“Newly divorced,” she replies, flustered. “I have a delivery for you, Maddock. It’s a cake from an Angus MacKenny.”
“Angus?”
She nods. “He told me I had to deliver it at this precise time. He even paid extra for it. I wanted to deliver it this morning, but he said it had to be a surprise.”
“It’s a surprise,” agrees Maddock.
I smile at her. “Where is it?”
She grins back at me. “Come this way.”
Intrigued by her and whatever it is my brother, Angus, has for us, we all stumble after her. Outside is a little white van. She opens the back doors and unhooks some straps, then slides a cake box forward. It’s about the size of two ledger-size sheets of paper. Isabelle lifts the lid, and on top of the cake, it reads, ‘Family First, Always.’ The cake has a picture of Angus and Tula in formal outfits holding up a glass of champagne.
“How did he know?” asks Maddock with a grin.
“When did you get the order?” I ask.
“He sent it through last week.” She frowns, her eyebrows drawing together. “He also said if you asked, to say… he’s watching you, always.”
Laughter bubbles up out of my chest, and soon the others laugh too.
Sean staggers out to us. “Are you lot partying without me?”
His face freezes as he sees the top of the cake, then he looks up at the sky and yells, “You should be here, brother!”
Kyle wraps an arm around his shoulders. “He’s here in spirit.”
Sean rubs at his face. Out of all of us, he misses Angus the most.
“It’s not e-enough.” His voice cracks and Isabelle Lewis looks uncomfortable.
“Angus is our brother. He’s on an extended vacation. Sean, I mean all of us, miss him,” I offer her by way of an explanation.
Sean nods, punches me in the arm, sticks his finger in the cake, and stumbles away. Shaking my head at him, I look back at Isabelle.
“What do you need me to do?”
“Could you help me carry it into the party? Normally, I’d use a trolley, but with the uneven ground, it won’t work very well.”
I look at Kyle, who’s had way too much to drink to be of any help. Next, my eyes land on Maddock. “How much have you had to drink?”
“Brother, it’s my engagement party. I have certain obligations at the end of the evening, so not that much.”
Isabelle’s face flushes red again, and I shake my head at him.
“Could you not have said very little or not a lot? Did you really have to explain it?”
Maddock shrugs, grinning at me like a fool.
I look Isabelle in the eyes. “We’ve got it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Kyle laughs and heads back to the party.
“Ms. Lewis, could you maybe run interference for us? Just so none of the partygoers get in the way?”
“Isabelle, call me Isabelle.” She looks back at the party, a frown between her brows.
“I can assure you, they’re a rowdy bunch, but no harm will come to you.”
She cocks her head to the side and looks me up and down, then nods. “Okay, I’ll lead the way.”
Maddock grabs one side of the board that the cake is on, and I get the other. Slowly, we slide it out, and once we’ve cleared the back of the van, Isabelle closes the doors.
“Okay, gentlemen, slow and steady wins the race.”
“In other words, be careful?” asks Maddock.
“You’ve got that right. It took me all week to perfect this. I don’t want it ruined and all over your grass before anyone even gets a slice. Even if one of you stuck his finger in it for a taste.”
“That was Sean.” I chuckle. “He was raised by wolves. I’m Jamie, and this is Maddock.”
Isabelle walks us leisurely through the crowd, keeping the hordes away from her cake. When we get to a table under the marquee, Isabelle clears the empty cups off it, and we place the cake in the middle.
Cherie comes running over, then bursts into tears when she looks at the cake. Maddock immediately wraps her up in his frame, whispering to her.
Angus, and his girlfriend, Tula, are in hiding from the government and a terrorist organization. We do not know where they are, but he’s a crafty bastard. Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s safe.
Isabelle looks at me, nods, and walks back toward her van. Jogging to catch up with her, I fall in beside her. She gives me a quizzical look.
“Just making sure you get back to your van safely.”
She smiles, widens the gap between us, and quickens her pace.
