Cooking Up Trouble (13 page)

“I'm eight years older than you. Who wants a tagalong ruining their fun? But I was always there when you needed me. Still am. Remember that.”

She blinked at him. “Ian and I are only neighbors. We're friends.”

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that, and when his Lily moves in, if you need some time away from here, Nora and I will whisk you off somewhere.”

Okay, so he'd noticed. Tears stung her eyes. “You're a keeper of a brother. You know that, right?”

“It's mutual, sis. We don't have much in common, and maybe that's why I like you so much.”

They went in the house to be with their parents and Grams. Her pulse quit beating too fast. Her nerves relaxed back to normal. The rest of the night passed with memories and laughter. Tessa might want to sell her family at times, but she couldn't live without them.

T
he one whole day Tessa had with her family flew by too fast. When they woke on Thursday morning, they started loading suitcases into Dad's car.

“We only stopped here to see you,” Mom said. “We know your schedule. Thursdays, you bake all day, so it's a good time for us to leave.”

“That, and
you
have reservations at a hotel seven hours away.” Craig looked at his watch and sighed. “Mom's always been a woman with an agenda.”

Grams came to wave them off and then she and Tessa walked to the barn together. Neither of them joked or laughed much as they worked. Goodbyes left an aura of disquiet for a few days before routine settled in once more. Tessa loved seeing her family, but always missed them for a while after they left.

They finished faster than usual and Grams hurried to her car.

“Let me guess,” Tessa called. “Is Miguel bringing supper tonight?”

Grams nodded. “See you in the morning!” And off she went.

Tessa finished filling the glass cases with cakes and pies, then locked the barn and headed toward the lake. She was staring out across its deep blue waters when her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller I.D.—Ian.

” Hey, I just saw Grams' car fly past my place. Can I come over early? I've got an idea I'd like to throw at you.”

Her breath caught, and she chided herself. She pushed her fantasies back where they belonged—buried. “Sure, I've got brats and sauerkraut in the Crock-Pot. We can eat any time.”

“See you in a few minutes then!” Ian hung up.

Tessa shook her head. She had to get a grip. Any little nuance with Ian and her mind took her to places she shouldn't go. She was in the kitchen, digging buns and potato chips out of the pantry, when Ian gave a quick knock at the door and hurried in.

He reminded her of a kid at Christmas, all ready to tear wrapping paper off presents.

He started talking before he reached the kitchen. “The inn's in pretty good shape. The guest rooms and the cabins are finished and furnished. The tennis courts are ready to go. What if I invited the town to an open house on Sunday so that people can see it before I open it for business? I know this is last minute, spur of the moment, but it could be fun, couldn't it?”

Tessa blinked. That was the last thing she'd expected him to say, but once she thought about it, she liked the idea. “If you're really serious, you should call Grams. You're not giving people much notice, but that's all right. We're not a formal town. She'll spread the word before anyone goes to bed tonight. And the town's rooting for you. They'll show up, and they'll like seeing what you've done.”

He couldn't stand still. He bounced on the balls of his feet. “What do I need to do? I should have food of some kind. Drinks? I want to do this right.”

“Has your chef come yet?” Tessa asked.

“No, the wing she's going to live in is ready for her, but she has to wait for her kids to get out of school before they move here.”

“Kids?”

“She's a single mom.”

Wow. Ian was taking on a lot, but he seemed fine with it. She thought a minute. “In that case, I'd keep the food simple, but elegant.”

“Like what?”

They made a list—crab spread on crostini, shrimp and fresh pineapple kebabs wrapped in bacon, beef tenderloin sliders, and roasted asparagus.

“Who should I hire to make all this? Does anyone do catering in Mill Pond?” he asked.

“Yeah, me, but I can't manage this much on my own. You'll have to come to help me.”

Ian frowned. “Do I need to worry about vegetarians?”

They added a white bean puree on crostini, too. She could make the puree a day ahead.

He nodded, satisfied, and Tessa began to get excited about the get-together. All of their friends would be there. It would be an event. Then he ruined it. “Lily will love this,” he said.

