Bowing my head, I let the pastor’s prayer flow over me, calming me truly for the first time that evening. “Our heavenly Father,” he began, “we thank you for Samantha and Piper and each of the amazing businesses in our community who gave of their hearts and their profits to help others in need. Father God, we thank you for your protection over Piper this week and ask that you heal and comfort her as the days continue. Heavenly Father, we ask that each dollar donated to this mission will be used according to your divine will to bring the most relief and help to free and prevent victims of human trafficking. You love each of those people as you love us, please help them to see and to know that. Thank you for allowing us this delicious meal and the company of friends and family. We ask that you use it to increase our health and strength that we may continue to share your love with others. It is in your son Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.”
A chorus of “amen” echoed Pastor Dan as he sat again at the table. “Dig in!”
You don’t have to tell me twice. Garlic grilled pork chops. Yum. Crispy, seasoned sweet potato fries. Delish. Fried green beans. Finger-licking good. Cheesy Grits. Yes, please. My plate was loaded with one of everything and two of a few.
“It’s been ages since I’ve had fried green beans,” I told Sam as I popped another one in my mouth, relishing the satisfying crunch.
“Me too,” Sam agreed. “Probably in Seville during college was the last time, on one of our TGI Friday nights.”
I think there was also a nice healthy salad somewhere on the table but I was avoiding it.
“Oh no.”
“What,” Sam asked, eyes widening in alarm and whipping her head around to see what had caught my sight.
“There is dessert,” I moaned. “I already ate so much food and now they bring dessert. I’m going to have to sleep under the table, no way I’ll be able to walk out of here after all this food.”
Sam rolled her eyes and slapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t do that. You made me think Abigail came back from the dead or something. It’s just dessert, suck it up or don’t eat it.”
“Are we even friends? Why would you suggest something monstrous like not eating dessert?” I inched my chair away from Sam, fighting back my grin.
“Lunatic,” she muttered under her breath as she speared her last bite of pork chop on the end of her fork and my grin split wide open.
As the server sat the dessert in front of Pastor Dan, I nonchalantly wiped the drool off of my bottom lip. Okay. Not really. But it looked so delicious that drool was a dangerous possibility, I promise. The aroma of rich chocolate assailed my nose. All thoughts of being full vanished as I stared at the four-tier chocolate cake like a lion staring at a gazelle.
Pastor Dan handed the cutting knife to Nora, “Would you do the honors, my dear?”
Nora sliced a generous portion of cake and sat it on a small white plate, a stack of which the server had left. Pastor Dan added a clean fork to the plate and passed it down the table. I whimpered, just a little, when Sam took it from me and kept passing it down to the end. She and I really needed to talk about this politeness thing, I decided, she might be taking it too far.
Gladys declined her slice of cake. Rubbing her belly, she excused herself.
“I’m afraid I overdid it. If nobody minds, I think I’m going to go on home to bed.”
“Go ahead, Gladys. I can take Piper’s parents back to their hotel when we finish up here,” Sam insisted.
Finally, I received a slice of cake that Sam didn’t whisk away from me. Each of the four layers was separated by a chocolate and a vanilla buttercream frosting. Chocolate chips were sprinkled throughout the cake like hidden gems inside a mountain. The chocolate curls decorating the top of the cake held their shape better than my hair. It was a masterpiece.
Talk turned to pleasant subjects during dessert. Pastor Dan and Nora were curious about my parents.
“Where did you say you live Robert?” he asked my father.
“Our home is in Jenner Falls, Alabama now. However, we have been traveling across the Western side of the states for the past three months, early retirement or sabbatical – whatever you want to call it, and so California is where we flew in from when Sam called us about Piper being in the hospital.”
“I’ve always wanted to see the Redwood National Forest,” Nora spoke with a smile. “Has that been a part of your trip?”
“Yes, it is breathtaking,” Mom said. “We even got in the long line of tourists to drive through the tree where you can get your picture made. Here, I probably have it on my phone somewhere.”
