Home Is Where the Heart Is (Welcome To Redemption) (10 page)

“Excuse me?”

“A housewarming slash Valentine’s Day party. We’ll invite everyone in Mayberry.”

“A party.”

“You’re not going to start repeating everything I say again, are you?” She sighed. “Yes, a party. Why not?”

Matt cocked a brow at her before slicing his box cutter through the top of a cardboard box. “I’m just not sure anyone will want to come once word gets out you fired Drew’s dad. He’s an extremely well-liked and respected man in this town.”

“Dammit, Matt, he was drinking right there in the office. He was so drunk he could barely stand. And he almost creamed me with a bottle!”

“I know, and believe me, I understand your position. I’m just saying, he must have had a damn good reason to—”

“Get smashed on the job?” Lindy gave a ladylike snort. “Why don’t you give me a few examples, Matt. What, exactly, is a good excuse to drink on the job? And let’s not forget, destruction of property, and nearly taking my head off with a glass bottle.” She took a sip of her coffee, waiting for a reply that made sense. Really, okay, she got it. Andrew Porter was Drew and Hannah’s father and basically a decent guy. But he’d screwed up big time, and that was on him, not—

Matt lifted a stack of books from the box, and Lindy’s heart hammered triple time in her chest. The cover of her latest release,
Moonlit Seduction
, stared back at her in almost mocking salute. Holy shit, Matt was stocking her new book! Of course she never used an author photo on the back cover, but she also never expected any of her family members to get close enough to one to possibly make a connection. And what if Hannah accidentally opened her mouth?

Okay, Miss Worst Case Scenario, chill out.
There’s no reason Matt, or anyone else in this town, would make the connection. And Lindy was fairly certain she could trust Hannah to keep her word...though she did just fire the girl’s father. “I need a huge slice of chocolate cake.”

Matt glanced back at her and grinned. Chocolate cake was her drug of choice when feeling guilty, and he knew it. She usually gorged herself right after a shoe shopping trip.

“You’re in luck. The bakery delivered one this morning.” He held one of her books up and gave his head an ‘I don’t get it’ shake.

Lindy inwardly grated.

“I can’t believe people buy this crap. But hey, if it sells, great.”

Carrie came up and snatched the book from Matt’s hand. “Idiot. You know how much I love my romance novels.” She glanced at Lindy. “I suppose you agree with Matt...?”

If you only knew
. “I rarely agree with Matt. And I do indulge in the occasional novel.”

“Romance?” Matt asked with a skeptical lilt to his voice.

“Yes, Mr. Foot Rub, romance. Really, it’s a miracle Carrie puts up with you.”

“I know, right?” Carrie handed the book back to Matt.

He slapped her ass with it. “You go wild over my foot rubs, babe, stop fronting.”

“Stop fronting?” Carrie laughed. “What are you, fifteen? Lindy, I have cinnamon rolls to ice, so I’ll talk to you later.” Carrie gave Matt one last eye-roll before heading back to the kitchen.

“She’s just saving face,” Matt shared once Carrie was out of ear shot. “We’re barely in the front door before she’s all over me. The woman is insatiable.”

For some reason, his self-satisfied smirk annoyed her. “I could’ve lived the rest of my life without that visual, thanks.”

“My pleasure.” He grinned. “Still want a slice of that cake?”

“I’m meeting Bernie for dinner later, so I think I’ll save my calories for Nino’s. I also have a party to plan.” She pulled a face. “Back home I’d give Jenée a call, and like magic she’d put something amazing together in no time at all. I’m on my own here...unless you want to help?”

“Oh, no you don’t. Party planner is where I draw the line.”

“Come on, Matt, this means a lot to me.” And it did.

“What? Since when? I thought you couldn’t stand
Mayberry
and all its inhabitants.”

“That’s not true, I...I like all your friends. And I like Bernie. Oh, and Bev Donovan, she’s a sweet lady. Her son isn’t bad either.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll make sure the whole town shows up at your house next Friday night. You take care of the rest.”

“Your generosity astounds me.”

