The Waitress's Secret

by Kathy Douglass

  “No earlier than usual. I’m surprised to see you awake.”

  “No more surprised than I am. I love sleeping in, but I don’t have another wink left in me. Where are you going?”

  “The fish and produce markets.”

  “Do you want company or is this something you prefer to do on your own?”

  He seemed to debate that internally. “You’re more than welcome to come with me, but I have to warn you there’s a lot of walking involved.”

  She lifted her leg and showed him her ankle. “No swelling or pain, so I’m good to go. Am I dressed okay or should I put on jeans like you?”

  He looked at her and as his eyes swept over her legs, she felt the heat of his stare all the way to her bones. She knew she was blushing, but when their gazes met she didn’t look away.

  “Your shorts are fine. We need to get moving before all the good stuff is gone.”

  His voice sounded gruff, but Arden didn’t let it offend her. She knew how seriously Brandon took everything that had to do with Heaven on Earth. It was his pride and joy and she was glad he was allowing her to accompany him. She found the restaurant business interesting and wanted to learn more about every facet.

  Twenty-five minutes later they were walking along a pier with several small stores selling fresh fish. Trucks lined the street and the drivers raced about unloading boxes and barrels of fish and seafood. The place was jumping and Arden was immediately caught up in the energy.

  “Do you come here every day?”

  “Most days.”

  Arden rubbed her hands together. “So what exactly do you do?”

  “I buy the fish and seafood that look best on a particular day and offer specials if what I buy isn’t on the regular menu. It’s a great way to try out new recipes and see how they go over.”

  “It also keeps people coming in to see what’s new.”

  “True. Some places like the diner thrive because patrons know exactly what to expect. Their menu hasn’t changed in the three years I’ve been here. And that works fine for them. I like having fixed menu items for people who come in for a specific dish, but I also like to create new food for the more adventurous customers. That way everyone is happy.”

  Arden nodded. There was a lot more to running his restaurant than met the eye. He was a shrewd businessman. Her father and brothers would be impressed. Not that they would ever meet him. She’d be back in Baltimore soon and Brandon would remain in Sweet Briar.

  That thought cast shadows on her heart and dimmed the joy of the moment. But she needed to remember their relationship was only temporary and keep her heart out of it.

  “Is something wrong?” Brandon’s brow was drawn in concern.

  “No. I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure? You seem a little sad.”

  “I’m just taking it all in. The sights. The sounds. The fresh air. Well, it’s not exactly fresh, but the fish smell kind of makes me think of the ocean, which is fresh. If that makes any sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense. That’s one of the reasons I like coming here. Well, that and it reminds me of my grandfather.”

  For a moment Arden envied Brandon. He’d shared such a close relationship with his grandfather. And he had Joni and his parents and they all supported him in his endeavor. Her parents and brothers loved her, of course, but she yearned for them to see her as an adult instead of a big girl. She wanted to be respected like another adult and welcomed as a friend, not as a child to be overprotected. She knew her past behavior hadn’t helped her cause, but she had changed. She just needed to show them how much.

  Brandon clasped her hand and they entered one of the shops. She tightened her fingers around his, determined to enjoy the moment.

  They went into several different stores where Brandon checked out the offerings. He made notes to himself on a little pad of paper he kept in his shirt pocket. By the time they were done, he’d bought an assortment of fresh fish. The shopkeepers promised to have the orders ready in two hours.

  Next they drove a couple of miles to the produce market. The process was similar, with Brandon going to several stores and making notes of what he liked. He purchased a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit. Unlike the fish markets, they didn’t have to wait for their purchases.

  Once they’d made it through all the stalls, Brandon stacked two crates of raspberries and headed for his pickup. Arden grabbed a crate of strawberries and followed.

  He turned. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

  “I’m helping you. Why, what does it look like?”

  “It looks like you’re about to get into trouble. Now put down that heavy box.”

  “You’re nuts,” she said, placing her load in the truck beside his.

  “I didn’t bring you here to work.”

  “Then why did you bring me?”

  * * *

  Brandon stared into Arden’s lovely eyes, temporarily lost as he tried to formulate an answer. “I brought you here to share the experience. I wanted you to enjoy it.”

  “I am. I’m having a great time.” She wiped a hand across her forehead, leaving a red smear behind.

  Before he could stop himself, he was gently brushing off the remains of the crushed fruit. Instead of removing his hand, he allowed his fingers to travel over her delicate cheekbones, down her soft cheek, finally coming to rest on her sweet lips. Pink and perfectly shaped, they called to him even without uttering a word.

  “Oh, Arden,” he murmured, catching her chin as he leaned forward. A small rational part of him warned that he was getting in way too deep. The bigger part of him didn’t care.

  He hesitated only a moment before touching his lips to hers. If she’d given even the slightest indication she didn’t want him to kiss her, he would have backed off. What he saw settled it for him. In her eyes he saw a want that matched his own.

  That’s all he needed. He immediately closed the distance between them and captured her lips with his own. He’d planned for the kiss to be brief and gentle. But once his lips made contact with hers, he was consumed by an intense fire and all of his best intentions went up in smoke.

