Sweet Surprise: Romance Collection

by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Kristin Billerbeck, Kristy Dykes, Aisha Ford, Birdie L. Etchison, Pamela Griffin, Joyce Livingston, Tamela Hancock Murray

  Mike laughed. “Okay, okay. I know when I’m not wanted.”

  Doubtful, thought Kayli.

  “Just so you know, Miss Johnson—I don’t take any offense at your refusal. I know that down the road things will look different. I’m a businessman. I don’t let my personal feelings get in the way. Enjoy your dinner.” Mike pulled at his sleeve and disappeared from the restaurant.

  “Charming, ain’t he?” Adam smirked.

  Kayli tossed a hand. “It’s not worth thinking about. Let’s order.” She looked up at him. His eyes were filled with pity. She felt her stomach turn. “I will win,” Kayli said again, but this time her voice quavered.

  “When I’m gone to Montana, you’ll have to write and let me know how it goes.”

  “Why are you so eager to get back?” Kayli bit her lip.

  “Someone waits for me in Montana. I must go back, and I must go with money. I have no more options than you do, Kayli. I hoped I’d see a friendly face when I saw your fish sign in the window. I hope I was right.”

  Kayli straightened. “I’m not at the mercy of Mike Williams, and neither are you.”

  “Oh, but you are.” Adam’s firm jaw hardened. “You’re like a calf being dragged to the branding iron. You don’t realize it yet. Excuse my pessimism, but I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll ever cut loose.”

  “Well, I’m sure whoever waits for you back in Montana will wait a little longer.” I would, Kayli wanted to add.

  “I have to go to a dinner next Saturday night. Mike is celebrating the grand opening of his luxurious home. Would you care to come?”

  “Will this affect whoever waits in Montana?”

  “Not in the least, unfortunately. Come with me. You can infiltrate the enemy’s camp.” Adam laughed.

  Kayli was about to answer when the waiter returned. He rambled off specials in some barely discernible English and waited for the two of them to order. Kayli ordered a modest ravioli dish, while Adam opted for rigatoni. Neither ordered an appetizer.

  “How did you come to work for Mike Williams?”

  “His wife was an old girlfriend of mine during high school. She’s from Montana. She knew I was struggling in Montana and called to help.”

  Kayli heard herself sigh aloud. “You’re still friends?”

  “What better way to show me how much wealth she has and how successfully she married? Can you think of a more elaborate plan to disregard an ex than to offer him a job working for your husband?” Adam sat back in his chair.

  “Surely you didn’t have to take it.”

  “Oh, but I did, and Andrea knew it.” Adam’s eyes flickered, and Kayli pondered his conversation. So free with some pieces of information, so private about others. He seemed a man rooted in turmoil, and yet she felt even more attracted to him. As complex as he seemed, there appeared a simplicity, a line so true that she couldn’t run. But she knew she probably should have.

  “I’ll go with you next week, if you’re not embarrassed to have me in front of Andrea. I imagine she’s quite glamorous.”

  “She’s that and more. But I won’t say anything else. I’ll let you decide for yourself, and you could show up in a sack and be perfectly beautiful.”

  Kayli ignored the comment. “Are you over her?”

  “I’m that and more.” Adam grinned. “Somehow I suddenly have the heart for three-dollar coffees and French pastry.” He winked.

  “I thought you were an apple-pie man.”

  “I’ll wait for my mother’s.”

  “No, you don’t. You promised you’d give me another shot. Next Friday evening you come in after work. I’ll make you an apple pie you won’t soon forget.”

  “I think I’ll have a hard time forgetting you anyway, Kayli. With or without a pie.” He smoothed the tablecloth before him, avoiding her gaze. Whatever secrets Adam Harper held close to his heart, Kayli longed to discover them. Even if it cost her, and it surely would.

  Chapter 4

  K ayli set about her apple pie with renewed fervor. She nibbled on her bottom lip as she focused on getting the consistency of the dough right. She covered her marble roller with flour and smoothed the pastry to a delicate thickness. Mrs. Heiden’s sigh interrupted the careful operation. Kayli placed a fist on her hip. “What?”

