by Polly Holmes
What the hell is with her eyes? Their constant flittering movement, combined with his throbbing head, was making him nauseous. It was as if she didn’t know where to look.
He was standing there in only his pyjama bottoms with the door wide open for the whole neighbourhood to see. A rush of triumph surged through his system. Nice to know my body can still affect a woman that way.
He gestured toward his lack of attire. “My apologies, I wasn’t expecting visitors,” he said as he waved her inside. “Come in while I get something more appropriate on.”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. I just wanted to speak to Beth, if she was around.”
Liam turned and headed back inside. “Happy to chat after I get dressed. Close the door after you come in will you?”
He hurriedly dressed and walked into the kitchen, half expecting her not to be there. But there she was, standing in front of the sliding glass door framed by the morning glow of the sun. She looked naturally beautiful in a quiet, understated way.
He shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. “Don’t tell me… you’ve decided to cook me breakfast. I’m not sure my stomach can handle one of your delicious cyanide cupcakes this morning.”
She spun and stared straight through him. It unnerved him. Colour leached from her face, leaving her white as a sheet. Stepping back, she stumbled. Liam let out a string of curses as he lunged for her before she face-planted on the kitchen tiles.
“I’m sorry. That was meant to be a joke. Obviously in poor taste,” he said, still holding her elbow and refusing to let go until he was sure she had both feet planted firmly on the ground. Liam rubbed the elbow he’d grabbed, trying to alleviate any discomfort he may have caused by his firm grip.
“Yes, poor taste, indeed,” she said huskily, easing her arm from his hold.
“It seems we were both rather busy at the wedding yesterday, and after your triumph in the bouquet toss, you disappeared. We never got the chance to formally meet.” He held his hand out, eager for the introduction. “I’m Liam Bradly.”
She looked at him in bewilderment, as if he were speaking gibberish, then stepped back and thrust her hand out in his direction, clearly determined to keep him at arms-length. “Charlotte McCorrson.”
He smiled and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Charlotte.” His hand pulsed under her warm touch. A soft smile curved her lips, her eyes glittering under the morning sun.
She withdrew her hand from his grip. “I didn’t know you were staying here. I actually came over to see Beth. I wanted to reassure her my cakes were not the source of the poisoning and that article is utter garbage.”
“Well, as you can see she’s not here, or Lincoln for that matter. They left for their honeymoon in the early hours of this morning, but I’m sure they wouldn’t believe it anyway.”
“Oh,” she said anxiously. “I thought they weren’t leaving ‘til Wednesday?”
“My surprise wedding gift,” Liam said. It was the least he could do for his best friend.
“Are you house-sitting for them?” Her eyebrows went up in question.
House-sitting? The thought would have most certainly filled him with dread. That was before he met Charlotte. Now the idea had merit. I have holidays due, and Lincoln did say to make myself at home before they left. A week relaxing in this quiet town, getting to know the locals, one in particular, was definitely preferable to heading back to Perth to his mundane job of counting numbers on people’s tax returns.
“Yes, I’ll be house-sitting while they’re on their honeymoon. Maybe you can show me around town while I’m here,” he said flashing his cheekiest smile.
She gave him a peculiar look, apprehension entering her gaze. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I have to get to the bottom of this poisoning before my entire business is ruined.”
“Why would someone want to ruin your business?” he pried.
Annoyance washed over her expression. “As if I would know. It’s not like we have enemies in town. I’m sure it’s all a big misunderstanding.”
He was up for an adventure. “Maybe we could make a deal. You show me around town and I’ll help you solve the mystery of the cyanide bandit, what do you say?”
Charlotte froze, panic firing her eyes. She hastily moved past him and headed for the door. “I’m sorry, I can’t. Enjoy your stay in Ashton Point.”
Her rejection felt like a punch to the stomach. By the time he got his thoughts together, she was gone. “What the hell just happened?”