Lily. The girl who showed up, all bright and sparkly, after everyone else did all the work. Tessa—the drudge, who
did
all the work. She bit her bottom lip.

Ian noticed. “Lily's coming tomorrow night. I meant to take her into the city, but I thought of this instead. She loves being a hostess. Maybe it will get her excited about the resort.”

Maybe.
When pigs fly.
Tessa was beginning to wonder. “Mill Pond's a great place to hang out. You should take her to the vineyard on the east side of the lake tomorrow night. It's offering wine and cheese tastings. There's even going to be live jazz.”

“Lily would like that, and then you and I can work together on Saturday and Sunday to get everything ready.”

Oh, goody, should she cheer now or later? She swallowed her bad humor. She wanted this to be a success for him. “People around here really like you, not just for business, but as a person.”

” I like them, too. You know, I've spent my whole life trying to be decent to people. In finance, sometimes I had to work at it. I don't have to here. You guys are solid.”

“So you've always been an upstanding kind of guy?”

“I try. Brody swears I was a brat as a kid, though.”

“Did you break a friend's crayon in first grade?”

He smiled. “Back then, I'm sure I did worse, probably pulled a girl's pigtail and she never forgot.”

Tessa laughed. “If that's the worst you did, you're in pretty good shape.”

“Yeah, I'm not much of a rebel.”

No, he was everything wonderful. And that was the problem. Tessa shook her head. “Well, if we have everything planned for your open house, let's eat supper and call it a night. I work in the bakery tomorrow, and you're going to have a busy weekend.”

He seemed reluctant to change mode, but pushed to his feet to grab paper plates and silverware. “You're right. I've got plenty of things to keep me busy tomorrow. The golf carts I ordered are coming, and I want to pick up the brochures I ordered, so that I can hand them out on Sunday.”

She frowned. “But the golf course won't be finished till next year, right?”

“Right, but the carts will be nice for people to take in the sights.” He hesitated. “Thanks for helping me . . . again. You're the best.”

” That's what—”

“Neighbors do,” he finished for her, then grinned. “I'm starving. Let's eat.”

He left the minute they finished their meal. She'd work in the bakery tomorrow, then eat supper, alone. On a Friday night. Which never used to bother her. But Ian would be with Lily, damn it.

F
riday brought a flood of customers. Grams and Tessa could hardly keep up, and when the last person walked out the barn door, they sagged with relief. Thank goodness Kayla had the day off school and was manning the farm stand. They sold out of greens, spring peas, and asparagus.

Grams shook her head, bemused. “Well, it's a good thing we kept pies and cakes in the back cooler for tomorrow.”

Tessa noticed that lately, Grams was ready to leave earlier and earlier. She tired faster, and Miguel was bringing suppers to her place more and more often. Grams always offered to stay and help finish up, but Tessa could tell she was worn out. “Call it quits,” she told her. “I'll load the cases for tomorrow and clean up. It won't take me that long.”

With a grateful smile, Grams headed toward the door.

Kayla came in with the money from the produce stand and stalled around. Tessa studied her. “Is everything all right?”

The girl looked uncomfortable. Maybe she didn't like her new job. Maybe she worried about quitting when she and Luther lived in the log cabin. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, “Luther's mowing at Ian's place, so he'll be working later than usual. I was wondering if you'd like me to stay and help you with anything.”

Tessa blinked. All that agony over extra hours? But Kayla still didn't feel comfortable around her. Tessa wasn't sure if she felt at ease around anyone but Luther, so she started with something simple. “You never told me why you didn't have school today.”

“Oh, that. It was our senior field trip. The school hired buses to drive us to Cedar Point to go on all of the rides.”

“And you didn't go?”

Kayla grimaced. “I was worried the rides would make me sick.” She rested a hand on her stomach. Her pregnancy didn't show yet, but that didn't mean she'd feel good after too many roller coasters.

Tessa kept busy sweeping. If she didn't look at Kayla, the girl didn't get as nervous. “When's your last day of school?”

