Winner Cake All

by Denise Swanson

  Dani’s gaze bounced between Spencer and the woman. “She’s my new client.”

  “Shit!” Spencer swore. “She’s also my cheating, lying ex-wife.”

  “Oh.” Dani’s little puff of air and unhappy expression gutted him.

  “Naughty, naughty.” Yvette waved her finger in front of Spencer.

  “Stop it!” Spencer snapped, thrusting the annoying digit away. The witch was lucky he wasn’t the kind of man who hurt women or he’d break that wagging finger off at the knuckle. “What in the holy hell are you doing here?”

  Yvette gave a tiny shrug and pointed a bloodred claw at Dani, “Like she said, I’m her new client. Your girlfriend is catering my engagement party.”

  “Engagement?” Spencer was confused. “I thought you and Brock were already married?” He’d been certain Yvi intended to march down the aisle with his ex–best friend before the ink had even dried on Spencer’s and her divorce papers.

  “No. We never enjoyed wedded bliss.” Yvette put her hand to her chest and her expression turned pitiful. “Poor Brock lost his arm fighting a fire and he understood that I couldn’t be with an amputee.”

  Dani winced and Spencer glanced at her. Her expression revealed her repugnance with Yvette’s pronouncement and he was sure his showed the same disgust. He watched as Dani opened her mouth, then bit her bottom lip and met his gaze. She raised a questioning eyebrow, lobbing his ex’s revolting bombshell back into his lap.

  Although Spencer wanted nothing more than for Yvette to leave, there was one thing he had to know first. “Why are you holding your party in Normalton?”

  His ex’s high-pitched, fake baby-girl voice scratched along his last nerve when she said, “Didn’t Dani tell you? I’m marrying Franklin Whittaker.”

  “And he lives here?” Spencer tried to recall why that name seemed familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.

  “Where else would he live?” Yvette preened. “He owns the Korn Kings baseball team.” She tittered. “Along with most of Normalton and a lot of the rest of Illinois.”

  That explained it. Yvette had finally found someone rich enough to satisfy her.

  “Congratulations.” Spencer ignored the ice-pick-like pain stabbing his left eye. “I guess you didn’t have to steal my money after all.”

  For the first time since she had appeared, Yvette looked a little uncomfortable, then she gave a phony laugh and said, “Well, a girl can never have enough cash. It’s always good to have one’s own little nest egg in case something unexpected happens.”

  “Translated, Franklin is a lot smarter than I was and made you sign a prenup.”

  “Only for the first year and I got a cool million just for accepting his proposal,” Yvette blurted out, then put her left hand over her mouth.

  Even in the dim light, the huge rock set on a diamond-encrusted platinum band sparkled. Spencer glanced at Dani, who didn’t seem all that impressed with the pricey engagement ring.

  Spencer grinned, happy at her lack of interest in the expensive piece of jewelry.

  Dani shot him a puzzled look before she focused her attention on Yvette and said, “What I don’t understand is when you saw Spencer’s picture on my phone, why didn’t you tell me he was your ex-husband?”

  “I don’t routinely share my personal history with the help.” Yvette waved as if she were chasing away a fly.

  Spencer growled at her insulting tone and rose to his feet. “It’s time for you to leave.”

  “Fine.” Yvette rolled her eyes, then skewered Dani with a look. “Just remember you signed a contract so you better not be thinking about backing out of our agreement.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Dani’s voice was stony.

  Spencer could see the wheels turning in Yvette’s head, and it was clear the gerbils running on them weren’t gaining any ground. Finally, his ex nodded and stomped away.

  Their waitress had been hovering, waiting to serve their main course, and Spencer gestured for her to come forward. She hurried over and placed Dani’s lamb chops in front of her and Spencer’s steak between his silverware.

  After the server withdrew, Dani said, “That was awkward. I hope you don’t mind me catering your ex’s party.”

  “Not at all.” Spencer sliced off a bite of steak and raised it to his mouth. “In fact, I’ll still help you out.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Dani protested.

