*
“Aunt Bella!” Noah came running from the back of the room and charged right at her. She caught him as he launched himself into her arms. “You came. I knew you would.”
“My, look how you’ve grown!” She twirled him around, her knitted cap falling from her head. Her long, unruly hair fell to her shoulders but she ignored it. Should have tied it up like she usually did but it was nice not to have to face the mirror and make herself look glamorous for the cameras. She laughed loudly before remembering she stood in her sister’s place of business. With a grimace, she put Noah down, glanced around the room. “Sorry, folks. Got a little bit carried away here. Missed the little guy.” She giggled as her nephew pulled her by the hand through the tables to the back of the room.
“Mom’s out in the kitchen. Come on, she’s going to be so happy you’re here at last.” He tugged her past the diners, some of whom had started to whisper in that staged “oh, my goodness, isn’t that Bella Moore” and whipped out their cell phones for a quick shot in the way she’d never gotten used to.
Once out of view from the restaurant patrons, she could breathe. So much had happened these last couple of weeks, her head still spun from the rush of it and being in front of people who knew her only made it worse.
A swish of a door followed by a squeal of delight came from behind her. “Bella, you came. I wasn’t sure you meant it when you called me because you’re always so busy.” Mari engulfed her in a hug, lifting her off her feet and squeezed her tight. “It’s so good to see you.” She put her down but didn’t let go.
“Of course I came. I told you I would.” She wriggled out of Mari’s arms and undid the buttons on her coat before she slipped it from her shoulders, glancing around the heritage hotel. The sweeping staircase, carved panels, and engraved glass gave her a quick sense of being somewhere comfortable and cozy. No wonder her sister had fallen in love with the place. It was gorgeous, or at least it would be when she finished refurbishing it. “So, this is the fabulous Lake Hotel.”
“Yes, it is.” She glanced at Bella and huffed out a sigh. “Well that was the plan anyway, to make it beautiful. I’ll get there eventually. Come and have a look around. Once dinner service is over and I can breathe, you can tell me all about the reason behind your visit.” She took Bella’s arm and walked her into the small open lounge room by the stairs, tossing the coat over the banister.
“I wanted to see you all. Is that a crime?” That excuse wasn’t going to work and she knew it even though it sounded good when she’d thought of it on the drive here. She tucked her arm around Noah’s shoulders. “And I missed this guy like you wouldn’t believe.”
Noah giggled and wriggled out of her reach. She grinned as he took a seat on the stairs and watched them. He’d always been a keen, quiet observer.
“Come on. As if you expect me to believe that. You can see us anytime you like, but aren’t you in the middle of filming next season’s show?”
“Kind of finished actually.” Bella looked around the foyer, poked her head into the ballroom and sighed. “This place is gorgeous.”
“It is, right? This is where we held the Christmas gala ball and in there”—she opened the door to the smaller ballroom next door where the stacked furniture was covered in drop sheets—“is where we displayed the Christmas trees we raffled off after the competition. The plan is to turn it into a romantic restaurant where lovers can get away from the burger and fries diners out front. I want something a little bit classier than what I have now. Something I can use for weddings and other functions if I ever get that organized.”
Bella walked into the smaller room, glanced around, her mind going full pelt on possibilities. She could see the tables, lit with candles, the sumptuous decorations only outdone by the food and wine list. She could even imagine the bride and groom sitting at the head table surrounded by family and friends.
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?” Mari knew her better than she thought if she could see what was going on in her head.
Some days Bella rued the ideas that ran through her mind without any effort at all. But not tonight. A new spark of interest made her smile. What she could do with this hotel given unlimited funds and free reign. Mari obviously already knew it, but this building would make the best venue for weddings and any other celebration if it was done right. Her sister wouldn’t have bought it otherwise. Bella almost wished she was here for longer than six months. Maybe when she’d finished taping the last season of her show, she could come back and do something to help her sister. This was something she could get her teeth into. She’d love nothing more than to help Mari bring the premises to their former glory with the added benefits of modern technology. But so much was up in the air and she didn’t dare make plans she couldn’t keep.
“You know what. You’re plotting already and you’ve only been here like five minutes if that. You need to tell me what’s going on, Bella, because something isn’t right. I never would’ve said you’re the type to walk out on your business for a little family visit even though I know you love us dearly. Work always comes first with you. Tell me what’s going on.”
Bella swallowed the pain still so close to the surface. She walked over to one of the high-set windows, glanced up at the stars twinkling in the ink-black sky. “It’s kind of complicated.”
Noah came in and tugged on Mari’s arm. “Mom, can I go and sit with Jake and Cory please while they eat their dessert? I won’t annoy them, promise.”
Mari smiled at her son. “Sure. But don’t go anywhere else and let me know when they’re ready to go home so I can say goodbye.” He raced out of the room before she turned back to her little sister. “Start talking and don’t try and hide anything. Give me the whole ugly knobbly truth as you see it.”
