Love & Chocolate: Valentine's Day (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 4)

by Elsie Davis

  Amanda flipped the “Back in 10 minutes” sign on the front door and left through the back to take Cupcake on a walk. They both could use some fresh air.

  Chapter Six

  The doorbell rang, and Kevin couldn’t help but glance up the stairs, hoping the girls would be on better behavior this evening. The last thing he needed was a repeat performance. He opened the front door and quickly grabbed one of the bags from Amanda.

  “Thanks for doing this. It’s nice to know the twins didn’t make you go running for the hills, never to be seen again.” He grinned, taking her coat and hanging it on the coat rack. It had only been three days since he’d last seen her, but they’d been three full days rife with problems at work and problems with the girls at their school. Amanda’s presence would be a welcome relief to having the same discussions night after night with the twins about staying out of trouble and keeping up their grades.

  “The thanks all go to you for giving me a second chance. I swear, tonight you’ll get to relax the way you wanted. You do deserve it. I didn’t realize that first night that when you remarked there would be three of you, that you were talking about twin daughters. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been on you as a single parent trying to settle in a new town and into a new job.” Amanda picked up her bag, and they headed for the kitchen.

  “It has its moments. Honestly, they can be a challenge, but then life is one big challenge.” And no matter what those girls threw at him, he’d take it, because he loved them and because he knew they were acting out because they were upset with him and their mother.

  “Great attitude.” Amanda set her bag on the counter and Kevin set the other one next to it.

  He started to unpack everything, making small talk until he was comfortable making his exit to head for the living room, intent on kicking up his feet and relaxing. The girls were still studying and cleaning their rooms, which meant peace and quiet for the short term. “What’s for dinner tonight?”

  “I thought about doing the same meal, but then I couldn’t get the picture of that poor pathetic roast out of my head, so I decided something else is in order. Something more in line for ten-year-old girls and a grown man.” She organized the ingredients in small groups, her efficiency satisfying to a chemistry teacher who liked everything exactly right when it applied to experiments and in regular life.

  “Other than spaghetti, pizza, and hamburgers, I can’t imagine what that would be?” He grinned.

  Amanda’s hair fell loosely across her shoulders, and she quickly pulled it back into a ponytail, using a band from around her wrist. The soft, graceful lines of her throat reminded him of a swan. Sleek and elegant.

  “Shrimp macaroni and cheese. It’s all the rage now.” She batted her eyelashes and grinned, daring him to challenge her. Amanda had to be yanking his chain.

  “I’m sure the girls will like the mac and cheese, but I’m not so sure about the shrimp part. And as for me, the shrimp sounds tasty, but not the mac and cheese mixed with it. Call me a traditionalist.” It sounded awful. He’d lost out on beef Wellington for fishy macaroni and cheese? Hardly a fair trade-off.

  “You won’t know until you try it. I’ve got another salad to go with it, and I made another chocolate cake.” She cast a questioning glance in his direction.

  “But we still have some from the other night. I wouldn’t let the girls eat it because they brought home a couple of bad test grades. I thought perhaps they should spend more time studying than being rewarded with cake.”

  “The hard taskmaster, are you? But in answer to your question, it’s because I tried making it again, and it’s not quite the same. I was hoping you three could tell me what’s different. If you can tell the difference. It’s great you still have a leftover piece, because then you can compare the two.”

  “Maybe you’re missing the smoky flavor,” he teased.

  Amanda tossed a hand towel at him. “Haha. Are you the entertainment for tonight?”

  “Someone’s got to be. Your variety of entertainment is just too smoking hot,” Kevin continued to tease, this time moving out of range for her to make him target practice, especially with a knife in her hand.

  “Enough. You’re not going to let me live that down, are you?” The pretty flush on her cheeks was becoming and had nothing to do with the heat in the kitchen. He liked the way she couldn’t hide her emotions.

  “Probably not.” He grinned. “Do you need anything else? Otherwise, I’ll fix us a glass of wine, and you can join me, the same as last time. It was pleasant until all heck broke loose.”

