Cooking Up Trouble

by Judi Lynn

  “I need to bake more German chocolate pies.”

  “Want some help?” Grams didn’t sound sincere. Knowing Grams, she probably had plans to meet someone in town for supper.

  It was nice of Grams to offer, but Tessa shook her head. “It won’t take me that long. I have pie dough in the refrigerator, and the filling’s a cinch to make.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  Tessa shooed her away. It had been a long enough day for Grams, and she’d be here again tomorrow. “Get going.”

  Tessa finished straightening up the shop, then went to the kitchen and flopped on a stool. First, she’d take a break. Her stomach rumbled. She wanted more than a few cookies for supper. Saturday meant leftovers, and she had plenty of turkey dip left for a sandwich, but she’d eaten it for lunch enough times, it didn’t appeal to her. She’d drive into town and grab something to-go from the diner.

  It was a quick trip, but when she walked through the diner’s doors, the first thing she saw was Ian, waving to her. Lily welcomed her with a smile, too.

  “Come, sit with us!” Lily looked as wonderful, as always. Petite and bubbly, she had an infectious smile. She’d pulled her long, blonde hair into a high ponytail and wore jeans and a frilly top. Damn it all, she looked adorable.

  Tessa felt like a copper frizz ball next to her. She walked to their table, but shook her head. “I called in for take-out. I’m grabbing my food and heading home. I ran out of German chocolate pies and have to bake more.”

  Lily wrinkled her nose. How cute could a girl get? Tessa tried not to hate her. “You have to work on a Friday night? That’s horrible.” She grinned. “I heard you rescued Ian from a big, bad bat last night.”

  Tessa smiled. “He’d have thought of something eventually. Either that, or they’d have made friends.”

  Ian shivered. He put a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “We might stop at your bakery tomorrow so Lily can see it. My girl has a sweet tooth. You should probably hide things so she doesn’t buy out the store.”

  Lily turned and pressed her forehead against his cheek. “He loves to tease me, but I do crave desserts. I have to be careful, though. I have to watch my figure.”

  “Everyone else does.” Ian smiled up at Tessa. “Thanks for telling me about the diner. It’s great. We thought we’d stick around town this weekend and get to meet some people.” A smart move. People already liked him. They’d like him even more if he became part of the community. He settled his arm around Lily’s shoulder, but leveled a look at Tessa “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Oh, goodie. Tessa pushed away her snarky thoughts and went to collect her take-out. What did that look mean? A challenge? Speculation? On the drive home, she argued with herself. How much lovey-dovey could she stand? She shrugged. What difference did it make? She’d sworn off men. Lily could paw Ian in public if she wanted to, and vice-versa. It was nothing to her.

  As she whizzed by Ian’s place on her way home, she noticed the end of a flatbed truck parked almost out of view behind his house. Strange. Ian wouldn’t hire workers for a project when Lily was here. She backed-up and turned into Ian’s drive. When she got close enough to recognize the truck, she cussed softly to herself.

  She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and got out to investigate. When she saw Ned Cooper trying to pry open Ian’s back door with a crowbar, she cleared her throat.

  Ned whirled to see who was there. When he saw Tessa, he grimaced. He looked at the phone in her hand. “Are you gonna call Sheriff Brickle to turn me in?”

  “What the hell are you doing, Ned?”

  He dropped his crowbar and hung his head. “Sam promised he’d sell his place to me when he left town. He swore on his honor. Then he got a better offer from a stranger and signed the deal without one word to me. This should be my property, Tessie girl. Do you know how many favors I did for that man?”

  Tessa’s heart ached. She’d known Ned Cooper her whole life. He was a friend of her grandpa’s. “Sam could be a real bastard. We all knew that, but you’re mad at him, not Ian. You’re not being fair.”

  “I just want what should be mine. I only wanted to drive him away.”

  “He’s not going to leave, and he’s going to be good for Mill Pond. What did you want to do with the property?”

  Ned shrugged. “I’ve always wanted to wake up, look out my window, and see the water.”

  Tessa could understand that, but she shook her head. “You’re too old to take on this much property. Why don’t you buy a small cottage?”

