideration. And Lord knew, she didn’t want to make a mistake. Once it was sold, it was gone and there was no getting it back. Well, presumably there was no getting it back, or rather, getting it back would be difficult… She supposed she could buy it back, if the new owners were inclined to sell it…
Kristine chuckled at her own jumbled thoughts. It was funny how sleep deprivation could make an individual muddle brained and indecisive, she thought, as she was filling the glass case with baked goods.
She was so intent on the job at hand she didn’t register the tinkling bell above the door, alerting her to a patron entering the store. “I’ll be right with you,” she called.
“Take your time,” a deep voice said.
She recognized Joe immediately. She rose up from her crouched position with a smile. “How are you?” she asked congenially.
“More to the point, does your sister still have an eyeball?”
“Lori’s fine.” She chuckled. “Prima Donna,” she added under her breath, and then silently scolded herself. There was a time she was both kind and sensitive to the plight of others. Unfortunately she just couldn’t muster any sympathy for her sister these days, but then, it was mutual.
“What did you say?” Joe asked, frowning.
She waved off the question. “Lori’s eye is fine. Gracie took off that eye lash as gingerly as she takes a treat from your fingers.” She bit back a laugh at the image of the pit bull going for that ‘butterfly.’
“Krissy,” Joe scolded, and then laughed along with her. “Well, as long as she’s okay.”
“She’s okay,” she assured him again. “What can I do for you?”
“I have a meeting at work. I thought I’d pick up some treats for my team. They’ve been working really hard.”
“Sure thing. What looks good to you?”
“Everything,” he said, as he stepped forward to choose a selection. He broke out in a grin when he spotted a tray of cupcakes with cleverly-crafted butterflies on top. “Kristine!”
“Sorry,” she murmured contritely.
“What are those made of?” he asked of the delicate butterflies.
“Painted sugar,” she told him.
His eyes widened and he threw his head back with boisterous laughter when he spotted the cookies topped with renditions of Gracie’s face. Kristine had captured her, right down to the one orange ear and the speckled ear. “Is there any question which ones I have to choose?” he said, shaking his head with chagrin.
“It’s butterflies and dogs for you,” she said. “How many of each?”
“Say, a couple dozen of both. Thank you.”
“Thank you,” she returned with a smile. She hurried off to retrieve some from the back, in order to obtain the necessary counts, and then quickly and efficiently boxed them up and slid them to him across the glass case. “Keep them out of direct sunlight, and away from Gracie,” she added with a chuckle.
“Good luck to me,” he said, smiling. “She’s waiting in the truck.”
“Why didn’t you bring her in?”
“I was afraid you might hold a grudge.”
“For what?”
He pinned her with a look.
“Oh, you mean, the infamous eyelash incident. Naw. She’s forgiven. Besides, I’ve wanted to snatch those things off Lori’s eyes for years.”
Joe began laughing. “Krissy, I do believe you need a nap.”
She nodded. “Yep. A long one.” She raised a finger. “I too realized this very morning that I’m not myself these days. I used to be a nice person—relatively intelligent too. Now, I don’t think I could recite the alphabet or count to twenty. I think it’s true what the experts say, ‘sleep deprivation is akin to alcohol impairment.’”
Joe watched her with genuine concern. “Should you be making cupcakes?”
She gave him a quizzical glance. “I don’t get you.”
“You might mistake the salt for sugar.”
“That’s the least of your worries,” she said ominously.
“Huh?”
“I’m more a menace with oven temperature these days. Well, when I actually remember to set the temperature. Forget about the timer,” she added bemusedly.
He watched her sympathetically. “Why don’t you take a day off?”
“Can’t,” she said with a shrug. “Somebody has to work around here.”
“I heard that!” Minnie called.
“You know what I mean!” she called back.
“That I do,” Minnie said tiredly. “Hey, Joe! You should take Kristine away from all this.”
Kristine was mortified by the implication of her friend’s suggestion. She ignored the remark and moved to the cash register. She rang up his pur
chases and stood back while he pulled cash out of his wallet to pay her.
“Any chance you could get away during the lunch hour?” he asked.
She sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry. You know how it is.”
“How is it?” Minnie called.
Kristine ignored her and plastered a smile on her face. “Another time?”
“How ‘bout dinner?” Minnie suggested in a sing-song voice.
Joe grinned. “Yes. How ‘bout dinner? May I pick you up at your place around seven?”
“Sure,” Minnie answered for her.
Kristine took a shoring breath and nodded. “Sure.”
“She’ll be ready,” Minnie said, and Kristine heard her chuckling, clearly pleased with herself.
A certain employee was going to get an ear-full momentarily. It was as if Joe read her mind. “Be nice to Minnie,” he said, before he spun on his heel and started for the exit.
“Yes, be nice to Minnie!” Minnie called out.
***
Joe arrived at Kristine’s home promptly at seven. He rang the doorbell and Kristine promptly opened the door just wide enough for her to slip out. “Let’s go!” she said, acting as if she were part of some covert spy operation. “Go! Go!” she added, shoving him toward his awaiting sedan.
He assisted her inside and then joined her. “What’s the hurry?” he asked, watching her curiously.
“Mom said something about wanting a word with you and… Anyway, start the car! By the way, nice car,” she observed, of the sleek, black luxury car.
“Am I in trouble? Is Ruth upset about Lori’s eye?”
“Lori’s eye is fine!” she insisted. “Mom said something about wanting your opinion about something and…”
“You’re not comfortable with me giving her my opinion…?”
“You’re not the problem,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Mom’s still hung up on selling the business. She started in on me the minute I got home from work. Anyway, she figures you might have an idea of its value and…”
“I build commercial businesses,” he told her. “I don’t sell them, but…”
She gave another dismissive wave. “It’s all for naught, anyway. We’re not selling.”
“You’re not?”
“No!”
“Okaaaay,” he said, drawing out the word. “So, what exactly is the problem?”
“Mom and Lori both want to sell out.”
He arched his eyebrows and winced. “Oh, so it’s two against one.”
“Yes.”
“So you’re selling?”
“No, well, not yet anyway. Even Mom acknowledged that my vote has more weight, since I’m the only one actually working at the bakery.”
“That sounds reasonable.”
“Lori made a pretty big stink about it,” she told him. “The minute Mom suggested selling, she was on board.”
“Why?”
“She wants her share, I guess.”
“She needs money?”
“I guess so. I’m not really privy to her financial situation, although it’s not as if she has any expenses…”
“She doesn’t pay rent?” he said, surprised.
“No. She and Devon are living at home free of charge.”
“But Lori helps out…?”
“Let’s not talk about Lori,” she said, suddenly feeling a stabbing pain in her left temple. “If I continue talking about her, I’m going to sound like a jerk.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “I’ve met your sister.”
She grinned cheekily. “You dated my sister.”
“I was young and stupid,” he said, and then his eyes widened when he realized what he’d said. “Krissy, I’m sorry. That was wrong. I don’t mean to malign your sister.”
“I know. Let’s move on to another topic.”
“How was the rest of your day at work?”
“Fine,” she said cheerfully, and then registered they were on the interstate heading out of town. “Where are we going?”
“To Ridgeway. You and I are going to try out that Italian restaurant, unless you’d prefer a drive-through again.”
“No, that’s okay, unless you’re going to heat up my seat for me.”
“So I can spend my evening watching you sleep? I don’t think so.” He was silent for a moment. “Actually, maybe we should pull over and you should take a nap. My guess is it’s the only way you’re going to get any real rest.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m rather looking forward to Italian food. I hear the restaurant is very nice.”
“Oh, someone you know gave it a try?”
“Lori,” she said wanly.
“I hear she’s dating a local attorney.”
She nodded. “That’s what I understand.” She furrowed her brow. “We’re talking about Lori again,” she reminded him.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Is Devon off limits?”
She smiled affectionately. “Never. I adore that kid.” She began chuckling. “That little devil…”
“What’d he do?”
“I’m not certain as to exact details, but it seems little Devon got himself kicked out of after-school care.”
Joe turned toward her briefly, and then back to the roadway. “Oh, yeah?” he said with a wince.