  “I’ve got the salad all fixed, and the macaroni and cheese is ready to go in the oven. You can even watch me set the dial for 350.” She grabbed his arm and led him toward the oven, letting him witness her setting it to the correct temperature.

  “Okay, then. Temperature verified. Does that mean you’re ready for a glass of wine? I can open a bottle of white to go with pasta and fish.” He scrunched up his nose.

  “It’s not fish, it’s shrimp. Big difference. I’d love a glass of wine, but I prefer to stay in the kitchen this time. That way, I can keep an eye on everything. Wouldn’t want to chance a repeat.” She shrugged. “Besides, I still need to mix up the cake batter.”

  “Whatever you want to do is fine by me. But I’ve already checked the oven temperature. It’s all good, and the timer is set.” Kevin had looked forward to the evening for the past three days, and not just for the cooking. There were no two ways about it, he’d enjoyed Amanda’s company.

  “Still, I’d prefer to stay here, where I belong.” She wasn’t budging, not that he blamed her.

  “Then I’ll stay here with you. No reason the two of us can’t have a glass of wine together. Although we should be careful, because the people in town will think this is a second date, and we already know what they’re up to. If we keep meeting this way, they’ll have us married in no time at all,” Kevin teased. It was fun watching the expressions on her face as she processed his words.

  “I don’t—”

  The girls entered the kitchen, almost bounding through the door, cutting Amanda off. “Who’s getting married?” Macy asked the question without hesitation, not caring that she was letting it be known she’d been eavesdropping.

  “Not me, that’s for sure,” Amanda replied quickly. “I don’t have time for such silly nonsense.” She dumped the flour in the bowl and stirred, not even bothering to look up at him.

  Silly nonsense. Coming from Amanda, the words sounded odd. The girls slid onto a couple of barstools next to each other, watching every move Amanda made.

  “That’s good. It is nonsense, isn’t it? I’ve seen the way the boys are with some of the girls at school, and they’re making complete fools of themselves,” Lacy spoke up, her words causing Kevin to do a double-take. Since when did the twins even notice boys? He wasn’t ready for this—not by a long shot.

  “Funny you should say that. I call Valentine’s Day, February Fool’s Day. You and I think a lot alike.” Amanda nodded, her smile directed at Lacy.

  Kevin wasn’t sure he wanted Amanda’s line of thinking foisted onto his daughters. He wouldn’t say anything because it would be counterproductive at this point. Sometimes, it was better to keep his mouth shut, and this was one of those times.

  “I see you’ve made dinner again. What is it this time?” Macy asked. Kevin was happy she’d checked her attitude at the door.

  “Mac and cheese.” Amanda poured the batter into a rectangular cake pan and popped it against the counter. Seemed like an odd thing to do. Maybe for good luck, he inwardly laughed.

  “It’s kinda hard to ruin that.” Macy nodded.

  “Yummy,” Lacy chimed in.

  “It is yummy. It has four kinds of cheeses and some shrimp mixed in.” Amanda glanced up from what she was doing to check out the twin’s reactions.

  “Shrimp?” The girls exclaimed in unison. “Yuck!”

  “The shrimp and mac is quite a popular dish, but it is k
ind of a grown-up thing. It might be beyond what you two enjoy, but you can just pick out the shrimp. Or maybe try one, and if you don’t like it, pick out the rest. The mac and cheese is something I’m sure you’ll enjoy. All kids do.” For not having children of her own, Amanda was pretty well-versed in how to handle them. Reverse psychology. Maybe it was something he should try sometime.

  “We have a rule that new stuff has to be tried. Just one bite won’t hurt you.” Kevin jumped in, not about to let this conversation get out of hand.

  “We’re not little kids. I just haven’t had shrimp before, and it doesn’t sound like it belongs in anything as good as mac and cheese.” Macy sat up straighter on the stool as if to prove her point.

  “Try one bite, and if you don’t like it, push the rest to the side. It won’t hurt my feelings. It’s why I thought the meal choice was perfect for tonight. Satisfies both young and old alike. Hey, Macy, will you hand me that towel, please?” she asked, pointing at the blue cloth closest to Macy.

