Sweet Surprise: Romance Collection

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

  Kayli looked at her employee, thankful for the offered support. But at the sight of Mrs. Heiden’s cuffs filled with apple sludge, the comments did more harm than good. It only brought attention to the fact that Kayli had painted everything a sticky apple brown.

  Adam laughed. He tried to cover his mouth, but his shoulders started to shake. He put a palm in the air. “I’m sorry,” he said between choking laughter.

  “You are taking home chocolate, and I don’t care if you’re allergic to the stuff. You are going to eat it, praise it, and know I am the finest baker in Palo Alto.” She watched him through her narrowed eyes, daring him to continue laughing.

  His shoulders soon stilled, and he took out his wallet.

  “Put it away. This is on the house. The compliments, however, will cost you. Write them down if you have to.”

  He shook his head rapidly. “That’s okay. I’m sure I’ll remember them.”

  Kayli took out a gold foil and wrapped a slice of tiramisu and one truffle. “There’s enough fat in here to keep you going for a week. I expect you to eat both.”

  “Are we still on for tomorrow night?”

  “Absolutely. You owe me, Adam Harper. I have made exact replicas in chocolate of the Eiffel Tower, Mount Rushmore, even the White House. Your pie will not beat me—do you understand?”

  “I think so. Am I going to get the red earth of Tara speech now?”

  “Adam Harper, you take this chocolate and devour it. Then pick me up tomorrow with compliments at the ready.” Kayli raised her eyebrows playfully. “I’ll get your pie one of these days.”

  “I will wait until I go home for Thanksgiving. It’s not important.”

  “Oh, yes, it is. It’s very important now that you think I can’t do it.”

  “Andrea couldn’t make an apple pie. I almost married her.”

  “I can make an apple pie, the best pie you ever tasted, in fact. My timing is just off. This has undermined my confidence. But I’ll get it back, and you’ll be begging me for another slice.”

  He came around the counter. Mrs. Heiden threw him daggers through her glances, but Kayli noted Adam didn’t appear to notice. He placed his solid hand on Kayli’s shoulder, and she gulped at his touch.

  “I’m terrible with words, Kayli. That’s why I work with my hands. I don’t care about the pie. I only ordered it so I could see you again.”

  “But I really can make an incredible pie. I want to prove it to you.”

  “How about you prove that you’re there under all that sticky film? Would you do that for me?” His green gaze upon her caused her heart to stir again. She closed her eyes.

  An engineer would be so simple, a man who wanted to settle down, have a dog, maybe a couple of kids. Adam Harper wanted too much: a life in the country, corporate money to build his cabin, and a woman like his own mother. Kayli could fulfill none of that criteria, so why didn’t she end this here and now?

  “Kayli?” he whispered.

  “I’ll clean up. We’ll enjoy ourselves tomorrow night. I’ll get into Mike Williams’s command center, and we’ll get out for an evening. One night out of our lives—it’s a fine deal.”

  He frowned. “That’s not exactly what I meant.”

  “No, but it’s best for both of us.” Kayli watched as Mrs. Heiden turned the open sign around in the shop window and locked the deadbolt.

  “I suppose you’re right about that.” Adam looked back to the door, taking his hand from her shoulder. “I’d better go. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six.”

  Mrs. Heiden stood at the door, a warden in the waiting. Adam strode toward the door, and she unlocked it with a grimace. She closed it again with fervor behind him. “Good riddance to him.”

  “I think you like him, Mrs. Heiden. You’re as taken in by his charms as I am.”

  “Tsk.” She clicked her tongue. “That will be the day. If you go out with him tomorrow night”—she wagged her forefinger—“well, you deserve to fall in love with the likes of him.”

  Kayli grinned.

  Chapter 5

  A dam adjusted his tie and buttoned the lower button on his sport coat. Satisfied this was as good as it would get, he started toward his Jeep. He had thought the rugged vehicle would be out of place in high tech Silicon Valley, but plenty of engineers were driving Jeeps and foreign SUVs. Most had leather interiors and never touched a dirt road, however. Adam had seen plenty of mud on his four-wheel drive, and the shredded seats were testament to the fact that his vehicle had visited plenty of job sites in its day. He hoped Kayli wouldn’t be embarrassed to show up at Mike Williams’s mansion in such a chariot.

