The Secret Ingredient Read online

  “Two.”

  “I don’t pick Bash up until I go to my parents’ for dinner. Would you like to go for a drive?”

  He saw several emotions flit across her face, and immediately drew the conclusion he would get the brush off.

  “I accepted an invitation out to the Richardsons for the afternoon.”

  Eli hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “Never mind.”

  “We could do it tomorrow sometime. We’re closed.”

  “Won’t work. I have to be here all day.”

  “You and Bash could come by for dinner Tuesday.”

  He wasn’t sure about having Bash with him. Not yet. “I’ll let you know.”

  She looked around uncomfortably. “Yeah. Whatever. I need to go.”

  She was out of his office before he could say anything else. He’d pissed her off. Damn.

  Chapter 5

  “Aunt Becca! Watch!”

  Emma dove off the board into Stoner Richardson’s pool.

  “That’s great, Em.”

  Becca wanted any excuse she could find to escape the interrogation of her two brothers. She’d already been through it with Luke and didn’t want another round with Jake. She glared at the two of them.

  “I am not a child. If I want to have dinner with someone, I can.”

  Luke raised his brows. “That was an awfully long dinner, honey.”

  Becca set her beer on the table with a decided click. “My life. My business. End of discussion.”

  She left the pool and went inside the kitchen to cool off for a minute. Why was it that everyone, not even just family, felt it necessary to stick their noses in her business. And she wasn’t even sure there was any business. Eli Mercer had been giving her the brush off big time, at least when it came to doing anything involving more than sex.

  Fine. Sex was fine. She could handle that. After all, she was busy. She didn’t have time for a relationship. Didn’t want one. Really. Becca stood at the sink with her hands resting on the counter as she stared unseeingly out the window to the pasture beyond.

  “If you grip that marble any harder, you’ll crack it. Want to talk about it?”

  She spun to find Stoner Richardson leaning against the doorway. His dark hair had gone grayer than she remembered him from her high school years, but it made him look distinguished. Becca fiddled with the end of her long braid and looked at her clenched fingers.

  “It’s my brothers. They keep poking their noses into my personal life.”

  Stoner stepped closer, leaning his hip against the counter. “Do they have reason to?”

  Becca’s eyes shot up toward him. “I don’t think so.”

  Stoner chuckled. “Of course not. Do you need a sounding board?”

  “It’s pretty personal, but yeah, if you don’t mind. I’m not exactly a girl’s girl, you know? I’m so used to talking to my brothers, it’s pretty difficult to talk to other women.”

  “I can handle personal. As everyone knows by now, I’ve done, or considered doing, just about everything a person can do wrong.”

  “Yeah, but screwing around is okay if you’re a guy.” As soon as it left her mouth she blushed. “Fudge. I can’t believe I just said that.”

  Stoner smiled. “Becca, you’re a beautiful, intelligent woman, and I’m sure you have all the normal desires of anybody, man or woman. The questions you need to ask yourself are...are you being safe?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will what other people think bother you?”

  “No.”

  “Will what you’re doing hurt other people?”

  She shifted. That was a lot more complicated. “That doesn’t really have a simple answer.”

  “Then that’s something to talk about if you wish to.”

  She knew his history. From one of the oldest and most well-respected families in the area, he had two children by his wife Catherine, Evan and Erin, but Stoner also had another daughter, Tabitha, from an affair he had with Doc Jenny’s mother. It was a twisted tale of love and revenge that fortunately had turned out happily.

  Becca thought of Eli and Bash.

  “I would like to talk. Can we go somewhere more private?”

  Stoner crooked his arm toward her. “Allow me to escort you to my study. We’ll shut the door, drink some liquor, and figure out what’s what.”

  Becca leaned her head against his shoulder. “You know, the best thing that happened to me was talking to you at Luke and Rachel’s wedding. If I can’t have my dad around, I’m glad you’re here.”

