A Sweet and Spicy Kind Of Love

by Minx Charmer

  Lionel’s brows rose in disbelief “I would have thought that was obvious. Of course I want you to marry her. She will bear many children and make your home complete.”

  “Valeria, bear many children?” It was Julian’s turn to look surprised “I do not think you know her as well as you think you do. Anyway, that is a topic for another day. Tell me truthfully, did you love my mother?”

  Lionel’s demeanor changed instantly. It was as though all the fight went out and he wilted right before his son’s gaze. Without replying he got up and left the table and Julian watched his retreat with mixed feelings. Sometimes he wished his father could fall in love again. Perhaps he would be a nicer person if someone would brighten his life instead of making Julian’s as miserable as his own.

  ~~~

  Molly’s wedding preparations were complete. With a sigh of contentment she reviewed the menu list carefully. ‘Sweet potato soup with grilled chicken strips and slices of carrots, Italian glazed chicken breast spiced with Oregano and basil leaves, sea bass marinated in a white vinegar blend with a dash of garlic, steamed vegetables with a topping of cilantro leaves and fruit punch with a blend of oranges, grapefruits and fruit cocktail.’ As she glanced at the three tiered cake, a smile lit her face. It was the most perfect cake she had ever made to date. Being inspired certainly helped. Thank you Valeria for your inspiration.

  With deft movements Molly prepared the containers to hold the various dishes. Hopefully she would have it all delivered before lunch so she would have a moment to relax.

  ~~~

  The Daffodil Inn was decorated in warm earth tones. The tables and chairs were made of rose wood with carved legs and backrests, the corner lamps of bamboo and the ceiling fans were shaped like leaves, with frosted light fixtures. The tablecloths were pristine, white with a crochet doily and delicate, floral arrangement in each center and the windows were arched, looking out beyond the restaurant to the valley below. It was a peaceful setting and Julian liked it very much, although his companion did not seem to feel the same way.

  Valeria was in a foul mood and that was the only way he could describe it, if her pinched lips, sour face and narrowed eyes were any indication. Her legs were tapping beneath the table with rapid staccato steps and her long, pointy nails followed suit. The tap tapping sound was getting on his nerves and disturbing the peaceful surroundings. With as sigh he reached over and stilled her fingers. “Would you please stop that? It is driving me crazy.”

  Valeria sucked in her breath and looked at him with wide eyes “I beg your pardon?”

  “The tap tapping noise. Are you upset about something?”

  “I would have thought that was obvious but anyway, let’s talk about something else.”

  Julian shrugged. If she didn’t want to discuss her problems he would focus on something else. “Fine. What would you like to talk about?”

  Valeria tilted her head and glanced at the ceiling with a lost look. He almost laughed out loud. Being at a loss for words did not sit well with her. It was almost painful to watch her struggle to get her thoughts together. When her eyes finally lit up, she looked like a little girl who just discovered the candy jar.

  “Actually I would like to talk about our future wedding date.”

  Julian choked on his lemonade and had to take a few moments to collect himself. He admitted wryly that he asked for that one. He should have let her fume in silence. Now he was the one at a loss for words. He was just about to deflect the question when a shadow fell across the table in the form of Molly.

  “Your mother told me to serve you a special meal Ms. Trenton. Can you tell me what you and your guest would like?”

  Julian did a double take. Although he had given Molly a ride before, it was nighttime and he hadn’t gotten a good look. He was surprised to note how grown up she had become. Her hair had ripened into a deep, flaming red and her cheekbones sculpted quite an adorable face. But her body was still curved, a bit more so than he had remembered. Now where had that thought come from?

  Valeria did not share his feelings if her mutinous look was any indication. If possible her temper increased at Molly’s polite inquiry. Crossing her arms she glared at her as she spoke between gritted teeth “Why should you care about special meal for us? I can prepare something special for us both thank you very much. Besides don’t we have another cook, but you?”

  Molly sighed deeply. She was weary of the seesawing emotions between Julian, herself and Valeria. If only Valeria could see that Julian had eyes only for her, things would definitely improve between them. “I am sorry to trouble you Ms. Trenton. The kitchen is available for anything you would like to make.”

  “I would like you to prepare something for us. Valeria cannot cook well the last time I checked. So tell me what you have in store and I will tell you what I would like.”

  Molly was so surprised at Julian’s request that she forgot about Valeria’s tiresome behavior and her own shaky feelings. With that one request from the man of her dreams, her face blossomed and revealed quite a stunning beauty.

  Valeria gasped as she saw the full impact of Molly’s smiling face. It was as if the sun has just broken the horizon and brightened the day. Turning to Julian, prepared to blast him for his request, Valeria was stunned to see the look on his face. His expression was puzzled as though he tried to figure out what to make of the red head. Valeria wasted no time. If he was amused or horrified that she could deal with, but not a look of curiosity. That would not do at all. Without giving Molly a chance to describe the menu or serve them anything else, she rose and pulled Julian along with her. A moment later they drove away, as Molly watched their hasty departure with a look of complete contentment.

