Tangled Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls #2)

by Robyn Neeley

  She laughed. “Um . . . the whole town knows that about Mike and Donna.”

  “But I bet you didn’t know that he’s taking flying lessons so he can whisk her off to New York City for a romantic weekend next month.”

  Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

  “Yep.” He nodded with more than a hint of smugness and then folded his arms in triumph. “People tell me things.”

  “Wow. I guess you are a good listener.”

  “There are a lot of things about me you don’t know.” He stood and gave her shoulder a playful squeeze. “How about I get that dessert?”

  As Brandon headed into his house, Abby grabbed the wine bottle and refilled her glass. He was right. There was a lot about him that she didn’t know. Their time together had been more action-oriented. She didn’t know his favorite color, what football team he rooted for each Sunday, or what inspired him in the first place to become a reporter.

  Her shoulder still tingled where Brandon had squeezed, and she reached up and massaged it. Was she actually having a good time with this man that didn’t involve her tearing his shirt off?

  She’d never realized just how frustrated he was that he’d lost his writing mojo or that he’d thought about opening up his own bar.

  “Hey, Abby. Can you bring the wine down?”

  She stood and peered below. Brandon must have come out the front door because he was now lighting a small bonfire. “I thought maybe we could have our dessert down here, if that’s okay with you.”

  She grinned. “For one thousand dollars, I can.”

  “Already gave them my check.”

  “In that case, yes.” Making her way down the steps, she handed him his wine glass. “Why did you bid so much?”

  He handed her a plate with one of the shortcakes and a fork. “You know . . . I’m not sure. It was the first number that popped into my head. Before I knew it, I was waving my paddle in the air.”

  “Well, I’m sure the organizers running the career exploration program are thrilled.” She took a bite of the spongy cake. “Speaking of career exploration, I totally understand where you’re coming from.”

  “You do?” he asked and speared a strawberry with his fork.

  “Totally. I love working at the Sugar Spoon, but I’ve always had this dream of opening a catering company.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. It makes sense. This town has so many events . . . and weddings thanks to Emma.”

  “Well, I think that’s a terrific idea.”

  “Yeah, maybe someday.”

  “What’s stopping you?”

  She stared at the flames bouncing off the fire. What was holding her back? “I don’t know. Fear of failing. I mean, my cousin has a successful business and grants bachelors their happily ever after on the side. It’s kind of hard to compete.”

  “I forgot about the witch thing.” He leaned closer and arched an eyebrow. “Do you do any spells?”

  Other than the one that made you forget that usually by now we’re tangled up in your sheets naked? “No, not really. I mean, I’ve tried the Batter Up spell, but I can only seem to conjure up the first letter.”

  “Well, maybe you should try a different one.”

  “Maybe I’ll do that.”

  He grinned. “And you better make sure when you do open that catering business that this is on the menu because it’s seriously a winner.”

  Over the next hour, their conversation took a fun turn where they created silly names for items on her menu. She was just about to turn the conversation back to Brandon and ask him about the characters in his book when a bright light hit her face. “Ernie!” she screamed.

  “Hey, you kids. Having a good time?”

  “Yes, officer,” Brandon called out. “Maybe you could lower that light of yours.”

  “Sorry about that.” Ernie moved his flashlight off their faces. “Abby, is Brandon being on his best behavior? Because I can haul him in if he isn’t.”

  Abby couldn’t help but laugh. “He’s being a perfect gentleman. We’re good here.”

  “Good. I hear Bridget’s sister was matched up with your date from last year. I need to go save her.”

  “Yes, you do,” Abby agreed, grateful Ernie had a reason to split.

  “See you two, later. Have a good night.”

  “Bye, Ernie.” Abby wrapped her sweater around her middle. Even with the fire, she was starting to feel the dip in temperature. However, she wasn’t ready to go home just yet.

  “Nice guy,” Brandon said, finishing his plate.

