Love Inspired June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Patricia Johns

  “So you and Mama G keep reminding me.”

  Maddox tugged at his jeans. “Upside down, Daddy.”

  She gave his son a quizzical look. “What?”

  He swiped his hand over his face and relaxed his features. “Nothing.” He cleared his throat.

  “Was there a reason you stopped by?”

  “Maddox wanted to see the cat.”

  “Daddy wanted to see you.”

  Flushing, he gaped at his son. Not entirely accurate. But close enough.

  Lips twitching, her gaze ping-ponged between them. “So which is it?”

  Both...

  “Maddox was worried the cat would starve between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re probably keeping you from something.”

  “I’d just put the last tray of pastry dough in the freezer when I heard the bell. I prep as much as I can the afternoon before, so it’s ready to pop into the oven the next morning.” She went into a crouch beside Maddox. “What a kind heart you have, to think of Soufflé.”

  Will chuckled. “Soufflé?”

  “The name seemed to suit his cream color.” She smiled. “And the tabby loves my soufflé.”

  “You named the stray?” He scratched his head. “Next step, you’ll be taking him home.”

  “Not with my schedule.” She planted her hands on her hips. “No time for pets or much else.”

  He wondered if she had time for someone else. Was someone in her life? He clamped his jaw tight.

  What was wrong with him? Her love life was none of his business. What did it matter if she had someone in her life or not?

  However, the idea of someone special unsettled him. Made him feel like the cat with its fur rubbed up the wrong way. He broadened his chest.

  What was with her naming the stray Soufflé? What kind of name was that for a cat? But it did remind him of something else.

  “About that apple thing on your menu...”

  She brightened. “You’ve come for your rain check. The apple galette goes into the oven first thing Monday morning. You’ll have to wait until then, I’m afraid. But I’ll save you a piece.”

  Her dimples flashed. She smiled at him. A ray of pure sunshine. His pulse skyrocketed.

  Feeling slightly gobsmacked, he completely lost his train of thought. When she smiled at him, he found it incredibly hard to think at all. He could get used to her smile. Too used to it.

  He scowled. Don’t get used to it.

  “Sue-flay?” Maddox tried the syllables on his tongue. No longer bashful, he hugged Kara. “I wike Soufflé, but I wuv you, Miss Karwa.”

  Will’s mouth dropped open.

  Her expression tender, she brushed her cheek against Maddox’s hair. “I love you, too, sweetie pie.” Planting a quick kiss on his head, she rose. “How about let’s check on Soufflé?”

  Closing his mouth, Will unglued his feet from the linoleum and followed them into the kitchen.

  Maddox gazed at the stainless-steel pots hanging above the prep counter. “I want to cook some-ding first.”

  Will shook his head. “Maddox—”

  “I have just the thing.” She threw Will a grin. “Quick. Easy. Fun. And yummy.”

  She headed into the pantry and returned with a box of vanilla wafers, a jar of peanut butter and a bag of small marshmallows in her arms. “My mother used to make this with me when I was a little girl.”

  Maddox’s lips curved down. “I don’t have a mommy.”

  Her smile fading, she darted a look at Will.

  “Does your mommy live in Trwoo-wuv, Miss Karwa?”

  She set the items on the steel countertop. “No, sweetie. My mom died of cancer when I was a little girl.”

  “I sowee, Miss Karwa. Pops had cancer, too. But he finished his medicine so he’s getting better.”

  She put her arms around the child. “I’m so happy to hear that, sweet boy.”

  “My mom died when Maddox was a baby. Heart attack.” Will pulled over a stool for his son. “I was with the Charlotte Fire Department then.”

  A vein pulsed in the small hollow of her throat where the top button of her white jacket was undone. “Never easy no matter how old you are.”

  They shared a long look of sympathy. And he found himself mesmerized by the blue ocean depth in her eyes. The connection between them was only broken when Maddox mounted the step stool and reached for the peanut butter.

