Kiss and Make Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk #3)

by Robyn Neeley

  “Good evening, ladies.”

  Abby ran up and grabbed Josh by the arm. “Kitchen now.” She turned to Caitlin, handing her a chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing. “Here, have this.” She waved her hand over it. “Emma and I just need to borrow him for a minute.”

  Caitlin glanced around, looking as uncomfortable as he was sure she felt. She peeled the cupcake wrapper. “And here I thought, Abby, that I wouldn’t have a cupcake today.” She turned to Josh. “Your sister has been feeding me cupcakes all summer.”

  “You’re welcome,” Abby said and grabbed Josh’s arm. “Kitchen. Now!”

  “Hold on.” Josh pulled free, turning to Caitlin. “It will only be a second.”

  “One.”

  “Okay, one hundred and thirty seconds.”

  “Fine.” She took a seat at an empty booth, placing her cupcake in front of her. “I’ll be right here.”

  Abby ushered him into the kitchen where Emma was pouring ingredients into a blue mixing bowl.

  “What the hell took you so long?” Abby gave him a shove full of her annoyance.

  “We were putting the kids down. Why are all these ladies in your bakery?”

  Abby shook her head. “You mean why are all these single ladies here?”

  “They’re all single?” That was strange.

  “Yes, I told you that on the phone. They’re here because Rachel blabbed to the whole town that we had a blue mixing spoon that could reveal to all of them who their soul mates are.”

  Josh furrowed his eyebrows. “Why would she do that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Abby threw up her hands. “Maybe because you suggested it!”

  Josh thought back to their conversation earlier and Rachel’s quick departure. “Oh, God. That’s why she took off in a hurry this morning. She set off a gossip chain.”

  “You think?” Abby peeked her head outside the swinging doors.

  Josh glanced over at his cousin. “I’m so sorry, Emma.”

  Emma continued to pour ingredients into the bowl, her head shaking fast and furious. “Josh, this is bad. Very bad. When they all learn we can’t do it, they’ll be heartbroken and pissed off. These women have waited years for an opportunity like this. It won’t be good for business.”

  “This is fixable. I’ll tell them it was a misunderstanding.” He came up next to Abby to see what was going on out there. Caitlin was a few feet away looking like a rejected black sheep. While all the other woman were carrying on and having a great time, no one had approached her. She sat alone, spooning white frosting off her chocolate cupcake with her finger. “They really don’t like Caitlin, do they?”

  Abby shrugged and stood over by Emma. “You know how women are.”

  “Yeah.” He sure did, but one in particular was trying her hardest and didn’t deserve to be publically shunned. He moved from the door. “Where’s the blue spoon?”

  “Why?” Emma asked, eyelids narrowing.

  “We’re going to give these ladies what they want.”

  “You can’t be serious. You’re going to try to cast the spell?” Emma measured some vanilla extract and poured it into her bowl.

  “I doubt I can.” He touched Emma’s shoulder and squeezed. “No, my dear magical cousin, you are.”

  Emma shook her head. “But we told you. I couldn’t do it with the blue spoon.”

  “You said it spells out my name.”

  “Yeah.”

  Abby shifted on her heels. “Josh, what are you getting at?”

  “There’s a bachelorette out there that needs a little lift.” He grinned. “Perform it on Caitlin.”

  Emma grabbed a towel from the counter and wiped her hands. “You want your name to show up in Caitlin’s batter?”

  “Yes.”

  Abby clapped her hands. “That’s a brilliant idea! Why, everyone won’t question if the spell worked when they see the father of her triplets in her batter.” She patted Josh on the back. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one to get brains in this family. Good thinking.”

  “I don’t know.” Emma paused. “It seems dishonest. Shouldn’t we at least tell Caitlin?”

  “No, let it be a surprise.” He turned to his sister. “Abby, when it happens, encourage all the women to congratulate her. Make a big deal out of it. Make her feel like she just won the lottery.”

  “Like she hasn’t felt that feeling before,” Abby scoffed.

  Good point. “You know what I mean. Make her feel special.”

