Chapter 10
IZZI
Izzi had spent the afternoon baking in the kitchen of the Candy Apple Café while Maud had gone to run errands around the village.
Izzi didn’t mind. She’d been happy to be alone with her thoughts, inhaling the delicious, sweet fragrances as she’d weighed, sieved, mixed and creamed.
To her, the act of baking felt like some kind of mystic dance.
She was distracted, though – she couldn’t quite believe what had happened with Cameron last night. How she’d ended up half-naked and pressed up against him in his kitchen. How she definitely would have slept with him if the mystery envelope hadn’t been pushed through the door.
She still wasn’t sure if she was sorry they’d been interrupted.
A part of her was still aching, wishing they’d made it to bed, while another wasn’t sure it would have been such a good idea.
She’d never been kissed like that before.
It had felt like being devoured. And she’d liked it, had loved the way Cameron had given her his full attention, making her feel like she was the only person in the world.
Had loved how his skin had felt under her fingertips – a sexy mix of hard and soft heat.
He’d tasted good too – like spicy ginger mixed with whisky and she could still coax the flavour on her tongue if she shut her eyes.
It was probably why she’d barely slept last night; she’d been so worked up.
At least until she’d found her own release in the early hours – but it hadn’t been the same.
But how could she let things progress with him when he still didn’t know why she was here?
And even if she did let things run their natural course, she’d be leaving in a few months, or earlier depending on when Skye returned.
It would be better if she tried to keep her distance for both their sakes.
She wasn’t looking to get her heart broken.
She transferred the cake mixture into the cake moulds and smoothed the tops, working quickly.
They’d received an order for four chocolate cakes this afternoon and someone was coming in at four o’clock to pick them up for a birthday party.
Cat was serving in the café, which had given Izzi plenty of time alone to think.
Let’s face it, she’d done little else since that moment in Cameron’s kitchen.
Getting the letter had been a surprise. She hadn’t been expecting to hear from anyone and when she’d opened it to find a note, she’d been shocked.
She put the four cake moulds into the oven and tugged off her gloves, dipping into the pocket of her apron to pull the piece of paper out.
It was ratty and creased because she’d already read it so many times. She scanned the words again.
Dear Izzi,
I’m writing on the off chance that you might be in Honey Haven looking for me. I’ve heard some of the locals talking and I understand there’s a resemblance between us.
I must admit after Descendants via DNA told me they’d sent you a letter and you hadn’t responded, I was upset.
Then when I heard they’d gone into liquidation, I decided that was that.
Since they wouldn’t give me your name or address, I had no way of tracking you down.
I’m hoping I’ve got it right and it is you?
If it is, then I suspect you have a good reason for not getting in touch before and we can discuss it when we meet up. I want you to know I don’t hold a grudge. Life is complicated sometimes, so I understand.
I’d love to arrange to meet with you if you’re open to that. Unfortunately, I’m out of the area for the next few days, but I wondered if you’d be around next week?
I was thinking Wednesday at seven pm in The Cosy Badger pub in Carnferry – you may have heard of it, it’s a village about ten miles from Honey Haven. I’d appreciate it if you could keep our catch-up to yourself and come alone. I’ll explain everything when I see you.
I’m looking forward to finally meeting you.
L J Holmes
The letter didn’t include any contact details which Izzi found odd, it had also been signed off with initials rather than a full name, which meant she didn’t know her mystery relative’s sex.
She’d tried googling the surname ‘Holmes’, but there had been thousands of results, too many to be meaningful.
The whole thing was very mysterious, but in a week she’d know more and she’d finally have family.
Hopefully, someone who didn’t resent her being born.
She still craved the connection she’d had with her mum – perhaps she’d be able to find it with them.
‘Izzi, do you have a minute?’ Cat suddenly popped her head into the kitchen looking flustered. She was a gorgeous woman with a willowy frame and curly red hair that she kept in a plait wound around her head. ‘It’s getting busy. Can you come and help?’ she begged.
‘Of course, I just need to remember to take the cakes out of the oven,’ she said, shoving the letter back into her pocket before washing her hands.
When she followed Cat into the café, it was teeming with customers and the queue was six people deep.
She spotted Flora at the back and waved.
Flora had texted a couple of times since she and Cameron had been in the shop yesterday afternoon – mostly with more details on the plans for the festival – and Izzi was getting excited for Halloween.