  Whirling into action, she grabbed a bar towel from a stack. “Let’s put something over your clothes.” She tied the cloth around his waist. They went to work.

  “Cooking” consisted of the petite blonde chef showing Maddox how to spread a dab of peanut butter across the top of the wafers and then dot each one with a single mini marshmallow.

  “Wook, Daddy!” Up to his wrists in peanut butter, Maddox grinned. “I’m a cooker.”

  He laughed. “Yes, you are. Although, it looks like you’re eating more than is going on the tray.”

  “Food should be fun.” She winked. “As every great cooker knows, a messy kitchen is a happy kitchen.”

  He grinned. “If you say so.”

  She inserted the small metal tray into the toaster oven. “This is kind of like s’mores without the bonfire.”

  “Which works well,” he said, smirking. “Since we’re inside a building.”

  “Thank you, Fire Chief MacKenzie, for that reminder.” She gave him a look. “In case we were in danger of forgetting the obvious.”

  “Anything to help, Chef.”

  “We’ll set the dial to broil.” She rotated the knob on the toaster oven. “But really it’s about melting the peanut butter until it’s all gooey.”

  “I wuv gooey, Miss Karwa.”

  “And who doesn’t?” Batting her big blue eyes, she opened her hands. “Right?”

  His heartbeat ticked up a notch. Wow. Did she have any idea of how cute she looked? The peanut butter wasn’t the only thing feeling gooey.

  She motioned over Maddox. “I’ll set the timer to about two minutes. But you keep watch through the glass window. We’ll take out the tray when the marshmallow turns your favorite scorched color.”

  He scooted Maddox and the stool closer to the steel counter. Legs dangling and attention rapt, Maddox fixed his gaze on the marshmallow doing a slow burn.

  Will put the lid on the peanut butter jar. “Let me help with cleanup.”

  She rinsed off the small butter knife in the sink. “I didn’t realize you’d lived in Charlotte. Me, too. I went to culinary school at Johnson & Wales.”

  “That’s impressive.” He closed the box of wafers. “Even a non-foodie like me has heard of its reputation. How long ago were you there?”

  Returning with a wet dishcloth, she wiped the area free of crumbs and peanut butter. As they chatted, they discovered they’d both been in the city of Charlotte about the same time.

  And he couldn’t help but wonder how different his life might have been if instead of meeting Liz when he first arrived, he’d met the perky, sunny culinary student.

  The timer dinged.

  He peered through the see-through window. “Looking a little toasty there, Maddox.” He raised his eyebrows. “As in, almost burned to a crisp.”

  She twisted the heat setting to Off. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, remember? Applies to food, too.”

  And in his opinion, a French-inspired chef. Who was kind to kitty cats and motherless little boys. Beautiful inside and out.

  Grabbing potholders, she carefully removed the tray and set it on the counter. “Let them cool. Meanwhile...” She looked at Maddox’s hands.

  He steered his son toward the sink. “I’ll help Peanut Butter Boy get spic-and-span.”

  Maddox giggled. Then with the wafers now cool, she declared it was
time to taste test.

  After eating two in a row, Maddox came up for air. “What do you fink, Daddy?”

  “So delicious I want another one.” He popped the entire wafer into his mouth. “My compliments to the chef and the cooker.”

  Kara tilted her head. “You know what the most handsome guys know how to do, Chief MacKenzie?”

  “No, I don’t.” He rolled his tongue in his cheek. “Please, enlighten me. What do the most handsome guys know how to do, Chef Lockwood?”

  She rested her hand on his son’s head. “Cook.”

  He bit back a smile.

  Maddox tugged on her jacket. “Can I feed Soufflé now?”

  For the second time in as many days, the three of them carried the bowl of water and an egg dish out to the back alley.

  “Soufflé!” Maddox called. “I bwought you some-ding yummy!”

  A pink nose peeked around the bin.

  “See, Daddy. Soufflé knows me. We’re friends.”

  The little boy squatted on his heels beside the saucer to watch the tabby eat.