Chapter Two
“WHAT IS WITH you today?” Clair asked as she pulled the car into St. Edwards Point car park. “You’ve been like a grumpy teddy bear with a thorn stuck in its side since you arrived at the shop yesterday.”
Well, you would be too if your mind was clouded with bulging biceps and washboard abs. Charlotte couldn’t very well tell her sister that. Frustration simmered, and she felt her chest tighten as the lie rolled off her tongue. “Sorry, my mind’s been preoccupied with this cyanide fiasco, that’s all.”
You’re so full of crap, it’s a wonder she doesn’t call your bluff.
Every time she remembered her visit to Beth’s she made another baking mistake. Thoughts of Liam standing there in only his pyjama bottoms scrambled her brain cells. So, he was cute, big deal. He’d flown in for the wedding, it’s not like he’d be staying around for long. In the end, Charlotte had remade a total of thirty-five cupcakes. She was lucky Clair had brought extra ingredients.
Clair huffed and threw Charlotte an annoyed glare as she started unpacking Mrs Stevenson’s cupcake order from the back of the car. “It would be nice if you would get your head in the game and focus on the job. We need to get these over to the cake table before the guests arrive.”
Focus … Focus. “Yeah, of course.” Pride flooded her heart. She’d taken extra special care to create something spectacular to celebrate Mrs Stevenson’s eightieth birthday. “Okay, I can’t pick another box up so I’ll pop back for the last few once I’ve delivered these,” she said to Clair as she bumped the car door closed with her backside.
“No problem, I’ll meet you over there,” Clair said and moved off.
Charlotte turned to follow Clair’s lead and froze. She blinked several times, positive her eyes were playing tricks on her. It can’t be… no, no, no, it can’t be. It is. Her cheeks flushed, sending a fiery blush roaring up her face until it felt like she’d stuck her head in a blazing oven.
Mr Washboard Abs himself was walking toward her, his eyes boring right through her. What kind of pun was he going to throw her way today? This is ridiculous. The last thing I need is to be distracted by a man, especially one who is just passing through town, when my whole livelihood is at stake. She’d had her fair share of failed romances and she wasn’t looking to add another to the growing list.
He smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Charlotte, what a nice surprise.”
She blinked a few times and her brow creased, puzzled by his appearance. “What on earth are you doing here?” she asked as she manoeuvred past him toward the cake table. “I thought you would have better things to do than attend the eightieth birthday high tea for a lady you’ve never met.” Her words were laced with sarcasm.
He hastily followed on her heels, staying an unnerving foot from her at all times. “You have a point, but the more I thought about my behaviour yesterday, the more annoyed I got with myself. I couldn’t leave it a moment longer without apologising to you one more time. I asked around and they told me this is where I’d find you. So”—he shrugged his shoulders—“here I am.”
Unease skittered up her spine. He’d sought her out?
Approaching the cake table, Clair’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Charlotte?” Clair said with a smirk as she started unpacking the cakes from Charlotte’s boxes.
Charlotte glared at Clair. Since when had he become her friend? “Um,” she said as she pitched in and helped se
t up the display. “This is Liam Bradly. Remember, he was the best man at the wedding? He’s going to be house-sitting for them while they’re on their honeymoon.”
“Nice to meet you, Liam Bradly. Do you mind holding these empty boxes a moment?” she said thrusting box after box in his direction.
“Sure.”
Charlotte’s eyes closed for a brief moment and she squared her shoulders. “Thank you for your help, Liam,” she said taking the boxes from his hands. “But I can take it from here.” Turning to Clair, she continued. “I’ll pop these back and grab the last few boxes.”
She was headed for the car before either could return a comment. Well, that was awkward. She was only meters from the car when Liam fell into step behind her. She rolled her eyes and kept walking. “Liam, what is it you want?”
“I told you.”
She spun and pulled back, his taut body almost bowling her over. He caught her by the arms and she was besieged with sudden awareness.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said his tone one of sincerity.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and eased her arms from his grip. “Thank you for apologising again but it really isn’t necessary. I have my hands full at the moment with everything that is going on with the shop. I’m not looking to get involved with anyone right now.”