“Where to start?” Bella blew out a breath, blinked away the tears that rushed to the surface. Her emotions had been all over the place ever since she’d been pulled into that meeting. “I’ve been pretty busy these last eighteen months. The show, appearances, and the book deals have been hectic to say the least. I’ve loved every single minute of it.” She smiled, trying to appear upbeat. “It’s me, you know?”
“Yeah, I know. Miss ninety-miles-an-hour suits you down to the ground. So what’s gone wrong then?” Mari pulled out a chair from the stack against the wall under the dust sheet and sat down.
“Russell, my producer, has been watching me like a hawk. He’s a bit like everyone’s mother hen, always has been from the start but he can be over-demanding too when he wants to be, bossy and unreasonable even. He’s a professional but underneath all that hard exterior sits a soft heart. That’s all fine but in his wisdom he decided I was heading for burnout.” Even saying the words scalded her chest.
“And are you?” Mari’s gaze drilled into her.
“That’s the problem. I don’t know.” And how could she tell when her life was so hectic? “I mean, you know me, right? This is how I’ve always been. Even as a little kid, I was on the go. Mom could never get me to slow down so she gave up trying. I think she decided I was just an overactive toddler that never grew up.”
“And what did he do to make you hightail it to Cherry Lake?”
Bella blew out a sigh, avoided the penetrating stare from her big sister. Apart from the sleaze bag that she was doing her best to avoid? “Made me take six months off.” It hurt to say the words out loud. They left an achy hollow in her gut.
“What? Wow!” She shook her head. “And you did it without fighting back? I don’t believe it, Bella. You never do anything you don’t want to.”
“Normally, no.” She screwed up her face, hating the way she’d given in so easily.
Anyone would think she was the compliant debut actress the way she’d nodded her head, held back the tears, and did exactly what Russell had ordered. Just went to show how correct he might have been about her state of being and how much the deceit of her “friend” had affected her. Normally, Bella would have reacted differen
tly. “The thing is, we usually have a break between seasons anyway. The crew goes to another job and I have things I like to take on. Corporate deals that bring in plenty of money and exposure as well as the planning I do for the next season.”
“But what about your commitments, like your books?”
Bella wiped a hand over her eyes and chided herself for being so emotional. The black-and-white photos that were slipped underneath her door had been the tipping point.
“The last show’s already been taped. There’s only editing to do and they might require a couple of shots to be done again but that’s not really a big deal. I have a book due soon and I know I can get that done. I need to be the one to do the final layout and deal with the photographer. When I’m happy with the finished product, I’ll pass it on to be edited and that will be that.”
“Okay, that’s all under control. So why the long face then? If you can get it all done, you should be happy. And you’re more than welcome to stay here. We can sort out a room for you, we have plenty.” She indicated the staircase. “Go pick one, any one. You know Dakota’s going to be thrilled to see you, and she has a spare room too. Does she even know you’re coming? She’s having a couple of days away.”
“Thanks, but my producer Russell went ahead and rented a cottage so I’ll feel ‘more obligated to stay for the duration’ as he put it. He knows me too well. If I’d stayed with you there was nothing to stop me sneaking back to Seattle, but with the studio forking out big bucks for a house, well of course I’ll stay put. And, no, I didn’t tell Dakota. I only told you because I knew you’d be home when I got here. Plus, I wasn’t ready to spread the word yet.” If she had her way, it’d be kept under wraps forever. “Besides, doesn’t she have a hot new fiancé? I’m hardly going to crash that party.”
“She does and they look so good together. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“Me either. I’m very happy for her. Mom was excited when she called me after the gala ball and the photos she sent me were lovely. I so wish I’d had time to come down for that but, you know, busy as I was, not possible.”
“I wish you could’ve been here too but I understood when you couldn’t make it. We all had a fabulous time. But back to the long face and the reason you’re here. I get that you’re probably feeling a bit out of your comfort zone not being in control of what’s going on but if your producer is happy and you have the chance for a break, make the most of it. You’ve been going flat out ever since you won Masterchef.”
“And I love it like that. It’s my life, Mari. I live to cook, to be creative. You know that.”
“I do but it sounds as though you’re going to have enough to keep you busy. You still haven’t said why the long face. Is there anything you’re not telling me?”
Bella bit her lip. She wasn’t ready to talk about that yet. “I didn’t realize how much money the studio had put into me. Not just the show but branding and products. They seem to have a finger in just about everything I’m doing. If I crack, which does happen when you hit the big time, they stand to lose heaps. But I know it’s not just about the money, the investment they’ve made. Russell cares about the people he works with and he and his wife have a soft spot for me for some reason.” As much as she loved her sister, Bella didn’t want to discuss the smear campaign against her by a disgruntled staff member who wanted more than she was prepared to give. It was another reason the studio wanted her out of town. If she kept a lower profile, things might die a natural death. A rental cottage for six months didn’t seem such a waste of money to protect their brightest star if she looked at it from their point of view.
“I see. Well, the last thing we need is for you to lose it. Make the most of being here then. Let your creative energy refill the well and relax while you can. You’ll be fine here, Bella.”
