Chapter 13
The next morning, atseven a.m., Lily left The Ren’s kitchen and took the riverside walkway toward Harry’s kitchen. She’d woken up alone and found a note from Gage. Because today was the picnic, he’d gotten up early to run errands and start managing the event.
She’d been disappointed to wake up without him, but the truth was she also needed the time to process her worries. They’d not used protection the second time they’d made love. They were in a fake engagement despite the fact she was falling for him all over again. And she’d finally checked her emails.
Her boss at Le Mistral had been kind, yet firm. If she didn’t return to work next week, as planned, she’d have to find another restaurant to work in. He”d give her references, of course, but she understood the subtext.
The world of Michelin-starred restaurants was brutal and cut-throat. If she couldn’t keep up at Le Mistral, even for a medical need, it would be difficult to make a lateral career move.
Without knowing if she had a future with Gage, or her job, she felt lost and lonely. It was like having an ocean of possibilities ahead of her, yet no boat with which to take the journey.
Sighing, she entered Harry’s kitchen to find Lotto stirring something over the stove. The room smelled of cinnamon and sweet peppers. “What are you making?”
Lotto, who wore a spotless starched white apron, smiled at her. “My famous chili.” Then he grimaced. “To serve over cheap hot dogs.”
She laughed and grabbed a pumpkin muffin from a plate of pastries near the sink. There was a little cardboard sign with the words, Be back soon. I made these myself. Enjoy breakfast. Harry.
She turned on the electric tea kettle and found a ceramic mug and the tea bags. “Have you seen Gage?”
“Earlier.” Lotto kept stirring, with his head down, but the tips of his ears turned pink.
“Oh, no.” She took a bite of the muffin and found it surprisingly good. Flavorful, moist, and not too pumkin-y. “Gage thanked you for the condoms, didn’t he?”
Lotto nodded, but he wouldn’t look at her. She wasn’t sure if she should be embarrassed or angry or even ashamed. Instead, she said softly, “I want to thank you, too.”
“Ugh.” He rested the spoon on the counter and hurried into the café.
She laughed and went over to check his pot. It did smell heavenly. But when she tasted it, she moaned. It was really, truly, beautifully delicious.
It was also a crime to serve it over any kind of hot dogs.
Once the water boiled, she poured the tea and set it to steep. Nearby, she saw a legal pad with the day’s food plan worked out. She read through Harry and Lotto’s enormous checklist and finished her muffin. The list was thoughtful, thorough, and impressive.
Just as she pulled out the teabag, Harry appeared in the back door carrying a cardboard box of groceries and produce. “Would you help me? I have more in the truck.”
“Of course.” She found an apron on a hook near the walk-in freezer, put it on, and followed him. “I can’t wait.”
* * *
Gage walked down thepath that led from the back of Mosby House into the meadow and ran his hand over his head. “It’s not a big deal.”
Jacob and Mr. Elmer laughed so hard, a nearby blackbird flew away.
“Why?” Jacob adjusted the weight of the box he was carrying. “What possessed you to cut your hair?”
“I woke up and decided it was time.” He was pulling a wagon filled with fireworks. Since Ben was in the hospital, he’d offered to help Jacob set up the fireworks for later in the evening.
Mr. Elmer muttered under his breath. “Paul Blakefield got up early and opened his shop, just for you.”
“Yep.” Gage grinned. “There are perks to being the mayor.”
Although the truth was, after the night spent in Lily’s arms, he decided he was done with the bad boy biker/Army Ranger vibe. He had adult male needs that included loving a beautiful woman and becoming good enough to give her a family. To offer her everything she needed, wanted, and dreamed of.
Even if she hadn’t admitted that she loved him.
He just wasn’t sure how to go about achieving those goals. Hence, the haircut. It was a start on his journey to becoming a man Lily could love.