“On Tuesday, we go half a day.”

“I can't believe May's almost over.” Where had the time gone? Tessa had gotten everything done that needed done, but it had felt rushed this year.

Kayla hesitated. “Do you still want me to work, full-time, like Luther used to during the summer?”

“If you feel up to it. He's probably told you what he does and how, right? And I gave you a copy of the schedule we usually use.”

“He says he usually got everything done in three or four hours a day during the week. I like to keep busy.” Her gaze dipped to the floor. She couldn't meet Tessa's eyes. “My aunt used to let me help her bake pies. Said I was pretty good at it—if you ever need help in the kitchen, I mean.”

“Really?” Tessa glanced at the empty glass cases. The bakery was selling more pies and cakes than ever. “For right now, why don't you help me fill these up again? Grams and I baked extra yesterday. We can talk while we work.” It was amazing what she and Grams could get done when they were both in a no-nonsense mood.

It was nice, having an extra pair of hands. She and Kayla worked well together, and in half an hour, the cases were filled and the shop was cleaned. Kayla stopped in the kitchen to look at the list of specials taped to a cupboard door. Reading down week after week of sale items, she widened her eyes in surprise. “I don't know how to make all of these. My aunt only taught me a few cakes and pies.”

“The recipes aren't hard. I can teach them to you. When Ian opens his lodge, he wants me to supply the desserts. Grams doesn't want to come any more than she does, and I can't do it all myself. What if you work a couple of hours Monday through Wednesday mornings?”

Kayla lit up, and Tessa was amazed. The girl looked tired and washed-out until she got excited, and then she had a glow about her. No wonder Luther had fallen for her. That boy needed some sparkle in his life. “I'm not book smart,” Kayla told her, “but I'm a fast learner on things I can do with my hands. If you teach me, I'll try hard to learn.”

Tessa swallowed a lump in her throat. Damn, she was as big of a softie as Grams. “That's all I can ask, but pregnant women get tired, don't they? I heard they need naps in the afternoons.”

“It's been hard not to fall asleep in school, but if I'm up and moving, I'm all right.”

“If the baking gets to be too much for you, let me know, and we'll figure out something else.”

Kayla glanced at the lists again. “I always wanted to own a tea shop and bake fancy little desserts and make finger sandwiches.”

Tessa blinked. “That would be a great idea for Ian's lodge. Mind if I mention that to him? Instead of lunch, he could offer afternoon teas.”

Kayla's eyes lit with excitement. “Do you think he'd like that?”

“Why wouldn't he? It would be something unique and special he could offer guests.”

“We could come up with all kinds of tea cakes and tiny éclairs.”

Tessa laughed. “You've thought about this.”

A blush colored Kayla's neck and cheeks. “I've read every Agatha Christie novel there is. When Miss Marple had afternoon tea, it always sounded so romantic.”

“You're right. It does.”

“Do you have things we could make for it?”

“I have lots of ideas, but if you sell our secret recipes, I'll have to steal your first-born child.”

Kayla stared, then noticed the wry smile that pulled at Tessa's lips, and she broke into giggles. “I won't tell. I promise.”

“Then we're good. Want to start training on Wednesday? You'll be out of school, and Ian's about ready to open for business.”

With a quick nod, Kayla started for the door, then turned around and hurried back. She wrapped Tessa in a brief hug. “You've been awfully good to Luther and me. Thank you.”

“Get out of here,” Tessa growled. Lord, the girl was going to bring her to tears. “We're going to be even busier tomorrow. Be ready.”

When the door shut behind her, Tessa let out a long sigh. Somehow, lately, her nice, quiet life had gotten more complicated. Caring about people came with a price tag. But she did care about Luther and Kayla, so there was no point in fussing about it.

She locked up and started for the house. Sweat trickled down her back and rimmed her hairline before she reached the white, picket fence that circled the small, back yard. What had happened to their cooler temperatures? The heat had risen, and so had the humidity. She opened the back gate to enter the yard when she heard an odd noise.