  She could tell she’d pleased him by the way he gently squeezed her hand. Maybe embarrassed him a little too. He opened the door to the study and waved her through. Becca studied the two portraits of Stoner dominating one wall. One was a traditional political portrait with the dignified pose, wood-paneling and books in the background, and his hand on the back of the chair in the foreground. The other was one Tabitha had done. It showed a disheveled but intense craftsman concentrating on the table he was creating. Which one was the real Stoner? Becca had a feeling the answer was both, but she liked the second man better than the hard-eyed politician. Judging from that portrait she could see why plenty of people still called him senator.

  “Have a seat near the fireplace. Couch or chair, your choice.”

  Becca sat on the couch and curled her legs beneath her while she watched him pour a couple of brandies. After handing her a glass, Stoner sat in a nearby chair, elegantly crossing his long legs at the knee. On some men, it might have appeared effeminate, but not him.

  “Can I ask the name of the man I assume will be under discussion?” Stoner sipped his brandy before dangling the glass casually from his long fingers.

  Becca swirled the amber liquid in her snifter, watching the way it coated the glass. “I don’t see any reason to keep it a secret. Even if I did, chances are you’d hear something the first time you go back into town.”

  Stoner’s lips quirked. “Most likely. Or I could simply join the rest of the area and check Facebook.”

  Becca huffed. “It’s Eli Mercer.”

  “Hmm. So I have to assume then that he’s no longer foaming at the mouth over the potential competition.”

  “No, and that’s another thing I want to ask your advice about.”

  Stoner pursed his lips and rubbed his cheek thoughtfully. “Why don’t we take care of the business part of it first, and then come back to the personal part. I often find the two are inextricably linked anyway.”

  “Okay. Well, as you were already aware, he was rather hostile to start. I believe he thought I was opening a restaurant as much as a bakery. We said some things back and forth, but once he got a good look at the interior of my place, Eli realized I’m not trying to take Mercer’s business. We met in the park when I was out walking. He was there playing with his son and invited me over to have dinner and talk. We worked out some of it then but not all of it. I invited him for dinner last night so we could hammer out the details.”

  “So what do you need to run by me?”

  Becca sipped her brandy again. “I guess I need to know if I’m putting too much into one client if I supply him with a selection of bread and desserts every day to be served in Mercer’s.”

  “What else do you get from it? Because the truth is you are sacrificing some potential customers who might come in to order and eat food at The Secret Ingredient.”

  “Well, supplying Mercer’s gives me a consistent customer as I build my business, plus I get a venue to get my products out in front of more customers.”

  “Those are good positives. How about the negatives? Have you considered any?”

  Becca sipped her brandy and cleared her throat. “Well, I guess the real concern is if I rely on Mercer’s as a major client and something goes wrong with the...er...personal relationship between me and Eli.”

  Stoner nodded. “That’s a risk when you mix business and personal matters. Can you put that aside to conduct business?”

  Becca had to
stop to think about that. She had been able to do that at least for a while in D.C., carrying on a professional relationship for several months before she had tied up loose ends to make her move back to Mountain Meadow. But Eli was not her old boss. She shifted uncomfortably.

  “I’d like to think I could, Stoner. I’d like to think I’m professional enough to do that.”

  He rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and steepled his fingers in front of the lower half of his face. “So really and truly, your professional concerns and your personal concerns are inextricably intertwined.”

  Becca stood and paced around Stoner’s study. They were. She wanted the business deal with Mercer’s. She also wanted Eli. But she wanted more than just sex with him. She stopped and stared at Stoner.

  “I want it all, Senator. And I guess what I’m really worried about is Eli doesn’t seem to want a relationship. He just wants...” she trailed off in embarrassment.

  “Sex? You are an attractive young woman. But he’s back here to stay, Becca. He’s talked to me and his father about plans to help the town grow and thrive. He’s bound to want more than just a physical relationship.”

  Her chin wobbled as she stared out the window and clamped her teeth down firmly on her lower lip. “I invited Eli and Bash to dinner. He said no.”