  Emma headed into her office and came back with the spoon. “If it’ll get these women out of my bakery, then let’s do it. We can think of a new game plan tomorrow.” She sighed. “When this place returns to normal.”

  “Thank you, Emma.” Josh came over and gave her a squeeze, kissing her on the cheek.

  While Emma headed out of the kitchen with the mixing bowl and blue spoon ready to perform the charade, Abby followed behind but stopped and spun around. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “I’m going to watch from back here. Too much estrogen for one man to deal with without a wingman,” Josh joked.

  “Suit yourself.”

  He cracked the door open and watched Abby announce that Caitlin would be the first and only bachelorette of Buttermilk Falls this evening to witness her true love in the cake batter.

  Caitlin looked up from the table. “Me?”

  Josh smiled from his position safely behind the door, watching Caitlin walk cautiously over to the counter and sit on the stool Abby offered her.

  “What do I do?” Caitlin asked.

  “That’s the easy part.” Emma winked and held the spoon up. “Tell me who would be your perfect soul mate.”

  Caitlin looked around and leaned in. “You want a name.”

  Josh’s heart raced. Don’t say Adam. Please don’t say Adam.

  “No, not a name,” Emma said, pushing the spoon through her batter. “Just tell me the qualities you would want in the perfect man.”

  Josh held his breath waiting for her to answer.

  “Someone who is kind, loves kids, really smart, and I don’t know . . . smells nice.”

  The last quality she listed was followed by laughter and a couple of wise cracks.

  “Shoosh,” Abby quieted the group. “I think those are great things a mate should have.” She raised her voice. “God knows some of the men in this town could use a cologne bath. Now shut your mouths and watch!” She added sweetly, “Please.”

  Emma went to work on the batter. It had been a long time since Josh had seen his cousin perform the spell. When she closed her eyes, he knew she was chanting the words. He held his breath, waiting for the first blue letter to appear in the creamy beige mixture.

  Within seconds, Emma’s eyelids flew open and she peered down into the bowl.

  “Ladies, we have a J.”

  Josh let out the breath he was holding. The spell was working—or not working—just like he planned.

  “Um, Emma, . . .” Caitlin peered into the bowl. “I think that’s more like an A.”

  Both Emma and Abby’s heads dropped to inspect the batter.

  “Oh, God,” Abby said, glancing over toward the swinging door. “She’s right.”

  Caitlin covered her mouth as Emma confirmed the next three letters. “Adam’s my soul mate?” she asked, and all the women began to talk at once.

  Josh stepped back from the swinging door, body tense. What the hell? Adam’s name appeared?

  Abby came barreling into the kitchen. “What should I do?”

  Break that mother f’ing spoon. He nodded toward the women, knowing what his sister should do even if it thoroughly pissed him off. “Exactly what we talked about. It’s Caitlin’s night. Get everyone to congratulate her.”

  Abby cast a doubtful look and headed back into the crowd. “Ladies, let’s give a round of applause and congratulate Caitlin on Adam being her soul mate.”

  7

  Caitlin headed down the sand and pebble path to the main entrance of the
inn dressed in khaki shorts and her favorite long-sleeved, black V neck. The temperature had lowered to seasonal seventies, but she was going to wear shorts as long as she could.

  Admiring the outside of the gray and yellow inn, it never seemed to surprise her just how much work Brandon had put into the three-story building that had a breathtaking view of Buttermilk Lake.

  She waved to an older couple rowing by. It was a beautiful day to be out there.

  “Hey, sunshine,” Brandon called out from the deck.

  “Hello, yourself.” She stepped up to the inn’s entrance and greeted him with a peck on the cheek.

  “What brings you by?” He nodded to the front door. “Or should I ask who brings you by?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Brandon Swift.” She flashed her most innocent smile. Back in the day, her dimples used to bring him to his knees. That was before he fell head over heels for Abby. A lot had changed in the year since she and Brandon were together, and she was happy that they came out on the other side friends.

  Brandon grabbed a blue spray bottle from the nearby stand and coated the leaves of a hanging spider plant. “Abby will kill me if I don’t water her plants. Anyways, Josh is inside. I think he’s still sleeping.”

