A Sweet and Spicy Kind Of Love (9 page)

Ethan appeared to be a nice man and kept her entertained. He was the same height as Molly, with sandy hair and sky blue eyes in a handsome face. He was not nearly as handsome as a dark haired devil who lived at Templeton Manor, but he was handsome enough.

Shaking her head to get the impression of Julian out of her mind, Molly focused on Ethan’s words. He spoke to her about his travels, the importance of organizing the competition, what the event truly meant and how much it could change the life of the winner. “Winning a competition is no small thing, especially if you compete against the best. It gives you a degree of confidence you can’t get from anything else. I think you should participate. Will you? Your cooking is the best I have ever tasted.”

Molly smiled self consciously. She did not know what to make of his complement and the way it was given. It seemed to her he was talking about more than just a simple meal. When he left her home the impression became stronger. “Hey there Molly, it was really nice to meet you. I have to meet with Mr. Chambers about the competition, but perhaps we can get together tomorrow evening? How about I take you out for some dinner? I am sure you would love to enjoy a meal you didn’t have to prepare hmmm?” She agreed and they settled on a time. Eight o’ clock and the restaurant was the Bay View Inn.

That night, Molly reflected on the evening as she prepared for bed. Perhaps it was time to broaden her horizons and enjoy herself for a change.  Julian certainly wouldn’t mind. Her mother had called from the manor and told her that Valeria and her family had enjoyed a fabulous picnic at the estate, just a few days before. “I think he’s really going to ask her to marry him Molly and you have to prepare yourself, just in case.”

Feeling as though the floor had fallen out from under her feet, Molly felt woefully unprepared. That and the pain in her heart resulted in sleepless nights and gloomy days. She had been living on the clouds of happiness ever since Julian had requested that she cook for him, but realistically he had given her no other indication that he was interested in her in any other way. Perhaps it was time to wake up and smell the roses. Living on dreams was an empty way to exist and she was tired of living and dreaming about Julian. It was time to move on.

~~~

Julian watched Belinda work with a degree of pride. He was amazed at how well the Templeton gardens were blossoming under her capable hands, in such a short time. Her working skills were exemplary, especially the way she organized the plants, shrubs and blooms in various shades and colors. At the moment she was working around the outermost wall of the house. Curious, Julian wandered in her direction to see exactly what she was up to “Morning Ma’am. How are you doing today?”

Belinda smiled in response. She had grown to admire Julian’s way of dealing with others, but she still had some degree of reservation. “I am working with the creeping rose and I intend to plant them in such a way that they will run up the sides of the walls. It will be quite beautiful after it’s all done. Not to worry.”

Julian held up his hands with a twinkle in his eyes “I am not worried. Even I can see you know exactly what you are doing, but what is a creeping rose?”

Belinda laughed “Oh actually that is not the name. It’s the Alchymist rose. Nice solid scent and the blooms are a beautiful yellow, actually rather golden if you wish to be more fanciful. But it is a strong climber and will adorn the walls very nicely. And I intend to mix it with the Spanish Beauty, another lovely bloom in a vibrant, variation of pink. It grows strong and tall. Both of them will make a nice combination, don’t you agree?”

Julian nodded with a surprised look. “Absolutely! I am glad that you are here with us. I am afraid that we neglected the gardens over the years. It was my Mother’s hobby and after she was gone, no one could do it quite the same way.”

“Thank you Julian. That is most kind of you to say and I am honored by the reference to your mother. And you?  What you are off to this morning if I may be so bold.”

“Actually I have to meet with the head of the Chili competition as I have a few questions and some small details to iron out. I’ll keep you posted on that. I am thinking that we will include a floral exhibition in the competition as well to show off your magnificent skills. What do you think about that?”

Belinda was suddenly at a loss for words. Even though the offer was made in a matter of fact way, just the thought of someone, other than her daughter, appreciating her efforts warmed her heart. Feeling her eyes moistened she nodded slowly.

Julian was amazed at the reaction. He could not believe that such a simple offer could produce such an emotional response, but he was glad that he had made it. With a small wave he left Belinda staring at him with hope in her eyes.

~~~

Yolanda and Molly met at the Inn for some hot chocolate and strawberry pancakes.

“I only have a moment Yolanda, but at least we can enjoy our pancakes before the morning rush begins. I am so glad that you are back. Did things go well with you in the city?”

Her friend shook her head with a wry expression “Nah! It was horrible, but I know I am a small town girl and I was glad to come back. Looks like you feel the same way. But that fancy cooking class you went to really helped right? I mean now you have a great job and all these people know how you can steam things. Fascinating I say.”

Molly made a face “Cook things silly, not steam things.”

Yolanda waved her hand in a dismissing gesture “Ridiculous difference. Steaming and cooking are near enough that I can use any one of the two to make my point, which is when you put something on the stove, it comes out good. How’s that for an explanation?”

Molly agreed to disagree. It was either that or get Yolanda riled up for the rest of the day with her dramatics. “Well then, tell me about yourself. Anything new I need to know?”

