Page 30 of Beauty and the Baker
Cassie marched over to him and pulled on his hand, lifting him from the sofa. “No more, Charles Stockton. You aren’t going to lay around having pity parties anymore. You are going to come out to dinner, meet our guests and participate like an adult. And then after dinner I need you to help me fit a costume so I can sew it tomorrow.”
“Aww, Cassie. I don’t want to try on a costume.”
“You are the same size as the actor, and he needs his costume repaired before he leaves for wherever they are off to next.”
Cassie didn’t give him an opportunity to respond as she took his arm and led him into the foyer. He saw his father and Frances talking to a woman sitting in a chair. They moved aside and Charlie saw that it was Maybelle, her leg propped up on a small stool.
He looked around but didn’t see Georgina. Did she not come? Was the cake she made today for dinner tonight? He thought about the cookies he purchased. He would just save them for coffee tomorrow.
Georgina came into the foyer. She was carrying a basket, which she placed by the front door. “I’m going to leave this here, so I don’t forget it. I put the cake in the kit…. Oh, Charlie, I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”
Even though it had only been a few hours, Charlie would swear she had grown more beautiful. She wasn’t covered in flour, so he could see that her hair was just as he remembered it. The color of honey.
Her skin was a peaches and cream complexion and as he watched her biting her bottom lip he groaned silently. Her lip was swollen and just perfect for kissing.
“Cassie is my sister,” he managed to say.
Georgina smiled. “She was telling me about Mr. Gladstone. I guess he really is her cat.”
“And Max’s. Max brought him all the way from New York.”
“I hope you like the cake I made. We are having it for dessert.”
“I’m sure it will be delicious.”
“Dinner is ready,” Max said.
Charlie breathed a sign of relief. He followed them into the dining room and purposely sat as far away from Georgina as possible. He didn’t think he could speak to her without saying something silly.
“Dinner was absolutely delicious,” Georgina said, wiping her mouth with the cloth napkin.
“You can thank Frances. She brought the beans over last night. I just cooked them today,” Cassie said.
Charlie rubbed his belly. Their dinner of steak, beans and potatoes had filled his belly and now he wanted a nap.
“Should we get the cake now?” Max asked. “I’ve really missed you not being opened, Maybelle.”
Maybelle gave a chuckle and patted Max’s arm. “Georgina will be opening the bakery tomorrow morning, so you won’t have to wait very long. I think she has finally mastered my jelly tart recipe. And you should taste the cake. I finally … well Georgina did. You just really need to taste it yourself.”
“I can’t wait then.”
Cassie brought out the cake and put it on the sideboard where dessert plates were stacked. Charlie’s mouth watered as he looked at the cake. It had butter cream frosting dusted with cocoa. Cassie sliced the cake and pieces started making their way down the table.
Finally, a piece stopped in front of Charlie. He lifted the plate to his face and inhaled deeply. Chocolate cake was one of his favorites. He didn’t smell the cinnamon that he experienced earlier. Instead, this cake had an earthy, bitter scent to it.
Charlie took a bite letting the flavors explode on his tongue.Oh my, was that good!He took another bite and another and before he knew it the plate was empty.
He looked at Georgina who was sitting there with her eyes closed, savoring her bite of cake. She opened them and looked at Charlie. He would swear her eyes were smoldering. They looked like golden orbs and hypnotized him.
She looked at him and a slight smile appeared on her face. “Did you like the cake?” Maybelle asked.
Voices started to respond in unison. Charlie continued to look at Georgina until she blushed and turned away.
“I can’t believe you are responsible for this, Charlie.” His father’s voice boomed in his ear.
He tore his gaze away from Georgina. “What?” he asked.
“This cake. It is the best cake I’ve ever had. Why I hate to say this, but it is even better than Mother’s, God rest her soul.”
