Tangled Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls #2) (13 page)

A
bby turned
into the inn and shoved her car in park. She hadn’t meant to cause panic. After driving around for twenty minutes trying to decide how she’d confront Caitlin, she chickened out and went home.

Not only did Caitlin know about Brandon’s batter and Abby’s name appearing in it, she was a smart woman. Annoying but clever. Once she found out that Abby was pregnant, she’d easily put two and two together and come to the conclusion that Brandon was the father. All of this was very bad.

She got out of her car and took a deep breath, heading for the entrance. She was running out of time and would need to tell Brandon the truth.

When she returned home after driving around aimlessly, she’d been exhausted and just planned on closing her eyes for five minutes. She hadn’t heard her phone ring and had missed both Emma’s and Brandon’s multiple calls.

When she finally talked to Emma, her cousin filled her in on where the kids were. She couldn’t believe it. Sure, Brandon appeared to be able to make simple dishes, but could he teach a kitchen full of kids how to bake? She’d wanted to impress the mothers so badly, now she was going to look like an irresponsible flake.

Emma assured her that it would be okay, but Abby needed to see for herself. Entering the inn, she was nearly trampled by five kids playing tag. “Hi, gang.” She walked across the main room toward the kitchen where she could hear a whole lot of laughing going on.

Her heart stopped at the sight in front of her. The kids that weren’t playing in the other room were huddled around the kitchen island, decorating cupcakes with the ingredients she’d purchased. Brandon was hunched over helping a young girl add a black witch’s hat to hers while Shane taped the whole thing.

“Hi, everyone.” Abby smiled at several of the moms, all enjoying a glass of red wine Brandon must have opened up for them. Smart move on his part.

“Red, how are you feeling?” Brandon looked up from his culinary masterpiece.

“I’m fine.”

He gave her a look that she suspected was code for him wanting her to play along. “I think it was something I ate.” She turned to the moms. “I’m so sorry about this afternoon. I went home to lay down and didn’t hear my alarm go off. I hope the kids are having a great time.”

The mothers all agreed that they were.

Brandon joined the group of adults and clapped his hands. “How about that tour I promised. You’ve got this in here, Red?”

Abby smirked. “I think I can manage.”

While Abby took over for Brandon and helped the children decorate their cupcakes, he took all the mothers on a tour of the property.

When half the moms returned to help in the kitchen thirty minutes later, Abby took a moment to join Brandon’s tour. He’d just finished showing them the second floor, explaining what he planned on remodeling into sleeping rooms and office space.

Abby stood on the landing, letting all kinds of wonderful feelings rush through her. She loved watching Brandon in his element and how he lit up when he talked about his plans for the inn. He’d even mentioned how excited he was for his business partnership with Abby and Emma and that their catering company would be the talk of the town.

She hoped so. As the mothers started to descend the staircase, she greeted them. “The kids are anxious to show off their cupcakes.” She laughed, adding, “and eat them.”

While the women headed back into the kitchen, Abby hung back with Brandon who’d taken a call. She took a few minutes to gaze at his incredible broad shoulders underneath his familiar flannel.

He’d really come through today and, to her surprise and delight, had been wonderful with the kids. Maybe this bachelor was father material after all.

That is if her secret growing each day didn’t scare the hell out of him. She looked down at her hands, caked with frosting.

He ended his call and turned toward her. “That was Mitch. He needs me to work on Saturday.”

“On Saturday?” Her face fell. There went her plan to invite him over to dinner to tell him the truth.

“Yeah. I guess you’ll have the night off from me.”

She smiled wryly. “Can we get together on Sunday then? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

“You sound like Caitlin.”

She was nothing like that conniving schemer. “How did that go?”

“Fine. She’s actually doing quite well. You two might have more in common than you think.”

“Doubt it.” Her gaze slid down the banister to the first floor where a bunch of kids had started dancing for the camera. “Think Shane’s having fun?”

Brandon nodded. “He’s in it for the cupcakes.”

“I owe you big time.” Before she knew what she was doing, she threw her arms around him, melding her body to his in a hug that lingered a few seconds longer than it probably should have.

