Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel (28 page)

“Not exactly.”

He rolled his eyes. “Should I wear a wig and talk in a high-pitched voice?”

“Hey, my mother is a modern woman. She’ll be fine with this,” Bella assured him with a smile and a firm nod. She only hoped she was right.

When the doorbell chimed again, Logan hurried into his bedroom and Bella headed to the front door.
Maybe it won’t be my mother, after all,
she thought, but when she opened the door, Nicolina Diamante stood on the other side.

“Bella!” she said with a big smile, and dropped the handle of her huge suitcase. “Sweetie, it is so wonderful to see your beautiful face.” She reached up and pinched Bella’s cheeks. “I have missed you so!”

“Me too,” Bella admitted, and felt moisture well up in her eyes. Her mother could be a force to be reckoned with, but she loved her dearly. “Come on in and see my place.” She stood back and then reached over and picked up the handle of the bulging suitcase.

“It’s lovely,” Nicolina said, and spun in a slow circle. “You were lucky to have it furnished for you.”

“Yes, it’s perfect,” Bella agreed.

Nicolina reached over and put her hands on Bella’s shoulders and squeezed. Her mother was a tiny little thing, but made up for her small stature with her bigger-than-life personality. They shared the same wide mouth, petite nose, and deep brown eyes, but Nicolina’s hair was auburn and cut chin length and angled toward her face. “So, how have you been?”

“Good,” Bella said. “Busy.”

Nicolina angled her head and studied Bella. “There’s something different about you.” She rested a French-tipped fingernail to her cheek and tapped. “A . . . glow.”

Bella swallowed hard. “Um, I was in the kitchen, cooking.” She fanned her face. “I’m just flushed from the heat.”

“Mmm
 . . .
no. I’m not buying that,” she said, and then her eyes opened wide when they heard the unmistakable sound of the shower starting. “Who is that?”

“My roommate,” Bella said nonchalantly, but she could feel heat creep up her neck.

“What is
his
name?” Nicolina asked.

“How did you guess?”

“You’re as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. I sort of had an inkling when you failed to mention a name to me. I can always tell when something is up. So enlighten me about this roommate of yours.”

“His name is Logan Lannigan, and he plays baseball for the Cricket Creek Cougars.”

“Are you sleeping with him?” she asked in true Nicolina Diamante blunt form.

“Mother!” Bella protested in a stage whisper, and glanced down the hallway.

“Well?”

“No! We’re roommates for convenience’s sake. Sharing expenses and the rent . . .” She recalled what her mother
almost walked in on, and willed herself not to blush. “That’s it.”

“Really? Then why do I feel as if I walked in on something?”

“I was cooking breakfast! Follow me into the kitchen and see for yourself.” Bella used the opportunity to turn away from her mother and head down the hallway.

“Quite a feast you’re cooking up for your so-called roommate of convenience.”

“It’s opening day. I wanted Logan to have a big breakfast,” she said, and then realized how intimate it sounded. “Help yourself to some coffee, Mother,” she offered, and turned the burners back on. “Are you hungry?”

“Famished,” Nicolina admitted. “It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten a big breakfast like this.”

“The mugs are in the top cabinet,” Bella said as she opened up the carton of eggs. Her gaze darted to the doorway, and she wondered when Logan would make his appearance.

“Thank you.” She stood up on tiptoe and reached for a mug. “So, do you like living in this small town?”

Bella paused, but then gave her an affirmative nod. “Yes, I do. Mother, you’ll just love Wine and Diner. Jessica has done a fabulous job combining down-home cooking and an elegant flair.”

“And Madison? How is she doing?”

“She’s helping out at the diner until she starts teaching creative writing at a local liberal-arts college. Oh, and she is engaged to be married!”

“So you told me. To a local boy?” Nicolina asked, and arched one auburn eyebrow as if it were hard to believe.

“Mother, don’t be a snob. Jason is a wonderful man.”

“I’m not a snob!” she protested, looking a bit put out. “I will admit that having you suddenly moving to this little town has been a shock to my system, but I have an open mind. In fact, I’m looking forward to the baseball game.
You know how we loved going to Cubs games.” Her smile was a little wistful, and it hit Bella hard that her mother must miss her only daughter living in Chicago. After all, it was only the two of them plus a handful of relatives that they saw on holidays and at funerals. A sudden flash of guilt washed over her.

