Page 13 of Peach Cobbler Confessions
“Lottie?” Lily Swanson, my right-hand girl here at the bakery, waves me over with a look of relief. “Thank God you’re here. We’re running low on peach cobbler. And might I suggest this go-around you make them smaller so we can sell them individually? People are wanting to buy it by the slice and it’s not exactly the easiest thing to cut.”
“You bet. I’ll make them in cupcake parchment like we did for the awards ceremony.”
“Oh, and your mother called. She said she wanted to know your due date because she and Wiley are thinking about taking a cruise next spring.” She wrinkles her nose my way. “Congratulations on the baby. I knew you were expecting. Nobody eats that many sweets for no good reason. And your stomach looks as if you’re six months already.”
My mouth falls open. “No, it does not. Take that back, Lily.” I swat her with my apron before I put it on.
“Well, it’s been longer than six months that I’ve seen this coming. You’re married to Everett, having Noah’s baby—I’ve seen this movie, Lottie.”
“Yeah? Well, I just came from the doctor's office. I’m not having anyone’s baby, and I never was. How’s that for a plot twist? I’m just a victim of one of Carlotta’s ridiculous rumors. And now both Noah and Everett are going to be hurt because of it.”
Lily sighs. “I guess you’re right. The men I date would probably be relieved, but my guess is Noah really wants this as a means to get you back—and hold onto you forever. And Essex?” I frown over at her. Yes, Lily was one of many that have done the deed with Everett, thus garnering her the right to use his name in vain. “I’ve never seen that man so in love.”
“Essex in love?” a female voice swoons from behind and I turn, only to jump at the ghostly sight of Collette Jenner in that same skintight red dress she dropped dead in.
“You!” I try to grab ahold of her and my hand glides right through her. I make a face at the woman and motion for her to follow me to the back. The funny thing with ghosts is that they can be as solid as they want , and apparently, Collette doesn’t want.
Thankfully, the kitchen is empty as I start pulling out all of the ingredients I’ll need to make my ooey gooey, ultra-sweet peach cobbler.
“Tell me everything you know about Dane Gannon,” I whisper.
Collette’s expression sours at the mention of his name.
“Not until you tell me what kind of a spell you cast to get Essex to fall in love with you. I tried every trick in the book tohookthat man for myself.”
“Lucky for me, I didn’t have to employ a single trick to get Everett to love me.”
“Ha!” A wild snort of a laugh erupts to my right as Meg and Carlotta head into the kitchen.
I shoot Collette a look that saysremain on standby. Meg doesn’t know about my ability to see through to the other side and I’m not in the mood to share the news.
“Didn’t need to employ a single trick, huh?” Meg sheds a crimson smile my way. “What do you call this fake pregnancy?” She shrugs. “Lily told us the news. And you know what? I’m actually not sorry about it. I’ve enjoyed teasing Lainey about the fact her kid is going to be alemonfor the last nine months and was hoping to continue a little surname humor with you.”
“Very funny,” I say, rolling my eyes.
Carlotta grunts, “It’s safe to say you’re still the envy of every woman Everett has ever dated,deador alive.” She gives a hard wink to Collette. “But don’t worry, Lot. We won’t tell if you won’t. We gotta keep this baby gig going. This morning alone, Foxy gave me flowers and Mr. Sexy made me breakfast. And it’s been less than twenty-four hours since the baby news broke.”
“I’m not going along with the baby gig.” I shake my head at her. “The gig is up. And it was a cruel gig at that. Please don’t ever get those baby rumors going again.”
Carlotta huffs, “You’re the one sleeping with two different men, Lot. I was merely espousing the grim consequences, once I saw your face turn green.”
Meg barks out a laugh. “She’s got you there, Lot. Speaking of grim consequences.” She inches forward and that dark bird’s nest of a bun wobbles over her head. Meg has already started managing the Honey Pot for Keelie in the afternoons, and she’ll take over permanently once Keelie has the baby. “Is it true you met Ridge Porter?”
Carlotta inhales so fast and sharp Lily runs in.
“What’s happening?” Lily gives a quick look around as if she were expecting a kitchen fire.
Carlotta steps in close. “Lot Lot mettheRidge Porter. Tell me he’s just as handsome in person as he is on television.”
“He is,” I don’t hesitate to say it because it’s true.
Collette Jenner snorts from behind and I catch her stuffing her face with a tray full of croissants. I make a motion for her to shoo before both Meg and Lily faint from the sight of floating baked goods.
“Man.” Meg shakes her head. “You get all the good ones, Lot. Ridge Porter is a real man’s man. He’s the one person I’d consider leaving Hook Redwood for.”
I avert my eyes at the thought. Hook and Meg have been together for over a year now.
“Don’t you dare leave Hook. But if you want, I can probably arrange for you all to meet Ridge. He’s a friend of Noah’s. And a friend of the deceased.”