by Cindy Kirk
She stepped into the waiting area and twirled around. “What do you think?”
Her two friends looked at each other then back at her.
Ami dabbed at her eyes. “That’s the one.”
Sarah Rose reached out and squealed.
Lindsay sighed. “You look like a bride.”
Which was, after all, the point of trying on dresses. But Eliza held her tongue. At that moment, she wasn’t sure she could speak.
Her thoughts returned to Kyle, to the silly, sweet and romantic text. She’d told him, told herself, that Saturday night hadn’t meant anything. Yet, since that night, she couldn’t get him out of her mind.
She felt a closeness to him that she didn’t want to examine too closely. Because if she did, she might start wanting or hoping for more.
Her gaze strayed back to the three-way mirror.
Just like a bride.
Emotion rose to clog her throat, and she had to blink back tears.
The unexpected text must have unsettled her more than she’d realized. That was the only explanation Eliza could come up with, other than simple relief.
It appeared the hunt for the perfect dress was finally over.
Chapter 17
Kyle hadn’t expected to hear from Eliza after sending the text. He told himself he kept checking his phone only because a supplier was supposed to get back to him about a specialty item. Shortly after twelve, his phone signaled two new texts.
The first was a picture of Eliza wearing a sexy black gown. “The dress!”
Kyle studied the image. He’d known Eliza had been at the local bridal salon with Lindsay and Ami this morning. This must be the bridesmaids’ dress they’d chosen.
His gaze lingered on the gown. It suited her to perfection. While he couldn’t recall attending a wedding where the bridesmaids wore black, the dress was made for Eliza.
There was only one negative. She would be more beautiful than the bride.
He replied with a thumbs-up, then scrolled to the next message.
It was from his mother.
He tightened his fingers around the phone as he read the message, not prepared for the raw emotion that pummeled him with the force of a tsunami.
“I haven’t yet spoken with your father. Not the right time. Soon. I promise.”
His mother still insisted the possibility that Ed Rakes was his father had never crossed her mind. It had been a one-time thing. They’d used protection. When Kyle had informed her last summer that his blood type was incompatible with his father’s—or rather, the man he thought of as his father—she’d sobbed.
“What about Jeremy?”
Though she was keeping it cryptic, probably worried his dad might pick up her phone, Kyle knew what she was asking. Not having the answer nagged like a rotten tooth.
The second Jeremy got back from his honeymoon, Kyle vowed to be on his doorstep. He wouldn’t be put off any longer.
The fact that he’d skipped lunch and was battling a piece of crown molding only added to his edginess. He thought about the bakery down the street and decided he needed a break.
On the short jog down the block to Blooms Bake Shop, Kyle admitted it wasn’t just the situation with his mother and Jeremy that had him tense.
It was the situation with Eliza.
Saturday night had been amazing. There was no other word to describe it. Kyle had discovered what he’d only suspected. Beneath Eliza’s cool, sometimes haughty exterior hid a woman capable of great passion. And she had a sly sense of humor he found endearing.
The problem was she seemed determined to treat what had happened between them that night as an aberration. Something that should not be allowed to happen again.
Though he had a lot on his plate with the theater renovation, the situation with the house and Lolo, Kyle never backed away from a challenge. Never walked away from something he wanted.
He would make Eliza see what he already knew. One time—or rather, one night—was not enough.
Kyle pushed open the door to Blooms Bake Shop, his mind focused on possible ways to convince a certain stubborn brunette to let him get close, when he heard his name…and found himself face-to-face with her.
Eliza told herself it was only polite to call out a greeting. She, Lindsay and Ami had decided to celebrate the successful shopping trip by stopping by Ami’s shop for tea and cookies.
The lavender and rosewater cookies featured today were a favorite in the Bloom family. When coupled with a cup of herbal tea served in pretty china cups, it proved to be the perfect ending to a very successful outing.
