Chapter 21
IZZI
The café was busy, and Izzi was pleased she was working in the kitchen. She had a lot to think about after last night. Whoever had written to her hadn’t turned up at the pub and she’d waited with Cameron until it had almost shut. Now she was wondering if that might be for the best.
It was clearly time for her to stop chasing this fantasy relationship, instead she needed to focus on what was under her nose. She loved living in Honey Haven: the community, her job, even the stunning scenery – and after last night, she’d realised she was head over heels with Cameron too.
It hadn’t been a quick thing, more of a slow tumble – but when he’d taken her hand in the pub and acknowledged that he understood she’d lied to him but wasn’t going to lay any blame on her.
When he’d offered her sympathy instead of judgement, she’d known then that Cameron Buchanan was the man for her.
She just had no idea if he felt the same.
She didn’t have much experience of people loving her since her mum died so wasn’t sure how to pick up on the signs. Their chemistry was electric – but sexual harmony wasn’t the same as having deep feelings for somebody.
She added melted chocolate to the cake mixture and stirred slowly as her mind drifted to the way his face lit when he ate whatever she’d cooked for him, to his gentle kisses and the long looks that made her insides burn.
She remembered how he’d made her a birthday cake and had burned himself in the process, how he’d brought her flowers and had gently teased her when she’d cried.
Cameron didn’t blame her for the things that didn’t work out in his life like Regina had.
She didn’t have to hide behind a tough exterior with him or pretend she was okay when she was hurting.
Izzi could be completely herself – and that was new and a little confusing.
She wasn’t sure if she could trust it entirely, but she was going to try.
‘Everything okay in here?’ Maud asked as she walked into the kitchen from the café area wearing her lilac apron, hair net and cap.
‘I wondered if you’d mind if I popped home for half an hour, lass.
The wee kitties might need feeding and I’m hoping for a cuddle.
Catriona says it’s fine with her, but I didn’t know how much you had left to do.
’ Her eyes scoured the kitchen, and she smiled at the three full cake moulds that were sitting on the counter waiting to go into the oven.
‘You look like you’ve got everything under control,’ she said, looking pleased.
‘I’m not sure what I’m going to do when you leave.
We’ve got so many more cake orders now, business has never been so good – which is a relief.
’ She swallowed and Izzi thought she could see concern on her face.
‘It’s been a welcome change after everything that happened with Sophie.
I wonder if we could have a chat soon about what your future plans might be? ’
‘Okay,’ Izzi said. Was Maud going to offer her something more permanent here?
She had the job in the bakery in London – but should she consider telling them and Lottie that she wasn’t going to come?
It was a lot to think about. She loved it here, but what if Cameron didn’t feel the same way?
She didn’t want to set herself up for more heartache.
‘And of course I don’t mind you checking on the cats.
How are the babies and how’s their mum?’ she asked.
The older woman had phoned Cameron during their drive from the pub back to Honey Haven last night and had told them that she’d found a black cat circling Izzi’s car and she’d guessed it was the kitten’s mother. So she’d decided to take her home too.
Izzi guessed the large cat was probably the ominous black shape she’d seen hiding in Cameron’s garden at night.
She’d obviously been looking for somewhere safe to birth her kittens even then.
Cupcake had probably made finding somewhere more difficult which is why she’d ultimately settled on the car.
‘Ach, lass, she’s grand.’ The older woman’s cheeks flushed. ‘They’re such a lovely wee family. It’s made me realise how much I’ve missed having a cat of my own. Mine passed a couple of years ago and I never got around to getting another.’
‘So, you’re planning on keeping them?’ Izzi asked. It would be a good fit.
‘Aye.’ The older woman nodded. ‘If they want to stay. I have a cat flap and a garden, so there’s plenty of room. I even have names, Cookie, Cinnamon and Cocoa.’ She blushed. ‘The only thing is –’ She pulled a face. ‘– it means I won’t be able to go to Edinburgh for Halloween.’
‘You won’t?’ Izzi asked, trying not to sound too happy about the idea.
‘Nae, lass. I can’t leave them yet and I can’t take them with me either.
It wouldn’t be fair to ask Cameron to take them.
Cupcake wouldn’t cope. He’s not a big fan of cats.
’ She stroked her hands over her lilac apron.