  “Yeah. He really does look out for us. I need to ask Emma if she can rig it for Ernie to get a shot at Batter Up. He deserves to find his soul mate.”

  “Speaking of . . . Maybe I should go to Batter Up night one Monday. Do you think Emma would be willing to make me one of her bachelors?”

  She picked up a small twig, tossing it into the fire. Not only did Brandon not remember their time together, he didn’t remember that Emma had already performed the spell on him almost two months ago, and Abby’s name had appeared in the batter. “I’m sure she would,” she said, trying to hide any hurt feelings. “But aren’t you more of a swinging bachelor these days?”

  “Yeah. It probably wouldn’t show a name for me.”

  Abby finished her wine, ready to end this conversation. “Well, it’s getting late. I should get going.” She stood and her legs wobbled.

  “Hey, why don’t I walk you home?” He leaped out of his chair. “I’ll just put the fire out.”

  “Oh, that’s really not necessary.” She massaged her temple, feeling a little light-headed.

  “Nonsense. Plus, I need to walk off the shortcake.”

  “Okay.” She offered to help clean up and took everything inside while he put out the fire. A few minutes later, she met him out front and they set out down the gravel road toward her cottage. Not having the fire to warm her, she shivered inside her sweater.

  “Cold?”

  “I’ll be fine. How about you, Mr. California? How’s your thin blood handling fall in Upstate New York?”

  “I’m getting acclimated.” He shoved his hands in his coat pockets. “Nothing can compare to taking in the foliage from the lake on a crisp October morning.”

  “Not even a sunrise off the Santa Monica Pier?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.”

  She stopped, surprised she’d never realized just how enchanted he seemed to be with Buttermilk Falls. “Wow. You do like it here, don’t you?”

  “It’s been really good for me. It was time to get away from the fast life, the smog, my ex . . .”

  Suzanne. Abby knew about the ex-wife but not really much about the breakup. “She was a pill, huh?”

  “You could say that.” He kicked a stone with his shoe. “I thought when I finally settled down it would be forever. Guess the joke was on me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about. Besides, like I said earlier, it’s time to get back on the horse.”

  “Well, I think there’s a story there.”

  “Really? What?”

  “Yeah.” She attempted her best serious voice. “A reporter determined to get his life back on track stumbles upon a backwater town where the residents have been hiding a delicious secret that could change the world as we know it.”

  He laughed, and she could tell he knew exactly where she was going with it. “I don’t know if Mel’s BBB Burger is really New York Times list material.”

  “Suit yourself. I just gave you an awesome hook, but if you can’t handle it . . .”

  “I’ll give it some serious consideration.”

  They’d reached her home all too quickly, and disappointment greeted her. “Well, thank you for dinner and being such a good sport.”

  “It was fun.”

  His genuine smile caught her off guard and caused awkward silence to circle them for a few seconds before she shoved her hand in her sweater pocket and pulled ou
t her house keys.

  This date had not gone anything like she expected. It had been so much better. Never in a million years did she suspect they’d spend the evening getting to know each other. “I guess I’ll see you around.” She turned to walk up her pathway.

  “Hey, Abby.”

  “Yes.” She spun around and pulled her hair to the side. Did he not want their date to end either?

  “Why don’t we make a pact to go after what we really want both professionally and personally? Starting tomorrow. No excuses.”

  Go after what she wanted. She thought earlier this week that was exactly what she was doing when she cast Brandon out of her life, but now that he was standing here smiling at her, what she wanted wasn’t so clear.

  “Do we have a deal?” he asked.

  She matched his smile with a genuine one of her own. “Deal.”

  Chapter 6

  Brandon rounded the corner, settling into his pace. It’d been a couple days since he’d managed to find time for a decent run, so he elected to take a path that led him along the lake.

  He’d gotten a late start this morning, which probably had something to do with going to bed well after 2 a.m. every night since Friday. During his walk back home from Abby’s, the ideas swarmed in his head. Maybe it had to do with all the talking they did about his book, or perhaps it was the wine. All he knew was his muse was back and ready to write.