Seeing his opening while Pastor Dan and Nora were engaged, my dad latched onto Griff’s shoulder and began grilling him.
I slid lower in my seat as my stomach churned; I knew it was inevitable but I had hoped Dad would forget about the rumors of Griff and me for just a little while. Even chocolate cake couldn’t make this type of embarrassment disappear.
“Tell me, Greg was it, do you have a job?”
“It’s Griffin, sir. I have a career I enjoy immensely yes.”
“Do you plan to tell me about it or should I guess?”
Oh gosh. My face bloomed scarlet and my temper built like a shaken coke bottle.
“Dad stop it!” I hissed across the table.
“Now Piper, don’t be upset. I can’t get to know the man if I don’t ask questions, now can I?”
“You aren’t trying to get to know him. You are being a pompous…”
“Piper,” Griff cut me off in a gentle tone, drawing my gaze to his. “It is perfectly fine. I would be happy to answer any question your father has for me.”
“You see,” Dad shrugged, playing up the wide-eyed innocent look.
“I could stand to stretch my legs, Robert. Would you care to join me?” And just like that Griff and my Dad strolled from the room toward the French doors spilling onto the porch.
“I need more cake,” I said to no one person in particular.
Pastor Dan slid me the whole platter, a twinkle lighting his eyes and betraying his amusement.
I did not eat the whole cake. I thought about it but only split one more slice with Sam. Unable to take the suspense any longer when Dad and Griff didn’t return, I excused myself from the table and set out to find them. I would have to put a stop to the interrogation myself.
The sound of laughter floated to me as I opened the French doors of the dining hall. Light splashed onto the dark porch and illuminated an odd sight, one that had all new butterflies flitting around my stomach. Dad and Griffin sat in rocking chairs. Dad was slapping his knee, laughing at Griffin who was evidently telling a story, with enough waving of his hands for a game of charades.
I stepped onto the porch, shivering slightly as the cool breeze rolled in off of the ocean and small chill bumps jumped to attention on my arms. Dad stood when he saw me. At that moment, the French doors opened again and most of our group spilled out behind me. All except Robert and Deidra Lowe.
“Where are your parents?” I asked Sam as she stopped next to me.
“They left through the other doors. Their driver was waiting on them.”
“We thought we should be getting back to the hotel. It’s been a long day and I’m ready to get some sleep.” Mom hugged me, “I’m sure you could use more rest also.”
“I’ll drive Piper home, Sam,” Griff spoke as he and my dad joined us.
I cringed, waiting for Dad’s objection and smart comments. None came. Kissing me on the forehead, he took Mom’s hand and they followed Samantha to her yellow Juke. I smiled. I had seen my parents discreetly drop funds into the donation box, the dining hall didn’t charge per plate, and was sure that Pastor Dan would be quite surprised when he got around to counting it.
Only Pastor Dan and Nora remained.
“Thank you so much for this beautiful evening,” I told them. Grasping Nora’s hands, I squeezed. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Nora. Pastor Dan,” I turned to shake his hand, “please give my complimen
ts to the chef. That was one of the most delicious meals I’ve had in weeks.”
“I will do that. You two have a nice evening. I think Nora and I are going to lock up and then there is a cup of cocoa calling my name at home.”
Griff hugged Dan and Nora, too. I ambled towards his silver truck, drinking in the cool night air. My eyes drank in the reflection of the moon on the ocean, my ears sighed at the lulling sound of waves pounding a slow rhythm. I leaned against the side of the cab, just gazing at the landscape.
All of the magnificence came rushing over me at once and I was so grateful that it was still a source of healing and calming feelings. On the beach last night with Abigail, I was afraid the ocean would lose its magic, that I might associate it with danger or fear but there were none of those feelings. Those were only for Abigail and, with her gone, they were quickly disappearing. I said a quick prayer of thanks for my protection and for the spectacular reminder the ocean gave of the power of my Creator.