  His daughter looked at her, a question in her eyes, but she didn’t say a word. Instead, she picked up the towel and handed it to Amanda. Kevin was impressed and pleased.

  “Thank you.” Amanda wiped her hands, refolded the towel, and placed it next to the sink. “I was hoping you two could help set the table tonight. I heard you had trouble at school today, and maybe if you help me out, your dad will let you off the hook this time.”

  Lacy hopped off the stool. “I’m on it. I don’t like it when he’s grumpy with us.”

  “Thanks, Lacy.” Amanda opened the refrigerator and removed the salad. She spooned it into four bowls. “I brought several kinds of dressing because I wasn’t sure what you’d want. But salad and pasta always go great together.”

  Neither girl said a word, but Macy slid off her stool and joined her sister, carrying plates and silverware to the dining room, as well as the dressing Amanda put on the counter.

  “I’m impressed,” Kevin marveled as the swinging door closed behind the girls. You got them to help and didn’t even need me to step in and tell them to.”

  “They’re sweet girls. I imagine they’re just having a hard time expressing themselves during this difficult period.” Amanda shrugged, defending the girls. Even after all she suspected they’d done to her and her dinner.

  “If you say so. I’m just glad it worked. I’m looking forward to a peaceful meal.” The timer went off, and Amanda picked up two potholders, carried the casserole from the oven, and set it down on the cooling plate.

  “We can eat the salad as a first course. It will let this cool a few minutes, and the flavors will set up better.”

  They all sat down to eat the salad, and silence ensued. It was awkward, but not in the way he’d expected. It felt like a family meal—except they weren’t family. Or at least Amanda wasn’t. The girls had only taken a few bites when Macy set her fork down with a clatter.

  “I need to get water. I forgot. Lacy, are you coming to get yours.” A glance passed between the two that spelled trouble, one he’d seen before. There was no way he was letting them go to the kitchen alone.

  “I’ll get—” Kevin started to stand.

  “No, sit down. This is your night to relax. I’ll get the drinks for the girls. You all enjoy your salad.” Amanda’s smile made him think something was up, but he wouldn’t ask in front of the twins.

  “We don’t mind getting our own,” the twins tried again, coming to their feet.

  “And I don’t mind getting it for you. I’ll be right back.” Amanda was halfway to the door, putting an end to the discussion.

  The girls sat, another strange look passing between them.

  It wasn’t long before Amanda returned and handed them each a glass of water.

  “Thanks,” the girls mumbled.

  “Your welcome. And I’ll be right back with the mac and cheese.”

  Amanda set the casserole down on a potholder in the center of the table. It smelled good, even if it did look funny. Not that he’d say anything of the sort to the twins.

  Kevin took up a smaller than normal helping and gestured for the twins to serve themselves. He took a small bite, surprised to find he liked it. The second bite was bigger, and by then he was hooked. “This mac and cheese is the best I’ve ever had. Never would’ve guessed those two foods would mix,” Kevin said, before taking another bite.

  “In cooking, I’m always finding times when a surprise ingredient turns out amazing. Some things, you just never know until you try. What do you girls think?” Amanda asked, pausing to hear their answers.

  Macy shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s different, but I’m eating it. Guess that makes me a grownup.” She shot a dare-you-to-doubt-me look at Amanda, challenging her earlier statement.

  “I ate a couple of the shrimp, but the thought of the squirmy things swimming in the ocean bothered me.” Lacy scrunched up her face, her shoulders shaking in revulsion.

  “See, everyone has a different opinion, and that’s okay. I’m just happy you both tried it. Luckily, we have more dessert. But I need your help with something. I made the same chocolate cake that I made here the other night. I’m trying to enter it in a contest, but it just isn’t coming out the same, and I can’t figure out why.”

  The twins glanced at each other. Kevin didn’t miss the slight shake of Macy’s head. Now more than ever, he was positive they had something to do with the burnt beef Wellington. Although what it had to do with the cake, he had no idea.

  “I was going to have you three taste it and tell me what you thought. But now your dad tells me you still have some from the other night, so I thought maybe we could compare them, and you could tell me what you think is different. I really need your help.”