  “Nah.” Spencer chuckled. “It’ll be interesting seeing another guy get stuck with Yvette.”

  “You must have felt differently when you asked her to marry you,” Dani chided gently.

  “Well…” Spencer paused. Dani’s expression held nothing but concern. “When I first met Yvi, she seemed so alone and vulnerable. Her parents had moved back to France and she told me that the last man she dated was stalking her. I guess she brought out my protective instinct.”

  “But after everything that happened with your friend, you think she might have played you.”

  “To a certain extent,” Spencer admitted. “She didn’t have any family and the guy she’d been seeing was still calling her, but considering what I know now, he was probably just trying to get the things back that she’d taken with her when she left him.”

  Dani was quiet for a while, then smiled brightly. “Enough about Yvette. Let’s enjoy the rest of this yummy meal.”

  They finished their entrées, and after lingering over their coffees, they moved to the bar for an after-dinner drink and listened to the music for another half hour. Finally, they left the supper club and drove home.

  When Spencer parked in front of Dani’s house, she turned and said, “It’s been a fabulous evening.”

  “I’m glad Yvette didn’t spoil it for you.” Spence said, relieved.

  He quickly got out of the truck and walked around the hood. Opening the passenger door, he helped Dani out onto the ground, then guided her up the steps to the porch. Pausing, he cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her until they both were breathless.

  Dani unlocked the door and stepped inside. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow after church.”

  “I’ll count on it.” Spencer ran down the steps. “Good night.”

  His cell vibrated as he climbed behind the wheel of his pickup. He dug it out of his pocket, frowning when he saw the call was from the campus security number.

  Swiping the screen, he answered, “Drake here.”

  “Sir, we have another break-in at Area 51,” the dispatcher reported. “And this time it’s a girl pinned to the wall wearing an animal skin skirt and leggings.”

  Chapter 7

  The following Saturday morning, Dani woke up with a start, convinced that she had slept in and was already behind schedule for Yvette’s engagement party’s preparations. Her heart racing, she checked the clock.

  It was only 6:00 a.m. She had plenty of time.

  Collapsing back onto her pillow, she thought about the previous week. She was shocked how fast it had flown by. The seven days since Dani’s wonderful date with Spencer had rushed past in the blink of an eye.

  Between her usual tasks involving her Chef-to-Go business and the preparation for Yvette’s event, Dani was lucky if she’d had the energy to send Spencer a hurried text before she fell into bed. She’d managed to squeeze in an occasional quick chat as she ate a hasty meal, but often he was working and unavailable when she called.

  Now that the big day had arrived, Dani was worried that she might doze off while she was cooking the entrées. She needed caffeine stat.

  For the next several hours, Dani worked steadily preparing ingredients and packing food and equipment in the van. Finally, it was time to leave for the baseball stadium.

  Although she’d been mainlining coffee all morning, as she walked from the designated vendor parking area toward the massive white tent set up on the grassy are
a to the right of the stadium, she cradled a double-shot espresso from the Java Kat, her favorite shop.

  This was by far the fanciest party tent Dani had ever seen and her stomach clenched. Its sidewalls featured cathedral-like windows and an immaculate white linen runner led up to the canopy covered entrance. She prayed that she was prepared for the evening’s festivities.

  Dani had planned to arrive early so that she would have time to reconnoiter the setting before everyone got there, and the area appeared deserted. There was no sign of anyone else and the quiet was a little unnerving.

  Afraid she’d leave footprints, Dani avoided walking on the runner’s pristine fabric. Instead, she took a huge step across the threshold and had to pause for a second to regain her balance.

  From the entrance, Dani assessed the venue. Forty round tables were arranged in a half circle around the dance floor with a long rectangular head table completing the ring.

  The decorations were just as extravagant as Dani had expected. It was clear that no expense had been spared. The chairs weren’t the normal flimsy plastic folding ones. They were sturdy white enameled wood with padded seats and their white-fabric-covered backs were adorned with huge black and silver bows.