Bella flipped the sausage links over and then turned to her mother. “Mother, Madison had a suggestion that I think you might want to consider.”

“The look on your face suggests that I should sit down for this.” She carried her mug over to the table and sat down.

Bella leaned one hip against the counter and said, “There are some lovely storefronts almost finished near the new stadium. As a matter of fact, one of them is going to be a bridal shop.”

Nicolina cradled her hands around her coffee mug. “And?”

“You design lots of jewelry for weddings.”

“Bella, are you suggesting that I open Designs by Diamante here in Cricket Creek, Kentucky?”

“A big portion of your business could still be online. But this location would be perfect. Grammar’s, a wonderful local bakery, is going to open a small store specializing in wedding cakes in the same shopping center, and I think a florist is going in there as well.” Bella felt a shot of excitement. “The more I think about it, the more it could work. Mother, I don’t have to stay hostess at Wine and Diner forever. I could help you. . . .” She lifted one shoulder and decided not to press too hard, too soon. “It’s just a suggestion, but this weekend while you’re in town, you should check it out and at least consider it. This little town used to be quite a tourist attraction, and when the economy comes back, it’s going to break loose. I know you had your sights set on Chicago, but this just might be the ticket.”

Nicolina pursed her lips and nodded slowly. “I’ll take a
look and give it some thought,” she answered in an even tone, but Bella could see a spark of excitement in her mother’s eyes.

“Great.” Bella smiled and was about to expand on the idea when Logan walked into the room. He wore designer jeans and a black golf shirt with a Cricket Creek logo stitched in gold. His hair was slightly damp but neatly combed, and as usual, her heart skipped a beat at the mere sight of him. Logan was simply gorgeous, and Bella felt a sense of pride. She wanted to tell her mother that he was becoming more than just a roommate, but the suddenly more serious tone of their relationship was still too new. She was worried that her mother would think that Logan was a rebound relationship after David and that it was too quick, too soon. But in her heart, Bella knew it wasn’t so.

“Good morning,” Logan announced in his deep, sexy voice. His teeth flashed white against his golden tan.

“Good morning.” Bella felt her cheeks grow warm when their eyes met. “Logan! I’d like you to meet my mother, Nicolina Diamante.” She swung her hand in an arc toward the kitchen table. “Mother, this is my . . . roommate, Logan Lannigan.”

Logan walked over to the
table and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Diamante. I hope you’ll enjoy the game today.”

“It is nice to meet you as well, Logan. I’m quite the baseball fan, so I’m looking forward to the game. I understand we have amazing seats behind home plate.”

“We’ll try to bring you a win.”

“And what position do you play?”

“I’m a pitcher. I’m coming off Tommy John elbow surgery, so I will only pitch in relief until my arm is ready.”

“Well, the best of luck. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Thanks,” he said politely, and then headed over to the coffeepot. “Breakfast looks amazing,” he said to Bella. He looked so nervous that she wished she could give him a hug.

“Thanks. Have a seat. It’s almost ready.”

“Want your coffee heated up?” Logan asked, and held up the pot.

“Yes, thanks.” Bella had to admit that she was enjoying this domestic feeling. She was relieved that her mother seemed to have taken the news of Logan being a male roommate so well, but, then again, her mother was a liberal thinker. Nicolina Diamante could be smothering at times, but Bella suddenly hoped that her mother would give real consideration to moving to Cricket Creek.

“Do you need any help, Bella?” her mother asked.

“Thanks, but I’ve got it,” Bella replied as she cracked eggs into a bowl. She flicked Logan a shy, reassuring glance. His gorgeous male presence seemed to fill the small room, and once again Bella wished she could wrap her arms around him. Her body still hummed with passion interrupted by the arrival of her mother, and she had to wonder when they would get the chance to finish what they had started.

“Logan, come and have a seat,” Nicolina said. “Save your energy for the baseball game.”

As she popped English muffins into the toaster, Bella could feel her mother’s gaze on her, even as she made small talk with Logan. Bella was certain that her mother could feel the vibe between her and Logan, and Bella knew she would probably be grilled about it later. But for now she wanted to enjoy breakfast with the two people in the world who mattered the most to her.