From her position facing the window, she’d seen Kyle approach the bakery. When he pushed open the door, Eliza was embarrassed to admit her heart skipped a beat. Though she’d grown up with a father who wore a suit every day, there was something about Kyle in his flannel shirt, jeans and work boots that spoke to her on a primal level.
He sauntered over to where they sat. The scruff along his jawline only added to his appeal.
“Afternoon, ladies.” Kyle slanted a glance at Lindsay. “Thumbs up on the bridesmaids’ dresses.”
“Oh, we didn’t get that far.” Lindsay gave a little laugh. “It was enough to pick the wedding dress. But we found the one. A gorgeous black satin.”
Eliza wanted to crawl under the table when he cast a glance in her direction. Having Sarah Rose on her lap made that maneuver impossible.
“That was the wedding dress?”
Ami cocked her head, her clearly curious gaze settling on Kyle. “You saw the dress?”
“Eliza sent me a picture. Very striking.”
“Thanks.” Lindsay sipped her tea. “I’m happy with it.”
Ami lifted the cup to her lips as if trying to hide her smile, but it didn’t work. Eliza saw the amusement dancing in her green depths. “Eliza looked absolutely stunning in the dress.”
Lindsay heaved a sigh. “I only hope I look half as pretty as her.”
The look Eliza flashed him told Kyle it was time to change the subject.
He glanced at the bake case then at the table with the three women. “What’s good today?”
Eliza gestured to her plate. “The special cookie today is lavender with rosewater icing.”
“Oh.” Kyle inwardly grimaced. He hadn’t made the trek here to eat flowers. “I’m more in the mood for a brownie.”
“I’ll show you what we have today.” Hadley spoke from behind the counter. “We have three varieties to choose from, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.”
Hadley, with her blond hair, blue eyes and killer body, had caught the eye of several of his men. They’d quickly discovered that, while she was friendly and pleasant, she was not interested. Kyle wondered if she had a local boyfriend.
Not that he cared. He cast a glance at Eliza. He’d discovered he was partial to brunettes.
“I was in the mood for brownies, too.” Hadley pointed to the top shelf in the bake case. “As evidenced by there being, three, count ’em, three choices today.”
As Kyle assessed the options, his stomach gave a loud growl.
“Sorry.” He shrugged. “Missed lunch.”
“Make sure you eat something nutritious tonight,” Ami called from the table painted a robin’s-egg blue. “Especially if you have a brownie now.”
“Yes, Mother,” Eliza drawled.
Ami only laughed, not seeming to take offense.
Lindsay reached over and patted Ami’s hand. “We know you’re firmly into mothering mode. And that’s okay.”
Returning his attention to the bake case, Kyle pointed to the one on the far left. “Is that a whipped peanut butter topping?”
“It’s one of my favorites.” Hadley smiled. “But I also love the raspberry chocolate one. And the pure chocolate bliss is decadent.”
“I’ll take the chocolate bliss.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “And black coffee.”
“To stay or go?”
Kyle had pl
anned on sitting down for a few minutes, but that was before he knew Eliza and her friends were here. “To go.”
The bells over the door jingled, and Hadley shifted her gaze. He watched the blonde’s eyes light up.
Kyle turned to see David Chapin holding the door open for his daughter, Brynn. He was a tall man, with dark hair and a confident set to his broad shoulders. His eyes reflected keen intelligence.
Though they weren’t exactly friends, they’d become well acquainted when David had been the architect on the Good Hope Living Center project. Kyle recognized Brynn as one of the girls in Cade and Marigold’s Seedling troop.
“Kyle.” David greeted him warmly, as if they were old friends. “I thought you’d be at the theater.”
“Just grabbing a late lunch.”
“The theater is looking good.”
“It’s a beautiful building.” Kyle turned back to Hadley. “What do I owe you?”
Hadley handed him the sack, and when she gave him the amount, he pushed a bill across the counter. “Keep the change.”
Brynn tugged at her father’s hand. She was a pretty child, as blond as her father was dark. Instead of her eyes being gray like her dad’s, Brynn’s were a vivid blue. “I wish I could have a brownie for lunch.”
