His Lullaby Baby

by Airicka Phoenix

  Only one and it was one she couldn’t tell him about. Instead, she could only shake her head.

  “No.”

  Satisfied, he went back to his cake. “The guys’ll be here in a few hours, too,” he reminded her. “Uncle Sloan wants to start measuring the space around the house. Did Mr. Holloway call you about the shipment?”

  Addy shook her head. “No, maybe I was supposed to call him?”

  Toby waved her concern away with a wave of his fork. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll handle it.”

  He wasn’t joking. The moment Sloan’s truck ambled up the path and the man himself lumbered to the door, Toby told him about the no call from the hardware store. Sloan took the news with a slight nod and reached into his pocket.

  “The others are right behind me,” he told Toby as he punched numbers into his phone. “Jared had a job, but your dad and Damon should be here soon.”

  No sooner had he spoken when Damon’s Jeep pulled into the driveway and parked between Sloan and Toby’s trucks. Damon, Willa, Kari, Calla, and Cole got out. They moved to the porch and clustered around the group already standing there.

  “What’re we doing?” Cole asked.

  “Calling Holloway,” Sloan told him, pressing the phone to his ear.

  “Well, while you boys figure all this out…” Calla circled the crowd to stand next to Addy. “We girls have some business to attend to.”

  Willa pressed a kiss to her husband’s mouth before guiding Kari to the door as well. Then the three were in the foyer, waiting for Addy, who glanced at Toby.

  “Is there anything I can do or…?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “We got this. Go have fun.”

  She wasn’t sure how much fun she could possibly have with the two women watching her, but she offered him a weak smile and followed the trio into the kitchen.

  “Would anyone like some coffee or tea?” she offered, oddly nervous. She glanced down at Kari, who looked unnaturally wide awake for so early in the morning. “I have muffins and juice, too.”

  “Coffee for me, please. Black.” Calla shrugged out of her coat and seated herself at the head of the table.

  “Oh, please, let me take your coats.” Addy hurried forward when Calla draped the crimson fabric over her lap.

  Calla passed it over. Willa and Kari did the same. Addy marched them to the hallway closet and hung them up before returning. Willa and Kari had made themselves comfortable around the table. Addy left them there as she put together a fresh pot of coffee. She poured juice for Kari and set it down in front of the girl with a cranberry muffin.

  “Willa? Coffee or tea?”

  “Neither, please,” the woman replied. “Thank you.”

  Addy didn’t make herself a drink either, but she brought over a platter of cookies and Calla’s coffee. With nothing else to do and no way else to stall, she joined the women.

  “I hope it’s all right that I invited Calla,” Willa said sheepishly. “She’s my partner at the café so I thought it would be best if we all worked together on this.”

  Addy shook her head. “No, of course. That’s fine.”

  It really wasn’t. The older sister made Addy feel about two inches tall, which was ridiculous because Calla had been nothing but kind to her. It was just the woman’s aura. It was so thick and formidable.

  “All right, so let’s get straight to business,” Calla declared. “We’re looking to expand Under The Willow. We want to give the people of Willow Creek something new and fresh. Something this town does not have, like a catering service.”

  Addy stiffened. “Catering service? But I thought—”

  “It’s really an amazing idea,” Willa interrupted hurriedly. “Calla thought of it this weekend and I have to agree that it’s right up your alley.”

  Addy wasn’t so sure about that, but she waited for Calla to continue.

  “For weddings and funerals and parties,” Calla explained. “Food that is delivered straight to their events. With Ma having finally retired, it gives us a little leeway without treading on toes.”

  “I really don’t understand,” Addy said. “I thought you just wanted my desserts.”

  “We do!” Willa broke in.

  Calla nodded. “Our current provider isn’t working out. Plus, he’s not one of us, as rude as that may sound.”

  “One of us?”

  “He’s not part of the town,” Willa explained. “Which is not the reason we’re parting ways. He’s been with us for years.”