“I’ve not seen you around town. Have you been here long?” I ask.
“No. I’ve only been in town for three months.”
“And you work in the bakery?”
“I own the bakery. I bought it off Mr. Whistler when I first arrived.”
We’ve reached her van, and I open the driver’s door for her. “I didn’t even know he’d sold.”
“I asked him not to tell too many people. Many loved him, and I didn’t want to lose any business.”
Nodding, I smile down at her. She gets into the van and reaches for the door. I hold on to it so she can’t close it.
“You know, I used to supply Mr. Whistler with honey and excess fruit.” I chuckle. “Well, anything excess that I have. He was a true artist when it came to baking. Maybe we could have the same arrangement?”
Isabelle tugs on the door, and I let her close it. She winds down the window a crack. “What was your arrangement?”
Smiling at her, I wonder what’s made her so distrustful of men. “He gave me some of his excess baked goods for free.”
“Doesn’t sound like a very good deal for you.”
“He also gave the MC a discount if they ordered anything.”
“The MC?” Her eyes dart behind me.
“Yeah, my brother Kyle is the president of the Loyal Rebels. They have the odd party, and Mr. Whistler used to help. They also have a commercial kitchen at the clubhouse.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Nodding, I look into her brown eyes and smile. “You do that, Isabelle.” Knocking on her window twice, I wave and head back to the party.
She’s an interesting woman and one whose story I intend to find out.
Jamie
Armed with half a gallon of honey, I’m off to see Isabelle Lewis at the bakery in town. Her face has tormented me more than once in my dreams. I’m not sure how she affected me so deeply after one brief meeting. Maybe it was the way she was so cautious around me, or maybe it was her pretty brown eyes, but I feel like a teenager looking for an excuse to talk to her.
Pulling up in front of the bakery, I wonder how I didn’t know it had changed hands. She’s repainted the bottom half of the building and put on a new awning out in front. There are even tables and chairs outside. It all looks fresh and new, things that Mr. Whistler probably should’ve done a long time ago.
As I open the front door, a bell goes off, and a young woman comes out of the back with a huge grin on her face.
“Good morning! Welcome to Baked Goodness. How may I help you?”
Smiling at her, I place my honey container on the counter. “Good morning, I’m Jamie MacKenny, is the owner, Isabelle, around?”
“I’m her sister, Charlotte. Why do you want to see Isabelle?”
There’s an innocence about her, and although she looks to be in her early twenties, she seems much younger.
“I was hoping to do a deal with her.”
“Hmm, okay. Wait here while I go get her.” She grins at me and runs toward the back of the bakery.
Within moments, Isabelle comes out, a swipe of flour under one eye across her cheek.
“Mr. MacKenny, what can I do for you?”
“Jamie, please call me Jamie.” I hold up my container. “I have some honey that I thought you might use?”
Her face goes a lovely shade of red. “That’s so nice of yo
u. What can I give you in return?”
I wave a hand in the air and then hold out the container to her. “Nothing. Think of it as a welcome present to our town.”
“That doesn’t seem right.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Awkwardly, I put my hands in the top pockets of my jeans to stop myself from fidgeting.
“You have dog tags on,” states Charlotte.
Instinctively, I tuck them back into my shirt. “Yeah, I was in for a heartbeat.” Isabelle cocks her head to the side. “I got hurt and was honorably discharged. Now, I’m a farmer.” My words sound ridiculous to my ears, and I feel totally out of my depth. “Okay, well… see you around.”
“Wait!” says Isabelle a little loudly. “Can I at least give you a coffee for your troubles?”
Nodding, I grin at her. “That would be nice.”
“That’s a big hat.”
“Charlotte! Manners!” chastises Isabelle.
“No, it’s fine.” I laugh. “It is a big hat. But I’ve got a big head so…”
Charlotte laughs loudly. “I like you.”
Grinning at her, I tip my hat. “I like my coffee black.”
