31. Lottie
LOTTIE
E verett and I step into the conservatory, and it’s an absolute wonderland of peach roses and sheer elegance.
A giant arch, dripping with those perfect peach poms, dominates the space—as if Cupid himself decided this was the spot to host the matrimonial event of the year. The chandeliers are sparkling so bright they’re about to make the stars green with envy, the glass walls are sparkling, too, dozens upon dozens of acrylic chairs are lined up like soldiers, and the dessert bar stretches across the entire right wall.
The savory dishes are set to come out on the left side a little later, all courtesy of the Honey Pot Diner.
I already delivered the sweet treats from my bakery—including a tower of glazed donuts with sprinkles and a three-tiered pink champagne wedding cake with blue icing and raspberry lemon filling. I spiked two donuts on top to give it a playful bride-and-groom twist. And speaking of brides, I really hope Sam and Meg are happy with it.
There’s another dessert table—and geez, is it fancy. It’s done up with a silver tablecloth topped with a paisley overlay, and dozens of luxurious desserts sit perched on crystal-tiered platters. A tiny glittery sign in the center reads, From Cupid’s Sweet Concoctions . And, wow, Cupid sure outdid himself tonight.
“Boy, I can’t wait to eat everything on that table,” I whisper to Everett.
“Why are you whispering?”
“So my own desserts don’t hear that I’m about to cheat on them,” I say, just a touch louder this time.
Everett lifts a finger to respond, but before he can, a familiar-looking man pops up next to us.
“Caudwell.” Everett inches back. “Fancy meeting you here. Are you here for the wedding?”
Caudwell Belding looks dapper enough for the occasion—dark suit, dark hair slicked back, freshly shaven. If I didn’t know about his gambling problem, I’d almost say he’s got his act together.
“Actually, I was meeting up with Wiley for a drink. He’s one of my buddies down at the casino.”
“Ah, yes, Wiley.” Everett frowns.
I can’t help but frown myself.
Why am I not surprised that Noah’s father is still busy giving away my mother’s hard-earned money at the blackjack table?
But then, my mother knows full well what she’s gotten herself into with that Noah look-alike. Let’s be honest, those dimples could make almost any woman empty her pockets—and maybe her bank account, too.
Caudwell nods. “Wiley told me about the wedding, and I was about to head out when I ran into Detective Fox in the parking lot. I had no idea that was his son. Anyway, I apologized to Noah for my behavior last night. It was unacceptable, and I’m very remorseful. After I apologized, I mentioned I’d like to apologize to you as well, and he let me know you were inside.” He bows his head a little. “Everett, Lottie, please accept my sincerest apology for being so abrasive last night. It wasn’t my finest hour. I tend to get a little testy after I lose big. And seeing that I lose big often, it’s been a trend in my life for quite some time.”
“No apology needed,” I tell him.
“I agree,” Everett says, taking my hand. “The only thing we want is for you to get help with your addiction. And yes, gambling is an addiction. It can fuel your dopamine receptors as much as drugs or alcohol and ruin your life just as effectively.”
“You do need help.” I nod his way. “Caudwell, I’d hate to see you lose your empire. Baker’s Best Brand is literally one of the best in the baking business. You really have something special there.”
“You’re right.” He nods. “And that’s why I came by to tell Wiley he wouldn’t be seeing me at the casino anymore. I reached out to my old sponsor at Gambler’s Anonymous, and I’m going back. I care about my company, and I care about my products. In fact, I just heard that Romeo and Juliette didn’t have a contingency plan in place, and their entire company is falling apart because of it.”
“No contingency?” Everett tips his head at the man.
“None whatsoever. No one to run payroll, no one to restock, no one to sign the paychecks. The entire staff walked out this morning, and they’re not coming back.”
“That’s terrible,” I say. “Those poor people. I hope they can find work quickly.”
He glances to his left. “I heard another rumor that Venus is expanding, and she’s already put out feelers to those who lost their jobs, letting them know she’s willing to fill as many positions as she can.”
“Oh, that’s fantastic,” I beam before realizing there might be a nefarious factor at play here.
Everett nods my way as if he just came to the same conclusion.
Caudwell says goodbye and lets us know he hopes we have a good time at the wedding.
“Caudwell”—Everett says as the man turns to leave—“why do you think Romeo and Juliette didn’t have the proper contingencies in place? Their business was thriving, and by the looks of it, it seemed airtight.”
His lips tug down. “I don’t know. I do know they were fighting a lawsuit, and that may have played into it. Romeo mentioned to me once that as soon as that was through, they were going to build a proper corporate structure.”
The lawsuit!
I make big eyes at Everett, and he gives a covert nod.
“And one more thing…” Caudwell gives a sheepish smile. “Not to toot my own horn, but since you already know that I owed Romeo a good chunk of change, I’ve decided to borrow against my own company for the exact same amount and create a fund for those of his employees in need of help fast. It’s the least I can do since I couldn’t make amends.” He puts his hands in his pockets, and his jacket pulls back just enough to reveal a grease stain on his left flank.
The grease stain!
Everett nods to it. “What happened?”
Caudwell looks down and frowns. “More like what keeps happening. My radiator is busted, and I keep having to fill it with water. And I swear each time I lean into the engine, I get a stain in the exact same spot. I guess I never learn. But now that I’m committed to steering clear of Leeds, I should have more than enough to fix it. Or who knows? I might even reward myself with a new car. Have a great time, you two.”
He takes off with a wave, and I shrug up at Everett.
“He said all the right things,” I muse.
Everett nods. “And I tend to believe every one of them.”
“Hello, you two,” Shelly Everly says cheerfully as she comes this way, draped in an eggplant-colored sheath that matches her hair and looks perfectly elegant. “This is going to be the best double wedding I’ve ever been to,” she trills on her way past us. “But then, this is the only double wedding I’ve been to. Oh, and Lottie”—she stops short—“your desserts are bar none better than Venus’, but please don’t tell her.” She winces. “And you’re also the reason I’m about ten thousand calories over my limit today. The desserts from your bakery are absolutely irresistible.”
“Well, thank you for the compliment, and you look far too fit to ever worry about a few sweet treats.”
“Well, thank you right back.” She laughs. “I’ve taken up a few physical hobbies as of late, not to mention hitting the gym.” She holds up an arm and flexes a muscle. “You know what they say, use it or lose it.”
She takes off, and I shrug up at my handsome husband. “You heard the woman. The desserts from my bakery are irresistible.”
“I think the owner of that bakery is irresistible, too.” He leans in and steals a kiss off my lips. “And she is by far my favorite dessert.”
“Ooh, sounds to me like you’re going to get a sweet treat later on tonight.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
I gasp as I see Venus heading this way with a grin.
Time to find out what secrets might be hiding behind that smile.