  Chapter 7

  Rose and Belinda met for a quiet lunch of ham sandwiches and peach cobbler at the Lakeside cafe. It was a beautiful little restaurant with cheerful red tables, white chairs and little small booths around the lake. Both women had become good friends over the years, especially since Rose’s visit to talk about Molly’s future relationship with Julian. As they admired the ducks swimming in the lake, Belinda turned to her friend with a bemused smile “My Molly is singing again and has been for the past week. I think something happened between her and Julian, but I am not sure if is a good thing or a bad thing.”

  Rose nodded and added with a dry tone “Ah I think it’s a good thing as he is surlier than ever. Unhappy, frustrated, quiet, solemn and all those wonderful qualities that women find so admirable in the male persona.”

  As both women shook with laughter, Belinda took the opportunity she had been waiting for. “Rose I wanted to ask you for something, but I haven’t done it before today until I worked up the nerve.”

  Surprised at the request, Rose noted her friend’s determined expression “Ask away. I didn’t know you were hiding something behind that unfathomable gaze of yours.”

  Belinda did not agree with that assessment “I have never had an unfathomable gaze as you say. My emotions are written for all to see.”

  “Not so my dear friend. You and Molly are as night and day. As Molly wears her heart on her sleeve, you wear yours tucked inside and neatly put away. I have never known a more enigmatic soul than you…well, actually that is not true. Julian I think is the most enigmatic of them all.”

  Belinda smiled sheepishly “Sorry about that. It comes from years and years of practice. My husband treated me so badly that I learned to hide my true emotions, even my fear. It was the only way he would leave me in peace.”

  Rose hugged Belinda and patted her on the back “I am so sorry that you suffered so terribly, but I am glad that he is no longer around to hurt you.”

  “So am I. The day he died was a good day and I refused to cry at the graveside as his family expected. Even though they called me names and said I was responsible, I did not care. I only wanted my child and that is what I got. Molly is dear to me and I would see her happy, which is where my request comes in. I want to work at Templeton Manor.”

/>   Rose was taken aback and it showed “Templeton Manor? For Lionel Chambers? Why in the world would you want to do that?”

  Belinda’s shoulders sagged as though the request for work had sapped all of her energy, but her eyes were alive with determination. “Because Molly’s happiness is tied to Julian and Julian is tied to Lionel and Lionel is tied to Templeton Manor, and you are the string that will keep them all in place.”

  Rose held up her hands and laughed out loud “No, no way girl! I am not the string that keeps them in place. Those boys do precisely what they want to do.”

  Belinda shook her head “I do not agree with that. I have heard that Julian has nothing but the utmost respect for you and I have seen him speaking with you in a loving manner. You are the only one he seems to really respect. So I wish to work at the manor, that way Molly will have a reason to visit.”

  Rose gaze was inquiring as she smiled secretly “And that’s the only reason you want to work there?”

  Belinda was resolute in her reply “I have to see Julian in his home environment and only then will I know if he is good enough for my Molly. If not, I will do everything I can to break this connection once and for all.”

  Rose clapped her hands “Bravo mama! Good for you. I am glad that Molly has you to fight for her happiness. Ok then. A job you want and a job you shall have. I will talk to Lionel and arrange it, quite discretely of course. Oh, one last question. What kind of job can you do?”

  Belinda‘s face beamed as she pointed to the flowers around the lake “Gardening of course! I excel at flowers and I have heard that your gardens have been less than stellar of late, so I can maintain the gardens and keep Templeton manor in all its glory.”

  Rose nodded “I love it! What a brilliant idea. It’s a deal then. Wait for my call in a few days time. And now shall we seal our bargain with some ice cream and a little cherry on top”

  ~~~

  Lionel could feel the indigestion creeping up and burning the insides of his stomach. The food did not sit well with the news that Julian was at it again. Valeria’s tearful call after the incident at the restaurant was enough of a confirmation that his son refused to play ball. At this point it seemed as though Julian had no intention of following through with Valeria. The thought was as distasteful as the alternative: A red head Amazon by the name of Molly Makepeace.

  Lionel felt he had no choice. Since the girl would not be deterred from throwing her affections to the wind for all to see, it was time for him to take care of the situation. He decided to pay a visit to Molly and see for himself what the girl as all about. And then he would let her know in no uncertain terms that Templeton Manor would never be her home and Julian would never belong to her.

  ~~~

  Molly hummed her favorite romantic ballad as she danced around a lemon meringue pie. It was her favorite desert and she intended to share it with Julian as a gift. The only thing to do was get to Templeton Manor and leave the pie with someone at the house, preferable Julian himself. She only hoped Lionel would not mind. She had heard he was quite a character. Still she was ready to brave the Wild Wild West if only Julian would give her a small smile of approval. Ignoring the niggling sense of unease that he would not be pleased to see her at his home, Molly continued with her culinary creation.

