When Kelly’s alarm went off, Gray was already snorting and shuffling around in the mudroom.
“Good morning,” she said over the Dutch door. Gray pranced on the terrazzo tile like a tap dancer that needed practice. She went inside and petted him on the nose. “Are you ready for a walk this morning?”
He spun around.
“Looks like a yes to me.” She grabbed his harness from next to the door.
He knew exactly what was going to happen next. He sat and waited patiently for her to put his black-and-white checkered harness on him. She straightened the hot-pink sequined bow tie around his neck, which had been a joke from her girlfriends who’d wanted her to make Gray the logo of her bakery. As much as she loved that pig, that wasn’t the look she was going for.
They’d also given her a blinged pooper-scooper, but the joke was on them, because she loved that pooper-scooper and didn’t mind carrying the flashy thing around. She led Gray out the front door. They walked around the neighborhood, tossing the newspapers closer to the house where little Johnny had gotten a sloppy arm and not made it past the sidewalk. Which was often.
A few of the neighbors would routinely greet them with a little snack for Gray. The manager at the local Krispy Kreme jogged this same route most mornings and almost always carried a glazed doughnut in his coat pocket for Gray. He loved those doughnuts.
“How are things going for you, Kelly?” Mrs. Fuller asked with a wave. “I’ve got some leftover popcorn for my little buddy. Hi, Gray!” She waddled over in her robe.
“Good morning.” Kelly stopped, and Gray plopped down next to her. Mrs. Fuller must’ve been watching Hallmark again last night. It seemed she could never finish a bag by herself on movie night.
Mrs. Fuller held the bag in front of his snout, and Gray happily attacked the popcorn.
“I’m glad you stopped me this morning. I was going to let you know that I’ll be going out of town next week. My friend Sara will be staying at the house.”
“I’m so glad you did,” Mrs. Fuller said. “I’d have been concerned seeing a strange car in your driveway.”
Kelly found that humorous. She was pretty sure what Mrs. Fuller would have been was excited. Excited to be the one to spread the rumor that she’d had an overnight guest. Yeah, that could’ve been awkward. “No worries. I’m going on a business trip. She’ll be watching Gray for me.”
“Well, you have a wonderful time. You work way too much. You deserve some down time.”
“Thank you, but speaking of work…I need to get to it.” Kelly patted her thigh. “Come on, Gray. Time to go inside so I can get to work.”
Gray bounced to his feet and led the way to the walkway that led to the backyard. She took him inside through the back and put his harness and leash away. A quick rubdown to get any mud from between his hooves and off that low dragging belly, and then he was ready to eat. She fed him, then headed to work. Dad’s car was already parked behind the cafe. Mom would straggle in a little later, as usual.
She had a light morning ahead, except for convincing her parents she was going out of town for fun, and she was looking forward to having the free time to focus on the cooking show.
As soon as she got to the bakery, she wheeled the cart of cakes over to the Main Street Cafe.
She took a deep breath and hoped for the best. “Hey, Dad. I’ve got your cakes.”
“Thanks, Kelly. Let me help you with those.” He lifted the seven-layer cake from the cart and moved it to the empty cake stand on the counter. In his signature Main Street Cafe short-sleeved T-shirt and khakis, he looked more like he owned the hardware store than the cafe, but everyone knew and loved CB McIntyre. CB stood for cornbread – a nickname he’d gotten in college in Northern Virginia, and it had stuck. “They look perfect. As always.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“I was thinking about throwing a surprise party for your mother on Valentine’s Day.”
But I’ll be gone. Unless I get eliminated in the first round. That would be awful. “Why then?”
“It’s the anniversary of our very first I Love You’s.”
“Dad, are you getting sentimental in your old age?”
He looked insulted. “Are you calling me old?”
“Well, older…ish.” She’d heard the story a million times; just her luck Dad would go all mushy when she wouldn’t be in town, and it wasn’t like she could tell him either.
“What do you think about me renting the gazebo in Town Square?” he continued with excitement.
“It might be cold.”
“Good point.”
“You know everyone will have their own plans on Valentine’s Day, and there’s the steak dinner the night before. I’m not sure it’s great timing.”
