by Lynn Cahoon
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Trent almost looked sad.
“Quit messing with me. I’m not in the mood to be teased.” Mia’s heart raced. Please don’t give me bad news, please.
“Not messing with you. George Kennedy is in Alaska fishing for two weeks.” Trent shook his head. “I would have thought he would have said something.”
“Who’s George Kennedy?” Mia’s thoughts raced through the names of people she’d met since she’d moved here; no George in the bunch.
“He’s the health inspector. The one who has to sign off on your business?” Trent headed to the stairs. “I think I smell that strata now.”
Mia watched him bound up the stairs. Two weeks? By her business plan she needed to open no later than May 1 and she wouldn’t even have her inspection for two more weeks? She glanced again at her missing wristwatch—too early to call the county to see if this George guy had left someone else in charge. Besides, it was the weekend. Who did she think would answer?
Sighing, she followed Trent up the stairs to the apartment. She might just eat both of those maple bars to drown her sorrow.
She had just reached the entrance to the apartment when she heard a rapping on the door. “Grand Central freaking Station, today. I’ll be right back.” Mia glanced at Trent. “Christina’s in the kitchen. She’s pretty mute until she gets a few cups of coffee in her, but she might talk to you if you offer her a doughnut.”
“She won’t bite my hand if I feed her, will she?” Trent peeked around the open door, apparently looking for a booby trap.
“She’s not a wild animal; she’s a young woman who likes to sleep in. I don’t think she’ll bite, but keep your hands out of reach just in case.” Mia turned and started down the stairs. Who needed step class? She had a fitness program right here. Two flights of stairs, twenty times a day.
“I’m not feeling safe here,” Trent called after her.
“Pull up your big boy pants and go get some coffee. I promise, she won’t bite—hard.” Mia grinned. She liked Trent. Christina had hit the nail on the head when she’d said Mia and Isaac’s relationship had been all business. She’d had more fun with this man in the few days she’d known him than with the boyfriend she’d lived with for the last five years. Trent teased, laughed, and brought doughnuts. Now he could be couple material.
A smile crossed her lips and stayed there right up to the time she opened the door. Isaac Adams, her ex-boyfriend, Christina’s brother, and the person voted least likely to cross her doorway leaned against the doorframe. He pushed his dark-brown hair out of his eyes and smiled at her. The smile that had changed her mind so many times in the past, but now all it did was remove the smile from her face.
“Hey.” His voice was soft and playful.
Mia crossed her arms. “What do you want, Isaac?”
He raised his eyebrows. “So we’re playing this game?”
“I’m not playing any game. Why are you here?” Mia glanced at the car sitting by the street, no passenger. “And where’s your new catering director? Sleeping in?”
Isaac shook his head. “Jealousy doesn’t become you. Tanya stayed in Boise. She’s not here.”
“But you are. Why?” Mia held the door closed with her foot.
“I come in peace.” Isaac held up his hands in mock surrender. When Mia failed to respond he sighed. “Look, Mia, I told Mom I’d come by to give Christina some money and check in on her. Do you mind? Can I see my sister?”
Mia wanted to say no. She wanted to slam the door on Isaac. She wanted to kick him in the groin. Finally she stepped back and opened the door. “Come on in. She’s upstairs in the apartment.”
She shut the door after him and marched up the stairs. At least Trent was here. Maybe Isaac would get the wrong idea about her and Trent, so she wouldn’t have to worry about him trying anything stupid.
“Smells amazing. You make that strata I love?” Isaac’s voice followed her up the stairs. “What, not sleeping?”
Mia groaned. For years, whenever she’d had a problem, she’d gotten up in the middle of the night and cooked. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d surprised Isaac with a hot breakfast, usually something new that they would try out with the catering staff.
She opened the door and motioned him into the apartment. Christina could fill him in on all the craziness around them. Mia just wanted coffee. “Things have been hectic.”
