Recipe for Redemption--A Clean Romance

by Anna J. Stewart

  “What?” Now what was he up to?

  He snatched down the tin marked Tea off the top of the bookcase. He pulled out a couple of singles Matilda kept on hand for petty expenses. “See? Now you’ve paid me. Problem solved. I’m officially an employee.”

  Abby’s stomach did an odd little dance. How was it he’d made things worse? But given Roger’s request, she didn’t see another solution. Not without explaining more than she wanted to tell him.

  “What about food?” She grabbed the tin and dumped the last of the cash out on the counter. “Do we have enough—”

  “Let me worry about that.”

  “I’m not having you cover our costs.” She stared him down. Enough was enough. “We might be stretched thin, but we aren’t a charity case. Give me a little while and I’ll give you a budget. Then you can go off and wheel and deal Calliope.”

  “An hour. Perfect.” He pushed the brush into her hands and aimed her toward her cookie sheet. “Bet you thought I forgot about these. Now get those scones in the oven and let’s get to planning.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “NO, GARY. FOR the hundredth time, I’m not coming back to New York.” Jason hefted the bag of leftovers and snacks in his arm as he walked to the sheriff’s station. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d accepted an invitation to something like this. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been given one. “Where did you get that idea?”

  “From you,” Gary said with more frustration than Jason had heard in his friend’s voice in months. “You just said you were cooking again.”

  “And enjoying it for the first time in forever.” Because cooking at the Flutterby was pressure-free. Because he was doing it both for the love of the food and to help Abby. Because he knew David would approve. He could feel his life falling into place. Different. Surprising. Exhilarating. He could even see a future for himself and... Jason frowned. And what, exactly? “Why would I ruin that by coming back to everything that made me so miserable?”

  “Because the board of directors wants you to.”

  Jason stopped. “Say that again?” He stared out between the trees to the ocean beyond and caught a glimpse of the sunset. He hadn’t missed one yet.

  “You really haven’t been keeping up with the company, have you? Hang on. I’m emailing you the minutes of their latest board meeting.”

  “You can send me a video for all I care, it won’t make a difference.” Damned if his cell didn’t chime announcing the attachment. Gary must have had his finger hovering over Send the entire conversation. “I don’t have time for this. I don’t belong there anymore. It’s toxic.” Only now that he saw what else life had to offer him did he realize that. “Except for you, there isn’t anyone I can trust.” Everyone in his former life was out for themselves, and most of the time it was at his expense. None of them ever considered the greater good apart from profit margins and bank accounts. Now that he was cooking again, he knew he could start over. Either here or somewhere else. But here certainly held more appeal. Here. Where Abby was.

  Abby had never lied to him, never used him or deceived him. She was the most honest person he’d ever met. Other than David, no one had ever understood him or even tried to. That Abby did meant more than he could say or ever repay. She’d helped him find himself. Maybe for the first time. She didn’t see him as David’s twin, or the cook behind the scenes. She saw him.

  “So you’re going to completely surrender and let your father finish off Corwin Brothers once and for all.”

  “Dad’s going to do what Dad’s always done and look out for himself.” Still, he didn’t like the unease that struck when he considered his father’s actions would take David’s legacy down with him. “I’ll read the minutes, okay? But I’m not promising anything.” The last thing he wanted was to poison his time with Abby with his father and the past. But a part of him—the part that would never let go of his brother—said, “They really want me back?”

  “It’s been discussed. The annual meeting is next month. If there’s ever a time to make a bid for a takeover, that’ll be it. If you don’t have the support of the entire board now, you will soon.”

  It was bad enough Gary had been pushing him to return to the restaurant. Asking him to reclaim his position as chairman was something else entirely. It would be like stepping backward. Wouldn’t it? Plus, he’d be leaving something he only now began to realize he wanted.

  “There’s been a mass exodus from JD’s, Jason. Most of the people who worked for you and David are gone. Edward’s either driven them out or fired them. He’s changed suppliers and the reviews are piling up on the internet. Horrible reviews. Reservations are down over 50 percent and the bills are piling up. If you wait too long, there really won’t be anything left to salvage.”