She stopped to listen, but she must have been mistaken. Everything was quiet. She started to the house again. Something bleated.
A bleat?
Her neighbor, Evan Meyers, raised goats. Had one wandered off?

She started to the berry patches, where she thought the sound came from. She stopped, short, when she saw a sheep, lying on its side, crying out in pain. Oh, lord, was it dying? She knew Bob Thornton raised a small flock of sheep, along with his alpacas. The sheep, he used for wool, and the lambs . . . well, people loved the taste of them. She pulled her cell from her jeans pocket and dialed Bob's number.

“A sheep's lying by my berry patch, and I think it's in trouble. Is it one of yours?”

“I'll be there in five minutes,” Bob said.

The sheep's bleat was louder this time. The poor thing sounded desperate. If it was dying, it shouldn't die alone. Tessa went to kneel beside it and stroked its fuzzy head. The sheep cried out again, and she wrapped her arms around its neck to soothe it. The sheep pressed its face against her thigh, panting with pain. Then it raised its face slightly, thrashed, and two, gangly legs appeared near its rear.

Tessa shut her eyes.
No, no, no.
This couldn't be happening. She looked to the heavens. Her grandparents had raised chickens once upon a time, but their babies broke through the shells of eggs. This was totally disgusting, and she had no idea how to help the mother or the lamb.

A truck came to a quick stop in her driveway, and she called, “Over here. Hurry!”

In minutes, Bob knelt behind the sheep, grabbed the legs, and when the mother sheep pushed again, he pulled. It took a couple of tries, but soon, a baby lamb stood on wobbly legs and nuzzled its mother.

Bob and Tessa walked to the outside hose to wash up. Bob sighed. “That sheep's lucky you found her. The lamb came breech. They might not have made it, either of them.”

Tessa felt slightly nauseous. She was a country girl, yes. But she didn't raise any livestock, and now, she was grateful.

Bob looked at her and smiled. “This is one of my smartest sheep. She must have noticed that no lambs reach a ripe age on our farm. I think she came here to give her baby a future.”

Tessa started to shake her head. “Nope, I don't want a sheep. I'm too busy to care for animals.”

“Doesn't matter,” Bob said. “I like this girl's gumption. That newborn lady is going to stick around. We'll raise her and keep her for her wool.”

Relief unwound in Tessa's belly. She could feel her nerves relax.

Bob smiled. “We'll name her Tessie, after you. Maybe Ester will stain her wool a copper color.”

Tessa laughed. “Not sure that would catch on, so if Ester isn't hot on the idea, I understand.” She looked at the lamb. “Be nice to her.”

“As your namesake? The kid's got it made.”

She helped Bob load mother and baby in the back of his pickup and then waved them away. She'd almost made it to the house when her cell rang again. Maybe Ester, calling about the new lamb. “Yes?”

It took her a minute to recognize Lily's voice. “Tessa? I'm so excited about Sunday's open house. Did your grandmother tell everyone about it?”

“The news is all over town. That's all most of my customers talked about this morning.”

“Is there a way we could have music, too? Do you know any good bands we could hire?”

Tessa hesitated. “This is a late afternoon event, two to four. Most of the townspeople will come, eat and visit for a while, then leave. They won't stay long enough to dance.”

A sigh greeted that. Lily said, “What will people wear? Should I dress up?”

“It's warm enough for sundresses or khakis with fun tops. Mill Pond doesn't get too glamorous.”

Another sigh. “Well, thanks, and thanks for everything you're doing to help Ian.”

“No problem.” But Tessa could tell the open house didn't meet Lily's expectations. Tessa didn't know what kinds of events Lily usually attended, but they were obviously more exciting than this. She fretted for a minute, then pushed her worries aside. Once Lily got to know the people in Mill Pond, once she connected with them, she'd realize what a wonderful location Ian had chosen. She'd be happy here. Ian was taking her to the winery tonight for the wine and cheese tasting. There'd be jazz. Lily would see why tourists loved coming here.