  She stepped even closer. He inhaled her sweet scent, which added fuel to his already raging desire, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her tight. She opened her mouth and he angled his head, deepening the kiss. He felt her heart beating against his chest, the rhythm matching the pounding of his own.

  “Excuse me.”

  Brandon and Arden sprang apart at the sound of the amused voice. He kept his hand on her waist, though, as he looked into the grinning face of his older friend from the produce market.

  “Sorry to interrupt, son. It took you so long to come back, I was afraid you forgot your blueberries and collard greens. I would hate for you to have to come all the way back here to get them.” The man gestured to two smirking teens, who loaded the remaining crates into the cargo hold of Brandon’s truck and then raced away.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” The older man smiled as he glanced at Arden, clearly waiting for an introduction. He knew a little about Brandon’s past and had been encouraging him to date. Brandon had never brought a woman with him to the markets so his friend probably assumed more than he should. Of course, he’d caught them in a serious clench, so he couldn’t introduce her as his occasional employee. Well, he could, but that would embarrass and hurt Arden, something she didn’t deserve.

  “Ronnie, this is Arden West. Arden, this is Ronnie Leonard, owner of Leonard’s Produce.”

  The older man extended his hand. “The freshest produce north of the equator. Come to think of it, we’ve got the best produce south of the equator, too.”

  Arden smiled and shook his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Leonard.”

  “Pleasure’s all mi
ne. And it’s Ronnie to all the pretty ladies.”

  “All right, Ronnie.”

  Was he flirting? Brandon frowned a little and stepped closer to Arden. Ronnie raised his eyebrows in obvious amusement.

  “It’s nice meeting you, Ms. West. Come see me again. I’ll fix you up a box of our freshest fruit. A gift, you know.”

  Arden smiled at Ronnie. “I’d enjoy that. Next time I come this way I’ll stop in.”

  “Good enough. Well, I’d better get back to the store before those kids mess up everything and I have to fire them.”

  Brandon laughed as the other man hurried away. But then he faced Arden, all humor gone. “We’ve got to stop doing this.”

  Arden breathed out a sigh. “I know.”

  “We’re just friends,” he said, hoping he sounded more convincing to her ears than he did to his own.

  “Just friends,” she repeated in a voice so soft he barely heard it. She looked over his shoulder so he couldn’t read the emotions in her eyes. For some reason that bothered him more than it should have.

  He was doing this as much for her as for himself. There was no sense in starting something they wouldn’t be able to finish. Arden was just passing through. Neither of them was open to a relationship. She was still hurt from her last one and he wasn’t willing to trust another woman.

  It didn’t matter that she fit so perfectly in his arms—heck, into his life—she might have been made for him. He no longer believed such nonsense. He’d once believed that of Sylvia. What a fool he’d been. He hadn’t even known her real name.

  * * *

  “That was fun,” Arden said, finally breaking the silence as Brandon steered his truck onto the road leading to Sweet Briar.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” He had to admit that he had enjoyed himself more today than he had any other time shopping at the markets. Arden had been so enthusiastic and curious, asking questions and making insightful comments so that he experienced everything anew through her eyes.

  “I did.” Her stomach growled loudly and she blushed prettily. “Sorry. I didn’t eat yet. Do you think you could drop me off at the diner? I’ll get breakfast there.”

  He looked at the clock. “They’ll be packed right about now. How about I make something for you after we leave the stuff at the restaurant?”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “I haven’t eaten, either. I generally eat when I get back. It’s just as easy to make breakfast for two as it is for one.”

  “In that case, yes.” She wiped at a smear on her thigh. There was another stain on her T-shirt. She pulled her shirt away from her chest and grimaced. “Do I have time to change? I won’t be but a minute.”

  He forced his eyes away from the smooth skin of her legs and tried not to imagine what wonders were hidden under the soiled shirt. “Sure.”

  They dropped off the purchases at the restaurant, where his assistant chef took care of putting them into the cooler. Then Brandon drove the short distance home and parked. She hopped out, waited until he was beside her and then looked up at him. “What are we having?”

  “I thought I’d throw together some crepes with fresh strawberries, a side of crispy bacon and scrambled eggs.”

  “You know how to make crepes?” She slapped a hand across her forehead. “Of course you know how to make crepes. Forget I said that.” She aimed a thumb over her shoulder. “I’ll go get changed.”

  He watched her go, trying not to notice the perfect curve of her hips in her denim cutoffs. Turning away from the delectable sight, he got his wayward libido under control and kept his feet moving toward the back stairs of his house and to the kitchen. As he gathered the breakfast ingredients, images of her stripping out of her clothes filled his mind. He reminded himself that they were only friends, and friends didn’t see each other naked.

  “How can I help?” Arden asked as she stepped into the room. She’d changed into a pair of red linen shorts and a white cotton shirt that wrapped around her tiny waist and tied beneath her perfect breasts. She’d also washed away the remnants of the strawberry from her face. She hadn’t put on a bit of makeup, but she looked cover-girl beautiful. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, which despite being crazy somehow seemed right.