“Here.” Jacob stopped at the top of a small hill. “We can set up the fireworks beyond those trees.” He pointed to a low valley, deeper in the meadow. “That’s where we’ll set up the food tents, games, and where we can watch the fireworks.”
“Perfect.” Gage checked his watch. “I have to check on a few things—many things, actually—but I’ll be back.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle Gage.” Jacob grinned at him. “I got this. And, if I haven’t said it before, I’m glad you’re back.”
* * *
Hours later, Gage wipedthe sweat off his brow and Mr. Elmer handed him a water bottle. He cracked it open and drank deeply. Then he wiped his mouth with his forearm. “I think we’re ready.”
“Yep.” Mr. Elmer tossed his empty bottle into the trash can, and they both stepped back to review the picnic ground.
With an army of helpers, they’d set up tables and chairs donated by the church, food tents were erected and tied down, the drink station was ready, and about fifty people milled about doing random things, like arranging red, white, and blue arrangements on the tables and hanging lights in the trees.
“Wow.” Nana Ruthie came over and settled her hands on her hips. Today she wore denim shorts and a blue T-shirt studded with white, glittery stars. “You both have done an amazing job.”
Gage checked the time. It was almost noon, and he hadn’t seen Lily yet. “We couldn’t have done it without the town’s help.”
“Coming through.” Harry’s voice sounded from the pathway, and he emerged pulling another wagon, this one filled with more food. “Wait until you see what Lily did.”
Before he could ask, she appeared in a white and blue striped sundress, pulling a smaller wagon with her unhurt hand. This dress had no sleeves and a ruffle that lined the deep V neckline. His heat level rose to a thousand, and he wished they were alone.
“What did you do?” Nana Ruthie took the handle from Lily. “You should be resting.”
She laughed and met his gaze. In that moment, a million stars were born. He felt the tension between them explode in his lower stomach, and his erection reacted.
She looked at him with adoration tinged with uncertainty. And he understood. They’d been fiercely intimate the night before, and they’d not had a chance to talk about it. Or the fact they’d not used a condom the second time around.
“I’m fine.” She turned toward Nana Ruthie and gave her a big, false smile. “I showed Lotto how to make blueberry and strawberry custard cups.”
“They are incredible.” Harry looked at Mr. Elmer. “Where do you want this stuff?”
Mr. Elmer pointed toward the largest tent. “Over there.”
“Thanks.” Harry took Lily’s wagon, along with his own, and made his way across the picnic ground.
“I still can’t believe how much work you’ve gotten done.” Nana Ruthie nodded toward Mosby House, the impressive and imposing mansion that stood between the meadow and the town. “I’m glad all the construction was done on time.”
When Nana Ruthie and Mr. Elmer started talking, Gage took Lily’s hand and pulled her down the path, toward the house, where they had more privacy.
Once alone, he squeezed her hand. “Hello.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Hello.”
Silence formed a barrier between them, but he wasn’t worried. They’d had amazing sex. Had forgotten a condom. Were in a fake engagement. And she was returning to Paris. All things he was sure, with time, he could overcome. Because that’s how she made him feel. Like a hero. A man she could count on.
“How is your hand?”
She held up her hand with the cast. “Achy. But okay.” She glanced at the house’s Victorian turret in the background. “I enjoyed working with Harry and Lotto in the kitchen today. I’d forgotten how much fun it can be to bake what I want, when I want.”
He loved hearing that. “And you did okay with your hand?”
“I couldn’t have done it without help.” She met his gaze again, and her blush deepened. “This picnic is a great gift to the town. I hope you know that.”
“I—”
“Come on, Lily.” Harry appeared, dragging two empty wagons. “Time for kissing is over. We have work to do.”
She bit her lip, and Gage winked at her. “Eat with me later?”
She tilted her head. “Of course.” Then she smiled. “I can’t wait to see what fireworks you have planned for tonight.”
He leaned closer to breathe in her lavender scent. “I promise they’ll be spectacular.”