“Me, too.” Behind the counter, Hadley chuckled. “What brings you and your dad by this afternoon?”
“I painted you something.” The girl lifted a sheet of paper. “It’s a picture of you.”
Hadley stared at the watercolor, appearing at a loss for words.
“That’s cool.” Kyle cocked his head. Standing in a bed of brightly colored flowers was a stick figure with a mass of yellow hair and big blue eyes. “Very colorful.”
“The teacher had them draw a picture of a favorite man and woman in their life.” David cleared his throat. “Brynn chose you for the woman.”
The architect appeared embarrassed—and perplexed—by the admission.
Kyle had heard David and his wife were divorced and that David had been granted full custody of Brynn. He knew the ex-wife hadn’t been back since the divorce, not even to see her daughter. But Brynn’s grandmother was very much involved.
So why had the child painted a picture of Hadley?
When Hadley still didn’t speak, a frown worried the little girl’s pale brows. “Don’t you like it?”
The plaintive quality to the little voice had Kyle’s gaze shooting back to Hadley. Even if she hated the picture, she could at least say something nice.
Hadley swallowed convulsively. Her fingers trembled as she carefully lifted the drawing from the child’s hands.
“I love it.” She rounded the counter and crouched down by the child. “Thank you. I will treasure it always.”
Brynn flung her arms around Hadley’s neck. “I knew you’d like it.”
From where he stood, Kyle saw Hadley squeeze her eyes closed for several seconds.
Kyle turned away, feeling as if he was intruding on a private moment. Which made no sense.
Before he reached the door, the scraping of chairs being pushed back caught his attention.
“Cake tasting at ten on Wednesday. My house.” Eliza delivered the reminder like an order as she handed the baby back to Ami.
“I’ll have my cake samples there by nine.” Ami cuddled her daughter close for a second, then turned to Lindsay. “I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. We’re friends. But if you and Dan end up liking your mother’s samples better, that’s okay.”
Like Brynn had done with Hadley only moments earlier, Lindsay gave Ami a hug. “You’re the best.”
“Hey, something just hit me. If you have time—and don’t mind holding Sarah Rose—I can show you how to make a pie crust look like an octopus.”
“I’d love that.” Lindsay’s expression brightened. “Braxton’s birthday is fast approaching, and I want to do something special. He likes pie more than cake, and I think he’ll get a kick out of an octopus crust.”
As if remembering their third Musketeer, Lindsay turned to Eliza. “Do you want to watch, Eliza? The crust is really cool.”
“Thanks for the invitation.” Eliza waved a hand in a vague gesture. “But Lolo will be home from school soon. I need to be there.”
Lindsay nodded understandingly. “Today was fun.”
“Wednesday will be fun, too. You and Dan will enjoy the cake tasting,” Eliza promised, then glanced at Ami. “Good luck with the crust.”
Kyle could easily have been out the door and halfway down the block, but he hung back.
He opened the door for her, and when she smiled, he was glad he’d waited. “I’m surprised you didn’t want to learn how to make a pie crust look like an eight-legged creature with three hearts.”
“Three hearts?”
The skeptical look she shot him had Kyle smiling. “Just a piece of fun trivia.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can count on one hand the pies I’ve made in the last ten years. Baking pies with elaborate crusts just isn’t my thing.”
“I liked the wedding gown you picked. Different. Unique.” He slowed his steps to match hers. “It looks amazing on you.”
“How it looks on me doesn’t matter. I’m not the bride.”
Kyle kept his tone casual. “Why were you wearing it?”
More important, why send the picture to me?
“After trying on a handful of gowns, Lindsay got stressed. She claimed she couldn’t tell which one she liked when she was the one wearing them.” Eliza glanced away for a second, her expression nonchalant when it returned to him. “Since we’re the same size, I was tapped to model.”