  When the phone rang she debated whether or not to pick it up, but then decided it might be important. With a smile in her voice she responded “Molly here, how may I help you?” The resulting screech made her ears ring, but Molly screeched right back. It was Yolanda, her best friend. “Molly, Molly I am back! I am so glad to know that you are here. We must meet. Tell me where you are. Tell me now before I burst a blood vein with all of the news. Tell me, tell me, tell me…”

  Molly laughed with delight. She was overjoyed to know that Yolanda had not changed, not one little bit. “Come on over silly, I am at the Daffodil Inn and right now I’m on a break…well not exactly a break I guess you could say.”

  Yolanda’s curiosity spilled over as her voice lowered to a whisper “What do you mean not exactly a break? Are you doing something questionable?”

  Molly sighed and rolled her eyes. Yolanda’s dramatic behavior was in full swing “No I am not doing anything questionable. I am preparing a pie for Julian, that’s all. I will make you another one if you like.”

  “Not a chance! My pants still don’t fit. Stay there. I will be over in a moment and then you can tell me all about that delicious little dish.”

  Molly’s eyes twinkled as she replied “Are you referring to the pie or Julian himself?”

  Yolanda was deliberately flippant in her response “You will simply have to decide for yourself.”

  A slight click indicated the call was over and Molly lips rose in a smile. It was wonderful to have her friend back. With Yolanda at her side anything was possible.

  ~~~

  Rose cornered Lionel before he could leave to visit Molly. “Hello there Mr. Chambers, and how are we feeling today?”

  When he refused to answer Rose nodded “That bad hmmm? Well I have some good news for you. I have a friend that can take care of the gardens at the manor. I am certain that you would love to see them blooming again. None of us has a green thumb and it would be nice to have someone around who can make things grow instead of causing them to die.”

  Lionel grunted with displeasure. “I do not care about the gardens. Hire anyone you want to make them bloom. Don’t know why you are doing it anyway. It’s not like we have visitors here clamoring to see the magnificent Templeton gardens.”

  Rose’s reply was grave “Of course we do not have anyone here and I think it is high time that we did. The boy is all grown up and if you wish for him to be a part of this community and marry a girl from the town, you need to have some of her friends here. Invite her family. Let them all get to know the area so they can feel like this would be home. Keeping the distance as you do will not help Julian’s prospects with Valeria.”

  Lionel stopped short. He had not considered that option and as always Rose knew exactly what to do. “What do you suggest then?”

  Rose tried to keep a straight face. It was amazing to see Lionel bowing to her advice. If she didn’t know better, she would swear he was mellowing with age. “I will organize a picnic this weekend and I will get a nice buffet prepared. We will invite Valeria, her family and her friends. This will give her a feel for the place and Julian may appreciate her in this natural setting.”

  Lionel nodded. “I agree. Let’s do it. I will let the boy know.” When he turned towards the study Rose was curious “Aren’t you going out somewhere?”

  He shook his head “Nah, I will wait until after this weekend. Perhaps things will work out and my distasteful task will not be necessary.”

  Rose shrugged and made her way to the kitchen. Let him keep his secrets if he wanted to.

  Chapter 8

  Julian called the Bloomfield International chili cook-off, curious about the competition and what it was all about. He had decided to sponsor and host the event on the grounds of Templeton Manor and he spoke to the organizer, a man by the name of Ethan Brommel, who appeared quite content with Julian’s invitation, if his effusive reply was any indication. “Thank you so much Mr. Chambers for your offer. We don’t know what to say! We are overjoyed to have received such an esteemed call from a man such as you. A man of upstanding character and well known even in international circles. Yes indeed, we are very pleased with your offer. As a matter of fact, we were thinking of moving it to another town, but of course we would be happy to keep it in Sunnyvale.”

  “Wonderful. Can you let me know what the rules and regulations will be and who it will apply to? Who can participate and all that sort of thing?”

  “Of course sir! Of course we will. I will send it to your email and then you can review and let me know if you have any questions about anything.”

  Julian smiled. If only the women in his life were that easy to figure out. Shocked at the tenure of his thoughts, he
shook his head as though to clear the brain fog away. Women in his life? Wait a minute…where had that thought come from? With a rueful gaze he returned to the matter at hand. Making the ‘woman’ and only ‘woman’ in his life content. What a hard task that was turning out to be. Putting his hand over his eyes, he rubbed them softly and picked up the phone. It was time to call Valeria and break the news. No doubt she would be ecstatic. A picnic on Saturday. All friends and family invited to share a banquet in honor of the future Mrs. Chambers. Just the thought made him swallow uncomfortably. Valeria Chambers. The future was decidedly gloomy.

  ~~~

  Valeria danced around her room and giggled as her faced beamed. A picnic at Julian’s estate. An official invitation to friends and family, to visit with the estate and share a meal under the blue skies. Finally, finally Julian was coming around. It was about time. There was no way he could continue to coddle that red head floozy, who thought of nothing better than the next soup dish.