Isabelle moves to make the coffee, but Charlotte swipes at her hands. “It’s my job. You’re baking, and I’m doing coffee.” She moves around the machine like a professional and has one in a takeaway cup in no time at all.
Charlotte hands me a coffee. “One black coffee in a takeaway cup ready to go!”
“You’re pretty good at that.” I pick up my cup.
“Yep, better than Isabelle,” she replies proudly.
“Well, maybe if you let me use it once in a while, I’d be good at it too.”
I tip my hat at Charlotte and hold up my coffee. “You two have a good day now.” I grin at them both but make sure I make eye contact with Isabelle.
She’s smiling and waves goodbye.
Isabelle
It’s been a week since Jamie MacKenny graced us with his presence. His honey came in handy for a variety of cakes and pies. Charlotte suggested I make him a honey cake. It’s an old family recipe that our mom used to make. So here I am, driving out to his farm to deliver it.
I pull up in front of his home and walk around the van to get the cake. I have no idea if he’s married or has a girlfriend. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what I’m doing. But when he tipped his hat to Charlotte, it warmed my heart.
I knock on his front door, and a woman with long dark wavy hair opens it. A huge smile on her face, her big green eyes shine back at me.
“Hello?”
“Hello, I’m Isabelle, the owner of the Baked Goodness bakery in town.”
“Doesn’t Mr. Whistler own that?” she asks, confused.
“He sold it to me a few months back.”
“And you’re delivering cakes to the community?”
Grinning at her, I shake my head and hold it out. “Your husband, Jamie, gave me some honey, so I thought I’d repay the favor. It’s a honey cake.”
She takes the box off me. “Jamie isn’t my husband. I live next door with his brother, Sean. He’s out back fighting with the tractor if you’d like to see him?”
I look around her and shake my head. “No, that’s okay. If you could just give him the cake, I’d appreciate it.”
“Nonsense, come in. I’m Beth Trent. He’d be upset if he missed you, and then it would be my fault.”
I stop in my tracks and look at her. “It wouldn’t be your fault. Never let a man treat you like that.”
Beth looks at me and cocks her head to the side. “It was just a figure of speech, besides if Jamie even looked at me the wrong way, Sean would beat him black and blue.”
My mouth drops open. “Really?”
Beth bursts out laughing. “Well, Jamie wouldn’t speak to me that way, and Sean puts family above everyone else, so…” She shakes her head and reaches for my hand. “Come in.”
I nod and follow her through the doorway. The home is small with wooden floors. They are honey-colored, and the walls are painted white.
“Is Jamie married?”
Beth keeps walking through the home, and I follow her.
“No.” She laughs. “He’s always been too busy.” Beth puts the cake on the kitchen counter. “He’s out back. I came over to borrow some tools from him. How about I make coffee and slice up your cake, and you can drag him inside?”
“I really can’t stay.”
Smiling at me, she nods. “Well, at least tell him you’re here. I’m sure he’ll be disappointed to miss you.”
Walking through his kitchen, I come to the back door and peer out. The last time I was here, there was a big marquee in the back area, but now it’s just a field. I can see Jamie working on an old red tractor.
He has his back to me and doesn’t see me approach.
“Goddammit! Come on, baby, I need you for one more season, and then I promise I’ll get you a new transmission. Please work for me one more time.”
He climbs onto it and tries to start it. The tractor splutters and coughs but doesn’t turn over.
“Fuck it all to hell!” yells Jamie.
I jump and squeak at his outburst. His head swings in my direction, his face a mask of anger. Turning around, I head for the house.
“Isabelle?” yells Jamie.
But I don’t stop. I’m in the house and through the kitchen, rushing past Beth to get to the front door.
“Isabelle, is everything okay?” she asks.
I turn but keep walking backward, looking for an escape. “Totally. It was nice meeting you.”
Jamie comes running into the room just as I trip over and fall flat on my ass.
“Isabelle?” He bends down, then holds his hands out to me.
I flinch away from him, and whatever he sees in my face has him backing up, arms raised.