  Jason stared up at the sky. He didn’t want to know this. “Is there anything you can do to stop the hemorrhaging?”

  “Not indefinitely. And not alone.”

  Damn it. They were talking in circles. “I mean until I look into this a little more. Send me whatever you need me to look at. But I’ll need some time. A week, maybe two.”

  “You’re only booked at the Flutterby through next week.”

  “Nothing says I can’t extend my reservation. If anything, you don’t need to plan my next escape route.” He took a deep breath and stared at the town that had welcomed him with open arms. “I’m not going anywhere for a while. So don’t get your hopes up, Gary. It’ll take a lot more than frustrated board members and the promise of financial Armageddon to get me to come back.” It would take a massive shift in agenda and goals.

  “Rumor is you might be making a special appearance during that festival down there.”

  Jason cringed. There it was. “I should have known Roger wouldn’t keep his mouth shut.”

  “I’d be more concerned with what he isn’t saying than what he is. Be careful, Jason. He never does anything without an ulterior motive, and I’d hate for you to get caught in the crossfire.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got Roger’s number. I’ll be in touch soon.” He disconnected before he promised something he couldn’t deliver on. For now he was only interested in keeping his word to one person: Abby.

  * * *

  “I HAVE TO ADMIT,” Luke Saxon said as he folded his cards and got up to fill his plate for a third time, “you know your poker food.”

  “Mini hoagies and homemade kettle chips seemed appropriate. Ozzy, I’ll raise you.” Jason tossed a ten chip into the pot and watched the deputy’s eyebrow twitch in the tell Jason had identified three hands ago. Odd how comfortable he felt around these friends. Even odder that he remembered how to play poker, let alone read people.

  “Anyone else feel a little strange gambling in a sheriff’s station?” Deputy Matt Knight, large and burly enough to remind Jason of a tree, glanced around the office as he stretched out his leg, the metal click from his prosthesis echoing in the room.

  “I won’t tell if you don’t.” Jake Gordon, former sheriff and Luke’s future father-in-law, sneaked Cash a chip under the table. The dog padded around to Jason, plopped his butt down and blinked pleading dark eyes at him.

  “Cash, enough.” Luke snapped his fingers and pointed to the oversize dog bed in the corner by a state-of-the-art coffeemaker. “Jake, don’t encourage him. I don’t want him to be a pest.”

  Jason swore he heard Cash heave a sigh before he did as he was told and settled in to watch the rest of the game.

  “Don’t say I never brought anything.” Fletcher Bradley, long and lean with more than a hint of irritation on his face, carried a pink bakery box into the station. “Two of Holly’s blackberry pies.” He set them out on the counter. “As requested.”

  “It’s your own fault for forgetting dessert,” Matt ribbed him. “And don’t worry. We haven’t played any of yo
ur hands.”

  “Did take a couple of your chips, though.” Luke leaned back in his chair to look into his office, where Simon and Simon’s sidekick, Charlie Cooper, were holed up playing video games. “Kids, pie’s here.”

  “In a second! We’re about to level up!” Simon yelled.

  “What kind of video game beats pie?” Matt asked. “I’m sorry, but that is one strange kid.”

  “Careful, that’s my almost stepson you’re talking about,” Luke said with enough pride in his voice that Jason was reminded of what his younger self had missed.

  He couldn’t imagine hearing his father talk about him with such affection. Or interest. The last thing Edward Corwin had said to Jason was that he was an even bigger disappointment than he could imagine. Simon was one lucky kid. He wouldn’t spend his life trying to please a man who had no interest in being his father.

  “But yeah, he is.” Luke chuckled. “It’s one of the reasons I love him.”

  “Not so strange you aren’t thinking of adopting him,” Jake said.

  “Not so loud,” Luke muttered. “We haven’t talked to him about it yet. Holly’s figuring out how to tell him.”