  “But the town is more responsive and supportive when it’s one of their own,” Calla finished. “Like you.”

  “I’m not really part of the town,” she argued.

  “You’re Macy’s niece,” Calla reminded her. “That makes you part of the town. Besides, that’s not really that important. It’s just an added bonus. What’s important is that you come highly recommended by Willa and Toby, and myself. Oh, and Jared. Lord knows he talked about your glazed pretzels like a boy with a crush all weekend.” She grinned when Addy chuckled. “We want you to be part of our team, Addy.”

  Being part of something sounded really nice. Too nice.

  “What would I need to do?”

  “What you’re already doing, bake, create.” She lifted her mug to her lips, but didn’t drink. “We don’t want to change a thing.”

  Willa nodded. “You can work right from home. We will supply you with anything and everything you need, including material. Just make everything here and deliver them to the café first thing in the morning before opening.”

  “When we do get a catering job, it’ll be the same thing,” Calla picked up where her sister left off. “You will be given a list of everything needed and you just deliver it to wherever the event is.”

  It all sounded simple enough. The inn was practically dead during the winter months, which gave her plenty of time to cook and create. In the summer, she could always hire someone to help with the inn while she did the catering. The whole thing tumbled effortlessly into place in her mind, becoming tangible and possible. Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was forgetting something.

  “I can do all that,” she told the two. “But there is one thing I need to ask you…”

  She broke off in what was sure to be a long and awkward explanation of something she couldn’t even explain. The entire thing wedged into her throat and stayed firmly fixed while the women looked on, waiting.

  She couldn’t do it. Not only because she wasn’t comfortable divulging her personal business, but because it was unprofessional. They were offering her a huge break. The whole thing could mean big things for her and to act weird and shady would only complicate the partnership they were offering. But somehow, she needed to tell them she didn’t want her name out there. She didn’t want people to know she was the one doing the baking.

  She took a deep breath. “It’s going to sound a little strange, but I would really like to remain anonymous in our partnership.”

  Confusion furrowed Willa’s brow. Suspicion furrowed Calla’s.

  “Why?” the two said simultaneously in two very different tones.

  Addy couldn’t blame either of them.

  “I like my privacy,” she stated evenly. “Willow Creek isn’t exactly known for keeping their noses out of other people’s business. I don’t want my inn overrun by busybodies with too much time on their hands. I will help with the catering and the café, but that’s my only condition.”

  The sisters were quiet. Their blue eyes clashed in a long, silent debate that made Addy want to fidget anxiously and take it back.

  When Calla slanted her gaze back to Addy, all the muscles in Addy’s stomach tightened in an anxious knot. Her chest seized mid compression as she waited for the verdict.

  “This could work,” she decided at last. “People like a good mystery, especially the people in Willow Creek, but I do need to warn you that nothing ever stays hidden for very long here. Eventually, it will come ou
t and if it looks like keeping you a secret jeopardizes the café or the catering service, we will need to renegotiate.”

  Addy nodded. “I understand and I accept.”

  Sloan ambled into the room then, his boots thumping like claps of thunder on the hardwood. He wasn’t as big as Jared, but he moved like a big man.

  “We’re making a run to the hardware store,” he said. “The material is all there and we’re going to pick it up.” He turned blue eyes on Addy. “The garage out there, is it empty? We’ll need a dry place to put everything.”

  Addy nodded. “Macy’s old car’s in there, but I think there’s still room if you need it.”

  “Okay, we’ll let you know.”

  He left as loudly as he’d come in.

  “All right, so back to the topic at hand—”

  “Mommy, where’s Hanna?” Kari cut in before Calla could finish.

  “She’s still sleeping,” Addy said. “But you can go on up and jump on her if you like.”

  Kari’s eyes widened. They shot to her mother. “Can I?”

  Chuckling, Willa nodded. “But gently.”

  Elated, the girl scurried out of her chair and darted out of the room.

  “Sorry,” Addy said to Calla. “You were saying?”

