Chapter 4
Angus
With pots and pans covering the counters, I hesitantly taste my fifth batch of truffle sauce.
“I’m sure it’s amazing, bro,” Taurus says, walking by the kitchen.
“This time it is,” I say, excitement clear in my voice. “Come, try it.”
Taurus returns and takes the wooden spoon from me. When he tastes it, his expression tells me he loves it.
“Damn, you nailed it. That’s friggin good.” Stealing another taste, he adds, “So, now what?”
“I am going to bottle it and I’d like to sell it up front in our shop. But I was also thinking of visiting a few stores. Give some bottles as gifts and maybe I can branch out.”
“There’s that Saucy Girls shop in Corvid Valley.”
“Yeah, plus Branwen Beach’s Little Shop of Delicacies. I thought I’d head there tomorrow. With this heat wave, it’ll be nice to spend a day surrounded by ocean breezes.”
“So, it’ll just be me and Serapion here tomorrow?”
“Yup. I hope Thoreau is having a blast on his honeymoon, but I look forward to him coming back in August.”
“Same. I’m going to run to the store. Need anything?”
“Nah, I’m good. Going to start bottling now.”
“Do you want anything from Ranch Hand Burgers? I’ve been dying for their western burger all day.”
“Yeah, bring me the same. And onion rings.”
“You got it. Later.”
The next day, I leave in my truck at the crack of dawn. Our farm is on the Corvid Valley side of Ravenhart Mountain, so the trek to Branwen Beach takes a few hours. With my windows down, the air cools as I ascend the mountain, and the smells of summer fill my nose.
First, I head to Branwen Beach Bakery. I never come here without picking up a bagful of their scones.
Large coffee in hand, I chill at their one and only extra large bistro table and take in the sights of Main Street.
The town is already hopping with tourists, which is expected on such a warm summer day in Branwen Beach.
While I enjoy people watching here, I don't think I’d enjoy living in such a touristy place.
At least during tourist season, which is, of course, right now.
Checking my phone for the time, I groan when I see it’s almost dead. I guess I need a new car charger.
Finishing my last scone, it gets caught in my throat when I make a small, surprised gasp. Walking past the bakery window is Elizabeth, the bridesmaid I was paired with last month at the wedding. Chugging my coffee to avoid a coughing fit, I watch her saunter down the sidewalk.
Damn, that woman is just as fine in shorts and a tank top as she was wearing a flowy, pale yellow bridesmaid's dress.
Feeling myself harden just by picturing her in it makes me grateful I am sitting at a table that actually covers my lap.
The wedding was gorgeous, and I am so happy for my older brother, but interacting with Elizabeth was painful.
I was so self-conscious about being around her.
And every time we touched, an electric warmth radiated through my body, causing me to become even more self-conscious.
She probably had a great time at the wedding, but it had nothing to do with me. Every time she’d interact with big ol’ me, I’d try to show an interest and an appreciation that she was trying. But she always looked confused or put off after each attempt.
I wait several more minutes to leave the bakery than I had originally planned, because I don’t want to bump into her.
Getting up to pop by the bookshop next door before I finally go to the delicacies shop, the whole reason I came to Branwen Beach today.
I shouldn’t leave the sauce in my car too much longer, either, with the day heating up.
A half hour later, I toss my Turn the Paige shopping bag into the truck cab and grab a box of my sauce.
Last time I was here, I mentioned to Jeanine Capitan that I have been working on a new sauce recipe for several months.
She begged me to bring her a bottle when I perfected it, so I’m excited to give her my final creation.
Walking into the shop, I freeze as soon as I see the voluptuous figure standing behind the counter. Looking desperately around to make a quick exit before she notices me, Elizabeth’s alluring voice sends an anxious chill down my spine.
“Hi. Can I help you?”
Swallowing, I walk up to the counter, unable to look away from her eyes. She is speaking friendly enough to me, but not with the same warmth as when she spoke to me at the wedding.
“Is, uh, is your aunt here? I, uh, didn’t realize you also work here.”
“I don’t,” Elizabeth’s tone is impatient. “My aunt is in Hawaii for the week, so I agreed to cover the store for her. I’m pretty sure I told you I am a principal.”
Crap, she now sounds annoyed. Stellar job, Angus.
“Yes, yes. My apologies. OK, well, I was in town and wanted to bring Jeanine some bottles of my truffle sauce. She wanted to try it when I perfected my recipe.”
“Ah, OK. You can leave them here. Although I think I should have you fill out the form that she has for stuff like this. Hold on one sec.”
Watching Elizabeth walk into the backroom, I can’t help but soak in the sway of her juicy peach of an ass. Gah, her curves drive me mad. Why did I let them? Who knows? It’s not like I’ll ever get to enjoy them.
Right then, a crash in the backroom wakes me up from my voluptuous woman stupor.
“Liz? Uh, Elizabeth? You OK?” I call out and only get a groan in response.
Rushing behind the counter, I look into the room and find Elizabeth on the floor, nursing her ankle, next to a folding step stool.
“Stupid me didn’t notice the stool wasn't fully set up,” she grumbles.
Walking into the backroom, the door swings shut behind me. I crouch down next to the beautiful woman, who looks up at me with her chocolate brown eyes.
“I think I may have sprained my ankle. Do you mind grabbing the desk chair out by the cash register? It rolls.”
“No problem.”
Standing up, I walk over to the door and attempt to yank it open. But the knob won’t turn.
“Um, does this lock from the outside?”
“Shit. Yes.” She says, then slaps her hand onto her forehead. “Crap, my phone is out there under the register.”
Grabbing mine out of my back pocket, I groan when I see it’s now fully dead. The beautiful, short-haired woman looks up at me with desperation in her eyes.
“Sorry, Elizabeth, my phone is dead.”