He finally let go and brushed her long bangs out of her eyes. “You’re welcome.”

“Hey, you two want to let me know when you’re about to get close next time?” Shane’s question caused her cheeks to overheat, and she took a step back.

“Will do, sir,” Brandon said, linking arms with Abby and escorting her down the staircase.

“Your pizza is here,” Shane said, turning off his camera. “I think that’s enough footage. I’ve got to get out of here before these kids tackle me again. I’ll see you both later tonight.”

“You got my directions, right?” Abby asked.

“Sure did. See you soon,” Shane said, heading out the door.

“You ordered the kids pizza?” Abby’s own stomach had been growling nonstop. She could definitely go for a slice.

Brandon nodded. “And the moms. I couldn’t just give them wine and cupcakes. What kind of host would that make me?”

Abby grinned, loving his thoughtfulness. Where had that side of Brandon been hiding?

They joined everyone in the kitchen where they all enjoyed the scrumptious pizza and finished decorating the last of the cupcakes. Abby snapped several pictures of each kid holding up their masterpiece. She’d ask Emma and Bridget to help her make baking apprentice certificates and paste a picture on each one.

An hour later, all the kids had a half-dozen cupcakes to take home to devour with their families.

Abby stood on the front porch and waved good-bye to the last child and his mother before walking back through the foyer into the kitchen. Brandon was busy wiping down the island counter.

“Man, these kids got frosting everywhere.”

“Don’t I know it.” She went over to the sink and turned on the faucet, washing her hands. “That was quite an afternoon, Mr. Swift.”

“What can I say? Witch and spider cupcakes are my specialty.”

“And let’s not forget the spooky pancakes this morning.”

“I really am a master chef.”

“Okay, Bobby Flay, it’s time to wrap it up.” She glanced down at her watch. It was almost 7 p.m. “I might need a rain check on what I had planned for this evening.”

“You don’t want to go out tonight?”

“It’s not that. I was going to treat you to dinner—which we’ve already eaten—followed by a movie at the old Majestic Theater. The movie starts at seven, so we’d miss a few minutes, and I don’t want to do that. Plus, it’s always fun to get there a little early and take in all its special nuances. They’ve got this great wall of pictures of actors and patrons from the old days. It’s quite a gem.”

Brandon grabbed her coat, handed it to her, and then slid on his own. “Why don’t we go back to my place then? We’ve got a whole pizza left, and we can watch a movie on Netflix. Sound good?”

“Sure.” Abby tapped her fingers on the pizza box. She’d only had a slice, so another actually sounded pretty awesome. “Should we invite Shane to come over?”

“Nah, he can watch his own movie,” he joked and sent Shane a quick text letting him know that tonight’s plans had changed, and they’d check in tomorrow. “He got enough footage this afternoon, anyway.” He flashed Abby a mischievous grin. “Although if you want to throw yourself at me like you did upstairs, I could text him back and ask him to bring over his camera.”

“I did not throw myself at you. I was merely thanking you for saving the day.” Her cheeks grew hot, thinking back to Brandon’s warm embrace, his strong arms around her. Her tone grew serious, “Thank you for today. I really can’t thank you enough for not letting the kids down.”

“We’re a team, don’t you forget it.” He reached for her hand. “Let’s go enjoy part two of our date. I’ll whip up a salad to go with that pizza, and we can hang out and relax.”

Abby smiled up at him, letting her hand fold into his. An evening alone with Brandon where they didn’t risk running into Caitlin was exactly what she needed.

B
randon set
the warmed up pizza on his coffee table and sat down next to Abby. Earlier, he’d brought in a mixed greens salad, a Sprite for her, and something for him with a little more kick.

“We did it.” She raised her soda can to his bottleneck beer.

“Yes, we did,” he agreed and clinked his drink with hers. “The Swift/Stevens team at its very best.”

“You mean Stevens/Swift, right?”

He chuckled. “Of course, beauty always goes first.”

Her eyes rolled, and she grabbed a slice of pizza.

When he had suggested they forgo going to the movies and instead watch one on Netflix, he was happy she’d agreed. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go on the date that Abby had planned, but after this crazy day, he just wanted to curl up on the couch, chomp down on some pizza, and have a beer.