  Calla shook her head. “It’s all right. I was saying that we should jump on this quickly before someone else comes up with the same idea. We have a contract already made up.” She dug into her purse and removed a blue folder. She set it on the table between them and opened it to a small stack of papers. “We also wrote up a payment system with all profits being cut three ways with you getting forty and us splitting thirty. Anything you require beyond the usual supplies will be reimbursed with a receipt … within reason, of course.”

  She passed the papers to Addy and sat back while it was read over carefully. Addy was still on the second page when Kari bounded into the kitchen with a grumpy faced Hanna shuffling along behind her. Next to the blonde with her neat little braids and cute sweater and jeans, Addy’s daughter resembled a zombie that had walked into an electric fence.

  “Kari jumped on me,” she complained miserably.

  Papers still in hand, Addy rose. “Do you want breakfast?”

  Hanna shook her head. “Not hungry.”

  “Let’s go play then!” Kari decided, grabbing Hanna’s arm and dragging her back out of the kitchen.

  “She’s not a morning person.” Addy explained as she regained her seat. “So would I be investing in the catering company as well?” she asked, reaching the bottom of the contract. “Like a partner?”

  The two women shrugged.

  “We would like that, if you’re willing.”

  “These contracts don’t get seen by anyone, but us,” Willa assured her.

  “And the courts, should anything happen,” Calla added quickly. “Not that we foresee such a thing.”

  “No, of course,” Addy mumbled.

  “Aunt Beth is a silent partner at Calla’s boutique,” Willa continued. “I don’t think anyone outside the family knows that.”

  “I don’t want to make this a big thing,” Addy told them. “I’m not trying to be difficult or weird.”

  “No, no, we understand,” Willa assured her. “We’ve all been at the end of the town controversy at some point. It’s harder when you have children.”

  Relieved, Addy offered the other woman a grateful smile. “I just want to bake, make some extra money, and live in peace.”

  “But we will need to give you a name,” Calla said. “We still haven’t decided on a business name so we can put you under that.”

  “You could tell people it’s you guys,” Addy offered. “I really don’t care about getting the credit.”

  Willa giggled. “No one will believe it was us.”

  Calla snorted. “Neither one of us can cook worth a damn.”

  Addy chuckled. “What about Tasteful Seductions?”

  Calla’s head bent to the side, reminding Addy of a Golden Retriever hearing a sound. Her face tipped towards her sister, eyebrows raised.

  “I like it,” Willa said.

  Calla glanced at Addy. “Tasteful Seductions. Simple, elegant … sexy. Yeah, I think I like that one, too.”

  Willa smiled. “Where did you come up with that?”

  Addy shrugged. “It kind of just came to me.”

  “That!” Calla pointed at Addy with a coral pink nail. “That is how I know this will work. It’s all just coming together.” She dropped her hand and grinned. “I have a guy in Vancouver who does fabulous artwork. I’ll see about getting us a simple, elegant, and sexy logo to go with our new name. In the meantime.” She folded her fingers. “We have a job for you this weekend,” Calla said evenly. “It’s a catering job, fairly on the large side with a good payout at the end of the night.”

  Excited and nervous, Addy glanced from one to the other. “What kind of event?”

  “It’s our annual Meal Deal charity gala,” Calla said.

  “Fundraiser,” Willa whispered.

  Calla rolled her eyes. “Fundraiser,” she amended. “All proceeds go to the schools to pay for children whose meal cards are in the zero and they can’t afford to buy a lunch.”

  “It’s what gave us the idea to do a catering service,” Willa added. “Normally, we hire a company out in Newburry and they put the meals together.”

  “But this year, we thought, hey, why can’t we open our own service?” Calla picked up.

  “Oh, wow!” Addy breathed, feeling overwhelmed. “Well, I would … wow … this weekend … that doesn’t give us much time.”

  Calla shook her head. “It doesn’t, but we already have a list of everything you would need to make.”

  “It’s all very simple.”