  She heard Stoner move and a moment later he stood on the opposite side of the window, his head tilted to one side as he regarded her through his piercing gray eyes. “I may be stepping on some toes, but he’s got good reason to be gun shy. You might need to be patient, Becca, especially where it concerns his son.”

  She nodded. It still didn’t erase the hurt. While she might be able to understand that in theory, it might have been nice if Eli had been able to explain it to her.

  * * * *

  “Daddy, are we going to stay here forever and ever?”

  Bash was snuggled into his bed with the covers pulled up. Eli sat on the edge of his son’s bed and leaned over him. “What makes you ask that, buddy?”

  Bash colored. “I like it here lots better than the beach. I like being around Grandma and Grandpa.” His son paused and looked at him from beneath his long, thick lashes. “I like Miss Becca too. She’s nice.”

  “Yes, she is.” Where was this headed?

  Bash’s gaze skittered to his teddy bear. “Will I have to stay with Mommy sometimes?”

  Eli’s breath stilled. “Why do you ask?”

  “At my old school, Andy had to stay with his dad when his mommy got a boyfriend. I heard a lady at church tell another lady that you were Miss Becca’s boyfriend ‘cuz she saw you kissin’. If you kiss Miss Becca, will I have to go to Mommy?”

  Eli swallowed back the curse that sprang to his lips. He pulled his son onto his lap and hugged him tightly. “Miss Becca is a friend, Bash. We both have businesses, and our families have been friends for years. Whatever happens, you will not have to go with your momma, unless you want to.”

  When Bash laid his head against his shoulder and snuggled closer, Eli realized just how much Heather had alienated their son. He knew without a doubt that moving to Mountain Meadow had been the right decision, and he would do whatever he must to make sure she stayed away from him.

  “So Miss Becca could be your girlfriend, and I could still stay here with you? Even if you kiss?”

  He wanted to do a whole lot more than just kiss Becca Allred. “Even if we kiss.” He rocked his son for a few minutes. “You ready for bed now, sport?”

  “Yeah.”

  Eli helped him back under the covers and turned the light off before partially closing the door. Bash liked him to leave the light in the hallway on. As Eli walked down the hall to the bedroom he’d converted into an office, he knew he needed to call Becca. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and realized he didn’t have her phone number.

  “Shit.”

  He thought of calling one of her brothers but dismissed that idea. No way would he undergo a third degree from Jake and Luke or the ribbing he’d get from Noah or Caleb. He’d just have to find some time to get over to her place the next day.

  In theory, it was a great idea. In practice, Mercer’s was busier than they’d ever been. Finally, later in the afternoon, he was able to slip across the square, but Becca didn’t answer either the business door when he knocked or her apartment door at the top of the fire escape in back. Eli huffed in disgust and jogged back down the stairs. He’d just have to try to keep an eye out for her and catch her later.

  His Dad had just come in with Bash so Eli could take his son and head home when Eli saw Becca strolling briskly along the sidewalk toward Tarpley’s.

  “Hey, uh, Dad, you think you could keep an eye on Bash a little longer. I need to go speak to someone. It’ll just take a second.”

  He saw his father’s gaze lift and find Becca. A small smile curved his lips. “Sure, son.”

  Eli grinned and nearly sprinted down the sidewalk. As he drew near, he called to her. “Becca! Wait up a minute.”

  She stopped and turned, her eyes cool and shuttered. “Afternoon, Eli.”

  Damn. He had some serious ground to make up.

  “If...if that invitation to dinner tomorrow night is still open, I’d like to take you up on it.”

  He smiled nervously, hoping to see some sort of smile in response. Instead, she scowled.

  “Why the about face, Eli? Have you suddenly decided I might not contaminate your son? Or did I screw well enough you figure it might be worth putting him at risk?”

  He froze in place. What the hell? He tamped down his anger, hearing the hurt underlying her words.

  “Becca...”