“You know, Brandon, you were pretty awesome with the kids.”

“I was, wasn’t I?”

“And giving the mothers a glass of wine was brilliant.”

“Yeah, I figured they wouldn’t critique my baking too much if they were a little lit up.” He chuckled and picked up his beer. “I think they all liked you, too.”

“I hope so. I can use all the child-rearing advice once word spreads about this little bambino.” She patted her tummy, adding, “Who thanks you by the way for ordering the yummy pizza.”

“He’s welcome.”

“He?” Her eyes danced with amusement. “You think it’s a he?”

“Or she.” He tilted the long neck all the way back. “I had a lot of fun today.”

“I could see that.”

Reaching over, he gave her shoulder a squeeze and then draped his arm over the couch. With one move on her part, she could easily fall into his embrace. He was in dangerous territory, sitting so close to her. “So, do you want to have the talk now?”

She blinked. “Talk?”

“You said you had something important to discuss on Sunday, remember?” Right before that awesome hug that had left his lower region wanting in on some of the action.

“Oh, it was nothing really.” Abby sighed, and he suspected she was lying but didn’t want to push. “I’ve got some ideas for a winter menu for Taste the Magic.”

“Great.” He grabbed a slice of pizza. “I’m sure they will be a huge hit. What are we having Friday night?” he asked in between bites.

“Having?”

“For the Halloween party.”

“Right. Lots of fun things.” Her attention focused on the television, which might have signaled to him everything was fine, if it was turned on.

What had her so preoccupied
? The Abby he was getting to know was never this quiet and certainly not when it came to her catering business. “Hey, are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I . . . um . . . I guess I’m a little tired.”

“Let me take you home.” He stood and reached for her hand. When she declined, he sat back down. “Are you sure? I can drive your car and walk back.”

“No, I’m fine. Plus you promised me a movie, remember?”

“That I did.” He turned on the television and surfed Netflix while she excused herself to use the bathroom. What would she enjoy? Scary movies were off the table; he’d never liked them. He flipped through the romantic comedy section, thinking Abby might be in the mood for one. Laughing at the last suggestion, he clicked on it. It was perfect for her.

“So, what are we watching?” Abby returned to the living room and got comfy on the couch.

He bit his lip. This closeness for the next two hours might be torture. “
Practical Magic
. In honor of your people.”

“Ha, ha. Very funny.” She brought her feet up on the couch and tucked them underneath her. “So, I was thinking earlier about what you said this morning.”

“What did I say?” He’d said a lot of things today. He’d also learned a lot, and most of it surprised the hell out of him. Like Caitlin’s breaking news and how much he enjoyed baking with the twenty little tikes this afternoon.

The latter had been a huge surprise. He’d never spent so much time around kids, not having nieces or nephews. It’d been fun. Still, he was glad he wasn’t going to call one his own anytime soon.

“Your suggestion to take our dates up a notch.”

His eyebrow shot up. “What about it?”

“I think it’s a great idea. I mean, to make this little turkey’s dad green with jealousy. That’s why you suggested it, right?”

“Right.” He leaned back on the couch pillow and smiled. “What did you have in mind?”

“Maybe we could kiss.” She bit her lip, and he thought he was going to lose it. “On camera, of course. It will be our third date, after all.”

Sitting up, he leaned a little closer. “Yes, it will.” His hand stroked her soft wavy hair. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to do so. “How would you like it?”

“How would I like the kiss?”

“Yeah. Do you think your baby’s father would get more revved up seeing a tender kiss like this?” He cupped her face and brought his mouth in, gently touching hers for not even two seconds. The feel of her soft lips caused a jolt of pleasure to go straight through him. He needed more to hold onto that feeling.

“That’s nice,” she murmured, her gaze resting on his lips.

“Or we could try something a little more hot.” Before she could offer another thought on that subject, Brandon’s lips crashed into hers, their tongues thrashing just as they had in the corn maze.

She was the first to pull away, but her smile indicated she’d enjoyed the second option just as much as he did. “Wow. I have to choose between those two?”