  Ned grinned. “You never did mince words, missy. But you’re right. I’m just being mule-headed because Sam promised me a good deal.” He looked at her cell phone again. “What now?”

  “I’m not calling Brickle, but I am telling Ian. You cost him a lot of time and work. You can think up some kind of deal to make it up to him, but promise me you won’t bother him again.”

  Ned sighed. “You got my word on it. And I just might start looking for a fishing cabin farther down on the point. Are you mad at me, Tessie?”

  “I’m not happy with you, but you’re the first person who taught me how to wet my line and bait a hook. I can’t stay mad too long.”

  He patted her arm. “I’ll be getting myself home then, and you don’t have to worry about me anymore. Thanks, girlie.”

  Ned would be true to his word. Tessa climbed in her pickup and started for her place. She had a mind to call Sam Dramer and cuss him out, but it wouldn’t change anything. She decided to put the whole thing behind her, grateful Ian wouldn’t have to worry about any more vandalism.

  She carried her food into the barn’s kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. She turned on the sound system and listened to music while she ate, then made another dozen pies. That was her limit tonight. If she ran out tomorrow, so be it. A nasty thought drifted through her mind. If she ran out of anything, she hoped it was one of Lily’s favorites.

  She went to bed soon after she stepped inside her house. When her alarm rang on Saturday, she woke, feeling rested. She spent more time than usual getting ready for the day. She dried her hair with a diffuser so that it bounced and curled. She applied more makeup than she normally did—eyebrow pencil, mascara, eyeliner, foundation, and blush. Her sprinkling of freckles still showed, but not as much. She even added a soft shade of lipstick.

  She pulled on her best jeans and reached for a T-shirt, then decided on an aqua-blue, clingy, rayon shirt. She was heading to the barn when Luther and Kayla walked to meet her. “You know the routine,” she told Luther. She handed him their spring check-off list. “Train Kayla for what she’s going to do, and I’ll see you later.”

  Luther gave a rare smile. “I’ve started working two nights a week at Lakeview Stables. It’s a big place, but I got it all mowed.”

  She could hear the pride in his voice. “Ian got lucky, finding you.”

  “It’s because you took the time to teach me. I’ll teach Kayla. You’ll see. We’ll get everything done you need done.” Luther took Kayla’s hand and led her toward the garden beds. Tessa glanced at her watch and hurried to the barn.

  Grams raised her eyebrows when she slid in the back door. “Hey, kid, you clean up good.”

  Tessa rolled her eyes, but the compliment lifted her spirits. Maybe she should try to look a little spiffier on workdays.

  “I saw Luther,” Grams said. “That boy looks like the cat that swallowed the canary.”

  “You’re partial to him, you know.”

  “I like his girl, too. They’re going to make us proud.” Grams had always had a soft spot for Luther, but then Grams was the type who took in strays. Any cats or people that no one wanted and who showed up on her doorstep were lucky if they ever got to leave.

  “I like Kayla,” Tessa agreed. “She’s a no-nonsense, practical girl.”

  “Luther doesn’t like Ian’s fiancée,” Grams said, “doesn’t like being around her.”

  “Why?”

  “He says she’s too happy.
He doesn’t trust her.”

  “What’s wrong with being too happy?” Other than it made Tessa jealous as hell. She stiffened. No, that had to be a random thought. She wasn’t jealous. Couldn’t be. But Lily was the type of girl who made her feel inadequate every time they met.

  Tessa struggled with the image of Ian and Lily, twisted in his sheets, sweaty and exhausted. Oh, hell. She pushed the image away. Damn the gorgeous, blonde bitch. What was wrong with her? She took a deep breath. “Well, we’d better turn the sign to OPEN. A line’s forming.” And a good thing, too. She needed to distract herself.

  Grams and Tessa took their places behind the cash registers and dealt with one customer after another. Tessa looked up every time the door opened, but Ian and Lily never showed up. She felt silly for dressing up this morning. She felt silly for feeling disappointed when it wasn’t Ian who walked through the door. Things were finally slowing down when Jed Mulgrew stood before her with the last sugar cream pie in his possession.