  “Sure thing,” Macy spoke up first.

  “Can I help you get anything?” Kevin asked, pushing back his plate after his second serving of mac and cheese.

  “No. I’ll just clear these dishes and be right back with dessert. I just need to put the topping on the new cake to make them the same. Just give me a few minutes.”

  True to her word, Amanda returned less than ten minutes later with a slice of the old cake and four slices of the new. She divided up the older piece into four, putting enough for a couple of bites on each person’s plate.

  “I hope you all can help me with this.” She eyed the girls directly, which made Kevin stop and pause. Did she really think the girls could help her? They were ten. Unless she suspected, what he was pretty sure he already knew.

  The girls took a bite of the new cake. They looked at each other, their noses scrunched up. “It’s, umm, okay. Just dry.” Macy took another bite of the older dessert, and if anything, her frown deepened.

  Kevin took a bite of each and compared them, trying to understand his daughter’s reaction. She was right. The original cake was moister, and contrary to his teasing, the difference wasn’t a smoky flavor. “I agree the first one is better. Surely you must be able to figure it out from the recipe.”

  “One would think. But I’ve done it twice now since then, and it’s not working. And I’m just wondering if something was added that I don’t know about. I’m not upset or anything if anyone did, but I am wondering if you girls added something when you went into the kitchen?” Amanda stared at the girls as she waited for an answer.

  “Are you accusing the girls of messing with your cooking?” It was a stupid, knee-jerk reaction. She really did suspect the twins, but no more so than he did.

  “Well, let’s go over the events of the evening. The temperature on the oven did get raised to 550 degrees. I don’t think it was magic, and I don’t think it was me. I know the girls were upset that I was here, and the only logical explanation is they had something to do with it. And if they had something to do with that, then maybe they had something to do with the dessert.” Amanda folded her arms in front of her chest and sat back, waiting.

  The girls looked guilty, but it didn’t mean anything. He wanted to believe they wouldn�
��t do such a thing. “Girls, did you have anything to do with either of these things that Amanda is asking you about?”

  “No, Daddy. Of course not.” Macy answered for them both, but neither one of the twins looked him in the eye.

  “Let’s assume you’re correct about the oven situation because let’s face it, they’re not acting as if they are innocent,” he said, disregarding Macy’s denial. “But if they ruined your beef Wellington, why would they make your cake better and not want credit?”

  “I don’t know, but that’s what I was hoping to find out. If they added something and made it better, I really need to know what it was if I want to submit the recipe.” Amanda didn’t budge, her gaze still locked the girls. She was clearly waiting for some big confession.

  “Girls, do you have anything you want to tell Amanda?”

  “Sorry about the oven, Miss Amanda.” Lacy shifted in her chair, poking her fork over and over into the cake, decimating it.

  “Sorry.” Macy shrugged.

  Kevin shook his head. He’d known the truth but hadn’t wanted to face it. His angels weren’t as angelic as he wanted them to be. It also left him feeling guilty for letting Amanda make a second meal. “Anything else?” He glared at them, willing them to tell the truth.

  “Nope.” A shuddered expression crossed Macy’s face. There’d be no other confessions tonight.

  “The both of you can be excused. I’m disappointed, and we’ll talk about it later after Amanda leaves.”

  The girls left the room without so much as a goodbye or a second look.

  “I’m sorry. I suspected as much, but I kept hoping I was wrong. A father wants to believe his kids wouldn’t do something of that nature. This whole thing with their mother has them acting out in ways I’ve not seen before, and honestly, I’m not sure how to handle them.”

  “It’s in the past. I forgive the twins. And I understand where they’re coming from. Go easy on them tonight.” Amanda stood and started stacking the dessert plates.

  “You’re a forgiving person. And sweet. After all they’ve said and done to you, you’re still on their side. I find that amazing.” He gazed at her as if truly seeing her for the first time. More than her blue eyes and brown curly hair. More than her soft cheeks and pretty lips. He saw a woman filled with kindness, someone who radiated a special kind of inner beauty.