He held his hands up to halt her mid-thought. “Woah, slow down. I’m in town for a week at the most. I only came to apologise for being a loud-mouth idiot yesterday. Who said anything about getting involved?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. Her stomach bottomed out and the bitter taste of bile rose to the back of her throat. Can I put my foot in my mouth any further? His rejection hurt, but then again, she had a knack for jumping to conclusions.
“Oh.”
“I am truly sorry for the pathetic joke I pulled yesterday about your cupcakes and just to prove it, I’d love to taste one.” His smile was like a release of fresh air.
What’s the harm in being friends? She could do friends.
“Sure, why not,” she said putting the empty boxes in the car and replacing them with the last of the full ones. “Let’s get these over so Clair doesn’t have a freakout. Then I’m sure I’ll be able to steal one for you. Just don’t tell my sister.”
He whispered. “I promise.” He thinned his lips and made a locking action with a key and threw it over his shoulder.
A hearty laugh erupted from the base of her stomach. “Come with me.”
Liam stood to the side of the table while Charlotte placed the last of the decorations around the cupcake display and then stood back, her heart brimming with satisfaction. I do love my job.
“Oh, Charlotte, it’s wonderful,” Mrs Stevenson said, her eyes bursting with love. She clasped her hands together over her heart. “It’s perfect, just as I imagined. You’ve taken me back to my teenage years dear when high tea was all the fashion.”
Adrenaline bled through Charlotte’s veins. The love in her eyes was all she needed to pep her spirits up after the disastrous start to the weekend.
“I’m so happy you approve,” she said with a smile.
Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat as Mrs Stevenson grabbed her in a motherly hug. She couldn’t help the surge of longing or sudden tears that burned her eyelids. She’d missed her mum so much since her parents moved to New York a year ago. Her mother was an award-winning interior designer and she spent most of her time travelling between New York and Australia. It’d nearly broken her mother’s heart to leave her girls behind, but they’d convinced her it was the best decision for her career. Charlotte missed her terribly, but thanks to Mrs Stevenson’s hugs, she felt her mother in her heart. Always.
She blinked back her tears as Mrs Stevenson’s voice warmed her heart. “That nonsense written in the paper yesterday was utter codswallop. As far as I’m concerned, you make the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted and if I had my way, Daniel would have his backside tanned so hard he couldn’t sit down for a week.”
Charlotte bit her lip containing a giggle that wanted to escape.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Liam said, startling her.
Mrs Stevenson’s attention veered to the deep voice beside them. “Who is your friend, dear?”
Again with the friend business. For goodness sake, I just met the guy last night.
Charlotte cleared her throat. “This is, Liam Bradly. He was Lincoln’s best man.”
A cheeky smile worked its way across Mrs Stevenson’s face. “Ah, yes, of course. I didn’t recognise you out of that gorgeous monkey suit you were wearing at the wedding. I must say you’re much cuter up close.”
Shocked, Charlotte stifled a gasp. “Mavis! What would George say if he knew you were flirting with a total stranger? A much younger stranger.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Mavis said with a giggle. “I’m old, not dead. George wouldn’t care. In fact, he’d probably be happy my eyesight is working perfectly.”
Charlotte’s gaze locked on Liam’s dumbfounded expression and she lost it. She was soon joined by Mrs Stevenson in fits of laughter.
“I know there will be mostly old fuddy-duddies here, but you’re welcome to join the party,” she said to both Charlotte and Liam.
Liam was quick to answer. “Actually, Mrs Stevenson, if it’s all right with you, I thought I might whisk Charlotte away for an early dinner. I’m new in town and thought she could give me a head’s up on the best places to visit while I’m here.”
Charlotte stood there in utter bewilderment, unsure of how to react to Liam’s offer.