  Mrs. Heiden put her head down, shaking it while wiping down the countertops. “What was this big plan you had to steal all the business from the new restaurant? Free samples, advertising, promotion? It’s been a week.”

  “I’m working on it.” Kayli pointed to her head. “But first I have to finish this pie.”

  “I think you’ve finally gone crazy, Missy. In a few short months, a monster bakery is opening, and yet you’re competing with an unknown house frau from Montana.”

  “I am not competing. I’m only trying to prove myself as a baker.”

  “To whom? This is the equivalent of a dog marking his territory. Nothing more.” Mrs. Heiden’s sour expression erupted.

  Kayli giggled aloud. “You’re right, Mrs. Heiden. I am avoiding the inevitable. Let me top this pie and slip it in the oven. I’ll get started on the ad blitz.”

  Mrs. Heiden looked over the pie, her eyebrows raised. “What, no cow?”

  Kayli crinkled her nose. “A bit over the top, didn’t you think?” Actually Kayli thought the cow was cute, but she didn’t have time for such frivolity. The pie’s taste would speak for itself this time.

  “As if you ever listened to what I think. Seventy-two years of living I’ve done—you don’t think I learned something?”

  Kayli embraced Mrs. Heiden loosely. “I think you’ve learned a lot, probably more than you’ll ever teach my hard head.”

  “You can say that again.” Mrs. Heiden rearranged the remaining pastries from the morning, making the display appear fuller and fresher. “I’ve spent ten years alone now. And I liked being married better. I want the same for you, Princess. You’ll work yourself to the bone on this bakery and have nothing to show for it in the end. You only think you’ve received what you want by quitting the hotel, but this business will never satisfy. I know you, Kayli. You want it all. Ask God for it.”

  That was as close as Mrs. Heiden would ever come to true warmth. It brought a lump to Kayli’s throat. The elder woman set about helping a customer until he ordered a cappuccino, and then she complained about the newfangled machinery that only young people could operate.

  Kayli prayed silently that she would learn to concentrate on the things that mattered. Competing with an unknown baker in a far-off state seemed much easier than planning for the possible demise of her business. Kayli determined she must seek God more about His plans.

  She wished to be married. Someday. But not to just anyone. Not to the first man who courted her properly, as Mrs. Heiden would suggest, but someone who set her heart ablaze. Someone God ordained as her life partner. Kayli wanted to start with fireworks and explosions and work into faithful and loving. Was that too much to ask?

  The front bell rang, and Kayli looked up to see Adam’s towering frame. His smile set her heart pounding, and she took an audible breath. This is how she wanted to feel when she looked at her husband. His clear green eyes spoke to her, saying things his mouth might never utter. Whatever secrets Adam held close to his heart, his eyes didn’t lie. Honest and shining, the emotion in his eyes connected with her. He didn’t speak, and neither did Kayli. She took it all in, allowing this moment, this silent union, to continue. He’d been in for several cappuccinos during the week, and they barely spoke but still expressed volumes.

  “I hope you are not here for your pie yet,” Mrs. Heiden barked.

  “No.” Adam shook his head. “Actually I came for the coffee. The normal stuff.”

  “Good. I can get that.” Mrs. Heiden took a paper cup while Adam stared at Kayli. She didn’t realize how much she was looking forward to Saturday night until she saw him again. Her instincts told her this was the man for her while her head told her otherwise, for how could he be
if he was leaving town? Kayli had a thriving business. At least she did for now. Adam Harper had come to California to make his money and leave. He couldn’t be the one, no matter how much wishful thinking Kayli might do.

  “Tomorrow night still okay with you?”

  Kayli nodded. “I’m looking forward to it. I bought a new dress,” she blurted out.

  “Mike’s house is grand. I’ll enjoy showing you my handiwork there. He spared no expense, and it was a contractor’s dream to have free rein.”

  “So Mike isn’t all bad.”

  Adam shook his head. “He’s made his money in this corporate culture. He wants every town across America to look the same.” Adam shrugged. “A lot of people agree with him. I happen to like towns with individual personality. I like the little mom-and-pop shops, not the same menu everywhere. It comes down to having options, which people are quickly eliminating with the box-store culture.” Adam frowned.