  “Why don’t you just ask him?” Jason said. The table fell silent. “Sorry. I guess that was my outside voice. I’m clueless when it comes to kids, so ignore me.”

  “Clueless has a point,” Jake said with a nod of approval. “Ozzy, are you going to bet or what? I’m growing roots in this chair waiting on you.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Call.”

  Jason shook his head.

  “So why don’t you ask Simon?” Matt said as the bet came around to him and he folded.

  “What, now?” Luke balked, and if Jason wasn’t mistaken, lost some of the color in his face. “Holly would kill me.”

  “Then tell her I did it,” Jake said. “Simon! Front and center, please!”

  Jason watched the small boy trudge in, his large glasses taking up a good portion of his face. He had on a worn green superhero T-shirt and jeans that sagged in the behind. “Grandpa,” he whined. “You distracted me and now Charlie’s winning.”

  “I was winning before. You just didn’t want to admit it.” Charlie slid around the table and stopped between Jason and Matt. A tiny little thing in bright pink overalls, her freckled nose wrinkled as she adjusted her ponytail. “I’m Charlie.” She held out her hand to Jason, who, after a moment’s hesitation, shook it. “You’re Mr. Corwin. I heard Mom and Holly talking about you. Look at all those pretty hearts,” she said as she peered at his cards. “Are they all supposed to be in order like that?”

  “Fold!” Luke called.

  “I’m out,” Matt sighed.

  “Really?” Jake tossed his cards on the table.

  Ozzy flushed.

  Jason stared at the huge pot in front of him, then looked at Charlie.

  She grinned and exposed crooked front teeth. “Mom said she hoped they’d let you win a couple of hands. So you’d feel welcome.” She held out her arms as if she’d scored a touchdown. “Welcome!”

  “Wait.” Matt dragged Jason’s cards to the table. “You little cheat,” he said to Charlie. “He didn’t have a thing.”

  “Now he does.” Charlie grinned. “Oh, look at all the colors.” She leaned over the table and dragged the chips toward Jason. “Don’t worry. That’s enough for now.”

  Simon didn’t look amused.

  “That could be the nicest welcome I’ve ever had. Thank you, Charlie.” Jason handed her a chip. “Your tip.”

  “You’re tipping her for bluffing? Now we know you don’t have kids.” Jake laughed. “Okay, shuffle up and deal. Simon, what would you say if Luke wanted to adopt you?”

  The question came out so fast Jason almost got whiplash.

  “Like he’d be my real dad? And I could call him Dad?” Simon looked from his grandpa to Luke. “You want to do that?”

  “I do,” Luke said. He waited a beat. “But I know how much you loved your real father. I’d never want to get in the way of that.”

  “But he died. He’s not here anymore. That would make it okay, wouldn’t it?” Simon looked around the table as if searching for an answer.

  Jason shifted in his chair, glancing over when Charlie leaned in and rested her hip against his knee.

  “I think it sounds great,” Charlie said. “Maybe I should ask my mom for a dad.”

  “Or maybe you shouldn’t,” Jake said in such a grandfatherly tone, Jason envied the little girl. Simon and Charlie wouldn’t have any crises of self-confidence, any doubt they were cared about. People here loved them. Believed in them. The greatest gift any child could be given.

  It’s what he wanted to give his own kids when he had them. His hands froze on his cards as flitting images of a little boy and girl with bright blond hair and laughing turquoise eyes drifted through his thoughts.

  He twirled one of his poker chips on the table. Well, that was something new.

  “It’s up to you if it’s okay, Simon,” Luke said. “Your mom is worried you’ll be confused.”

  “About what?”

  “Ah—” Luke hedged. “I’m not exactly sure.”

  “I’m not confused. You want to be my dad and I want you to be my dad.” Simon shrugged. “Works for me. Charlie, you wanna play again?”

  “Nuh-uh. I want some pie and I think Mr. Corwin needs my help.”