Griff had caught up with me and now leaned past to open the truck door. I took the hand he offered to help me in, settling my small fingers in his warm palm, and hiked my dress up to make the big step up into the cab. Griff stood for an extra second and I thought he would say something but he closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. I smoothed down my dress and buckled my seatbelt.
TWENTY-ONE
We drove in silence for a time. I cranked the heater on to banish the remaining chill bumps and Griff laughed.
“Sorry, I guess I should have bought you a jacket or something to go with that,” he said.
I shook my head, “No. It’s perfect.”
“I’m also sorry about my parents. I can’t understand why they insist on being rude to you.”
“Griff, stop apologizing. You didn’t do anything wrong. You have been apologizing since I was in the hospital and there is no reason. You didn’t hurt me. You didn’t know Abigail was a nutcase. You can’t control the weather or your parents. You have been kind to me. You helped find me. You made sure I had rest. You bought me this amazing gift. You’ve been a great friend. You are pretty incredible if you think about it.” Great, good job, excellent way to ramble Piper, I thought, nearly face-palming myself right then; I felt so stupid.
Griff glanced over at me, then back at the road but I saw his smirk return, “You’re right. I’m awesome. It took you long enough to notice though.”
“Ha-ha, very funny,” I joked, slapping him on the shoulder.
Griff put on the blinker and turned left into the parking lot for my apartment complex. We sat in silence a few moments after he parked.
“Let me walk you to the door,” Griff spoke first.
“Okay, thanks.” I slid from the truck and was making my way barefoot across the gravel, having removed my heels the moment we drove away from dinner. I cringed. I hated the feel of the rocks and grit on my feet; still, there was no way I was putting those painful shoes back on. Disgusting feet were the lesser of the two evils at this point.
All of a sudden, the rocks digging into my skin were no more, the earth disappeared from beneath my feet as Griff scooped me up and carried me straight to my apartment. My arms flew to his neck as I tried to orient myself to this new sensation. He bent and slowly placed me on my feet on the welcome mat that read “Got Chocolate?” in a curly font.
My clutch was minuscule yet, for some reason, finding my keys inside of it was a task I was utterly failing at. Swallowing my heart back down from my throat, I unlocked the door.
“Would you like to come in?” I asked.
“I would. There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”
I gulped. “Oh. Okay.”
I flipped on the lights and placed my clutch on the side table in the hall. “Make yourself at home,” I pointed to the living room door. “I’ll be right back after I go change.”
I made my way down the short hall to my bedroom, closing the door behind me. My inner monologue couldn’t decide what to wear and my headache was starting to come back. So tired, just grab pajamas. No. No this is not a sleepover, no pajamas. Hurry, find something cute. Seriously? What is your problem Piper; just put on some clothes and get out there so Griff can tell you how embarrassed he is that Abigail thought you liked him and he can go home and you can go to bed. And stay there. Possibly forever.
I stepped out of my gorgeous silver dress, placing it on the bed to hang up later. I settled on soft tan yoga pants and a pale purple t-shirt, the soft kind that are perfect for sleeping. Finding some fuzzy socks, my feet were probably dirty from the parking lot but oh well, I sidled into the kitchen to snag two water bottles before joining Griff in the living room.
Griff was pacing. Great, whatever it was must be really bad. I handed him a water and sat down in my cozy armchair.
“Look,” I decided to beat him to the punch, “I know everything Abigail said and did probably caused a big stir with your parents. I’m very sorry. They already think I’m ruining Sam’s life and now they probably see me as a greedy fortune-hunter coming after you next. I don’t know how to fix it and I’m very sorry but don’t worry, I’ll be sure to let everyone know we are just friends. Or really, that you just came to find me because I’m your sister’s friend. I’ll figure something out.”
Griff stood staring at me like I had lost my mind. After several awkward seconds, he recovered himself and sat down on the couch, leaning towards me. “Piper. That isn’t what I was going to say at all.”