Beth stands next to him, confusion on her face.
“Help the woman up,” she orders.
I shake my head and scramble to my feet. “No, I’m fine.”
“Why are you here?” asks Jamie.
“I-I bought you a cake to say thank you for the honey.”
Jamie looks at the kitchen counter. He’s breathing hard, and his white t-shirt is smeared with grease and grime.
Jamie looks back at me, his hands still raised. “Looks like Beth is making us both a coffee, and she’s sliced up the cake, won’t you stay?”
Shaking my head vigorously, I say, “No, sorry, I have to get home. Charlotte is waiting. Thank you again for the honey.” I try to smile as I keep heading for the door.
Jamie takes a step toward me. “I’ll see you?”
“Sure, if you ever come into town.”
Feeling foolish, I wave at him and then hurry back to the safety of my van.
Jamie
“What the fuck just happened?” asks Beth.
I watch Isabelle run to her car, open the door, and lock herself in.
“I think someone hurt her.”
Beth stands next to me, and we watch as Isabelle drives away.
“She’s pretty.”
I look down at my brother’s woman and smile. “I guess.”
She shoves me playfully. “Don’t tell me you didn’t notice. I’ve never seen you move so fast,” teases Beth.
“You made coffee?”
“And she brought the cake. Want some?” I nod, and we walk back into the kitchen. “Did you fix the tractor?”
I shake my head. “No, but I will. She just needs some tender love and care.”
“Just like her owner?”
I scowl at Beth and take a mouthful of cake. It’s light and fluffy with a delicate honey taste, not just in the icing but throughout the cake.
“Oh my God, have you tasted this?”
Beth uses a fork to shovel a piece into her mouth. Her face splits into a grin, and she winks at me. “Befriend the baker, make her your best friend or whatever it takes to get more of this.”
I laugh at her. “That
’s a bit melodramatic, isn’t it?”
“This is good. I’m taking half home.”
“It was for me.”
“And we both know you won’t be able to eat all of it on your own. So, I’m taking half.”
“I swear if you weren’t for Sean, we wouldn’t be friends.” I shake my head at her. “Cake stealer.”
Beth giggles. “If it weren’t for Sean, we wouldn’t know each other, and you love me. I know it. All you MacKenny boys are the same. And I’m still taking half.”
Three days later, I’m walking into Baked Goodness. There’s a queue, and I join the end of it. Charlotte is behind the counter, talking to the customers. She looks a little frazzled, but she’s working hard at getting the orders out. Charlotte sees me and smiles. I tip my hat at her, and she giggles.
The bell behind me sounds, and I turn to see Cutter, a member of my brothers’ MC, standing behind me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Same as you. Getting a coffee and something to eat.”
“You eat here?”
Cutter smirks. “Yeah, even scum like me need to eat.”
His hand goes to his side, and I imagine he’s either got a gun or a knife there.
Raising my eyebrows, I step a little closer to him. “Remember who I am, Cutter. Kyle won’t like it if you mess with me.”
The smirk turns into a grin. “You got balls.” I nod, and he laughs. “And I know who you are.”
Turning back around, the other customers have gone, and Charlotte is staring at the two of us, so we both walk up to the counter.
“Hello, Jamie, do you want to see Isabelle?”
I shake my head. “Came in for a coffee.”
“Hey, Cutter.” Charlotte looks at my brothers’ enforcer with a smile, and my stomach turns over.
“Hey, gorgeous, could I get a coffee, too, and one of those honey-flavored cupcakes?”
Charlotte blushes, but she nods and turns back around to make our coffees. I glare at Cutter, who shrugs and slouches on the counter.
“What brings you into town, farmer boy?”
“The coffee here is good.”
“Yeah, and nice to look at.” He winks at me and stares at Charlotte’s butt.
With little thought for my safety, I grab him by the back of his jacket and frog march him outside.
Spark of Time: MacKenny Brothers Series Book 5: an MC/Band of Brothers Romance Page 11