  Adam sighed thinking about Kayli. Her fresh-looking skin and dark hair mesmerized him. Her dark brown eyes were almost a russet color, big and wide and completely unaware of their effect on him. When he first looked into those eyes, he nearly forgot all his reasons for being in Silicon Valley, casting aside the fact that he would be going home someday soon. The warmth in those eyes arrested his attention and wouldn’t let him go. Even though he knew he should before he got in too deep.

  He smiled about the pie. He never doubted her abilities, but it touched his heart she couldn’t complete the task, which had to be simple to her. For every pie she annihilated, Adam had one more reason to come back to her pleasant European bakery. He would have known Kayli was a believer even without the fish in the shop window. Adam’s spiritual gift of discernment told him the Holy Spirit dwelled within that shop. Comfort and a feeling of home emanated from the place, something Mike Williams’s monster restaurant would never be able to duplicate.

  He drove up to Kayli’s apartment. It was obvious which was hers. A small cluster of lights lined the walk, each of them a cappuccino cup holding a tiny bulb. The stone path led to a bright red door with an intricate beveled glass window at the top. He rapped on the door, and Kayli opened it immediately.

  Adam felt his jaw drop at the sight of her. He groped for words, trying to take in her beauty, which was so contrary to fashion. Black seemed to be the only color a woman wore out at night in the Bay Area, but Kayli wore a simple linen sheath in bright apple green. It wasn’t a color most women could wear, but on Kayli it looked radiant. She would be the envy of every woman in the room, with her slender figure in the simple dress. Neither sequins nor diamonds nor designer labels would equal the picture Kayli created.

  “Excuse my stunned silence. You look amazing.” He stammered over the words. How many men with fancy words must have told her the same thing? He probably sounded like some backcountry farmer to her. He felt perplexed by her beauty, unable to wrestle his tongue free to say what he thought. He swallowed hard and forced a shaky grin.

  She blushed, turning away. “You mustn’t spoil me with such sweet words. I may begin to believe them, and then where will you be?”

  “I hope you do believe them. I can’t be the only man who’s ever told you, but I am the most sincere.”

  She turned her chin upward, gazing at him with a look that nearly stole his breath. “I wish I could believe you, but you have all the charm of William Holden.” She fiddled with her hands. “William Holden starred in Sabrina. I’m an old movie fan.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll get my sweater.” The closet door swung toward him.

  It took all his will not to reach out to her and put her at ease. He planted his feet in the doorway, determined to fight the rising feelings within him. He longed to kiss her, to take her away from California forever, and bring her back to his Montana home. But that was barbaric and ridiculous. He barely knew her, and when she found out his reason for going home, she would disappear like the loose flour in the bakery. Yet he saw them together, watching classic movies and growing old together.

  “Are you nervous about seeing Andrea tonight?” she asked.

  “No, as a matter of fact, I hadn’t thought of it until you brought it up. I loved Andrea once—for all the wrong reasons. The next time I fall in love, it will be for the right reasons.”

 
“Which are?”

  “A woman who loves me despite my bank account. A woman who can deal with what I must grapple with in Montana, and one whose beauty lies both inside and out.”

  “I hope such a woman exists.”

  “I’m sure she exists. The question is, would she have anything to do with me?” They both laughed.

  Kayli came close to him, turning her back to him and handing him her sweater. He felt the electricity from her. It was as if being next to her created its own current. He placed the sweater around her shoulders, leaving his hands there for a moment longer than necessary. Almost unconsciously he embraced her, putting his head beside hers, and whispered in her ear. “I wish I could explain what I feel for you so suddenly, Kayli, but I think that might be hazardous.”

  He heard her swallow. “We should be going.” She walked quickly, her heels clicking on the entryway’s tile. She waited for him to exit and locked the door behind them, keeping her gaze from matching his own. Why had he been so forward?