As they walked into the tiny kitchen, Trent sat at the table drinking coffee. The doughnuts were out of the box on a plate in the middle of the kitchen. Christina stood at the stove, cutting the strata into servings.
“Isaac, this is Trent Majors. Trent, Isaac Adams, Christina’s brother.” Mia left the rest of the descriptors out of the introductions.
“And you said I moved on fast.” Isaac studied her, smirking. He winked and then held out his hand to Trent. “Nice to meet you. You and Mia dating?”
Mia gasped. “Not your business.”
Trent smiled and stood to shake Isaac’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Your sister is a sweetheart. And starting to be a pretty good sous chef.”
Mia smiled at Trent, thankful he’d try to steer the conversation away from their relationship. But Isaac wasn’t done.
“I didn’t expect Mia to have company this early in the morning.” Isaac released Trent’s hand and slipped into a chair at the table. “Mia, honey, pour me some coffee.”
Mia sighed. This would not be pretty. He’s here to talk to Christina, she reminded herself.
Before she could move to the coffeepot, Christina put her hand on Mia’s arm. “Go sit down; I’ll get the coffee.”
“Thanks,” Mia whispered.
Trent glanced at her as she slipped onto a chair and grabbed a napkin and a maple bar. He leaned back into his chair and refocused his gaze on Isaac. “I brought doughnuts. Why are you here?”
Mia bit her lip to keep from smiling. When Isaac didn’t answer Mia swallowed the bite of doughnut and supplied the answer. “Christina’s mom worries. Isaac is here to make sure I don’t have her chained to the stove.”
“Mom wouldn’t think that.” Christina set a cup of coffee in front of Mia and then one for Isaac. “She liked you.”
Mia snorted. “Your mother never thought I was good enough for her little boy.”
Christina brought the plates and set them in front of the three. “She likes you a lot more now that he’s dating that crazy Tanya.”
Isaac’s turned toward her. “Who told you that?”
Christina cut off a bite with her fork before she answered. “Mom. She says you burning Mia shows how stupid you really are.”
Trent chuckled. “Nothing like family to focus on your faults.”
Instead of responding, Isaac stood, his face beet red. He pulled out his wallet and threw a handful of hundred-dollar bills at Christina. “That’s from Mom. I’m at the Lodge until tomorrow morning. Come over tonight for dinner and we’ll talk.”
Mia started to stand. Christina put her hand on her arm, stilling her. “Stay here and enjoy breakfast with Trent. I’ll show Isaac out.”
As brother and sister left the kitchen, Trent sipped his coffee. When the sound of the front door to the apartment closing echoed through the quiet kitchen, he set down his cup. “You okay?”
“Sorry about all that. I guess you figured out Isaac and I used to . . .” she paused. What had they been to each other? At one time she thought he would be her one and only. Now, she saw him through different, clearer eyes. And she didn’t like what she saw. Especially since she’d realized he’d always been this way. She sighed. “Stupid, I know.”
“Being in love can make you do stupid things. And there’s nothing wrong with following your heart.” Trent’s voice sounded wistful. He shook his head and took a bite. “The man’s a fool if he can walk away from something like this.”
Mia wondered if Trent’s words meant more than the strata. She ducked her head and smiled. Maybe today would be
okay after all.
CHAPTER 6
“I don’t have to go.” Christina looked at Mia, her gaze pleading for an excuse. Any excuse.
Mia straightened the girl’s shawl over her bare shoulders. “It’s just dinner with your brother. You’ve lived through worse. Like Thanksgiving with you mother.”
Christina snorted. “Remember the year Grandma decided to cook, but instead we went to that awful buffet?”
“Your mom had steam rolling out of her ears by the time dinner was over. Which, besides the coffee, was the best thing about the dinner.” Mia put her arm around her and walked her toward the door. “I’ll drop you off, check in with James and get the stuff I left at the Lodge, and, if you want to leave when I do, you can catch a ride back. Otherwise stay and talk to him. He’s your brother.” Mia didn’t add, Even though I think he’s an ass.