As she retrieved a carton of orange juice from the refrigerator, Bella had to marvel at the crazy turn of events her life had taken in such a short amount of time. Just a month ago, if anyone had told her she would be living with
a man in Cricket Creek, Kentucky, she would have laughed. And yet here she was . . . and happier than she had been in a long time. Logan was right. It was high time that she let go of pride and fear and went full speed ahead with
confidence.

J
essica flipped the sign around in the window of Wine and Diner to read
closed
and headed outside to watch the opening-day parade march down Main Street. Since just about everyone in town would be attending the baseball game, it was pointless to keep the diner open. Plus, Jessica wanted her employees to have the opportunity to watch as well. So after the lunch rush, she opted to close the doors and head out to take in the opening-day festivities.

Cricket Creek had been blessed with an unseasonably warm spring day and a cornflower blue sky. Bright sunshine sparkled off squeaky-clean storefront windows and glossy painted signs. Excitement crackled in the air, and spectators sat on curbs and lined the sidewalks, waiting for the parade to begin.

Jessica smiled when she heard the enthusiastic sound of the Cricket Creek High School marching band playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Honking horns and the wailing siren of fire trucks mixed with lively chatter and laughter. The streets of Cricket Creek hadn’t been this packed in years, and it sent a thrill of hope shooting through Jessica’s body. She weaved her way through the crowd until
she spotted Madison, Jason, Aunt Myra, and Owen in a perfect location on the corner of Main and Second streets.

“Hey there,” Jessica called with a wave, and then squeezed in next to Madison.

“It’s about time,” Madison complained with a good-natured shove to Jessica’s shoulder.

“How are you doin’, little mama?” Jason asked with a big smile. He and Madison looked cute in their Cougar baseball caps. They were holding hands, and it just warmed Jessica’s heart to see her daughter so happy. And Jason was a fine young man!

“Better now that I’m finally here.”

“Mom, you should have let us help you close up,” Madison protested.

“Then you wouldn’t have gotten this premier spot,” Jessica replied with a shake of her head. “Isn’t this just so exciting? And what a beautiful day we have here!”

“I’ve been guarding this here corner with my very life,” Aunt Myra said with a flip of her long braid over her shoulder. “I had to karate chop two little kids and shove an elderly lady who tried to get past me with her walker.”

Jessica laughed. “Thanks, Aunt Myra.”

Owen shook his head. “And you think she’s joking?”

Jessica laughed harder. She thought it was simply amazing how much Aunt Myra had brought shy Owen out of his shell. “I guess Olivia is riding in the parade with Noah?”

“No.” Owen shook his head. “Olivia’s on a big float that the drama club and glee club helped her build. But she’ll catch up with us over at the ballpark.”

“I know Olivia has been waiting for this day with such anticipation,” Jessica said, and gave Owen a huge hug. When she pulled away, she wasn’t surprised to see him grow misty-eyed.

“It’s so wonderful to see my Livie so happy. She deserves the best,” Owen said.

“It’s crazy how far we’ve all come in the past year, isn’t it?”

Aunt Myra nodded. “Noah Falcon sure did shake things up when he roared back here last spring in that red Corvette of his.” She smacked her thigh. “Sure is funny how Olivia was his high school tutor, he bein’ the football star right here in Cricket Creek. And after all these years, they ended up together. Who would have thought?”

Owen smiled at Myra. “Yep, funny how love can be right under your danged nose and you don’t even know it.”

Jessica was delighted to see Aunt Myra blush. Those two were proof positive that opposites attract and yet could bring out the best in each other.

“And then again, some people are just a bit hardheaded,” Jason commented, and got a shove from Madison.

“Hey, what made you think I was talking about you?” Jason asked with raised eyebrows, only to be rewarded with another shove.

“Were you?”

“Yeah.” His comment got him another shove, followed by a giggle. The sunlight caught the diamonds in Madison’s engagement ring and tugged a smile from Jessica. They had all come such a long way in a year’s time, and today was shaping up to be just perfect. This parade was a celebration of more than just opening day. It was a new beginning for the entire town. Their lives seemed to be coming together like scattered pieces of a big jigsaw puzzle, and it was going to be interesting to see how everything fit together as time moved on.