‘I still need to speak to Beth, but I’m going to see if she’d be happy to come and stay with me in Honey Haven instead.
’ She frowned. ‘There’s not much going on for Halloween, but we can stay in, take a tour of the high street and I can cook us both a nice meal. ’
‘I’ll make you some spooky cakes if you like,’ Izzi offered. She felt excitement fizz in her stomach because now they weren’t going to have to tell Maud about her surprise. ‘You’ll probably have a lot more fun than you think.’ She winked.
The older woman didn’t look convinced. ‘Perhaps, lass, but at least I’ll have the wee cats and Beth to keep me company. Oh, before I go, have you any idea where my grandson is?’
Izzi nodded. ‘He went for a drive with Scott early this morning. He mentioned something about going to Lockton. I assume he’s meeting someone about a building job.
’ Cameron hadn’t elaborated and she hadn’t wanted to pry.
‘He said he’d be home late this evening and that I shouldn’t wait up.
’ Izzi had no plans to go to bed. She’d already planned what she was going to cook for him and had the ingredients in her shopping bag.
‘Lockton?’ Maud looked surprised. ‘I know of it, I haven’t been for a while. He didn’t answer his mobile when I called, but I know they have problems with their signal up there. No mind, I’ll catch him later.’ Her grin returned.
‘Anything I can help with?’ Izzi asked.
‘Nae, lass, it’s all good. I’d better go, I’ll see you in a wee while,’ she said before untying her apron, spinning on her heels, grabbing her coat and heading back into the café.
Ten minutes later, after putting the cakes in the oven, Izzi walked into the café and spotted Flora and Erin.
‘Ach, lass, I’m glad we caught you,’ Flora said as she and Erin walked to the counter.
Flora glanced over her shoulder through the large shop window at the high street as if searching for someone.
‘We saw Maud heading in the direction of her house a few minutes ago,’ she whispered.
‘So we thought we’d pop in so we could have a quick catch-up.
We need to keep an eye out. If she sees us in here, she might get suspicious.
’ She turned back to the counter. ‘Cat, can you pack up a couple of those chocolate brownies and one of Izzi’s pretty cupcakes please so I have an excuse for coming here?
’ The younger woman nodded. ‘Oh, and I want to thank you, Izzi, for figuring out how to keep Maud in Honey Haven for Halloween. She told us all this morning that she’s intending to stay and that she’s going to ask Beth to come here instead. ’ Her smile widened.
‘I’m not sure I can take any of the credit,’ Izzi told her. ‘It was more luck than anything. But it’s all worked out and it looks like Maud might have some new pets out of it too. How are the plans for the festival coming along?’
They hadn’t caught up for a few days, she’d been so distracted by Cameron and the mystery meeting that she’d barely thought about much else.
Although she hadn’t stopped testing recipes.
She’d started buying the ingredients from the corner shop.
It felt wrong expecting the Candy Apple Lassies to fund what was essentially being eaten by her and Cameron.
She didn’t feel right taking advantage of them.
‘Ach, lass, we’re so close!’ Erin said excitedly. ‘Violet says the children are doing a bonnie job with the pumpkins. The float’s almost ready and all the parents have been tasked with organising costumes.’
Cat nodded. ‘My son, Acer, is dressing up as a wizard, I’ve been fixing up the outfit for days and he’s looking good.’ She grinned. ‘Acer’s been learning spells and he keeps trying to turn me into a frog, but I’m happy to report it hasn’t worked yet.’ She laughed.
Erin barked out a laugh too. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing everyone dressed up.’ She turned to Izzi. ‘I hear you’ve been getting on well testing the recipes. Lachlan came into the shop and told me you made treacle scones and they were delicious.’
‘Yes, I’ve perfected those! I’ll bake a few batches the night before if that’s okay?
’ Izzi asked and both Flora and Erin nodded.
Lachlan had been very complimentary when they’d eaten them in the castle, so she guessed they’d be popular.
‘I’ve been making candied apples too which Cameron tested and liked.
’ She flushed when she thought about his reaction, how he’d fed her some of the sweet apple before leaving it forgotten on the kitchen counter as he’d undressed her.
‘Did he?’ Flora waggled her eyebrows as Izzi’s cheeks warmed.
‘I’ve got the ingredients for chocolate biscuits which I’m going to make into spiders,’ she continued, pushing away the image of her and Cameron.