  “Sleeping? You’ve got to be kidding. It’s nearly noon.”

  “Did the triplets wear him out last night?” Brandon smirked. “Or was it you?”

  “Very funny.” She pointed to the bottle. “May I borrow that?”

  “Knock yourself out. He’s in the first room at the top of the stairs, to the right.” He reached into his pocket and waved what she assumed was a master key. “You’ll need this.” He winked. “Not sure if you’ve heard, but the walls are very thick.”

  “Good to know,” she said coyly and took the key he offered.

  Walking through the foyer and main room, she decided the water wasn’t cool enough so she headed into the kitchen to refill the bottle. An ice cold one was needed for this ambush.

  And Josh deserved it. Leaving her like he did last night. Up until their trip to the Sugar Spoon, their evening had been great—perfect even. At least, it had been for her. Maybe he hadn’t felt the same way.

  But he should have at least told her he was leaving the bakery. She opened the refrigerator and grabbed a couple of ice cubes out of the freezer, adding them to the bottle.

  Last night’s finale had been a stunner. No doubt about it. Adam Reed was not her soul mate. How could he be? They were only pretend-dating. The feelings she had for Adam were purely platonic.

  And he felt the same way. When Adam had stopped by this morning, he’d pretty much laughed his ass off at the news, agreeing that they were definitely not meant to be together. Then he offered to help Penny with the kids so Caitlin could confront Josh about his ditching her last night.

  He also encouraged her to take a chance and tell Josh how she felt about him.

  She gave the bottle a quick test squirt over the sink. How did she feel about Josh? She’d hoped all these months he’d come around for the triplets, but she’d be lying if she said it was only for their kids. When she saw him in the Buttermilk Tavern, her heart had pounded against her chest. That had to mean something. Didn’t it?

  Heading up the staircase, she didn’t know exactly what she was going to say. Josh, I know I’ve been difficult since—well, since forever, but that’s simply because I had an enormous crush on you, and last summer’s hookup was the greatest night of my life.

  Well, she didn’t remember all the details, but she was sure it was amazing. Although, he didn’t stick around the next morning for an encore.

  She took a deep breath. Maybe she could start by telling him how much fun yesterday was and invite him to come over for lunch. Good plan. Don’t bring up their past but stick to the future.

  But first, she needed to wake him up. She grinned down at the icy squirt bottle in her hand, wiping some of the condensation on her shorts.

  Quietly unlocking the door, she crept in. His being asleep had been an understatement. He was sprawled out on his stomach, passed out cold. One hand dangling over the queen-size bed, with a crisp white sheet covering only his hips.

  She took a second to admire his toned, tanned back before pointing the squirt bottle directly at her target.

  Ready. Aim. Fire!

  Josh shot up and turned. “What the fu—” His eyes focused and his lips curled up. “I didn’t know this place came with my own personal wake-up call.”

  “Well, it does.” She took a seat on the bed and aimed the bottle directly at his bare chest, threatening a second round of squirts. “Especially for the jerk who stood me up last night and forced me to hitch a ride home with his cousin, without even making sure I got the drink and dessert he’d promised.”

  “What an asshole.” He grinned and sat up, wiping the water off his arm. “You looked like you were having a good time. I didn’t want to take you away from all the fun.”

  Caitlin released the bottle from her grip, setting it aside. “You know what happened, don’t you?”

  “Yeah. Pretty cool to see magic for yourself, huh?”

  She hadn’t even thought about that. She’d been so preoccupied with whose name appeared in the batter and not the paranormal way that it happened. “You know, that was really amazing. I guess I now know why Batter Up night is so popular for the guys.”

  He smiled but didn’t say a word. It gutted her that Adam’s name had appeared. Why couldn’t it have been Josh’s? “Does it bother you that Adam’s name was in the batter?” She held her breath, hoping beyond hope that the answer was an emphatic “yes.”