They walked through the empty corridors out to the main lobby. Tomorrow the place would buzz with workmen finishing up the kitchen and the last touches. Now, just to find the missing health inspector and she’d be in business. Literally.
Mia locked the main door, flipping on the outside lights. The sun had set early, leaving the little town bathed in streetlights, but the glow from the old-fashioned lampposts didn’t even start to reach the porch. The previous owners had put the parking lot at the back of the building along with the basketball and small tennis court. Mia imagined summer flowers lining the driveway and leading the customers to the lot. Then she’d put in a stone pathway to direct them to the entrance. She pulled on Christina’s arm. “Come on, you were supposed to be there at seven. He’s going to think I’m the reason you’re late.”
“Why do you care what Isaac thinks?” Christina grumbled, but slid into the passenger seat.
Mia grinned. “You’re right. Habit, I guess. Want to drive around the Lodge a few times just to keep him waiting?”
“See, that’s better. I like having a partner in the I Hate Isaac Club.” Christina watched Mia as she drove. “Trent’s hot.”
Mia didn’t take the bait. “He’s too old for you.”
Christina made a face. “Ugh, gross. I didn’t mean for me. I meant for you.”
“Don’t you think I have enough on my plate without starting to date again?” Mia didn’t look over until she stopped at the town’s only stoplight, which always seemed to be red for her. No matter how many times she tried to wish it green, the traffic light ignored her attempts at magic. “Besides, who says I’m looking for a new guy?”
“He likes you.” Christina grinned. “I thought he was going to freak when he saw Isaac come through the door.”
“He didn’t even know who Isaac was.” Mia drove the van the last few blocks to the Lodge after the light finally turned green.
“So why’d he get all defensive when another man showed up at your doorstep first thing this morning?”
Mia let that comment slide. Had Trent been defensive, or had Christina read the situation wrong? Didn’t matter; she needed some Mia time. And it wasn’t like she didn’t have a building to renovate or a business to build. There would be time later for dating. Now, she needed to focus.
Life doesn’t work that way. Mia pulled into the Lodge parking lot and found a spot on the north edge. She hated that little voice sometimes.
As they walked through the slush to the front entrance, Christina seemed as lost in thought as Mia. Finally, as Mia reached out to open the front door, she stilled her hand. Mia smiled at her. “What? I don’t think we can stall anymore.”
“You know I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I’m totally on your side in this thing.” Christina’s voice choked up.
Mia pulled her into a hug. As she released her, Mia wiped a small tear that had escaped onto Christina’s cheek. “Having dinner or visiting with your family doesn’t bother me at all. Even when that family member is the man formerly known as Isaac.”
Christina smiled. “We need to make up a new name for him. Like Jerk.”
“Jerk is good. And it’s still short, so he should be able to spell it.”
A laugh escaped the young woman’s lips. “I need you to know, no matter what, I really appreciate you taking me in.”
Mia reached for the door again, but this time Christina let her open it. “Believe me, you saved me a major disaster by helping me with Adele’s party. Or at least what was supposed to be Adele’s party. I should be thanking you for showing up.”
“You don’t understand—I’m a train wreck.” Christina glanced around the lobby. “Look, I need to tell you something.. . .”
Christina’s words were cut off when Isaac came up to them from a hallway behind the reception desk. “I was calling you. Being late isn’t polite.”
“I’m sorry,” Christina blushed. “It was my fault. We were talking.”
Isaac stared at his sister. “Seems like you talk too much sometimes.”
“Stop it. She’s here now; go have dinner and stop harping at her.” Mia hugged Christina, glowering at Isaac over the girl’s shoulder. She whispered, “You sure you don’t want me to wait?”
Christina shook her head. “I’ll meet you at home, I mean the school.” She glanced at Isaac.
