“Your friend in New York. Man or woman?”
His tone was just a little too casual and that made her happy. “Before I answer that, I have a question.”
“Okay.”
“Are you jealous?”
He glanced at her and before returning his gaze to the road, his eyes burned bright and hot. “No. Just making conversation.”
She was pretty sure that was a lie and a little ball of pleasure bumped against her heart. “Then, in the spirit of conversation...my friend is a woman. Hannah Cummings. We were roommates before I moved back to Thunder Canyon. I’m trying to talk her into coming for a visit.”
“Will you be here that long?”
“My plans are still up in the air.” That was true. She still hadn’t fine-tuned her Plan B. Before he could question her more, the bakery came into view. “There it is. Looks like there’s a parking place out front.”
“I see it.”
“That’s really lucky. Lizzie Traub opened it about a year ago and this place is always busy.” She chattered away. “She got some great publicity when the former owner, who was going to make Corey and Erin Traub’s wedding cake, closed the place and left town with people’s deposits. Lizzie made their cake and saved the wedding day.”
“Is Corey related to D.J.?”
“They’re cousins,” she answered. “Lizzie and Ethan weren’t married then. She was his administrative assistant and relocated to Thunder Canyon from Midland, Texas. Her family’s bakery was a landmark there for years until her father lost money and the bank repossessed it.”
“How do you know all this?” There was no teasing in his voice, just awe. “Weren’t you living in New York?”
She didn’t like reminders of her failed life. “My mother and sister live here. They talk to me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, pulling to a stop in front of the shop.
They got out of the car, walked inside and were immediately surrounded by the sweet smells of chocolate and icing. Gianna could almost feel her pores absorbing the sugar and calories and couldn’t find the will to care. Her mouth was watering and she wasn’t even hungry.
One glass case was filled with muffins—blueberry, pumpkin spice, banana nut, chocolate chip and more. Another display had old-fashioned donuts and buttermilk bars. Yet another showed cupcakes and specialty cakes and a book filled with pictures from various events handled by Mountain Bluebell Bakery.
A tall, beautiful woman in her twenties with gray-green eyes and dark blond hair walked out of the back room. “Hi. I’m Lizzie Traub.”
“Nice to meet you. Gianna Garrison,” she said and held out her hand. “And this is Shane Roarke.”
“The chef at The Gallatin Room. I never missed your show—If You Can’t Stand the Heat. You really smoked the competition. Pun intended.” Lizzie smiled.
“Thanks.” He grinned at her, then looked around at the bakery’s interior. “I defy anyone to be gloomy in here.”
“I like bright colors and since I spend a lot of time working, it seemed wise.”
The shop was cheerful and bright with signs advertising Wi-Fi and tables scattered over the floor. It was the kind of place where someone could come for an espresso and muffin, set up a laptop and stay for a while. There were café lights with blown glass shades swirling with orange, yellow and blue, a sampling of the color scheme. Three walls were painted a sunny yellow and the long one behind the counter was a rich, deep burnt umber. At waist level along each wall flowed an endless chain of mountain bluebells.
“I love what you’ve done with the place. I hear the guy who used to own it wasn’t nice, not a bluebells-on-the-walls type,” Gianna commented.
“Tell me about it.” Lizzie looked at the flowers. “My friend Allaire Traub hand stenciled all of that. She’s so talented and great with kids. She teaches art at the high school.”
“You could hate someone like that if they weren’t so nice,” Gianna said.
“I know, right?” Lizzie looked from one to the other. “Can I help you with something?”
“My sister highly recommended you. Jackie Blake?”
“Right.” Lizzie nodded. “Three kids—Griffin, Colin and Emily. All chocolate connoisseurs, although they love the Mountain Bluebell muffins, too.”
“That sounds like my niece and nephews.”
“Adorable children.” She smiled at Shane, then said, “But I have to say that I’m feeling some pressure. Your Gallatin Room desserts are legendary.”
He smiled. “I fill a completely different business niche. And from what I see, your product is amazing.”
“Thanks.” She looked at each of them. “So, what can I help you with?”
“I understand that you ship orders?”
Lizzie nodded. “Anything over fifty dollars is no charge for shipping and handling. And I guarantee it will get there fresh.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“Did you want to sample something?”
“More than you can possibly imagine, but I already know what I want.” She pointed into the display case. “Red velvet cupcakes.”
“For Christmas, I assume?” At her nod, Lizzie continued. “Maybe a reindeer or Santa on the icing? Like the ones in the case.”
Gianna bent to look. “Very festive. Sold.”
“Wow.” Shane looked impressed. “A woman who knows her mind.”
It took a few minutes to fill out an order form with her choice, the quantity and the address in New York. When there was a total, Gianna handed over her credit card, then signed the receipt.