“Only if I have somewhere to test out my recipes.” She looked down at her fingers, touched the small dry patch on her hand from a healing burn. One of the perils of being a chef. “I wondered if you’d let me play in your kitchen? I promise not to get in your chef’s way or stand on her toes. I can even come in and use it early in the morning so it won’t affect your dinner service.” It was a huge ask but the only thing that would let her keep her sanity while she was on enforced leave.
“Dinner service?” Mari gave a strangled laugh. “Sweetheart, it’s all yours as of tomorrow. Penny’s finishing up tonight and I haven’t been able to find a chef to take over for her. And believe me, I’ve tried my hardest to replace her too. Just when I get the restaurant working well, she has to leave me.”
“Really?” The wheels turned at a dizzying rate. “Why?”
“Family ill health. Of course she must go but it’s been impossible to find someone anywhere near as good as her and I was so looking forward to starting work on renovations now that I’ve found my feet here.”
“Show me your kitchen.” Bella walked away and found the hub of the hotel. It was hard to miss the double swing doors with the word “kitchen” emblazoned on them. She pushed them open, strode in, stood in the middle of the room. Bella watched the chef and her assistant at work, ignoring the quick glances they threw her way.
“Bella!” Mari grabbed her arm. “Slow down.”
“I can’t. You know me. This is perfect. A little old and in need of an upgrade compared to what I’m used to.” She grinned at her sister, the first inkling of satisfaction warming her belly since she’d been given the orders to relax and lie low out of the public eye. “No offense, but you know what I mean. Nothing but the best for the television execs because they think it’s what keeps the high ratings. Heaven forbid it shouldn’t look top class. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. This will be perfect for now.” She strode over and checked out the oven. “Excuse me.” She slid past Penny and started opening cupboards and looking at kitchen utensils.
Penny stood gaping open-mouthed at her. “Hey, aren’t you that girl, the one that won Masterchef a few years ago?”
“Yep, that’d be me.” She held out her hand. “Bella Moore. Nice to meet you.”
“You didn’t tell me you were related to her, Mari.” Bella didn’t miss the frown that the chef shot her sister.
“Sorry, Penny. Slipped my mind.”
Penny continued to stare at Bella as if that was impossible. “Got your last book, I did.”
Bella gave the star struck chef a winning smile. “Thank you. I hope you enjoyed it.” Bella opened the fridge, poked around inside, pulling out tubs of pre-made food. She lifted the lid on one tub and sniffed, picked up the scent of garlic and lemongrass. “Is that my special marinade?”
Penny smiled, pink rushing up her cheeks. “Yes. It’s turned into a favorite here. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Bella, what are you doing?” Mari strode over, leaned on the prep counter and stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.
Bella shut the refrigerator and smiled, folded her arms across her chest. The look of shock on her sister’s face was almost comical, the first bit of light-heartedness since this whole debacle had reared its ugly head and threatened to derail everything she’d worked so hard for. “I’m going to take over the restaurant on the condition that you let me play here during the day when you aren’t open. That way we both get what we want.”
Chapter Two
Bella gazed at her surroundings. Waking up in the cottage had bordered on a traumatic experience. Peace and quiet, so foreign, it frightened her. No bright lights, no assistants chattering in her ear about what she had to produce that day. No emails flashed under her nose for approval for the next public appearance. For once, her cell phone was silent. She checked it to make sure it wasn’t dead before remembering what had happened and the reason she was here.
Now she stood in the house alone, fighting the urge to get in her car and speed back to the city. It made her sick to her stomach that something had to happen to her before the police could take action against her stalker. In the meantime, the studio refused to le
t her put herself at risk and she was grateful for their concern.
This morning she’d climbed out of bed in a panic, feeling as though she’d fallen into a nightmare until she remembered arriving here last night and being given the keys to the cottage. The reason she was here. The gorgeous hotel her sister owned, the rundown kitchen and her mad offer to take over cooking duties the three nights a week the restaurant was open. The cute old guy that had come in and introduced himself as her landlord and offered to show her where her cottage was. She’d followed him meekly. The quiet man and gangly teenager that were with him, hovering in the background watching her.
Bella had driven behind the work truck the short distance down the road to the rental her producer had arranged for her. When Rupert Woods—call me Woodsie—handed her the keys, he left her alone with the promise that if she needed something, he was only a short distance away. Only two houses down. Can’t miss it. If she wanted anything at all, all she had to do was ask. People in Cherry Lake were like that.
In the cool light of day, the tiny pink fisherman’s cottage looked as though it belonged in a painting. High-pitched roof with gray shingles and white scrolled timber edging, it could easily have been crafted from sugar, a gingerbread house. Window boxes filled with flowers she could mold from confectioners icing, stunning with their vibrant colors that belied belief. All so foreign to her usual way of life, her streamlined white on white apartment without a blade of grass or a real house plant.
The fresh crisp air that greeted her instead of the smog and bustle of city life when she opened the door made her pause. Even the nip of frost in the air seemed foreign compared to the coddled studio Bella spent most of her time in. She was a world away from her usual lifestyle and, now that she was here, it scared her to death. How on earth would she cope with the sudden change after the last couple of years of being on the go, night and day? She was out of her comfort zone and it freaked her out.
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