  “You said that Mama G and I keep reminding you to lock the diner.” Will leaned his shoulder against the exterior wall. “Who’s Mama G?”

  A bemused smile on her features, Kara kept her eyes trained on his son and the cat. “You mean the café.”

  Reminding him once more of the subject he needed to broach with her. He straightened.

  “Mama G is Glorieta Ferguson, my foster mom.” Her eyes flitted to him and away again. “She helped me at the opening yesterday.”

  The African American lady he’d thought was the owner.

  “Your foster mom?” He glanced at his son, who was still oblivious to anything outside his new feline friend. “How old were you when you came to live with her?”

  “Eleven.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Mama G is the best.” She sighed. “But I don’t know that you ever get beyond missing your mom.”

  He blew out a breath. “That’s what I worry about with Maddox.”

  Kara’s gaze held a question, but he was thankful she didn’t press him to explain.

  The little boy wanting Kara to cook at his house and be Will’s wife had hit him right between the eyes. His son finally giving voice to a deep-seated desire for a mommy. Like his best buddies, Austin and Logan Hollingsworth. But with the current drama over the fire station, not something Will had either the time or energy to focus upon.

  “Mama G and her family were good to me. Still are.”

  He jerked out of his reverie.

  “Making her proud and the café a success is my number-one priority.”

  Will understood priorities. Maddox was the most important person in his life. His top priority. He couldn’t afford to lose sight of that. And that was the way it should be. Was meant to be. Even if sometimes he felt lonely.

  How long before Miss ErmaJean and her matchmaking cohorts found a perfect match for Kara? The old women were determined to make Truelove like Noah’s ark. As in, they came in pairs. A party he had no wish to join.

  And yet, the notion of Kara paired off with someone rankled. Or just someone else?

  Flustered, he felt an overwhelming need to leave. To get away from the pretty chef and the complicated feelings she elicited within him.

  He folded his arms. “Maddox, we should go.”

  The cat jumped at his voice and bolted down the alley.

  “Daddy!” Maddox glared. “You scared Soufflé.”

  He took hold of his son’s shoulder. “Miss Kara has better things to do with the rest of her Sunday than hang out in an alley.”

  Punching in the code on the door, she gave him a curious look. They followed her into the kitchen.

  He navigated his child through the swinging door and into the dining area. “We’ve troubled you enough.”

  She trailed after them. “It’s been no bother.”

  Yanking open the entrance door, he set the bell aquiver. “Tell Miss Kara thank you and goodbye, son.”

  “Dank you, Miss Karwa.”

  She hugged the little boy. “You are so welcome, sweetie pie.”

  With his child in her arms, something stirred in his heart. And conversely, irrationally, also made him angry.

  They’d been doing just fine until they met her. Thank you very much. Even if his cooking skills did leave a lot to be desired.

  “Come on, Maddox.” He held the door. “Let’s go.”

  “The wafers.” She straightened. “I’ll box them for you to take home.”

  He frowned. “That’s not—”

  But she’d darted back into the kitchen.

  He gritted his teeth. This had to stop. Before Maddox became too attached. Before he became too—

  Will pulled Maddox out to the sidewalk.

  “But, Daddy...” His son looked over his shoulder. “Miss Karwa’s bwinging de...”

  Will hustled him over to the truck, careful to keep hold of his hand. Sunday afternoons on Main were usually pretty quiet, but it looked like some meeting had just broken up over at the hardware store. Traffic had picked up.

  “Maddox. Will. Wait.” Clutching a small white takeout box, she raced outside. “You weren’t going to leave without these, were you?”

  His son pulled on his sleeve. “Wook, Daddy. Soufflé followed us.”

  Several vehicles whizzed by.

  Will frowned at the box. “You really didn’t have to do that.”

  She held the box out to him. “It was fun.”

  Maddox tugged his hand. “Soufflé wants me to go play wid him, Daddy.”