He laughed. “Hey, Nino’s caters, and they have the best food in town. Why don’t you talk to someone while you’re there tonight?”

“Ooh, excellent idea, Matty.” Back in L.A. her party fare would consist of every kind of sushi imaginable and lots of champagne. Somehow she didn’t think the former would go over well with the Redemption crowd.

“Anything for my favorite sister.”

Lindy laughed and grabbed her purse. “I’d be touched if I wasn’t your only sister. By the way, my only dress requirement for the party is red. Everyone has to wear something red.”

* * *

“Now
that
was delicious,” Lindy purred after her last bite of sweetened ricotta-filled cannoli. The cinnamon and chocolate chips were such a delectable combination. She’d kill for another, but having been a fairly disciplined eater her whole life thanks to her health-conscious mother, Lindy found the will to resist temptation. But damn, it was hard.

“Aren’t they the best?” Bernie agreed as she swiped the last bit of filling off her plate. “My nana used to make the most amazing cannoli, and these are even better than hers. Sorry, Nana.” she added with a heavenward apology.

No sooner had they wiped their mouths than Nino appeared. “I hope you enjoyed the meal.”

“Very much. Thank you. The best Italian food I’ve ever eaten stateside, and I mean that.” The Chicken Vesuvio truly was the most delicious she’d ever tasted. Lindy would have to be careful or she could grow quite fat here in Redemption. Not that she’d be here long enough to test that theory.

“Excellent, excellent.” He handed her the catering invoice he’d promised would be ready before she left. “Okay, I think I have everything you requested. Please look it over and let me know if I forgot anything.”

Wow
, she thought, making sure to mask her surprise,
what an impressive selection
. Sicilian caponata, bruschetta, prosciutto and melon, crostini al salmone, cocktail meatballs, eggplant parm, antipasto salad, assorted pizzas, assorted Italian pastries and cookies, tiramisu, cannoli. The last brought a smile to her face.

“Nino, this is wonderful.” She dug a pen from her purse and signed the contract. “Please add whatever deposit you require to my bill.”

“Normally, I ask for fifty percent.”

“Sounds about right, thanks so much.” She handed him back the contract.

“Absolutely my pleasure, Miss Spalding.”

Once Nino walked away, Bernie lifted her brows. “You don’t do things half-assed, do you?”

Nope, she never had. And this party was more important than any she’d hosted before. “What can I say? I love to throw parties.”

Bernie smiled and took a leisurely sip of her wine. “I still can’t believe what happened today with Andy. I knew something wasn’t quite right with him, but I never dreamt he was in his office getting sloshed. It’s just so unlike him. Andy’s usually so easygoing.”

Slightly uncomfortable by the change of subject, Lindy leaned back and blew out a silent breath. Andy, it seemed, had yet another fan. “I truly feel awful about what happened. But I had no choice, Bernie. I had to fire him.”

“I know, it just…sucks.”

Bernie’s attention was suddenly drawn to the front of the restaurant. Curious, Lindy turned to see what had totally captivated her new friend. A uniformed police officer shook hands with Nino before he and another officer were escorted to a table.

Lindy smiled with genuine pleasure when she recognized Officer Michael Donovan. Tall, dark hair, bedroom brown eyes framed by surprisingly thick lashes, Mike Donovan was about as handsome as they came. And hey, what woman didn’t like a man in uniform? Lindy knew exactly why Bernie couldn’t drag her eyes away from him. She gave her new friend a gentle kick under the table.

A quick scowl was replaced by pinkened cheeks. “What?”

Lindy laughed. “He’s a hottie. And I happen to know he’s single.”

Bernie cleared her throat before tilting her wineglass to her lips. She met Lindy’s gaze for a brief second before feigning interest in the sleeve of her stylish sage blouse.

“Cat got your tongue?” Lindy teased, intrigued by Bernie’s reaction to the sexy cop.

As if she couldn’t help herself, Bernie cast Officer Donovan another quick glance. “He’s...not my type.”

“Oh. So you don’t go for tall, dark and handsome?”

Bernie gave her an eye-roll before gulping down the rest of her wine.