  The guest tables had black cloths with silver runners and matching napkins. Glass containers filled with silver and black balls alternated with vases holding black tulips, silver-gray roses, and black irises. Silver chargers held the black salad and bread plates, while place cards were displayed in tiny silver frames beside the cut-glass water goblets.

  Coordinating with that color scheme, black and silver netting had been draped in a swirl pattern behind the head table, and white twinkle lights had been twisted through the loops.

  The pièce de résistance was a huge black-and-white painting of Yvette resting on an easel in the middle of the dance floor. No matter where her guests stood, sat, or twirled, Yvette would always be the center of attention.

  The tent suddenly darkened and Dani’s gaze flew to the plastic windows. The earlier sunshine had disappeared and clouds were rolling across the sky.

  The meteorologists had been predicting storms in Central Illinois and she crossed her fingers that they would miss Normalton. She had a feeling that if anything negatively affected the party, Yvette would find a way to blame everyone involved.

  Dani glanced upward at the crystal chandeliers hanging from the beams crisscrossing the tent’s ceiling. Who was in charge of throwing the switch to illuminate them?

  She’d like the light fixtures turned on sooner rather than later. Her servers would need them lit when they walked around with the trays of appetizers.

  Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the moving parts of this event, Dani started to exit the tent. However, the sound of sobbing stopped her.

  She scanned the interior until she saw someone sitting at the baby grand piano set up in a corner off to the side of the main dining area and cautiously moved closer.

  As she approached the shadowy figure, she called out, “Are you all right?”

  A woman sniffed. “Yes. I’m fine.”

  A few seconds later, she stood and Dani recognized Vicki Troemel. She was wearing an elegant black dress and carrying a clipboard.

  The wedding planner’s eyes were puffy, but she smiled tremulously. “Oh, Dani. I’m glad I caught you. I need to give you the keys to the mobile kitchen.” She reached into her pocket and handed them over, then said, “The plates for the entrée and desserts are already in there and the final listing of which entrée goes to which table and guest. Please start serving the appetizers at six thirty.”

  “Okay.” Dani nodded, then glanced upward and asked, “Will the lights be on by then?”

  “Definitely.” Vicki’s voice was nasal and it was obvious that she was still on the verge of tears.

  Not sure how to approach the situation but unable to ignore the woman’s distress, Dani said, “You’ve really done an amazing job pulling this all together on such short notice.”

  With that Vicki whimpered, “Except the pianist just called to say he can’t make it. And that’s all Yvette needs to ruin me.”

  “Really?” Dani’s heart thudded at Vicki’s confirmation of her own thoughts about the bride-to-be. What if she didn’t like the food?

  “Really. Yvette’s fiancé owns the company that employs me and I’ll be fired if she isn’t completely satisfied.” Vicki blew out a dejected breath. “If we were in Chicago, I’d at least have half a chance to find another musician in the next few hours. But down here, I just don’t have the connections to get someone that quickly.”

  Thinking over the contacts she had made since she’d begun catering large events, Dani chewed her bottom lip, then snapped her fingers and dug out her cell phone.

  She pointed it toward Vicki and asked, “How about a student? I know a girl in the college orchestra, and for the right amount of money, I bet Jeanne-Marie would drop everything and perform here.”

  “Oh my gosh!” Vicki threw her arms around Dani. “You might have just saved a life.” She paused in mid hug, then letting Dani go, muttered, “Although Yvette will still blame me for not getting the guy she told me to hire. And if your pianist doesn’t know the songs on Yvette’s playlist, that will be another thing she’ll hold against me.” Vicki sighed. “I’d better wait for Yvette in the parking lot, so that as soon as she gets here, I can plead my case, because if she finds out some other way, I’m doomed. I’d text her but this needs face-to-face supplication.”