  Calla passed Addy a menu. “We’re doing a pot luck this year so you won’t have to worry about the actual meal, but we do need snacks and dessert for afterwards.”

  “What about drinks?” she asked.

  “Oh, we have the drinks covered,” Willa promised.

  Addy nodded. “Okay.”

  “Yeah?” Calla beamed. “Awesome. Okay, we’ll get my dad to stand in as witness to the sign. I don’t trust anyone else to keep this private and he used to be a lawyer. Then we’ll cut you a check to cover the cost of everything you need for this weekend. The rest of your share will be given to you at the end of the night.”

  The woman sure was prepared, Addy thought as Calla rose out of her chair and hurried out of the room.

  “Are you sure you’re all right with all this?” Willa asked once her sister was gone. “I know Calla can be a little … assertive. She was the same way when I wanted to open the café. I only mentioned it and she had a whole business proposal written up in seconds. It’s just how she is, but I know she can be overwhelming.”

  Addy shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’m excited. I want to do this.”

  Reaching over, Willa took her hand and gave it a small squeeze. “I’m glad. It’ll be wonderful to work with you. I know me and Calla think very highly of you.”

  Touched, Addy smiled at her. That was all she had time for before Calla was back, Cole in tow.

  “I hear my insufficient legal services are required?” Calla set the contract down for him to read, which he did much quicker than Addy had. “All right, so you understand the terms and conditions?”

  Addy nodded and continued to agree as he spelled out every line and clause. He explained each paragraph, even the ones she fully understood. It made her really like him, and the sisters. There was no gimmick or shady areas. They were upfront and honest. It only solidified her decision to sign on the dotted line.

  “Congratulations!” Cole said as Addy made the final sweep of her signature. “You’ve got yourself a catering service.”

  “Why didn’t we think to bring champagne?” Calla mumbled.

  Addy laughed. “I have juice.”

  Calla wrinkled her nose. “That’s not nearly the same.”
<
br />   “But it’ll work for now,” Willa stated. “We can properly celebrate after our first successful catering job.”

  Her first catering job. Her first real step into something bigger than her. It may not have been much, but it was something and it was hers.

  Chapter 7 ~ Toby

  The house smelled like something between heaven and a bakery the next morning. The scent of melted chocolate, caramel, and bread pooled in every corner, making it impossible to remain in bed and pretend to sleep. He wasn’t sure why he was doing it, but he couldn’t seem to bring himself to leave the downy arms of his bed. The last three nights he’d spent on the stiff sofa provided by the cabin owners had been pure torture on his leg. The cushions had felt like concrete and he’d spent the entire night trying not to toss and turn and agitate the injury even further. He’d even tried sleeping on the floor, to which his mom had badgered him about and he had no excuses to give her. His bed at the inn seemed to be the only place he could sleep where he didn’t wake up in the middle of the night feeling like his entire leg was on fire.

  But it was already after five and he knew he needed to get up and start his day. He just lacked the energy, until the smells.

  Tossing back the blankets, he heaved his body over the edge of the mattress and used the nightstand as leverage to get to his feet. And for once, his thigh didn’t scream in agony. Spots didn’t obscure his vision. The urge to vomit didn’t send him to his knees. Oh, the tightness was still there, tugging at torn ligament, a faint reminder that he still had a long way to go before recovery, but it was bearable.

  Gingerly, he tested his weight. He balanced out his posture, using both legs rather than relying mostly on one and a thin web of pain broke out up his thigh, a sharp warning to stop. He listened. Taking hold of his cane, he leaned on it as he made his way to the door.

  The rooms upstairs lay quiet, a clear indication that the rest of the house continued to slumber. Everyone, except one.

  Sure enough, light spilled from the kitchen, more light than normal. Usually, she only had the ones over the oven on, but every one in the room was now lit. The sweet smell of baked sugar poured through the open doorway, a much stronger force than it had been with his bedroom door closed. Toby stepped over the threshold and paused.