  She sliced her hand through the air. “No. I had some time to think about it, and your instincts were right. Let’s just keep it business, Eli. I—I just can’t deal with anything else right now. I want to take you up on your business proposal, and I’d like us to discuss it, but it’s business and that’s it. This town’s just too small for us to be friends with benefits, and I’m not interested in anything else. Neither are you.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  She arched a dark brow at him. “I saw the way you reacted when I suggested you bring Bash with you to dinner. Body language doesn’t lie, Eli, so don’t try to feed me a line. I was okay to scratch your itch but allowing me to become involved with Bash? I don’t need my head messed with like that again.”

  “Becca, let me take you out. Let me explain.”

  She shook her head. “Now’s not good for me. If you want to firm up our business deal, we can sit down after the lunch crowd tomorrow. Your place or mine?”

  “Yours.” Eli didn’t want to do his business with his nosy staff on hand. And maybe, just maybe, he could get Becca to let down her guard.

  * * * *

  As soon as she walked inside Tarpley’s and said her hellos, Becca hurried to the produce aisle and picked out ingredients for the salad she was going to take to Luke’s that evening. If her hands shook just a little and her eyes were over bright, she hoped no one would notice.

  Doggone that Eli Mercer. Why had she allowed him to get under her skin? Now she found herself thinking about his fingers and his tongue playing her body as if he was a musician, and she was his guitar. Even now, her body tightened with anticipation. Her nipples throbbed, and there was an ache pulsing between her thighs.

  She did not need this.

  Because she was bringing Emma’s birthday cake, which was another of Jared’s creations with some tutoring from her, Becca had driven the car instead of simply walking the few blocks to Luke’s big Victorian house. As she pulled into the driveway, she saw Jake’s cruiser parked along the street.

  As police chief of a small force, he occasionally still pulled some evening shifts, particularly when any of his officers were on vacation, but often he drove the cruiser just so there was the reminder to folks that Mountain Meadow did have a fully functional law enforcement department.

  Becca had no sooner gotten out of
the car than Jared was right there at her door.

  “Dad’s not back yet, but Uncle Jake said he’d carry it inside if you want.”

  He was so eager and so proud of the job he’d done. Becca smiled at him. “I managed to load it. Of course I did roll it out back with the pastry cart, but I think between the two of us, we can manage to get it inside.”

  “You think she’ll really like it, Aunt Becca?”

  She smiled at her lanky nephew. “I know she will.”

  Jared had created a cake that looked like a basket full of spring flowers. She had helped him with the basket weave of the icing and then simply advised when he began working the fondant into shapes and cutouts to form his flowers. Beneath the artistry was a very excellent strawberry cake the teenager had baked. Becca had seen enough out of Jared already that she just prayed his interest in baking continued. As soon as he was old enough, she’d make him a partner in a heartbeat.

  They maneuvered the cake through the front door and onto the sideboard in the big dining room. The table itself was set for a buffet style service. Becca raised her brows and turned to her nephew.

  “Exactly how many people are going to be here?”

  Jared grinned. “Like everybody. Us of course, Melodie and her family since she and Emma are friends. Uncle Jake and Aunt Holly and everybody from their house. Sam and Erin, Evan and Jenny, and...” Jared paused and grinned really big. “Uncle Caleb.”

  “Caleb!” Becca was glad she’d set the cake down. “Is he here now?”

  Jared laughed. “In the kitchen.”

  Becca didn’t wait to hear any more. She pushed the swinging door that connected the dining room to the kitchen and saw Caleb leaning casually against the counter near the fridge, a beer dangling from his fingers. As soon as he saw her, Caleb set the bottle on the counter behind him and opened his arms. Becca didn’t need any other invitation. She threw her arms around him in a hug as tight as the one she got in return.

  “Caleb! When did you get here? Why are you here? Oh, never mind. It’s so good to see you!”

  He tugged a lock of her hair and laughed. “Which question did you want me to start with?”