She loved making people happy – it was probably why she enjoyed baking so much.
But this was completely new. Especially since the whole community were involved.
‘We’ll talk in a bit,’ Flora mouthed and Izzi smiled and nodded.
‘What can I do to help?’ she asked Cat as she joined her behind the counter.
The glass display case was laid out with a huge spread of doorstep sandwiches, buttery croissants, layered chocolate cakes, lavender shortbread and the café’s famous candied apples.
Fresh leek and potato soup bubbled in a soup kettle on the side.
She inhaled deeply and the incredible scents made her stomach grumble.
‘Can you take the orders so I can clean up the tables please?’ Cat asked. ‘I’ve got lots of orders for food and drink, but there’s hardly anywhere left to sit.’
Izzi glanced at the tables and sofa. Most were packed with customers enjoying their lunch, and the ones that weren’t needed clearing. ‘Of course, that’s fine,’ she said, shooing her away before serving the next customer.
It was almost fifteen minutes before they caught up.
Cat had whirled around the café cleaning tables, plumping cushions and folding blankets while Izzi had served.
She’d taken a few more pumpkin cake orders and one for a Christmas cake too.
Word about her was clearly spreading, which was good.
She was feeling more at home every day, and it was wonderful to be making a mark somewhere she felt appreciated.
It made her realise how out of place she’d always felt in Regina’s bakery.
‘Where’s Maud?’ Flora asked as she returned to the till. She’d ordered a large pot of tea and a hunk of chocolate cake topped with a chocolate ganache earlier. Then she’d managed to find a spot on one of the squashy sofas, where she enjoyed them while making notes in her yellow pad.
‘She’s running errands,’ Izzi explained. ‘She told me she wouldn’t be long.’ She heard an alarm go off in the kitchen and Cat whizzed past.
‘I’ll get the cakes out,’ she said as Maud suddenly walked into the café looking pink-cheeked and animated.
‘Hello, lass,’ she said, going to give Flora a kiss on the cheek. ‘Sorry I was so long,’ she said to Izzi. ‘I had a call from a friend of mine who lives in Edinburgh – Beth Wendell – and I got distracted.’
‘Beth! Lovely lass,’ Flora said. ‘Is everything okay?’
Maud nodded. ‘She’s invited me to visit her in Edinburgh for Halloween and I’ve decided to go.’
Flora paled.
‘What?’ Cat blurted as she returned from the kitchen carrying a tray of chocolate eclairs bursting with cream just in time to overhear.
Maud looked surprised. ‘I know it’s not New Orleans, but—’ She shrugged.
‘I thought it would do me good to have a change of scene. We’re going to celebrate Halloween together – nothing fancy, we’ll probably just stay in and have a meal.
I’ve got no other plans, so I thought I might as well.
As long as you and Cat don’t mind covering here? ’
Izzi swallowed. ‘Well, of course we don’t,’ she said reluctantly, because she could hardly say they did.
‘Edinburgh!’ Flora repeated. ‘But you can’t, lass,’ she blurted, looking upset. Cat nodded but didn’t say anything.
‘Why not?’ Maud asked, turning to Flora.
‘Because—’ She sighed and glanced around. ‘There’s so much to do here,’ she blurted. ‘I happen to know Izzi’s had a lot more cake orders. You can’t leave her to do it all by herself. The lass has only just joined you.’
‘Ach.’ Maud patted Izzi on the shoulder.
‘I know she and Cat can handle it. I was thinking of asking Cameron if he could fill in if things got too busy. He’s good at taking orders.
He just needs to stay clear of the coffee machine and ovens.
For goodness’ sake, don’t let the lad cook.
’ She winked. ‘I was supposed to be away in New Orleans with him anyway, so it’s not a new plan, just a different location. ’
She shrugged. ‘Besides, we could close early on Halloween. That way, people will have time to organise their own celebrations.’ She frowned.
‘Not that much happens in Honey Haven. Not anymore.’ Her smile was sad.
‘Give me a minute, I’ll just hang up my coat and then I’ll take over here.
I know Cat needs to leave in a minute to do the school run and Izzi, you look tired.
’ She regarded her with a frown. ‘Take the weight off and I’ll get you a sandwich and a hazelnut latte.
You’ve not had a break all day.’ She patted Izzi on the shoulder and skipped behind the counter before disappearing into the kitchen.