“That could present a problem.”
Thank goodness. Besides, I don’t want to miss something like that.
“It would be a bigger surprise if you did it another time. Plus, you know hard she is to surprise.”
“That’s true. We need to come up with a better plan.”
Mom walked into the room. “What do you two have your heads together about?”
“Talking about you.” Kelly stated the obvious, hoping it would work like reverse psychology.
“Yeah, yeah. Like I believe that,” Mom said.
Dad busied himself with the cakes and then pulled money out of the cash drawer for her. “Here you go. We’ll need an extra red velvet cake tomorrow.”
“I’ll add it to the list.” She would add some decorative hearts and Cupid to help remind guys that Valentine’s Day was just around the corner. It’d give her an excuse to practice something unique for the bake-off too.
Her mom leaned in close. “Do you have any special Valentine’s plans this year, Kelly?”
“Well.” She widened her stance, hoping her knees wouldn’t buckle. “Actually, I have some news.”
Her heart river-danced in her chest. “I have the chance to go on an RBA Road Trip event.” She swallowed, trying to keep from blowing her own cover.
“The Retail Bakers Association trips? That’s wonderful.”
“Yes. I’m really looking forward to it.” Kelly hoped Mom didn’t notice her bottom lip quivered as she spoke. “It’s short notice. I entered a recipe in the quarterly contest. They’re paying for my airfare and everything. I can’t believe I won. I never win anything.” Why am I adding all this to the lie? I’m going to put my foot right in it. “I leave on Tuesday.”
“Kelly! That’s wonderful. Congratulations.” Mom and Dad both hugged her.
“We’re so proud of you,” Dad said.
“It’s too bad you’re leaving when Andrew just got into town,” Mom said.
They were more concerned about Andrew than the fact that she was doing something totally out of character. At least it was playing to her favor.
“He’s not sticking around long anyway. I heard he’s helping a friend open a restaurant up in New York.” A surprising feeling of disappointment fell upon her. How long would it be before she saw him again after that? If ever?
Mom pressed her lips together, then patted Kelly’s hand. “I’ve always told you I thought you should go to one of those baking conventions. I know you’ll come back with a hundred new ideas.”
“I hope so.” Here goes nothing.
Mom’s face lit up. “Is it in Atlanta? A bunch of them are there. That would be close enough to drive! Girls’ trip. Your dad could hold down things here on his own.” She turned to Dad. “Right, CB?”
“Sure,” he said. “Anything for my girls.”
This isn’t going according to plan at all. Kelly scrambled. “This one is in Orlando. They’re flying me.”
“Oh, darn.” Mom looked genuinely disappointed, then forced a smile. “I’m really proud of you for going. You never do anything for yourself.” She hugged her tight. “Which recipe?”
This was exactly why she didn’t lie. “I don’t even remember.”
“That’s so funny.”
As long as you believe it, and forgive me for the string of white lies when you find out what I’m really doing. I hope I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.
She promised herself right then that if she won, she’d treat her parents to some upgrades at the diner. Mom had talked about new countertops for as many years as she could remember, but Dad was never willing to splurge on the upgrade. And for Dad, a new commercial range, like she’d splurged on for herself. It would be the best surprise ever, and that made her want to win even more.
She’d better get out of here before Mom figured out she wasn’t telling the truth. “I’ve got to get back. I’ve got to finish the cake for the Barco wedding.” Kelly practically ran for the door, but before she could get there, she heard her name called from across the room.
She stopped and turned. Andrew was standing there, smiling.
“Hey.”
She stopped and smoothed her apron. “Hey there. I was just heading back over to the bakery.”
“If it’s not a sight for sore eyes,” her mother shouted.
Kelly stood there dumbstruck by Mom’s animated response. Yes, she’d told Mom they’d had a nice visit, but that didn’t change the fact that he’d broken her heart. She was her daughter. Even if Kelly was having trouble staying mad, Mom shouldn’t.
Kelly watched them hug. She felt the grimace on her face as she folded her arms. She quickly replaced it with a half-baked smile.
“It’s great to see you, Mrs. McIntyre.”
“You look good,” Mom said. “So grown up.” Mom flashed her a he-did-look-good glance.