  He’d raced home, powered on his laptop with a fresh cup of coffee nearby, and attacked his manuscript. Four hours later, he drifted off to sleep. Saturday and Sunday were more of the same—writing until the late hours.

  Picking up his stride, he flew past Abby’s cottage. What a fun night they’d had. Not what he’d expected when he agreed to the Sugar & Spice date. When he first found out that he’d be forking over one thousand dollars to spend the evening with Abby Stevens, he couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit of disappointment. There had to have been over a dozen women he’d rather bring back to his place instead of Emma’s cousin.

  Not that Abby wasn’t gorgeous because with her long red hair and blue eyes, she was a knockout. He’d just never thought of her in that way. Maybe he should. He slowed his pace, eager to stop and do a little stretching.

  “Jason would kick my ass if I started messing around with her,” he said. Somehow saying the words out loud made it clear that trying to get together with Abby wasn’t a good idea. Besides, his assignment started soon. Tina had called earlier with instructions for his first date. He’d be meeting up with a woman named Rachel later tonight for a drink.

  She’d mentioned that they might also be breaking a record but didn’t give any details.

  Brandon reached the lake’s edge and jogged in place while taking a second to decide if he’d go around to the other side or maybe take a different direction that would lead him through town.

  “Hey, Brandon.”

  Brandon turned to see Adam Reed wave from a deck below. “Hey.” He headed over to Adam who was standing on a porch of an enormous three-story gray house with cream-colored shutters.

  How had he missed this house before? It had to be the largest one on the lake.

  “Did you enjoy your Sugar and Spice night with Abby?”

  “Both the company and dessert were worth every penny.” Brandon joined him on the deck to catch up. He liked that about living in Buttermilk Falls. Everyone knew everyone. He hadn’t lived here long enough for that to be a bad thing.

  Adam loosened his tool belt. “It’s probably a good thing I didn’t win. Abby’s brother, Josh, has had a strict “no dating my sister” policy ever since we were in high school.”

  Brandon glanced around the wraparound deck, his gaze resting on the house. “Is this your place?”

  “No. It’s been empty for years, but we thought we had a buyer last spring. The town contracted my dad’s company to redo the first and second floors, add on a new deck, and maintain the grounds.” He pointed to his tool belt. “I noticed a plank was loose. Probably some kids hanging out where they shouldn’t.”

  Brandon’s gaze lifted to the boarded up third-story windows, suddenly remembering the abandoned inn Abby had mentioned last night. Since this was the tip of the lake, this might be the place. “Can I take a look?”

  “Sure, come on in.” He opened the wooden door. “We put in new flooring but left the wall fixtures and staircase intact.”

  Brandon stepped into a small foyer. It was completely bare and opened up to a larger room with dusty oak accents. “So, is this the place that was actually an inn at one time?”

  “Sure was. There weren’t many rooms back in its glory day, but I hear it was a nice alternative to staying in town. The first floor held a restaurant and the second and third had sleeping rooms.” He wiped his brow.

  “I bet it was gorgeous.” Brandon’s mind went to work immediately. Where he stood could be a dining area, directly in front of him would be the perfect place for a bar.

  “There’s even a full kitchen over there. The buyer had a company completely remodel it.”

  “The kitchen’s ready for use?”

  “Yep. Not that it’ll be used any time soon. I’ve been trying to convince the town to hold an open house, but they haven’t wanted to on account of the incident.”

  “Incident?”

  Adam’s phone buzzed. “Hold on a second.”

  While Adam took his call, Brandon snapped a couple pictures to text over to Jason. His friend always had good sense when it came to business. He started to scroll through his contact list but paused at the second name. Why was Abby in his phone?

  They hadn’t traded numbers last night. Maybe she’d given it to him one of the times they had hung out with Jason and Emma. “Weird.”