Kyle thought about telling her that while the dress suited her to perfection, he doubted it would suit Lindsay. Reminding himself he wasn’t an expert on women’s wedding apparel, he kept the observation to himself. “Now you move on to cakes.”
Eliza nodded. “Wednesday afternoon.”
“That’s my day to be there for Lolo after school.” He slanted a glance in her direction. “Would you prefer I pick her up at school and take her somewhere? I don’t want us to be in the way.”
“No, it’s your home, too. It’ll be fine.” She smiled. “Once we’re finished, you and Lolo can give your own thumbs up or down on the cakes.”
It’s your home, too.
Hers. And his. Kyle liked the fact that she’d linked them together.
As they continued down the sidewalk, he realized he hadn’t asked how Beck’s investigation of the life estate was going. Kyle didn’t know if that meant she’d hit a roadblock, or if her efforts to toss him out were full speed ahead. “What’s new with Beck?”
Eliza nodded to a woman hurrying down the street, several shopping bags in hand, before refocusing on him. “Shouldn’t you be asking Ami that question?”
“Last I knew, he was still your attorney.”
Her smile disappeared.
“For all the good he’s done me.” Eliza slowed her steps when the theater came into view. “No, that isn’t fair. Beck is very competent. He can’t find something that isn’t there.”
Kyle took her arm, glad for an excuse to touch her. Happy for a reason to change the subject. “Let’s go inside and I’ll show you around.”
He caught a few of the men checking Eliza out when they walked up. Her cool gaze swept over them like a stiff March breeze.
She stepped inside and inhaled sharply. “Kyle. Oh my God, what you’ve done here is amazing.”
“It’s coming together.” Pride filled his words. “As you know, this theater goes back to the 1920s. According to Jeremy, citizens voted to put the money in renovation rather than tearing down and building new.”
“There was a lot of discussion. Pros and cons to both options.” Eliza slid her hand along a railing, and Kyle’s mouth went dry.
He remembered how those fingers had felt sliding across his bare skin. Kyle lifted his gaze to her full, red mouth.
She caught the look. For a moment, they sh
ared a smile.
“Everyone felt strongly that the company that did the renovation needed to understand the importance of preserving the art deco design of the structure.”
“That was important to me, as well.” Kyle’s gaze surveyed the concession area. “If you notice, the color scheme complements the bold earth tones of orange and green from the original terrazzo floor.”
“Very nice.” Eliza pointed to the painting on the curved wall of the second-story landing that led to the balcony. “My grandmother adored that mural. When I was small, I called it the ‘woman with the long orange hair.’”
Kyle smiled. “Izzie Deshler repainted it for us.”
“She does excellent work.” Eliza’s gaze lingered on the painting. “Gram would have loved seeing it restored so beautifully.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you.” He hadn’t brought Eliza in here to remind her of the past. Or to make her sad.
For several long seconds, Eliza simply gazed at the mural. Then she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “The house is legally yours.”
He blinked, startled. “What?”
“I’m not certain what went wrong. My grandmother is gone and can’t tell me why she didn’t take care of business. Beck says my father was legally within his rights to sell my home.” Turbulent gray eyes lifted to his face. “It wasn’t my intent to keep this news from you. I planned to tell you several days ago, but this week has been so busy…”
She whirled and flung out her hands. “Oh, who am I kidding? I was worried once you discovered I have no claim on the home, I’d have to move out.”
The laugh she uttered came perilously close to a sob. Eliza pressed her lips together and straightened, her eyes like gray smoke. “If you could give me to the end of the month, I’d—”
“Hey.” Kyle grabbed her arm for a second and resisted—barely—giving her a little shake. “Don’t talk crazy. That house may be legally mine, but it’s yours in every other sense.”
She looked up at him, and he saw the hint of tears glistening on her dark lashes. “What are you saying?”
“I’m not sure.” Kyle lifted his hands, palms up, then let them drop. He gentled his voice. “I may not know what the answer is, but I sure as heck know what it isn’t. You’re not leaving the home you love.”