  “This is the last one,” he told her. “I’m taking it to the church carry-in tomorrow morning.” Jed lived two towns over from Mill Pond. He was medium height with a stocky build and preferred to wear camouflage pants and plaid flannel shirts. A horrible combination.

  “Your church is having a get-together, too?” Tessa asked. “Grams’ church is putting on an ice cream social.”

  He shrugged. “We do it once a month. Your pie will be the best thing there. The women at our church aren’t that great of cooks. Maybe Methodists are better, but Catholics go for volume. You never leave hungry.”

  Tessa blinked. In her mind, church carry-ins were always awesome with casseroles and desserts that made her drool. She frowned at Jed. “I’ve never been to a bad carry-in.”

  “You’re lucky. Ours are nothing to brag about.”

  Tessa smiled. “You guys have bigger families. Maybe the women cook so much for their families, they’re not in the mood to whip something up on Saturday night.”

  He repeated his shrug. “Could be, but I’m not looking forward to it. If I skip, though, Mom will kill me. Church is a big deal for her.”

  Tessa knew Jed’s parents. Church was a big deal for his entire family. Growing up, she’d only sat in a pew with her family at Christmas and Easter. She handed Jed his pie. “Well, enjoy the company. You’ll be with friends.”

  He tilted his head, squinted at her. “You look nice today. Would you like to go get a burger with me tonight, then finish at the mini-golf range?”

  Normally, she’d say no. Normally, she’d run for the hills, but she needed something to distract her from Lily spending the weekend with Ian. She smiled. “Sure, why not?”

  Grams looked at her like she was nuts.

  Jed hurried to add, “We can’t make it a late night. I have to get up for church tomorrow, and I can’t have a hangover.”

  Tessa shrugged. Better and better. She didn’t want to spend too much time with Jed. She was only dipping her toes in the water. “Okay.”

  He looked relieved. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Will that work?”

  “Fine with me.” She didn’t have high hopes for this date. But she’d get a free hamburger that she didn’t have to cook. And she wouldn’t be sitting at home.

  “See you at seven,” he repeated and left the shop.

  Grams blinked at Tessa. “Really? Jed Mulgrew? He probably watches pond scum grow for entertainment.”

  “You told me I should start getting out again.”

  “You and Jed have about as much in common as Mickey Mouse and Angelina Jolie.”

  Tessa stared. “What do you know about Angelina Jolie?”

  “She’s edgy with a lot of tattoos. Mickey would be out of his league.”

  Tessa chuckled. “I thought I’d start with something safe.”

  Grams shook her head. “Safe doesn’t even describe it. You could grow mold by the time you did anything exciting.”

  Tessa scowled, so Grams let it go.

  After they closed up shop, Tessa had an hour before Jed came for her. She changed into a red, form-fitting top. Usually, red didn’t compliment copperheads, as Grams called her, but this shade did. She added more foundation and blush, and even a new layer of lip gloss. More bother than she’d gone to for a while.

  Jed looked her up and down when she came to the door. “You look pretty.”

  “Thanks.” It had been a while since she’d fiddled with makeup. The response had been good.

  He motioned her to his pickup truck. He didn’t hold the door or help her with the high, step-up into his cab. He got behind the wheel and said, “Boy, I’m hungry. Can’t wait for a burger.”

  They went to the bar on the edge of Mill Pond. Motorcycles lined its front parking spaces. Pickups filled the lot. Jed walked ahead of her to lead her inside. He nodded at Chase Carlton, the owner and bartender, and took a seat at the bar.

  Chase trotted to take their orders. In his early thirties, Chase sported blond hair and stubble. He looked Tessa up and down. “Hey, farmer girl, you’re lookin’ good tonight.”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t expect this place to be so busy.” “It’s always busy on Saturdays, darlin’. You just wouldn’t know because you don’t come in here to make my night.”

  Jed laughed. “Like you need that. You never walk out of here alone, do you?”

  Chase looked hurt. “Is it my fault ladies need someone to lift their spirits?”