  Once in the car, their conversation stalled. Adam didn’t know what to say, but he also didn’t feel it necessary to speak. Kayli beside him said enough. A short drive deposited them on the tree-lined streets of Los Altos Hills, an elegant enclave of mansions. Each bigger and more elaborate than the one built below it on the hill. Even in the dark night, the city was lit up like a thousand stars.

  Driving up the long drive, Adam’s stomach churned. Kayli would only realize how different he was from her, how he didn’t belong here. He hoped she wouldn’t hold it against him—at least not for the evening. He wanted tonight to go perfectly.

  The house lay before them like a mighty Mediterranean fortress. A rose pink, it practically glowed in the carefully planned landscaping, even though night had descended. Sixteen million the house cost to build, and not nearly enough of it had gone into Adam’s pocket. He felt almost ashamed he’d been part of its construction. Once he thought it would be the flagship of his company, a testament to his building skills. Now it felt like disgusting excess.

  “There it is, Silicon Valley’s newest tribute to the almighty dollar.”

  Kayli placed a hand on his. “It’s a beautiful house, Adam. You should be very proud of your work.”

  He didn’t feel proud; he felt mortified, but he tried to justify himself. “I’d like you to see the inside. Outside is quite tacky, but not a detail within has been left unturned. I used every bit of experience I’d gleaned to build this house. If you can overlook its size, you’ll see it really is very homey—once you get into the actual living area, the parts of the house that aren’t for show.”

  A hired man opened the car door and let Kayli out. Adam pulled the tie loose from his neck and came around to grasp her arm. “You’re shaking.”

  “I’m a bit nervous. I’ve never been in such a mansion as this, and I’m fearful of meeting Andrea. What will you tell her about me?”

  “I’ll tell her how fortunate she is to live in such a well-built house and to excuse me for bringing in a woman who will outshine her.”

  Kayli playfully hit him. “Oh, stop. You will do no such thing.”

  “I won’t, but I should. You’ll surpass every woman here in that dress.”

  “It was twenty-nine dollars at the clearance store,” Kayli whispered. “The sweater was free with purchase.”

  He laughed. “A woman after my own heart. It goes to show you—beauty can’t be purchased.”

  “From the looks of this house, I’d say it can.”

  “You can’t buy taste, Kayli. This house, though big, is tacky. Admit it.”

  “No.”

  “You’ll admit it when you see the brass and beveled glass elevator inside.”

  “Tell me you’re kidding.”

  “Apparently carrying the poodle up the stairs got to be too much for them.” Adam shrugged, and Kayli giggled. The sound of her laughter carried infectiously into the night air. He couldn’t tear his gaze from her, until a familiar voice broke the spell.

  “Adam, what a pleasant surprise.” Andrea met them in the elaborate foyer and held out her diamond-laced fingers. “Who’s this?” Her voice held a tinge of disapproval, but Adam shot her a look of warning.

  “Andrea Williams, meet Kayli Johnson. Kayli is a European pastry chef in Palo Alto.”

  Kayli shook hands with Andrea, gripping the jeweled hand in both of her own. “Your gown is exquisite, Mrs. Williams. I appreciate the honor of being able to see your new home.”

  “Be sure Adam shows you everything. He’s full of surprises.”

  “Hardly,” Adam quipped. “I’m pretty stagnant. You’ve said so yourself, Andrea.”

  “I think you’re full of surprises, Adam.” Kayli’s voice told him she believed it with her whole heart.

  “Mike is around here somewhere. You wouldn’t be the little baker on University Avenue, would you, Kayli?” Andrea craned her neck, searching the small crowd. “My husband says he intends to hire you.”

  Much to her credit, if Kayli was reacting within, she gave no outward sign. “I think your husband intends to hire everyone at some point, Mrs. Williams.” Kayli smiled sweetly. Too sweetly.

  “How is Rachel, Adam?” Andrea looked to Kayli and this time got a reaction.

  Adam winced at how the words affected Kayli. She questioned him now. Why shouldn’t she? He hadn’t been exactly forthright. Maybe he was full of surprises.

  “Rachel is doing fine. Thank you for asking.” Adam placed his palm at the center of Kayli’s back, guiding her away from Andrea and her meddling ways.