  “Jeanne-Marie has an eidetic memory so I bet she’ll know a lot, if not all of Yvette’s requests.” Dani comforted Vicki, then after giving her the pianist’s number, left the tent and walked around back toward the mobile kitchen.

  It was 2:55. She only had three hours to get the appetizers ready to go out on time. They needed to make sure the cocktail hour started according to schedule, so that the guests could be seated at seven thirty for dinner.

  When Dani approached the long, silver trailer, she found Gray sitting on the steps. He was an attractive man in his thirties and wore a starched chef’s jacket and crisply creased, black dress pants. His sandy hair was neatly combed and his cheeks appeared freshly shaven.

  “I took a look through the window.” Gray jumped up and gestured behind him. “This kitchen is amazing.”

  Giving him a quick hug, Dani said, “Nice jacket.”

  “Is it okay for me to wear it since I’m only the sous-chef?” Gray’s cheeks reddened and he fingered the buttons. “After I bought it, I wondered.”

  “It’s great.” Dani beamed. “I hope this means you’ll be available for me to hire for future large catering jobs.”

  “Absolutely!”

  Dani had already briefed him on the menu and his duties, and she just hoped he and Spencer would play nice. With Gray’s experience, he would be her second-in-command, leaving Spencer to follow both their orders, and she wasn’t sure how that would go over with such an alpha male.

  “Is the kitchen large enough for what we need to do?” Dani asked, unlocking the door.

  “Should be,” Gray answered as he followed her inside.

  The interior was dark, but once she flipped on the lights it was well illuminated. Two huge ranges took up the entire rear wall, with stainless-steel counters and sinks lining the longer sides. An enormous glass-fronted refrigerator stood next to the entrance.

  Blowing out a relieved breath, Dani said, “Yep, this will do nicely.” Smiling, she gestured to the door. “Let’s start bringing in the supplies. Spencer should be here soon to help. He had to work until noon because there was some weird stuff happening on campus.”

  “Oh?” Gray ran lightly down the steps, then trailed Dani as she walked to where she’d parked the van. “Anything the real cops should know about?”

  Dani turned and shook her finger at him. “Do not say something like that t
o him.”

  Gray’s hazel eyes crinkled. “Just kidding you. I know Drake would call if he needed us.”

  When Spencer showed up a few minutes later, Dani asked him to help Gray unload the van while she started on the appetizers. The preparations went smoothly and the men worked well together, so by the time the servers started arriving at five thirty, she was cautiously optimistic about the success of the evening.

  Dani made sure the servers were all dressed in white shirts, black pants, and sturdy shoes, and that any long hair was secured in a ponytail or bun. After they passed inspection, she gave them their instructions and explained the food to them so that they could answer any of the guests’ questions.

  Once that was accomplished, she sent them into the tent with orders to find their tables, familiarize themselves with the setting, and report back to her at 6:25 sharp.

  Checking the clock, she saw that she had just enough time to visit the mobile bathroom before starting to plate the trays of appetizers. Once they started to serve, Dani wouldn’t have another chance to pee for several hours.

  Accomplishing her mission, Dani was still drying her hands as she exited the restroom trailer, but stopped half in and half out when she spotted Yvette standing in the space between it and the kitchen.

  The woman was poking someone who stood in the shadows and in a fierce whisper said, “You didn’t see anything.”

  Dani froze. She definitely did not want to witness whatever was happening.

  The shadowy figure said in a strident voice, “I may not have seen who it was, but I definitely saw you screwing a guy in the back seat of your fancy Mercedes, and when I tell Mr. Whittaker that will be the end of your engagement.”

  Retreating into the bathroom, Dani allowed five minutes to pass before she opened the door. The last thing she needed was Yvette to realize that Dani had overheard that particular conversation.

  As soon as the coast was clear, Dani hurried back to the kitchen, plated the appetizers, and started sending them out to the hungry guests. The cocktail hour passed quickly, and once the servers reported that everyone was being seated, Dani turned her attention to the next course.