“It isn’t?” I squeaked.
“No.”
“So, you didn’t want to talk about the mess Abigail started.” I had made the terrible decision to look at several Facebook posts on the way home. One of them was our very own Missy with the local news reporting the death of a “fine and upstanding citizen in her prime.” Other less scrupulous media personnel were spinning a “Cat Fight Over Bachelor Golden Boy Results in Tragic Death” story on several of the more salacious sites. Evidently “Kidnapper is Killed” wasn’t as good for clicks and ratings. I assumed, wrongly I guess, that Griff was getting flak from his parents and wanted to discuss what to do about them.
“Well I do but none of that was what I wanted to say.”
“Okay, I’m listening.”
Griffin took a deep breath and said, “First of all, I couldn’t care less about all of the rumors and gossip. None of that matters. What I wanted to tell you is that I thought I felt protective of you, my sister’s best friend, a younger sister type of thing. I told myself that was why I felt this desperate push to find you.” He shook his head, running a hand through his dark hair absently. “The truth is, that isn’t how I feel at all and the longer you were missing the less I could deny it. I don’t think of you as my sister’s friend. I don’t even think of you as just my friend. Piper, my feelings for you go much deeper than that and I think I’ve known it for a while now. I didn’t want to admit it. I doubt you feel the same way and I don’t want to make things awkward between you and Samantha because you are so good for her.”
I gaped. Like a fish. Mouth open, close, open, close. I had no words, heck at this point thoughts were proving difficult.
Griff didn’t wait for a response anyway. “Piper, you’re amazing. You are confident, capable, beautiful, kind, just mean enough to keep me on my toes, stubborn in the most adorable way. It wrecked me when you went missing. It nearly killed me that you were in danger because of me. And most of all, I was scared to death I would miss out on any chance of telling you how I feel.”
“Listen,” he knelt down in front of me and reached for my hand. “I know it is a lot to take in. I probably shouldn’t have sprung it on you right now but I wanted you to know. Needed you to know.”
I know, I know. By now you would think I could formulate intelligent sentences or even a bumbling bit of conversation. Instead, I heard myself say “Griff…wow…”
Knock, knock, knock.
Three sharp raps sounded at the door, causing us both to jump.<
br />
Griff dropped my hand. The moment was broken.
“That’s, uh, probably Sam,” I said. Griff followed me to the door, whether out of protective notions or to clobber his sister for interrupting I couldn’t guess. Both thoughts made me want to giggle in a completely giddy, absolutely unacceptable way right now.
Regardless, I didn’t check the peephole because I felt perfectly safe with him there behind me.
Swinging the door wide, I experience my second round of speechlessness in less than fifteen minutes.
“Piper?” the tanned, muscled guy on my doorstep asked.
“Hi?” my brain was running on less than optimum speed at this point in the evening. I tried to place this sandy-haired stranger and come up with a plausible reason for him to be at my door at this time of evening.
“Piper, it’s me, It’s Landon.”
Prologue
Saturday Afternoon
I rubbed the raised chill bumps on my arms. It was June. On the beach. On the beach in the south to be specific. It wasn’t even close to cold outside, but still, I shivered. I couldn’t stop thinking of that poor man. Dead. Murdered? I didn’t know for sure, yet the police intended to investigate all possibilities.
I had given my statement to the deputy on the porch, followed in close succession by Sam and Landon. The questions had been brief and my responses even more so:
Did you know the victim? No.
Did you bake the desserts? Yes.
Did you serve the victim Peanut Butter Pie? No, we were out.
How did he get Peanut Butter Pie then? I don’t know.
Did you have any reason to harm the victim? No.
Did you see the victim arguing with anyone? No.
The deputy told each of us not to leave The Cove’s Cabins in case the police had any more questions. Landon made his way towards the rolling surf. Sam and I followed.
“Landon,” I put a hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”
Ooey Gooey Bakery Mystery Box Set Page 15