  Kayli searched Adam’s eyes, willing the butterflies in her stomach away. “I’m glad. I bet it’s the same with houses for you. It’s like building a tract house over a custom home, I imagine.”

  “Now you understand.”

  “Your pie is baking. About another hour I’d say.” Kayli lifted out a small mansion she’d created of chocolate. “This is for another millionaire celebrating his new home.” She longed to turn the conversation to something she didn’t have to stumble over.

  “No shortage of egos in this town.” Adam clicked his tongue. “Your work is beautiful though. I’d never thought I’d meet my equal in building, but your chocolate creations put me to shame.” He laughed. “Shall I pick you up here tomorrow night?”

  “No, I’ll start doing something if I wait here. I’ll probably end up with flour on my gown, so why don’t you come by the house?” Kayli wrote her address on a scrap of paper.

  “Here’s my card again, in case you lost it.” Adam reached into his pocket. She grasped it tightly, brushing his hand in the process. A current ran through her arm, and she saw the same question in his eyes that she heard swirling in her own head. Perhaps this attraction was too powerful. He took the cup of coffee and placed the money in Mrs. Heiden’s hands. “I’ll see you at the end of the day for my mouth-watering pie.”

  Kayli nodded, watching as he strode toward the door.

  “That is not good,” Mrs. Heiden said. “No good can come of that. You two have too much fire. Robert is a nice steady man. You need to find one like him. Adam is too dangerous for you.”

  “Adam’s a Christian, Mrs. Heiden.”

  “He’s dangerous. Too good-looking. You find a nice, homely man, Kayli. They make good husbands.”

  Kayli laughed. “I don’t want a lap dog. I want a husband. What if I don’t have a choice?”

  “You always have a choice, Kayli. You go and have a nice evening tomorrow with Mr. Fire. Then you find someone worth having for a lifetime.”

  “Is someone worth having if you don’t want him?”

  Mrs. Heiden tossed a hand. “You young people! You’re too spoiled for your own good. In my day we didn’t expect so much.”

  Robert ambled in, and Kayli felt guilty, as if he might have sensed the conversation. His squared glasses complemented his innocuous face. Loving a man like Robert would be easy, Kayli thought. He’d love you back—you’d get married—end of story. Why must I always take the hard route?

  Robert scratched his beard. “You look guilty.”

  Kayli brushed the flour from her apron. “Why should I?”

  He cleared his throat, and Mrs. Heiden stepped into the back room. “I have a date on Saturday.”

  Robert had a date? Relief flooded Kayli. Robert must finally understand that friendship was all the two of them would ever share. She hoped so; he was far too sweet to hurt.

  “That’s wonderful, Robert.”

  “She has a brother. Thought you might be interested in joining us. It might not be so uncomfortable. It’s been a long time since I went on a date. I know if you went along, I’d be my charming self.”

  Kayli groaned. “Oh, Robert, I’m sorry, but I have plans. I’ve been invited to Mike Williams’s new house with the contractor. Can you believe I finally have something to do on Saturday night?”

  “The cowboy?”

  She nodded.

  “Well, this guy is an engineer. He’s a solid Christian and taller than you. What more do you need? Surely not some backwoods builder who has nothing in common with you. Cancel your date—it’ll go nowhere. Come out with me. I’m a good judge of character for you.”

  Kayli laughed. “Your engineer sounds great. This isn’t really a date on Saturday. I’m going to see the work he’s done on the house and maybe get to know Mike Williams more. Maybe if I just talk with Mr. Williams, we can come to some type of agreement on the bakery. He can’t want to divide the business either.” Kayli wished she could believe the words, but saying them aloud almost made things worse. Robert seemed to realize it immediately.

  “I think you’re beyond optimistic if you think you can reason with him. He has a reputation in the city, but I understand your need to try. Maybe we could reschedule. The engineer sounded very interested in meeting you.”

  “Yes, that would be good. Adam will be returning to Montana in about two and a half months. Maybe we could do it then.”

  “You’re not going to put your social life on hold?”

  “No, of course I’m not. I thought I’d like to be with him while he’s here. It’s lonely in the city. Hard to get to know people. I thought I might invite him to the singles’ group at church. Does this engineer have a name?”

  “John Hanson. He’s a nice guy, Kayli.”