  The strained look in Kayli’s expression made him want to spill everything. But what good would that do? In two months’ time he would be gone from California for good. This was a date. Nothing more. So why did it feel different? Why was he so drawn to this beautiful pastry chef ?

  “You have an interesting taste in women,” Kayli said from out of nowhere.

  Adam laughed. “I suppose you mean because I dated Andrea, but that was a long time ago. I’ve grown up a lot.”

  Kayli lifted her eyebrows. “So I see.”

  They entered the main area of the home. The expanse was incredible, with marble making up nearly every surface. He processed thoughts of how troublesome the heavy material had been to move. All of the furniture had that distressed look, making him feel as if he’d entered an ancient tomb. He should feel proud of his work, but in reality he felt humiliation for building a circus tent.

  Well-dressed people milled about, sizing up Kayli and Adam, deciding if they were worthy of a conversation. Most would have probably decided no, but Kayli had an aura about her, a light that shined outward, attracting people easily, especially the single men.

  “Hello. Alexander Peyton.” A hand was thrust toward Kayli. She grasped the hand and returned the greeting, which technically should have been extended toward Adam, but chivalry was dead in Silicon Valley.

  “Hi, I’m Kayli Johnson, and this is Adam Harper. He built this beautiful house.”

  “It’s very nice, and what a coincidence—I did all the art.” Alexander nodded toward him. “Adam, would you mind if I showed Kayli my work? I’m so proud of the gallery. Come with me.” Alexander Peyton gently guided Adam’s date away.

  Adam blinked in surprise before noticing Andrea grinning proudly. The tap of her heels echoed on the marble flooring, and the crowds around him felt nonexistent. Like a caged animal he longed to rip off his tie and escape before this hunt continued.

  Chapter 6

  A lexander Peyton appeared to have little interest in whether Kayli enjoyed art. It didn’t take a genius to figure out Alexander’s tour had ulterior motives. Andrea Williams had a distinct and current interest in Adam Harper, and Kayli was merely a barrier. The gallery owner, Alexander, represented nothing more than a pawn sent to do Mistress Williams’s bidding.

  Kayli eyed Adam warily. Was he a part of this? He didn’t seem like the type to use a woman, much less carry on some type of affair with a married w
oman. Whatever secrets Adam held, Kayli couldn’t believe they had anything to do with Mrs. Williams. But maybe she was only casting wishes. His handsome features blurred Kayli’s reality a bit.

  “Have you known Mrs. Williams long?” Kayli asked the hulky gallery owner.

  He spoke in a foreign accent Kayli couldn’t place. He was incredibly handsome but appeared very aware of that fact with silver blond hair and brilliant, icy blue eyes. While he explained each art selection in the home, his attention seemed to drift continually to his preferred piece: the mirror.

  “Mrs. Williams began shopping my store before she had the husband to pay for such works. She has a fantastic eye, and it’s only right she should have the money to pay for such beauty. Do you like this one?” He stopped in front of a large painting. “It is my favorite.”

  Kayli focused on the artwork before her. She cocked her head, trying to make heads or tails of the colors. Surely the artist was trying to say something, but Kayli thought it must be something about misery because that’s what she felt staring at it. “I’m not an art critic, but the colors depress me. I studied quite a bit of artwork when I lived in Paris, and I never was too fond of the abstracts. I guess my taste runs to the more simplistic landscapes and portraits.”

  “All people say that at first. It is not for everyone to understand, but with time and depth, you would understand.”

  “What should I understand about this piece?” Kayli moved closer to the barrage of color. She eyed it thoughtfully, trying to see the message.

  “Besides that it’s worth twenty thousand?” he asked with a haughty laugh.

  “Yes, besides that,” Kayli answered, unimpressed that anyone would waste money on this callous piece of art when they could have fed thousands with the money. “What do you think the artist was trying to convey?”

  “Well, I don’t know, Kayli. What does it say to you?”

  Kayli crossed her arms and drew in a deep breath. “I find it simplistic and drab. I believe the artist must have been saying he’s at a low emotional point in his life, and he needs some spiritual guidance. Perhaps you might lend him a Bible.”