  Letting go of him, Will scraped his hand across his face. “No, I mean you really shouldn’t have done that, Kara.”

  She blinked at him. “What?”

  “Thank you for being kind to my son, but...” He squared his shoulders. “A word of advice.”

  Her gaze sharpened. “Advice about what?”

  “Soufflé.” Maddox raised his voice to be heard over the passing cars. “And me, Daddy.” He inched off the sidewalk.

  Will jutted his jaw. “I think if you want the diner to be a success, you should reconsider your menu.”

  Her chin lifted. “What are you talking about? I kept my prices in line with the previous owner’s.”

  Maddox took a step away and then another.

  Will locked eyes with her. “I’m talking about taking the apple pie off the menu and replacing it with some fancy apple substitute.”

  “The apple tart galette?” Her eyes narrowed. “Have you even tried my version before you passed judgment?”

  He widened his stance. “I don’t have to try it to know Truelove loves its apple pie.” He raised his palms. “And don’t shoot the messenger because I’m trying to give you a friendly warning.”

  Kara scowled at him. “You insult my food, and you call that being friendly?”

  “... Soufflé... Me... On the square, Daddy...”

  Will scowled back. “People around here don’t take kindly to highhanded flatlanders telling us what we should and shouldn’t eat. Furthermore...”

  To his immense irritation, he realized she’d stopped listening. Her attention snared by a blur of motion. In his peripheral vision, he saw it, too.

  A streak of movement. A cream-colored tabby. And a small boy.

  His boy.

  Maddox’s words registered at the same moment she threw the box down and raced into the street.

  “Stop, Maddox!” she screamed. “Don’t move! Stop!”

  He turned at what she’d seen behind him. But his reaction was a split second too late. Maddox had chased the stray into the middle of the intersection.

  Adrenaline pumping, Will sprinted forward, but it felt as if his feet were encased in quicksand. And he kne
w. Somehow he just knew. He’d never reach Maddox in time.

  Darting between the cars, she scooped his child into her arms.

  Horns blared. There was a hissing squeal of brakes. Cars in both lanes skidded.

  And then a horrific thud.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Without stopping to think, Kara rushed into the street, determined to save Maddox from harm.

  Grabbing up the little boy, she turned her back on the oncoming car. Using her body to shield him from the impact of a collision she knew was coming. She tensed. Flinched at the squeal of brakes. The hissing of braking tires.

  Her eyes squeezed shut, it took her a few seconds to realize she was still alive. Her heart pounded.

  On the back of her legs, she could feel the heat coming off the too-close engine. She waited for the onset of pain. A twinge. But nothing.

  Vaguely, she became aware of voices shouting. One of them Will’s. But all that mattered was Maddox. Was he okay?

  Her eyes snapped open as Will wrenched the little boy from her arms.

  “Are you all right, Maddox? Talk to me, son.” Will examined the child from head to toe. “You know you’re never supposed to go into the street without...” His gaze shot to her. “You saved him. Are you hurt, Kara?”

  She couldn’t speak past the boulder lodged in her throat.

  His brow creased. “Darlin’?” His hand cradled her cheek, igniting sparks along her skin.

  And her knees went weak at the drawled-out rasp of his voice.

  He must have felt the sparks, too, because his dark eyes widened. But she didn’t pull away. Neither did he.

  Snarled in both directions, traffic came to a standstill. Motorists got out of their vehicles.

  “Are they okay, Chief?”

  “They ran right out in front of my car, Chief.”

  Holding Maddox against him and with an arm curled protectively around Kara’s shoulders, Will took charge in sorting out the confusion.

  The buzz of voices droned on around her. She felt strange. Numb, almost disconnected from reality. Probably in shock. If only she could stop shaking.

  “Give yourself a second,” Will said. “It’s the excess adrenaline leaving your system.”

  Suddenly, Maddox caught sight of something over Will’s shoulder. “Soufflé’s hurt!” Squirming, he tried climbing down from his father’s arms. “He’s not dead, is he, Daddy?”