  He yanked out a chair at the table, instead. “I’ve got it under control. All you have to do is have a seat and keep me company.”

  “Why won’t you let me help? Are you afraid I’ll steal your secret recipes?” Her eyes sparkled and he found himself grinning at her goofiness. She snapped her fingers. “That’s it, isn’t it? You’re afraid I’ll steal your recipe and open a crepe restaurant.”

  She was beautiful. Her bright smile reached the darkness in his soul, illuminating it with its warmth. Yes, her teeth were perfectly straight and incredibly white, but it was the sincerity in her expression that touched him. Too often people smiled to be polite or to cover their real emotions. He’d been guilty of that a time or two. Arden didn’t do that. When she smiled it was because she truly felt joy.

  “I’m not worried about you stealing my recipe. Especially since I’ve got it locked in here.” He pointed to his head with one hand and cracked eggs into a bowl with the other. He noticed the impressed look on her face and wondered why he was showing off. He hadn’t shown off for a woman in years. Not since—

  He jerked his thoughts back from where they threatened to stray. He refused to let thoughts of Sylvia ruin this perfect morning. Her sudden calls out of the blue were stirring up memories he’d thought long forgotten. Clearly he couldn’t keep her from calling him, but he wasn’t going to let her ruin this day.

  “Honestly, there’s no chance anyway. I can’t cook to save my life. But I make a mean microwave dinner. And toast. My toast is always the perfect shade of brown on both sides.”

  He laughed. “I’m not sure tossing bread into a toaster qualifies as cooking. And I know a microwave dinner doesn’t come anywhere near qualifying as food.”

  She grinned. “You’re a food snob.”

  “Not really. I just want my food to taste good, and I don’t want it full of chemical ingredients some mad scientist cooked up in his lab.”

  Despite his saying he didn’t need her help, she filled the coffeepot with water and grabbed a bag of beans from the freezer. “I don’t know about mad scientists, but I do admit the nuked food leaves something to be desired in the taste department.”

  “My point exactly.” She began to set the table. Her movements were graceful, and he paused momentarily to enjoy the view before speaking again. “Food should be enjoyed. It should nourish the soul, as well as the body.”

  “So you believe cooking is an art.”

  “It’s more than that. It’s a labor of love. My grandfather taught me that.”

  She smiled at him. “Your grandfather sounds like a wonderful man.”

  “The best. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. The world lost a great man when he died.”

  “I’m sure. But you keep him alive with everything you do. No wonder you’re so particular. It’s your homage to him.”

  Brandon nodded. She understood him in a way no one else ever had.

  He whipped the first crepe onto a plate, placed it in the oven to keep warm and then quickly made another. A few minutes later, he plated the food and set it on the table. Arden poured the coffee and they sat down to breakfast.

  He’d been a chef for years, and claiming he was one of the best wasn’t bragging. It was the truth. He didn’t indulge in false modesty. Even though he knew he’d prepared the food perfectly, he was a bit nervous as Arden lifted a bit of crepe to her mouth.

  “Oh, my goodness. This is incredible.” She took another bite and chewed slowly, then closed her eyes. “If people knew how good these tasted, they’d be pounding on your door demand
ing that you open your restaurant for breakfast.”

  “Then this will have to be our secret.” He scooped eggs onto a fork, trying to ignore the moans that she was making.

  She closed an imaginary lock on her lips. “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “I knew I could trust you.” The words he’d spoken so easily in jest gave him pause. Did he mean them? Could he trust Arden? And if he did, did that change the kind of relationship they could have?

  Chapter Nine

  “Arden? This is John. I have good news for you. The part arrived last night and your car is fixed. You can pick it up anytime.”

  “Thanks,” Arden managed to stutter before ending the call and sagging onto her bed. Her car was ready. She could leave Sweet Briar whenever she wanted. But she didn’t want to leave. She was enjoying her time here, especially the time she spent with Brandon. She’d long since decided she didn’t want to go to Florida, but hadn’t told Brandon or Joni. After all, her car was broken down so there had been no reason to mention it. Now that it was fixed, she was going to have to tell them. Hopefully, they would let her continue to rent the garage apartment.

  She was descending the stairs when Brandon pulled into the driveway. Was he coming back from the fish and vegetable markets? It was around the time they’d gotten back yesterday, so it was possible. Quashing the disappointment at not being invited to tag along and reminding herself that visiting the markets was part of his job and not a field trip, she waited until he was near enough to speak. “We’ve got to stop meeting this way.”

  He smiled, but she saw the worry in his eyes, then noticed he had his cell phone to his ear. He frowned and pushed a button, ending the call.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “I’m trying to reach one of my friends. He isn’t answering his house or cell phones.”

  “Maybe he’s out of town.”

  “No.” The worry in Brandon’s eyes spread to the rest of his face and his brow wrinkled. After a long moment of silence, she started to walk away. He didn’t need her around while he tried to work through his problem.