“So, your parents tell me you make wedding cakes,” Cole said as he walked beside me. “How long have you been doing that?”
“Several years.” I finally gave him more than a one-word response. Not that it was much better.
“That’s nice. Do you like it?” he asked.
“Yes,” I nodded, scolding myself for being so rude. He was really trying. I couldn’t remember the last guy who’d asked me about my work and actually meant it. And definitely not someone as cute as Cole. “I work for Draymond’s Hotel in Portland.”
“Fancy.”
“Yeah, it is. I started as a sous chef, and after a few years one of the bakers left unexpectedly, so I filled in. I’d trained as both a chef and a baker, but most of my experience had been with cooking. Thankfully, it went well, and they decided to keep me in that role. I enjoy baking more than cooking. I have a sweet tooth.” I smiled guiltily and he laughed, a rich sound that startled me.
The front door opened. “Charlee, well doesn’t that look delicious!” My dad grinned, leaning forward to smell the cake. Chocolate cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache was his favorite; that’s why I made it. That and my mom rarely allowed sweets in the house.
My dad motioned for us to come inside, and I headed for the dining room, which was situated off to one side of the great room in the open-concept space. When I saw the table set for four, I realized that no one else was coming, and felt butterflies take flight in my stomach.
Talking with just Cole made me a little nervous. But Cole and my parents, well, that had the makings of an awkward first date. Except for the date part.
After we were seated and my dad said grace, my mom smiled back and forth between Cole and me, who she’d purposefully seated across from me. Yeah, this felt like a setup. My stomach continued to churn, which was unfortunate because I had been planning to eat a large piece of cake later.
I had thought that awkward conversation might be the biggest issue of the evening until my mom opened her mouth.
“Charlee, how are you holding up?” my mother reached for the salmon platter and passed it to Cole. “When your father told me what happened, I couldn’t believe it! You’re always welcome to stay here. If I found a dead body, I don’t know if I’d ever be able to sleep soundly again.”
I really didn’t want to get into this right now. Not when I’d finally had a conversation with Cole that hadn’t ended in an argument. If this door was opened any wider, I could guarantee tensions would be riled, because the sheriff, hot as he was, had arrested my aunt, and still might be pressing charges. I might enjoy looking at him, but I wasn’t about to forget that.
“I’m fine, Mom, but thanks.” I took a drink of water.
“How’s Fern?” My mom really didn’t get it. “That’s got to be so troubling knowing that her neighbor was murdered on her property, and to be arrested!” Her hand fluttered to her chest. “How horrible!”
But really what I felt like she meant was how horrible for the Kings. Because nothing screams “scandal” like a dead body. “I mean, I don’t believe she killed Earl, but—”
“Mom, you do know that’s not why she was arrested?”
“What?” My mother’s manicured brows pinched together.
From the other end of the table, my dad cleared his throat. “Charlee.” He said my name in a tone that held a warning. Basically, he wanted me to shut up. But I wasn’t the one who’d started this. I frowned at my father and turned back to my mom, avoiding Cole’s heated gaze. I sensed he wanted me to drop the subject too.
“Fern had nothing to do with Earl’s death,” I stated plainly. “She was arrested because the police,” I glared at Cole, “found her still in the barn.”
My father’s fork clanked loudly as he let out an exasperated sigh.
“What are you talking about?” my mom asked, apparently still confused.
I looked up at the ceiling, wishing I would have kept my mouth shut. When I lowered my head, I met Cole’s furious glare. So much for that pleasant interaction we had earlier. I think he was back to hating me. “You know, Uncle Joe’s old still.”
She gave me a blank look.
“For making moonshine!” I blurted, frustrated.
My mother’s mouth gaped, as her hand fluttered to her chest again. I could practically read her thoughts. Oh, the horror. Another black mark on the King name. Thank goodness the election is over!
“No, I had no idea.” She glared across the table at my father, who picked up his fork and stabbed a piece of salmon, ignoring her. “I can’t believe she would do such a thing,” she gasped, appalled.
I rolled my eyes.
Cole coughed.
“It’s really not that big of deal,” I continued, figuring that any connection I’d forged with Cole had already been decimated at this point.
“Except that it’s a felony,” Cole finally spoke, challenging me with his eyes.
“Yeah, so I’ve been told,” I replied, not backing down. “But Fern doesn’t sell it, and it wasn’t hurting anyone. It’s a stupid law, and I wish you would let it go!”
“Charlee.” My dad used his warning tone again. “You need to let Cole do his job.”
I folded my arms across my chest defensively. I didn’t understand why they were taking his side. Well, I get why my mom was. She’d never been crazy about Fern, but my dad should have his sister’s back.
I reneged on what I’d thought earlier about this dinner being like an awkward first date. This was far worse than any date I’d ever been on. I didn’t have many to compare it to, but still, it really sucked.
“I’m sure the sheriff will do the right thing,” I said, directing my answer to Cole.
