Page 20 of Hell of a Mess
The moment Linc walked into the kitchen, however, the good time seemed to sizzle into thin air, as if it had never been there. His presence made me nervous and uneasy. I glanced at Jayda to see she didn’t appear to feel the same way.
She smiled at him and held up a cupcake that she was about to eat. “I have treats for my sweets when she gets home. She’s been gone forever. How long does this dentist take to fill a cavity?”
Linc briefly cut his eyes at me, then back to her. “She’s not going to be coming back today. I need you to go pack her andBranwen’s suitcases for a visit to Ocala. They’ll need enough for a week, just to be safe.”
Jayda’s shoulders fell. “Ocala? But we made my famous dairy- and nut-free cupcakes, and Lace must be a professional decorator. They’re gorgeous.”
Linc’s focus was back on me, as if that bit of information was something he could use. And maybe he could. Maybe I did own a bakery or work at one. Although it didn’t feel familiar or spur any memory the way the mention of a horse had. I was feeling less hopeful about it.
“Package up the cupcakes, and I will take them to her. I’m sure they’ll enjoy them on the flight,” he said finally, turning back to Jayda.
She nodded and set her uneaten one down, then looked at me. “Help yourself to one. You deserve it after making them look like I paid for them. I wish I could see Stevie’s face when she sees the ones that look exactly like a sunflower.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I don’t…I don’t think I like sweets.” Which would be another strike against my being a baker. Wouldn’t a baker like to eat the things she made?
Jayda looked aghast. “You don’t like sweets?”
I shrugged. “I guess I don’t. I, uh, don’t want one.”
“Well, before your memory fully returns, I need to fix that.”
A small laugh bubbled out of me at that comment, and she grinned.
“Luther is going to have you moved up here to his side of the house. Unless you are specifically in the west wing of the house, you are to be with Luther. You’re not to come to the kitchen or great room without him.”
“Ease off, warden.” Luther interrupted whatever else Linc was going to say as he walked past him and into the kitchen. He looked from me to Jayda, and then his eyes landed on the cupcakes. “Damn, Jayda, you went all out.”
“Jayda, go pack the girls’ things,” Linc ordered in a stern tone that made me jump.
Jayda frowned and glanced at Luther, who rolled his eyes as he made his way over to me—or rather, the cupcakes.
“I didn’t go all out. Lace is an icing artist,” Jayda told him just above a whisper, then cut her eyes back at Linc, who was walking away.
Relief at the sight of his back was instant.
“But she doesn’t like sweets. See if you can get her to take a bite while I go pack up their things.”
Luther nodded as he picked up a sunflower one.
Jayda slapped his hand and took it away from him. “Not the sunflower ones. Those will be Stevie’s favorite.”
“Which one can I fucking eat then?” he asked.
She studied them a moment, then picked up one that I had piped a cluster of stars on and placed a tiny pearl nonpareil at each tip. “Just because she doesn’t need to eat more than one of these. Not sure how the nonpareils will do with her tooth.”
He took it, and then his eyes moved up to meet mine. “This is impressive.”
“Thanks,” I replied, feeling my cheeks get warm. Why did I have to blush? I hadn’t gotten all awkward when Jayda complimented my decorating ability.
“Don’t eat more than one!” Jayda said on her way out of the kitchen. “Since they’re leaving, I’ll make your cookies.”
“Deal,” Luther replied as he leaned against the edge of the counter and crossed one ankle over the other. He began to take the wrapper off the cupcake in his hand. “How’s your head been?” he asked me.
“Fine.”
“No more pain?” His gaze lifted from his cupcake to meet mine.
I shook my head.
