“But Mari is older than you. I’m not sure I follow.”
“Our father was married and separated before he met our mom. Mari’s mother was a loose cannon and when they divorced, she took off, never to be seen again. It was only when Mari married Rake she got in touch with us and we got to know her. But it always felt like she was one of us, you know?”
“So your thing was cooking. What made you enter the contest? That’s a big step for anyone to take.”
“That competitive streak raising its ugly little head to the next level. It wasn’t good enough anymore showing off to my family. I’d been working my way up in cafés and restaurants and wanted more. I needed to make a name for myself so I entered the contest and the rest, as they say, is history.” She tilted her head and looked at him, a smile hovering over her lips. “Is this going to affect our budding friendship Jake?”
“Friendship, not in the least. I guess I’m not used to having such famous friends though. Might take a bit of getting used to.”
She blushed and pulled the tie from her hair, twisted it up again and tied it at the nape of her neck. “And just so you know, I’m not looking for a romance as such.” Bella gave him a shy smile. “But I would like a friend while I’m here.”
“I guess I can do that.” He reached out for her hand and took it in his, wondering how good a friend she wanted and if he was going to be able to fit the bill. “I think it might be safe to go back to the house. The dishes should be done by now.” He tugged her back onto the road from the lakeshore and they walked hand in hand.
When they got to her car, she paused, pulled her hand from his. “I have one more thing.” From the trunk, Bella took a cooler bag.
“What’s in there?” After the fabulous dinner, Jake wondered what could possibly top what she’d already produced.
“Secret. Wait and see.” The grin she gave him sent shivers up his spine.
So sweet and unassuming. It was hard to twine the woman walking with him with the smooth professional chef he’d watched on television earlier. They might look similar but they were worlds apart. At least that was his gut impression.
“Coffee?” Jake noted the clean kitchen and patted Cory on the shoulder. “Thanks, Son.”
“Dad, I’m going to go kick some goals. Hey, wanna come outside, Bella?” He glanced at her hopefully.
“Sure, lead the way.” She dropped the bag on the table. “You can dish this up if you like. No prep needed bar a keen male.”
Woodsie watched them hurry outside. “The boy is totally smitten.”
“Yeah, I know. Can’t blame him, Dad. It’s not like we’ve had a female around here for ages and this one is kinda special.” He filled the coffee machine as his father opened the cooler bag.
“What the heck is this stuff?” Woodsie pulled out a plate wrapped in cling wrap.
Jake took it from him, surveyed it with a critical eye, poked at it for good measure. “I don’t know exactly. Looks like chocolate of some kind.” He lifted the cling wrap and sniffed it. “Smells good.”
Woodsie took it back, screwed up his face. “It’s got pink stuff all over it. Not sure that’s edible. Looks like flower petals to me. Surely it can’t be, can it?”
“I hardly think Bella would make something that wasn’t meant to be eaten. You’ve seen her food and know what she’s capable of. Put it on a tray and we’ll take it out on the front porch, drink our coffee and watch the stars come out. Bit of fresh air won’t kill us.”
*
“Nah, you’re doing it wrong. Watch me.” Cory took another ball and placed it in front of the goal, stepped back, blew into his hands and then took a kick. The ball landed in the top right corner of the net. “See. Do it on an angle and look to where you want it to land, not what you’re kicking. That’s how Adam taught me to do it.” He recovered the ball and brought it back to where Bella stood. “Have you met him yet? He’s going to marry your sister and stay in Cherry Lake and coach our soccer team.”
“I haven’t had the pleasure. They’re away for a couple of days but I’m looking forward to seeing Dakota and meeting Adam.”
“He’s cool. Said I’m good enough to play professional soccer when I get older if I keep up the practice.”
“I bet you are too.”
This motherless boy did something to her heartstrings. He seemed fine, well balanced, and happy with his father and grandfather but she could sense a little dark corner in his mind she recognized. She called it her needy corner. Bella was still waiting for it to be filled with something. She didn’t know what yet and she bet Cory didn’t know either and wouldn’t until he found it.
“Now try it again and focus, Bella.” He sounded stern but laughter danced in his eyes and her heartstrings tightened.
“Yes, sir!” She stepped up, lifted her foot and whacked the ball, stunned at how hard she managed to kick it.
“See! I told ya. You did it.” Cory fist