“Thanks, Lizzie. That was quick and I’m crunched for time.”
“You made it easy.”
Shane laughed. “She told me this would be the easiest errand of the day.”
“I’m glad she was right. Come back again.”
“Definitely.”
They walked back outside and Gianna pulled her list out of her purse, then checked off the first item. “That’s one down. Now there’s my mom and dad. Jackie and her husband and my nephews and niece. A little something for Bonnie. I’m thinking maybe the mall would be good, going for a variety of stores rather than a lot of separate stops. But I’m feeling a little guilty about monopolizing your time.”
“You shouldn’t,” he said. “I don’t mind.”
“Do you need to do some shopping for your family?” She looked up at his dark aviator sunglasses that hid his eyes. It occurred to her again that she knew very little about him. He’d never said much about himself. “I’m assuming you weren’t raised by wolves.”
“My mom and dad live in Los Angeles.”
“Any siblings?” she asked, noting the dark change in tone and the way his mouth tightened.
“A sister and brother.” He started to take her elbow and lead her to the car. “Next stop New Town Mall.”
There was something going on with him. That was twice in less than an hour that he’d gone weird on her. If there was a problem she needed to know now. Relationships that had gone on too long had taught her not to ignore signs of trouble.
She dug in her heels. “Wait, Shane.”
“What’s wrong?”
“That’s what I want to know.” She looked up at him, took a deep breath and said, “I know you’re struggling with something today. What’s going on? Is it us? Are you sorry about last night?”
Chapter Six
“God, no.”
Shane was sorry about a lot of thi
ngs and right at the top of the list was the man who’d fathered him. But he would never in a million years regret being with Gianna. It was wonderful. She was amazing.
Standing on the sidewalk outside the Mountain Bluebell Bakery he looked into her eyes. “Last night was the best. And now who’s feeding whose ego—”
She smiled as intended, but there was still concern in her beautiful turquoisey eyes. “Then what is it?”
He really thought he’d done a pretty good job of hiding his feelings. First when Catherine Overton had mentioned D. J. Traub’s mother. It was the first time he’d heard her name. Grace was his birth mother’s name, too. And just now when Gianna had asked him about his family, he was reminded that he was here in Thunder Canyon to dig up information about who he was. That thought was quickly followed by a whole lot of guilt.
One thing he wasn’t: a poker player. He’d taken risks—on the reality show that launched his career and in business, opening restaurants. But that was different from playing a game. He didn’t know if he could bluff, but this was as good a time as any to find out.
“You can talk to me, Shane.” Her gaze searched his and she must have seen something. “I’m going to get coffee from the bakery and we can sit on that bench in the sun.”
He saw the one she meant, a wooden bench on the side of the bakery facing Nugget Way. “There’s nothing to talk about. And that will cut into your shopping time.”
“The mall can wait. Somehow it will get done. This is more important.”
Shane had a feeling there wouldn’t be any putting her off now. “I’ll get the coffee.”
“No. Let me. You make sure no one takes our seats.” She put a reassuring hand on his arm before disappearing inside the shop.
As soon as he sat down by himself he missed her warm presence. His darkness was no match for all that bright red hair and innate sweetness. And now he was on the spot—the classic man in conflict. He didn’t want to talk about what he was dealing with because not talking was the only way to keep his secret. But obviously it was affecting him since she’d noticed his mood shifts.
He felt like a disloyal, ungrateful jerk. Gavin and Christa Roarke had done nothing but love, nurture and encourage him. He couldn’t imagine a better brother or sister than Ryan and Maggie. All of them had pushed him to do what he needed to and hoped he found peace of mind. Fat chance after hearing the name Grace. It was on his birth certificate, but so what? There were probably a lot of women in and around Thunder Canyon with that name, including D. J. Traub’s mother.
Gianna appeared with “to-go” cups of coffee in her hands. She sat beside him and held one out. “Cream, no sugar.”
“You remembered.” From breakfast just a few hours ago. Seemed like forever.
“Of course I remembered. It’s my job and the boss has mentioned that I’m pretty good at it.”
“He’s a guy who can spot talent when he sees it.”
“Also a guy who tries to hide his feelings and can’t.” Her expression grew sympathetic and serious. “He’s got something on his mind. I’d be happy to listen and help if I can.”
Shane looked up and knew why Montana was called Big Sky country. It seemed bigger, bluer and more beautiful here in Thunder Canyon. The snow-capped mountains were towering and the scenery spectacular. But that wasn’t all that made this a special spot.
He’d lived all over the country in some of the biggest and most sophisticated, cosmopolitan cities. As his name recognition grew and his career soared, he’d been asked to endorse worthy causes or donate large sums of money. But he’d never been invited to cook for military families or wrap presents to brighten Christmas for a lonely soldier overseas.