“Have a cup of coffee with me,” Andrew said to Kelly.
Mom was already racing toward the empty booth next to Andrew with two mugs. “Here you go. You have a few minutes to spare, don’t you, Kelly?”
“Thank you, Mrs. McIntyre. Oh man, I’m going to need a piece of that cake too.”
“Of course, you are. Kelly’s practically famous for that around here.”
“I am not,” Kelly said, rolling her eyes and sitting down. “Moms. You know how they are.”
“Quit being so modest. You’re the best daughter a mother could wish for,” Mom said. “She just won a big contest. She’s headed to the big RBA event. Flying and everything.”
Guilt hung in Kelly’s throat. She was tempted to tell her parents the truth and swear them to secrecy right now. But just as quickly as that thought popped into her mind, she could picture Mom whispering to every customer who ventured into the Main Street Cafe, and at church on Sunday, the secret she was sworn to keep. Yeah, it would be around town so fast she’d be disqualified before she ever got on the plane to New York.
He looked impressed. “Kelly, that’s great. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“It didn’t come up?” She shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee and trying to act as if it was no big deal.
“My baby girl’s first plane ride,” Mom gushed as she slid a whopping piece of cake in front of Andrew. “It’s so exciting.”
“It is,” he agreed. “When do you leave?”
“Tuesday.” She jumped to her feet. “And I’ve got so much to do before I leave town. It was good to see you. Enjoy your cake.” She didn’t wait for a response. She rushed over to the empty teacart and raced through the door to The Cake Factory, stopping only to whisper “Mission accomplished” to Sara as she passed by. Sara gave her a thumbs up and continued filling a box with pastries for the customer at the counter.
Kelly closed the door to her office and plopped into her chair. It would be just like Andrew to ask so many questions that he’d trip her up. She got out of there just in the nick of time.
Glad that was all behind her, she pulled out a legal pad. She turned the pad wide and started heading columns. Signature recipes. Undisclosed ingredients. Fast but Fabulous. Showdown original.
She started going through her recipe list, trying to figure out which recipes she should cite as her signature dishes if asked. She needed two in case one of the other rounds was perfect for the other recipe. Or, even more importantly, if she learned something from a judge in a round that made one of the recipes less appealing. Maybe she needed three signature recipes in her back pocket.
Being prepared for any scenario would make things a lot less stressful. Even if it might cause her to go bonkers now.
If she made it to the final round, she’d have to use a completely original recipe. That was easy. Her Triple-Layer Honey Almond Cake with Berries was hands-down her favorite dessert to make and the one most people were impressed by. She could make it in her sleep, the perfect situation for baking under pressure. Plus, the dish lent itself to something pretty and Valentines-y with the red strawberries and toppings. A winner for sure.
Sara poked her head in following a double-knock at her office door.
“Hey, come in.”
“So, mission accomplished. The RBA convention worked?”
“It did. However, I moved it to Orlando. Hopefully she won’t look it up.” She pulled her lips together. “How bad is it if you get caught lying about your lie? She wanted to make it a girls’ trip since Atlanta is close enough to drive. I had to do something. I told her I won a contest and they’re flying me down.”
Sara shrugged. “If she figures it out, just claim it’s an exclusive one, by invitation only.”
“I’m not sure if I should be impressed or worried by how quickly you can make up a story.”
Sara giggled. “Impressed. I always wanted to be a novelist. Just can’t sit still long enough to type all those words.”
“That explains it.”
“While you were working on your cover story, I worked on a little something last night to help.” Sara fanned out a pile of orders.
“What is all of that?”
“Fake orders. Things you can practice with so no one notices what you’re working on. Look. I wrote all the names in purple ink and highlighted the delivery stuff in pink. That’s our code that they’re fake orders just in case they end up lying around or fall into the wrong hands.”
“This is a real battle plan.” She nodded, impressed by the effort. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“Trying to help. I made them tough too. So, good luck.”
“I’m so ready. Bring it on.”
Sara flipped through them. “Ahh. This one. Okay…you’ve got two hours. Go for it.” She dropped the fake order on the desk and left Kelly scrambling. “The clock is ticking.”