  What was even more strange was his sudden need to show her the pictures. He pulled her name up and attached the photos to a short text. Since it was her idea to check out the place, maybe she could give him some ideas on what to do with the second and third floors. She seemed to be full of good ones lately.

  Adam ended his call, shoving his phone in his back pocket. “So, yeah. This place has been on sale for years. It’s kind of sad for an inn that had so much life in it back in its day to sit here empty. It would make a great spot for a restaurant.”

  “What happened to the buyer?”

  Chuckling, Adam nodded to the second floor. “He spent one night alone upstairs last April. That did it. He hightailed it out of town and put it on the market.”

  “Why? Did he think the work needed would be too expensive?”

  “Not exactly. Apparently there are some guests upstairs that won’t leave.”

  Brandon studied the chipped staircase. “What? Termites? Mice?”

  “Well, maybe those, too.” Adam tilted his head up. “Legend has it, it’s haunted.”

  * * *

  Abby wiped down the countertop for the umpteenth time. Her only mission at this very moment was to make the bright pink countertop shine. That she’d achieved it a couple of hours ago didn’t really matter. It kept her thoughts from drifting too far into dangerous “Brandon Swift” territory.

  Sliding up next to her, Emma snatched the rag and set it aside. “I think the counter is officially the cleanest it has been all fall.”

  “Just trying to keep busy.” She reached for her water bottle.

  “Well, it sparkles.” Emma leaned on the counter, giving Abby her familiar concerned look.

  “Are you feeling any better?”

  Emma was referring to the stomach bug Abby contracted over the weekend. Saturday morning she woke up with the worst case of the flu and had stayed in bed all weekend. “Yeah, much better. I think it was a twenty-four-hour thing.”

  “So, how was Sugar and Spice Night?”

  “Fine.”

  “Just fine?”

  “What do you want to know?” Abby reached in the cupcake display and pulled out two pumpkin cupcakes. They may as well have a treat for this conversation because Emma would no
doubt ask a ton of questions once she heard that Brandon had won Abby’s dessert. She handed a cupcake to her cousin.

  “Thanks.” Emma bit down. “Well? How did it go?”

  “Terrible.” Abby sighed, pondering that question because her answer was relative in this situation. “Actually, no. It was pretty freakin’ perfect, and that’s the problem.”

  Emma’s eyebrow shot up. “Perfect is a problem. Why?”

  “Because it was with Brandon.”

  Emma pushed off the counter. “Wait . . . rewind . . . Brandon was your date. How did that happen?”

  “He bid on my dessert. Mr. ‘Can’t Get Enough of Anything Chocolate’ bid on my strawberry—chocolateless—shortcake for one thousand dollars.”

  “No way! He bid a grand on your dessert?”

  “Don’t look so shocked. It was pretty amazing.”

  “No, that’s not what I mean. It’s just a lot of money.”

  Abby shrugged and peeled back her cupcake’s paper wrapper. “Maybe he had a craving for strawberries. I don’t know.”

  “Interesting . . .”

  “Disastrous was more like it.”

  “So, you went through with it?”

  “Yes, and it was awesome. We spent the whole evening talking. For once, I felt like I really understand him.”

  “That’s great.”

  “No,” she corrected her cousin. “It’s bad. Very bad.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because I flippin’ cursed him last Tuesday.”

  “Did he show any romantic interest?”

  Abby took a second to think about that question. “No, not really. He implied he was ready to get back in the game, but he definitely didn’t make any overtures.”

  “Well, maybe this time you can take things slow.”

  “I don’t think he’s interested. The spell worked.” Abby’s phone vibrated from the counter. Reaching for it, she opened the text. Brandon had sent her a bunch of pictures of what looked like an empty home. “What on earth? Why would Brandon be texting me?”

  Emma peered over her shoulder. “Looks like he might be interested.”

  “He’s not, and the bigger problem is my number is in his phone. He’s probably wondering right now how I even got there.” She scrolled through each snapshot, trying to figure out where he was. Her gaze rested on the message accompanying the pictures.