  “Well, tell John for me that I’m sorry I already had plans. It sounds like a wonderful evening out. Where’d you meet John Hanson’s sister?”

  “At the opera in the park. She was walking her bulldog. It caught my attention. Her brother seems like a real catch, Kayli. Stop chasing after the next Mel Gibson. You don’t get married only on feelings.”

  “Good advice!” Mrs. Heiden called from the back room. “Your pie is burning.”

  Kayli gasped. “See you, Robert! I have to run.” She sprinted to the back ovens and opened to see her pie a perfect golden brown. The pie had bubbled over and spilled onto a protective cookie sheet, filling the room with a luscious caramel aroma. “Perfect.”

  Mrs. Heiden came behind her. “Yes, it looks fine, but I miss the cow.”

  “I did these fall leaves instead. Don’t you think that’s pretty?” Kayli tilted the pie toward Mrs. Heiden and with dread watched as it slowly slid off the cookie sheet. Kayli tried to grip it but screamed at the searing heat. The pie landed with a hot splat, erupting with volcanic force, leaving its golden lava on cabinets and in droplets on their pant legs. Kayli sucked on her finger then placed it in a pat of butter on the counter.

  Mrs. Heiden said nothing. She lifted her eyebrows in her familiar way and walked off to clean her slacks. Kayli surveyed the mess, unable to believe she’d destroyed another pie. She reached down to clean the counters but realized the filling was still too hot to clean. Sliding to the floor, she decided to wait beside the mess.

  “He’s going to think I’m a complete idiot.” Her forehead fell into her hands. “Why am I trying to impress this man? He’s leaving, he’s too good-looking for his own good, and he’s building my doom. Could I have worse taste in a man?”

  “Kayli, I have seen you talk to yourself more this week than in my entire five years of knowing you. This man is making you crazy. That’s the first sign you need to move on. Meet the engineer. He sounds nice. And stable.”

  “Stable. That’s what you want in furniture, Mrs. Heiden. I want something a bit more exciting in a husband.” Kayli felt a tear escape down her cheek. She looked at the pie like the remnant of her social life. “Do you really think I’m not capable of meeting a man who sends me soaring? You don’t believe there’s a soul mate for me? I’m just supposed to set
tle down with a good selection of sturdy male?”

  Mrs. Heiden bent and put an arm around her. “Sure I think someone is out there for you, Sweetheart, but soul mates aren’t built on mutual attraction alone. That’s all I’m trying to say. I don’t want to discourage you, but certainly this pie fiasco is a bad omen.”

  Kayli began to laugh. “What am I going to tell him?”

  “Tell him you have a dynamite tiramisu on special.”

  After scraping the cupboards clean and scrubbing the tiled floor, Kayli had worked herself into a sweat. She brushed away her damp bangs with the back of her hands and tossed the final rag into the mop sink. The bell jingled again, and Mrs. Heiden harrumphed. It had to be Adam.

  Kayli decided against checking her reflection and made her way to the front counter. Her pants were still splattered with apple remains, and she pulled herself up at the shoulders. Adam’s eyebrow lifted, and he crossed his arms.

  “I’m taking it this means my pie isn’t ready.”

  “It’s been postponed.” She jutted her chin forward, forcing a confident stance. “There was a little trouble with the oven.” I put an apple pie in it, she added silently. “I have incredible chocolates available. Why don’t you take a truffle or two?”

  He shook his head. “I’m not much of a sweet eater anyway. It’s just that apple pie brings thoughts of home. I thought it might be nice to try yours.”

  Yes, wouldn’t it, though?

  “It’s not a big deal, Kayli.” Adam shifted uncomfortably. “I’ll be going home soon for a visit. I can have one then.”

  Kayli stamped her foot. “I’m determined to make you an apple pie.”

  “Even if it blows up your business?”

  Kayli squinted. “I have a beautiful apple and peach tart here. It’s certainly not me. It’s your order that’s jinxed.”

  “You know, there’s a Baker’s Corner up the street. I can pick up a pie there.”

  Mrs. Heiden gasped. “You’re throwing pearls before swine, Kayli. He isn’t good enough for your pie—if he could eat a corporate pie and compare the two.”