She noticed. “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just… That reminds me…”
“Of what?”
“The other day at my place, Devon got along really well with Pete Williams. Anyway, he happened to mention to me that Pete had been kicked out of his after-school care.”
“Reeaallyy?” she said, drawing out the word. “I wonder what crime little Pete committed.”
“I don’t know, but I sensed Devon had something on his mind. Would you like me to talk to him, man-to-man?”
“Would you? He might open up to you. He really likes you a lot.”
“He may be missing a male role model,” he mused. “Lori said his Dad isn’t particularly involved.”
“He isn’t particularly anything,” she informed sadly. “I don’t know how a father could turn his back on his own child.”
“Or a mother,” Devon added.
Kristine wondered if the remark was directed at Lori. Her first instinct was to come to her sister’s defense, but perhaps she’d jumped to conclusions. Besides, she couldn’t defend Lori’s tendency to abandon her son on a whim. She was hardly plugged into her own child’s life and there wasn’t a valid excuse. She wasn’t working full time. Her health was good. She couldn’t even claim a time-draining hobby. She was simply … absent.
One again, Kristine changed the topic of conversation and she and Joe made small talk the remainder of the drive to the restaurant. When they arrived, they were seated promptly, since Joe had made a reservation.
Kristine was delighted to discover they were being seated at a lovely table beside a window that overlooked a candlelit garden. Since dusk was settling, the candles created a stunning ambience. Coupled with the candles burning under the muted light inside, the whole effect was enchanting.
Joe smiled when he saw Kristine’s delighted expression. He watched her glance around, her mouth opened slightly in awe. She finally turned her attention to him. “I can’t remember the last time I was at a nice restaurant.”
“With a handsome date,” he finished for her, chuckling.
She cocked her head, as if assessing his looks. “Okay, I’ll concede you’re pretty easy on the eyes.”
“As are you,” he said, smiling softly.
She laughed and looked away, embarrassed. “I’m the smart sister,” she said.
“Yes, you’re smart,” he conceded, “but you’re also gorgeous.”
“I am not!” she scoffed. “My sister got the good looks.”
“Are you fishing for compliments, Krissy?”
“No! But I have two good eyes.” She grinned cheekily. “Unlike my sister…”
“Krissy!”
“Kidd
ing! She’s fine.”
Joe sat quietly, watching her. “You were always adorable,” he said. “Bratty, but adorable.”
“Hey!” she protested. “You were the bratty one. You teased me incessantly,” she accused.
He smiled. “I guess I did.”
“It couldn’t be helped, I suppose. With the age difference, I imagine I was a bit of a pest.”
“Naw,” he said, and leaned forward, snaring her gaze. “That age difference is irrelevant now.”
A waitress appeared before she could respond and gave them each a menu. She recited the evening’s specials and then took their beverage orders. After she left, Joe smiled. “No comment?” he teased.
She shook her head, pretending she didn’t grasp his meaning. But he was correct. The age difference between them was irrelevant now. Sitting here, with him, she wondered what it would be like to date Joe Lancaster.
She met his eyes, entranced by the light reflected there. The flickering glow danced off the hard planes of his face, touching his cheekbones and his lips. Those lips, so masculine… Kristine shook her head, to ward off her romantic musings.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
She shook her head. She wasn’t about to tell him she was awed by his good looks and that she was so attracted to him, she was having difficulty refraining from diving over the table and kissing those finely-fashioned lips.
“I’m hungry,” she said with forced brightness. “Where did that waitress go?”
Joe smiled. He wasn’t fooled by her diversionary tactics. The chemistry between them was palpable—practically popping with electrical current—and he knew full well she felt it too.
As if on cue, the waitress appeared. “Have you had a chance to look at the menu?”
Kristine hadn’t, but she feigned readiness anyway. She picked it up and carefully perused the selection of Italian cuisine. “I’ll have the… Seafood fettucine sounds excellent.” She closed the menu with a smile.
The waitress turned her attention to Joe. “And for you, sir?”
“I’ll have the same.”
She collected their menus with a smile and hurried off.
The Icing on the Cake Page 7