  The band started playing, and his words were drowned by noise. Tessa glanced at the family room on the far side of the building. The music didn’t blast as loud there. She might be able to hear someone if they talked. Which Jed didn’t. They ordered, they ate, and he paid. Then, he looked at her. “Ready for mini-golf?”

  Not really, but she smiled. She’d grown up in the country club. She’d taken golf lessons, tennis lessons, and was on the swim team. Mini-golf was for amateurs. She could probably kick Jed’s ass, but this wasn’t a competition, right? It was supposed to be fun.

  As they stood to leave, Chase gave her a wide grin and a wink. “Come anytime, and I’ll throw in a free drink.”

  Well, there you go. Who could resist that?

  Jed drove to the local range with a windmill on the first course, a stream on the second, and other hurdles to the last hole. Jed insisted that she start first. She whipped through the windmill barriers in short time.

  Jed hit his ball, and it reflected off the far side. He hit again, and it reflected back toward the beginning. Five hits later, he’d made it past the spinning blades of the windmill. Five more hits, and he sank his first ball.

  Tessa bit the inside of her cheek and groaned. She’d never played with anyone this bad. On the second course, she whizzed through the obstacles and finished early. Jed’s ball went in the water. He got it out and knocked it out of the course. He started again, and ended up in the water . . . again. Tessa thought she’d grab her hair and scream, but forced herself to stay calm, to smile. Eight hits over, Jed finally sank his putt.

  Were the heavens mocking her? Were they laughing at her attempt to get into the dating scene again? By the last tee, she had to force herself not to take Jed’s club and beat him with it.

  Jed grew grumpier the longer they played. By the time he finished, he was none too friendly. “When I come here with friends, I usually win.”

  “You’re kidding. How often do you come?”

  “A few times a summer.”

  “That explains it.”

  He looked at Tessa. “You know, you seemed like a nice girl, pretty easygoing.”

  “Did I?” She squinted at him. Bring it on. She’d taken martial arts. She could kick his rear end from one side of Mill Pond to the other.

  “You didn’t tell me you were a damned golf pro.”

  She tried to keep the edge out of her voice. “You didn’t tell me you’d never played before.”

  “I have,” Jed said.

  “Not enough.” Was he mad at her because she’d won?
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  “I came here two weeks ago. I got first place.”

  “Were all of your friends drunk?”

  He glared. “You’re sort of a know-it-all, aren’t you?”

  She glared back. “Not really, but golf might not have been the right pick for us.”

  He shrugged and led her to his truck. Didn’t open her door . . . again. On the way back to her place, he said, “I like your pies enough, I thought you might be worth marrying. Word is, you’re a good cook. But I don’t think we’d get along.”

  “Are we breaking up?” She wouldn’t laugh. It wouldn’t be kind.

  “I’m sorry, Tessa. You’re nice enough, but I can tell you’re not from around here. You came from a big city. It shows.”

  She gave a grim nod, waited for him to drop her at her house, and then heaved a sigh of relief when he left. Then, she couldn’t help it. She doubled over with laughter. There was a reason she preferred being single.

  Chapter 12

  The first Sunday in May started too early. Normally, Tessa slept in on Sundays. Grams gave her grief about that. Grams was a regular at the little church in town. Tessa read the newspaper, drank an entire pot of coffee by herself, and enjoyed not doing anything. Today, though, she had to be at Grams’ church by eleven-thirty.

  “Doll up a little,” Grams told her. “This is about having fun.”

  Tessa stood in front of her closet and sighed. The best she could do was a flirty, summer skirt and a cute, white blouse with tiny buttons that ran its entire length. She pulled her hair back with a white ribbon, slipped gold earrings in her ears, and stepped into a pair of sandals with a small heel. She looked in the mirror and grimaced. It was as good as she got.

  She gathered her four pie carriers—three for the dessert table and one for Garth Roarke. She knew he’d be at the social. A bachelor, Garth came to every food event in Mill Pond. She loaded the pies on the front seat of her pickup, and off she went.

  Grams waved to her the minute Tessa stepped onto the front lawn of the church. “Over here!”