Page 48 of Whispers of Redemption

“You do?” Rachel said with surprise.

“Yes,” Wade smiled. “I started baking when I was a kid. My Nana taught me. Between my brothers and I, I was the only one who really liked it. I did a lot of baking for my family when I was growing up. And for the holidays, everyone counts on me for the pies, breads, and pastries.”

“Do you ever watch the Great British Baking Show?” Rachel asked with interest, leaning forward.

“Yes, ma’am!” Wade responded, a dazzling smile lighting up his whole face. Cassie watched the transformation, wishing it would happen more often. “I love that show!”

“Me too!” Rachel said. “Did you see the latest season?”

“For sure,” Wade said.

The two of them then launched into a deep discussion regarding the intricacies of bread proofing and their favorite challenges presented to the bakers. Cassie looked at Mark and crossed her eyes while he suppressed a grin.

After a few moments, Cassie cut into their chatter. “Look, guys, this has really been great. But Wade and I don’t want to be late for our dinner reservation.”

“Oh, of course, I’m so sorry,” Rachel said, throwing up her hands. “Please go. And have a wonderful time!”

Everyone rose from the table and walked to the side door. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Wade,” Mark said, extending his hand. And Rachel being Rachel, opened her arms for a hug, which Wade entered into willingly.

“Cassie told me really nice things about you both,” Wade said. “And it’s been a pleasure meeting you. I promise to take good care of her.”

“I’m sure you will,” Rachel said. Cassie didn’t think Rachel could smile any wider. Mark gave him a nod.

Cassie suppressed the urge to roll her eyes again. The door closed behind them and they walked together toward Wade’s car. As soon as they were out of earshot, Cassie turned on him. “Yes, sir? Yes, ma’am? Take good care of me? Why are you so formal?”

“Guess I was just raised right,” he said with an arched look. He walked with her to her side of the car and opened the car door for her.

She tried to recover her surprise at this old-fashioned display of chivalry. It gave her a strange feeling. No guy she’d ever dated had opened a car door for her, or any other door for that matter, she reflected.

Once she was inside, he walked around the car, got in, and started the engine.

“I thought you said your father wasn’t around much when you were growing up. So, how were you raised right?” she asked, looking at him curiously.

“Pops,” he said, backing out of the driveway. “He was a real stickler for good manners and treating ladies like ladies.”

“Well, that explains the door thing,” she murmured under her breath.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

They arrived at the restaurant, which was right on the lake. Together, Cassie and Wade walked up the boardwalk to the entrance, where Wade once again opened the door for her. Inside, wood flooring gleamed beneath tiny white lights that covered the entire ceiling. There was a small bar with a few stools in one corner of the room. High-backed booths and tables of different sizes were scattered over the floor. Since it was summer, the retractable walls had been lifted to create a free-flowing space that opened up to an expansive outdoor deck overlooking the water. More intimate tables for two lined the edge of the deck, and the railing beside it was also decorated in twinkling lights. Soft candlelight flickered at each table, and the entire space had a magical feel.

As they followed the hostess to their table, Wade whispered, “Check it out.” She looked in the direction he indicated and was shocked to see Brett sitting up at the small bar. He sat at the far end, hunched forward, contemplating the amber liquid in a glass that he slowly swirled in his hand.

“That’s interesting,” she whispered back. She’d already told Wade that Brett had disappeared from work after the arrest. Nobody had seen or heard from him. Cassie hoped he wouldn’t notice them. The last thing she wanted was Brett harassing her on her date. She was still convinced he was the thief who’d stolen Olga’s package from the van. But just now, she didn’t want to think about that.

She put him out of her mind as the hostess seated them at one of the outside tables with a gorgeous view of the water. Dark blue waves gently rolled along the sandy shoreline, and golden light from the lowering sun lit up their foamy crests. Gulls called to each other, floating on the wind currents overhead and walking stiff-legged on the sand in front of the restaurant, picking up treasured tidbits left behind by the day’s beachgoers.

The waitress arrived with two glasses of ice water, and after she and Wade placed their orders, Cassie pulled her attention away from the beautiful view to look at the beautiful man sitting across from her. He was still looking out over the water, a light breeze ruffling his hair. He looked like he’d just stepped off the page of some men’s fashion magazine, Cassie thought. Then he turned his gaze to her and her breath caught. His eyes seemed to shift color with his mood. And right now, they were a warm, whiskey gold as he looked at her. A woman could drown in those eyes, she thought. In fact, she was drowning now. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel as if he was looking through her, and the intensity scared her.

She glanced away and reached for her glass, taking a sip of her water. “So,” she asked, partially to distract herself from her thoughts and partially because she was curious, “why don’t you drink?”

A brief shadow flitted across his face, but quickly disappeared. He leaned back in his chair. “I told you my mother died. But I didn’t tell you how,” he said. “She was killed by a drunk driver.”

“Oh...” Cassie was at a loss. “That’s awful.”

“It was a long time ago,” he said. “But my brothers and I...well, after it happened, we all made a pact that we would never drink.”

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