  Josh hopped out of bed and headed into the adjoining bathroom. He popped his head out seconds later, pushing his toothbrush into his mouth. “Not at all,” he said in between brushes. “Adam’s a great guy.”

  Yeah, he was, but so was the guy in front of her. Did she misread yesterday’s signals? Maybe he hadn’t been flirting with her, or maybe he decided that a drink at the inn was a bad idea. Either way, she was losing her touch. She squared her shoulders. Time to get it back.

  Josh pulled on black sweat pants and searched his suitcase, pulling out a white T-shirt. “Although, who knows? Maybe it’s not my buddy. Maybe, it’s Adam Levine or Adam Sandler.”

  “I wouldn’t mind being Mrs. Caitlin Levine.” Or Caitlin Stevens. She grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest, watching a shirtless Josh move around the bedroom and loving his muscular broad shoulders. The show was over far too soon as he pulled on the T-shirt and lay back down on the bed.

  “So . . .” she started. “Do you want to know what happened afterwards?”

  He folded his arms underneath his head. “Let me guess. You all went back to Rachel’s place for a slumber party that involved martinis, facials, and pillow fights.”

  “Not quite. But there was a lot of shrieking and congratu—”

  “Stop. I’m fantasizing.” He smirked, closing his eyes. “White feathers everywhere.”

  She smacked him with the pillow she’d been holding. “You’re such a jerk. I was going to tell you that everyone congratulated me—well, everyone except Rachel, she stormed out.”

  “For obvious reasons.” He closed his eyes. “I’ll stick to my fantasy. Oh, yeah . . .”

  Caitlin stood and tossed another pillow at him. “I think I’ll go spend time with our more mature triplets.” She headed for the door when water immediately soaked through the back of her top.

  “You’re squirting me?” She turned and was hit by even more cold water. Lunging for the bottle, she tried to grab it from his hands, but Josh was too quick, taking her into his arms.

  Before she knew what was happening, she was flat on her back, his strong hands pinning her down. “Truce,” she offered, batting her eye lashes up at him.

  “Have those words ever come from Caitlin Reynolds’s lips?” he asked, releasing his grip but still hovering over her, his delicious scent of mint, musk, and man filling he
r lungs. With his finger, he gently dried a water drop from her cheek. “Tell me the truth.”

  She pulled herself up, giving him a wicked smile before biting her lip. It was wrong to be in this compromising position—in his bed, no less. Still, at this moment, there was no place in Buttermilk Falls she’d rather be. “Truth.” She lifted her head, her lips brushing his.

  “Caitlin . . .” His mouth touched hers for only seconds before he moved away. “We shouldn’t do this.”

  “Because of Adam?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You’re right.” She sighed and sat up. It’d be so easy to admit everything. That there was no her and Adam and that they’d made it all up. What would he think of her, though, if he knew she’d lied?

  He glanced around. “What time is it?”

  “Almost noon.”

  “Really? Shit.” He jumped off the bed. “I’ve got to get a move on it.”

  “Hot date?” God, she hoped he was done taking strolls around town with Rachel.

  “More like flight home in two hours.”

  “You’re leaving?” Of course he was. Buttermilk Falls wasn’t home. In and out, that was more his style. She should know that by now.

  “I have to get back to work.” He pulled open his suitcase, but stopped. “Caitlin, yesterday was terrific. I want to spend more time here.”

  “You do?” she asked, not caring that her hopeful voice cracked.

  “Yes.” He grinned. “I don’t want to be a dad who sees his kids once or twice a year. I’d also love for Penny to bring Jacob, Cassie, and Lily to New York City. Could give you and your soul mate some alone time.”

  “Alone time,” she repeated. She stood, suddenly needing some air. “I’m sure we can work something out.” She tried to mask her disappointment that he was leaving and her embarrassment for throwing herself at him only moments ago. “Um . . . I should be going. Lots of work to do. Have a safe flight, Joshua.”

  “Caitlin . . .”

  She grabbed the water bottle off the bed. “I told Penny I’d only be gone an hour.”

  “I’ll call you this evening.” He smiled. “Maybe we can arrange to video chat with the kids later this week.”