“I’ll take her back to your place. Don’t wait up. Mom made me promise to find out all about what’s happening in my little sister’s life. We might take a while.” Isaac smiled and stepped closer to Mia. She could smell his cologne. “Unless you want to have dinner with us? Like old times?”
Mia tried not to visibly shudder. “I think our old times are ancient history.” She stepped backward away from him, not concerned about how it looked to anyone. “I’m not in the forgiving mood right now and I’d probably say things that shouldn’t be said in public.”
Christina reached a hand up to her face, covering the grin that Mia had caught. Mia couldn’t be sure, but she thought she’d seen her mouth the word Jerk. Mia focused her breath, calming herself so she wouldn’t bash Isaac with her purse and look like an episode of Trailer Trash Relationships Gone Wild. No, she’d be the adult in the situation; she always had been.
“You know I’m going to win here, right?” Isaac’s voice was hard, the gaze he had on her menacing.
“We’re done, Isaac. You aren’t getting anything else out of me, including a reaction to your threats.” And then she turned toward the kitchen.
Get stuff, get out of here. She repeated her list to herself three times before she got far enough away from Isaac that she knew he couldn’t overhear her words. She let the kitchen door close, then the word exploded out of her like pellets from a shotgun. “What a complete and ultimate dirt bag. I don’t know what I ever saw in the guy.”
The line cooks glanced over at her, their eyes wide. James came around from the back of the kitchen. “Who’s got you wound up tonight? Can’t be Trent. He’s been out fishing most of the day.”
Mia waved her hand like she could just push the idea away. “Sorry, my ex is in town and he can twist me three ways to Sunday in about three-point-two seconds.” She brushed cake crumbs off James’s jacket. “Baking tonight?”
“My pastry chef has the night off. So it’s up to me to wow the masses. You here to help?” James looked at her, clearly confused at her presence.
“Sorry, when they brought over the stuff from Adele’s party, my knife set wasn’t in the boxes. I just want to grab it and run.” Mia watched the man’s face as he glanced to the back of the kitchen. She liked him. He reminded her of a younger Chef Boyardee from the commercials, all smiles. And from what she’d eaten of his food, a talented chef, maybe too talented for such a small lodge, but you never knew what path people would take in life. Maybe he loved the outdoor lifestyle Magic Springs provided as much as the locals. Stranger things had happened. She smiled, thinking of her path to paradise. Would people wonder about her reason for wanting to plant roots here?
James frowned. “I supervised the packing myself yesterday. I don’t think we missed anything. Are you sure the
knives are missing?”
Mia nodded. “I finished unpacking all the boxes this morning. I’ve got a full set in a case, and the last time I saw them was here, just before we found out about Adele.” The vision of Adele’s legs sticking out from under the lily-white tablecloth popped, unwelcome, into her mind. She shook it away. “Do you mind if I check myself? Sometimes I tend to stuff things out of the way.”
James glanced at the tray a waiter was carrying out to the dining room. He grabbed the guy’s arm and yelled back at the kitchen. “Wait, who plated this salmon? How many times do I have to show you the correct sides?”
“You’re busy. I’ll come back later.” Mia stepped back, knowing the line cooks were about to be lectured.
“Might as well look now. You’re here.” James started walking to the line. “I’ve got to handle this, sorry.”
Mia watched him carry the tray back to the pass. The good thing about working catering was that everything was the same. You didn’t have twenty or a hundred different orders going out at the same time. She didn’t miss working a real dining room. She’d done that for years before Isaac hired her for the hotel catering job and she’d found her passion.
She walked back to the area where she and Christina had been prepping for the party. The steel tables gleamed. The area appeared empty. The Lodge’s kitchen was huge, allowing for several different areas for prep work. James must use this for the parties that came through the Lodge most weekends. She marveled at his generosity. Most chefs would be frantic if a competitor came into their kitchen. The business could be cutthroat. Maybe that mentality didn’t exist in this kitchen. She squatted and searched under the tables. There, shoved in the back, was something black.