“No way girl! We are not talking about me. We are talking about you and specifically how things are going with you know who?”

Molly’s bright mood suddenly dimmed and she sighed deeply. Yolanda saw her expression and grimaced “That bad eh?”

“Well sometimes I feel like a yo-yo, you know? Up and down and all around? I didn’t even get to send the pie the other day as I had planned to.” With a sigh Molly put her hands under her chin “Sometimes I think Julian does notice me and other times it is though I don’t exist. I am tired of waiting for him. I just can’t take the seesawing emotions anymore. Does that make sense to you or am I giving up too soon?”

Yolanda was horrified if her gaping mouth was any indication “What! Your problem is you have waited way too long to end this, but now that I am here you are going to get that man once and for all, do you hear me? No excuses!”

Molly’s slight giggle made Yolanda smile in return “There, there now. See, you are happy again. Don’t make this get you down my girl. It is time for some action. Now fill me in on that Ethan fellow you were seen with a couple nights now. Who is he and what is the deal going out with him?”

Molly shrugged “Well I thought that I could enjoy myself with someone else instead. I can’t wait on Julian forever, but I must confess that these couple evenings have been a bit of a bore. Ethan is nice, yes, but I feel….well actually I could not stop comparing both men and it spoiled any opportunity I could have had for a nice time. Ethan obviously did not feel the same way as he is calling on me to go out tonight again.”

Yolanda was intrigued “Well now, things are finally looking up. I do think you need to go with him, but I think you should time the outing more accurately.”

Molly was puzzled “What do you mean by that?”

“Well do you know if Julian is going to be anywhere in your vicinity at the time?”

“No of course not. The only place we might remotely see each other is at the house party for that new family this weekend, on Saturday I think. They moved to Sunnyvale about a week ago. The Sanderson’s or something like that.”

Yolanda jumped up and danced around the table with a cry of delight “Molly, that is the key! That is exactly what you need. Tell Ethan you can’t make it tonight, lots of work, dead on your feet, can’t breathe, only one lung functioning, yadda, yadda, yadda…you know what I mean. And then we will arrange for you to visit the party this Saturday and this time you are going to make an impression on that man.”

“On Ethan? I think he is already impressed”

Yolanda’s look of horror was a balm to Molly’s soul. “Molly, please do not insult my intelligence. All of this work is not and I repeat not for this Ethan chap. This is strictly for Julian. It is time to see if your efforts are worth pursuing any longer, or if you need to leave this man once and for all. Now get up, we still have a few minutes before your clients start to arrive and we need to plan. Move girl!”

~~~

Julian and Ethan met in the gazebo of the Templeton estate, to discuss the rules of the competition and set the starting date for the Monday after the Sanderson’s party.

“It is customary for us all to go to the event and welcome the new family, so I shall be there with Valeria and of course you and your entire team are welcome. It will be a nice place to formally announce the competition and give the rules to the participants. Does that sound good to you?”

Ethan’s blue eyes lit up at Julian’s invitation “But of course it does. I think it is an excellent opportunity to get to know the people a bit better, as the competition will take a couple of days and we could also tell them that you have arranged to hold it on the Templeton grounds. I am certain that they would love to hear it.”

Julian grimaced “Yes I agree but I haven’t told my father yet, so I guess I better get started on that, which will probably be the most difficult part of the whole thing.”

Ethan raised his brows “Better you than I is all I have to say about that. Oh and one more thing…I will bring a date of my own if that is all right. She is a beautiful girl from right here in your community.”

Julian inclined his head with a slight smile “That was fast. May I inquire as to who your date will be?”

Ethan nodded with delight “Absolutely. Her name is Molly and she is the head cook, and only cook for that matter, at the Daffodil Inn, the place where we ate when we arrived. What a beautiful woman she is. I am hoping to convince her that we should go steady if she is willing to move over to my neck of the woods. Do you know her well?”

Julian could not recall the last time he felt as though the rug had been pulled from under his feet, but this was one of them. As his face froze into stony silence, Ethan laughed rather uncomfortably and made a hasty goodbye.

Julian did not care if he got run over by a truck, as long as he never saw him again. Unaccustomed to the strong emotion that he couldn’t put a name to, he paced the stony ground kicking at the rocks with his shoes. The beauty of the surroundings made no impression upon him as his entire outlook became dark and gloomy. Molly had a boyfriend? Well that certainly didn’t take long especially after everyone insisted she was crazy about him. Perhaps he should ask her himself. That was a better plan. Ask her and warn her about strange men who were only passing through. It was clear she had no idea what she was doing. He decided to deal with his father in the evening. At the moment he needed to see Molly.

~~~

Ethan dropped by the Inn’s kitchen for an unannounced visit and Molly did her best to accommodate him. However, his close proximity forced her to stop the King Crab soup she was making and give him the attention he wanted. “I am working Ethan and only have a moment to spare. Your being underfoot does not help and I don’t want Valeria or her mother to get upset with me. The ingredients for this soup are expensive and can quickly be ruined, if not prepared well. Can’t this wait until after work?”