That had changed here; he was a part of this community. The people had a hands-on spirit of caring that he’d never experienced before and was grateful and humbled to be part of it now. He didn’t want to do anything to put him on the outside again.
And then there was Gianna. He looked at her, the sun shining on the most beautiful hair he’d ever seen. He knew she was just as beautiful inside.
“Shane?”
Damned if he did; damned if he didn’t. He’d start at the beginning and wing it. “I’m adopted.”
“Okay.” Her expression didn’t change. “The last time I checked, that wasn’t a crime.”
If she only knew how close that comment came to the truth.
“No, I’m aware that my story isn’t one that makes a prime-time, news-magazine segment. It was too normal.”
“How do you mean?” She took a sip of her coffee and angled her body toward him, listening with intense concentration.
“My parents are, quite simply, remarkable people. They’re both lawyers.”
“Pretty demanding careers. And yet a child was so important to them, they moved heaven and earth to have you in their lives.”
“They chose me.” It’s what he’d always been told and a part of him had always felt special. Not anymore. “And not just me. They adopted my brother and sister—Ryan and Maggie. Also lawyers like our folks.”
One of her auburn eyebrows went up. “High achievers. I realize we’re not talking genes and DNA here, but how did your parents feel about your career choice?”
He smiled. “The three Roarke kids were encouraged to study what they loved and follow their passion.”
“Good advice and it seems to have worked out for all of you,” she commented.
“Professionally. But personally?” He shook his head.
“How do you mean? Do you have multiple wives and families stashed in cities and towns all over the country?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Because I have so much time to pull that off. Can’t you see the tabloid headline? Celebrity chef cooks up dual life.”
She smiled. “So, what is it?”
“I was restless. Moved around a lot opening restaurants in Los Angeles, New York and Seattle. When I started talking about Dallas, my mother was worried.”
“Why?”
“She felt I was deliberately or subconsciously avoiding settling down. And maybe I needed to look at who I was. That’s when she finally gave me all the information she’d received about my birth parents from the adoption agency.”
“That’s incredibly courageous of her.”
“No kidding.” He remembered his mother’s face, hesitation and concern battling it out. “She told me to use it however I wanted. Do whatever was necessary to find peace and put down roots.”
“And?”
“I realized that as happy and loving as my childhood was, I’d always had questions about why I am the way I am. I wanted to connect the dots.”
“What did you do?” she asked.
“Hired a private investigator.”
Her eyes widened and comprehension dawned. “Is that why you took the job at The Gallatin Room here in Thunder Canyon?”
“What makes you say that?”
“You said it yourself—successful restaurants all over the country. Executive chef is a prestigious position, but this isn’t Paris, New York or San Francisco. At best, it’s a lateral career step. You had other reasons for taking this job.”
Smart girl. He’d have to tread carefully. “Yes. The investigation and search narrowed to this town, so I contacted Grant Clifton.”
“The manager of Thunder Canyon Resort.”
“Right. When the previous chef’s contract was up, I let Grant know I’d be interested. He jumped at the chance.”
“Didn’t he wonder why? A famous guy like you coming here?”
“The subject came up. I just said I’d been going at warp speed for years and wanted to throttle back for a while.”
“Obviously he believed you.”
“Because it was true.” Shane just hadn’t realized until he’d said it to Grant. And talking about it out loud now made the whole thing seem underhanded. Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, he thought. Still, it was a good thing he’d gone about this quietly, otherwise everyone would know about his biological connection to Arthur Swinton. “But I also had personal reasons.”
“To find your parents,” she said. “Any luck with that since you’ve been here?”
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. He didn’t want her to read his expression. “Recently I found some information about my father.”
“Oh, Shane—” She put her hand on his arm. “That’s great. Do you know who he is?”
“Yes.”
“Have you contacted him?”
“No.” He laughed and heard the bitterness in the sound but hoped she didn’t.
“Is he still alive?”
“Yes.” And in jail. That part was best kept to himself.
“You need to talk to him.”
“Not sure that’s the wisest course of action.”
“But it’s why you started down this road in the first place.” Her voice gentled when she said, “Are you worried that he’ll reject you?”
That was the least of his concerns. Shane didn’t want to risk everyone else rejecting him. The people in this town hated Arthur Swinton with the same passion that they loved being good neighbors. There was every reason to believe they would despise anyone related to their homegrown felon.
He finally met Gianna’s gaze and saw the sincere desire to help shining there. She was easy to talk to, a good listener. A good friend. Maybe more than that. He didn’t want to lose her by revealing what he suspected. He’d probably said too much already.
The Maverick's Christmas Homecoming Page 8