“That sounds like a lovely idea. You two enjoy yourselves,” she said, throwing her arms around Charlotte once more. In a soft whisper, she said, “This one looks like fun. Don’t waste a minute, dear. Enjoy yourself.” She turned and walked off leaving Charlotte stunned.
“What do you say? Any chance of that dinner? An apology of sorts,” Liam said wistfully.
An apology? Of course, it’s not like he’s asking me out on a date. Humiliation welled in her chest leaving her face riddled with embarrassment. “Um, I’m not sure I can. I’ll need to help Clair clean up after the party.” Yes, that was as good an excuse as any.
Liam frowned. Her gut clenched when he turned on his heel and headed in Clair’s direction. Oh, no. I do not have time for dinner.
He returned with a huge smile on his face. Her gut double clenched, and it had nothing to do with dinner and everything to do with the way his smile lit up his face like a firecracker.
“No problem. Clair said there won’t be much to clean up and she would take care of it. So how ‘bout it?”
He was as determined to have dinner as she was to end the malicious accusations against her cupcakes. She needed to eat, anyway, so why not enjoy good company at the same time? “Dinner sounds good.”
Charlotte stared at Liam, who was seated in the chair across the table from her. It was the first time she’d really looked at him, with all of his clothes on. He was relaxed and at ease but there was something in his chestnut brown eyes that pulled her in. In the wrong situation, he would be an intimidating man. Tall and muscular, with strong features topped off by a prominent cleft chin.
“Oh my goodness, you’re so right,” Liam said as he ate another calamari ring. His sharp voice startled her. “This is some of the best seafood I’ve ever tasted.”
A thought struck her and nausea pitted itself deep in the base of her stomach. He said he wasn’t looking to get involved. Did that mean he was already involved? Why the hell did she feel so on edge? Because judging by her body’s reaction, she couldn’t deny she was attracted to him and she couldn’t afford distractions with this cyanide nonsense hanging over her head.
It’s not happening, Charlotte, so you can bury those thoughts right now.
“Told you so,” she said taking another mouthful of her salad. “So where in Perth are you from?”
“I live in a town called Dunsborough. You’ll find it on the south coast ne
ar Margaret River.”
“I’ve heard they have good wine there,” she said.
His jaw dropped and his fork froze mid-air. She wasn’t even sure he was still breathing. Had she offended him in some way?
“Good…good?” A soft smile curved his lips, his eyes shimmering mischievously. “I’ll have you know, we have some of the finest wines in Australia, if not the world.”
Charlotte smiled and the butterflies that swarmed her stomach were finally starting to settle. “Is that where you and your girlfriend visit for holidays?” she asked, keeping her eyes focused on her food.
His brow creased. “Girlfriend? What makes you think I have a girlfriend?”
She felt the blood drain from her face. “Um, I… I’m not sure. I guess, I just thought.”
“No, Charlotte, no girlfriend. No time for one, I’m afraid. Work takes up most of my time.”
She sighed. “Oh.” Welcome to my world. “Yeah, I know what that’s like.”
Silence greeted her response and she’d give anything to know what he was thinking, but before she could ask the booming voice of Taylor Swift rocking out Look What You Made Me Do blared out across the restaurant.
“Darn it,” she muttered under her breath. “Do you mind?” Charlotte asked, holding up her phone.
“Of course not. Go right ahead.”
“Hello,” she said, offering Liam an apologetic smile. The unexpected voice on the other end shocked her. Her spine stiffened. “You can’t be serious?”
Liam shot her a puzzled look, his confusion evidently growing by the minute.
Her chest seized and she tried to push down the panic that nipped persistently at the base of her neck. She knew she failed miserably to keep the fear from her eyes. Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and her hand flew to her forehead as she listened to Detective Anderson’s voice.
“Did you hear what I said, Miss McCorrson? Mr Hutson is dead and another is in a critical condition in hospital after Mrs Stevenson’s gathering today,” Detective Anderson said. “While nothing can be proven yet, you are a person of interest and I’ll need you to come in for questioning.”