“Wow, you really have it bad. So tell me, what’s the problem? You told me you were single.”

“I
am
single. And I plan to stay that way, thank you very much.” She motioned with her empty wineglass to the waitress.

“You’re a little young to be so cynical, aren’t you?”
Now isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black
. Though Lindy wanted to find love, she truly did. It just hadn’t happened yet.

Had it?

“Look, I know you mean well, but I’m just not interested in pursuing a relationship, or anything else, right now. With anyone.”

Taken aback by the pain simmering behind those expressive amber eyes, Lindy apologized. “I’m sorry. We barely know each other, and here I am trying to take charge of your love life. As of this second, the subject is closed.”

The waitress arrived with a second glass of wine for Bernie. “Can I bring you ladies anything else?” She picked up the empty dessert plates while waiting for a reply.

“I’m good,” Lindy said.

“This’ll do it for me, too. Thanks.”

“Before I forget,” Lindy added, “Nino is going to add a catering deposit to the bill. I don’t know if he mentioned it or not.”

“He did, and it’s already on there.” She pulled the bill from her pocket and placed it face down on the table beside Lindy.

“Thank you.”

The waitress amped up her thousand watt tip making smile. “You’re welcome. Just let me know when you’re ready for me to take it up for you.”

Lindy eyed Bernie as she dug her wallet out of her purse, somewhat concerned by the desolation in her new friend’s eyes. “Probably best if we call it a night. I had a hell of a day and could really use a hot bath right about now.”

Bernie seemed to perk up at that. “You and me both. Listen, I’m sorry for becoming such a downer.”

“You don’t have to apologize. I was a bit pushy.”

“No, you asked a perfectly normal question, and I freaked.”
 

Curious, Lindy wanted to question Bernie further. But they barely knew each other and she didn’t want to risk pushing her new friend away.

After one last sip of her wine, Bernie hooked her hobo bag purse over her shoulder, and rose to her feet. “Thanks again for dinner, Lindy. Can I at least leave the tip?”

“Not a chance. Dinner is on me, period.” Lindy smiled, having enjoyed the evening more than she’d expected to. Bernie was as sophisticated as any of her friends back home, with the added bonus of being side-splittingly funny.

“Okay, but next time, it’s on me. Please.”

“Deal.”

Lindy finished her wine, paid the bill, and headed out. An icy blast of wind tore the door from her hand and slapped her in the face, nearly stealing her breath. She grasped the lapels of her jacket with one hand and clenched them under her chin. This freezing cold weather was something she’d never get used to. Not that she’d have to. Regardless of why Drew raced out of her bedroom last night, firing his father was most definitely the icing on the ‘it’s over before it began’ cake.

In serious need of that hot bath, Lindy decided to skip stopping back at
Coffee To Chai For
to tell Matt about the menu. Shivering, she dug out her cell phone and gave him a call. It went straight to voicemail. “Hey, don’t forget to invite Beverly Donovan and her son, Officer Mike Donovan, to the party. And Matty, you were right. You wouldn’t believe the incredible menu Nino put together for me. Thanks again.”

Binks meowed a greeting the moment Lindy stuck her key in the lock and followed along as Lindy climbed the two flights of stairs to her bedroom—no doubt hoping for a belly rub. Lindy started the water running, adding a few capfuls of vanilla-scented bubble bath before slipping off her clothes and twisting her hair up in a clip. She grabbed the romantic comedy she’d picked up at the grocery store and sank down into the steaming water with a deep sigh of contentment.

And of course that’s when someone decided to pound on her front door.

Chapter 10

“What the hell am I doing here?” Drew muttered as he stared at Lindy’s front door.

He’d had a few beers, brooded over his father’s firing, grieved for the mother he’d never really known. Hannah had taken the news in the same stoic manner he’d expected, then quietly cried her heart out in the sanctuary of her bedroom. It about killed him to hear her muffled sobs, wanting to go in and comfort her, yet in too volatile a frame of mind to trust himself. Christ, he couldn’t even comfort his baby sister during the worst time of their lives.