  “I think you can call me Jason,” he told her. “Now that we’re a team.”

  “Okay, cool.” As if his statement gave her permission, she scooted closer and started arranging his chips. “Can I deal?”

  “I’m getting the pie,” Fletcher said and Jason could tell he was trying not to laugh.

  “So, that’s a pile of cash to Jason and one son to Luke, and one possible arrest warrant for Charlie Cooper. Anybody going to beat that?” Matt asked.

  Cash let out a gentle woof.

  “Fine,” Luke sighed as if a bit shell-shocked. “Cash wins. Give him some pie.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “ABBY, I MEANT IT. I really don’t want to go to the opening of the festival.”

  “It doesn’t officially start until tomorrow. This is an afternoon preview.” Abby leaned over the pristine work counter in the kitchen and stretched out her arms to him. “Come on, Jason. I don’t want to go alone and I have to get the layout of everything before I compete.”

  “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Butterfly Harbor, it’s that you’re never alone. I don’t like crowds.”

  “But you know a lot of people from town now. And they’re only going to ask where you are.”

  “Tell them I’m working.”

  “We closed the restaurant for tonight, so I’d be lying.” She swallowed hard. “I don’t like lying.” Except when it was necessary.

  “Then tell them the truth.”

  “That you don’t want to be a part of a big food festival?” Abby groaned. “Like that’s believable when you cook for a living. Cooked,” she corrected herself before he could. “You don’t really want Roger thinking you’re avoiding him, do you?”

  “Why would he think that?”

  “You must be, otherwise you wouldn’t have sent me out to talk to him and the mayor last night.” That emcee Roger had been so anxious to bring to the Flutterby had been delayed until tomorrow. “If you’re worried about being recognized, relax. You still don’t look like you. Well, the old you. Besides—”

  “Besides what?”

  “Well.” Abby stood up and smoothed her shirt down over her jeans. “I kind of already told everyone you’d be there. They’ve heard I’ve been cooking, and since the inn is still standing, they want to meet the man responsible.”

  “So much for you not wanting word getting around I was helpin
g you.”

  He was teasing—at least she thought he was—but the statement struck a little too close to home.

  “Gran’s at Eloise’s tonight for dinner and I have to make an appearance with the other contestants. Besides, I need you to help me identify some of the food. I’m betting you aren’t the only one who cooks escargot.”

  “I’ll take that bet.”

  “Snob.” She grinned at him. Truth be told, she longed for a break, and while she didn’t relish the thought of outing her temporary chef, it was time he realized there was a life outside the kitchen. His poker game last night had been a start; she’d heard through the Holly grapevine he’d played an instrumental role in Luke’s plans to adopt Simon. Knowing Jason, however, he wouldn’t think himself deserving of any credit.

  Meanwhile, Abby hadn’t caught a whiff of suspicion from Roger Evans, so any impropriety she’d been worried about in regard to Jason’s employment status was a waste of energy. Maybe she could finally relax and focus on the competition.

  “For once, can’t you have some fun without grumbling about it?” This time she grabbed hold of his hands and squeezed. “For me?”

  “Don’t you think you’ve used up your personal pleas where I’m concerned?”

  “This will be my last one, I promise. Consider today your graduation into proper socialization practices. Besides, you said you’d be there for me for moral support.”

  “I said I’d be at the competition for moral support.”

  “Semantics.” Her new favorite word. Still holding on, she tugged him around the table and out the door. “And you’re already dressed for it.”

  “Yeah, jeans and T-shirt make for a perfect uniform.”

  “They do from where I’m standing.” She waggled her eyebrows as they headed for the front door. “Lori, you sure you’re okay holding down the fort?”

  “It’s fine.” Lori might have sounded grumbly, but the familiar spark lighted her face as she waved them off. “Like I need to be around an entire park filled with food. Thanks to you—” she jabbed a finger at Jason “—I’ve had to add another thirty-minute walk to my exercise routine. Go, already. I’ll make sure Alice gets to Eloise’s okay.”