Cinq

 

The next morning, Leona whipped the white gravy while Chef made drop biscuits.

"Hey, take it easy on that poor innocent gravy. It didn't do nothing to you." Chef nudged her with his elbow. "What's de matter, shâ?"

"Oh, nothing." She usually loved when Chef used the Cajun variation of chéri, but somehow this morning the term of endearment only irritated her.

He raised his left eyebrow and gave her "the look" he was famous for. As much as she wanted to tell Chef what was on her mind, she couldn't.

Last night, when she'd seen Cameron and Marissa kissing, she knew then they were together. She'd felt even worse for encouraging the playfulness they'd shared last night. And the good things she wanted to think about him were also dashed. Why did he keep showing an interest in her when he was with Marissa? Those were the guys she had little use for. She couldn't hide her disappointment. The smirk on Marissa's face had been as sharp as a knife stab right to Leona’s gut.

"How's dat gravy comin'?"

"Almost done, Chef. The bacon is ready, fruit sliced, and the eggs are scrambled—waiting to be cooked."

"Very good. The biscuits will only take a few minutes."

Leona was elated when Chef had decided to do a buffet-style breakfast. She wouldn't have to be in and out of the dining room to serve the guests. She could check on the food and then come back into the kitchen.

Chef had set up the buffet earlier. He began taking dishes out to the serving area.

Leona followed with a chafing dish filled with bacon and transferred it into the buffet server.

Cameron came into the dining room. "Yum, bacon. You can never have too much bacon." He stole a few pieces as he followed Leona.

"I'm sure your arteries would say differently." She put the tray in place and then walked back into the kitchen.

Chef started the eggs. "Leona, would you check on the biscuits."

"Sure, Chef."

Cameron stood at the counter.

"Mornin', Cameron. What're you up to this mornin'?"

"Oh, Dad has several snowmobiles so we're taking a trip through the woods. I wanted to see if you could spare Leona for the day."

"Hmmm, that's a tough question. I suppose I could, but dat's up to Leona." Chef turned his attention to her.

She gave Chef the death stare. How dare he leave it up to her?

"I need to be here. I've committed to cooking, and that's what I'm here to do. Thanks for the offer Cameron, but I think I'll pass." She didn't need to spend time with him. He was here with Marissa. He needed to spend his days with her.

His disheartened look tore at her heart. She didn't understand him. Not at all. But the expression in his gaze begged to be heard. Was he trying to get her alone to explain last night? As far as she was concerned, she'd seen all she needed to put her mind to rest about Cameron Fleming.

Once he'd left the kitchen, Chef turned to her. "You know we're doin' bag lunches today and a light dinner tonight. You could have gone wit' him."

"Chef, he's here with Marissa. I'm not playing those games."

"Somehow, petite, knowin' what I know about Cameron, I can't imagine him being wit Marissa."

"Well, I believe he is, and I'm not getting involved with him." She pulled the biscuits from the oven and placed them in a warmed wrap inside a basket.

"Suit yourself. But he's a good guy, and dere's always more to every story than what you see." He ladled the scrambled eggs into a chafing dish and carried them into the dining room.

Leona went in with the warm biscuits. As she turned the corner, she nearly bumped into Marissa.

With a Cheshire cat grin plastered on her face, the actress greeted Leona. "Well, good morning. Did you have a nice walk in the snow last night? Cameron told me all about it."

Great. Cameron had discussed her. Leona tried to ignore the heat rising in her face but felt God prompting her heart to offer kindness instead of what Marissa expected. "It was nice, Marissa. You should have come out."

Marissa paused and looked at Leona with her head cocked to one side. "I wasn't invited."

"You didn't need to be. No one was. It was impromptu. Oh, by the way, I'm baking Christmas cookies later this afternoon and wanted to know if you wanted to help."

Marissa blinked a few times and stared.

Leona braced for assault but felt God prompting her to make the offer.

"No, thank you," Marissa replied.

"OK, maybe next time."

Cameron approached with stocking cap and scarf in hand. "Maybe next time what?"

Marissa linked her arm through his. "Leona is making cookies and wanted to know if I wanted to participate."

"Like in decorating sugar cookies?"

Leona nodded.

Cameron smiled. "I'll help, I love doing those."

That was not what Leona had in mind. Disappointment painted the other woman’s face. "Maybe I will take you up on that offer, after all." The smile she imparted toward Leona did not reach her eyes.

"Good, it'll be fun." Leona smiled.

Bryan walked in behind Cameron. "What'll be fun?"

"We're making sugar cookies this afternoon, woohoo." The sarcasm from Marissa shot through.

"Really? I used to do those with my mom every Christmas when I was a kid. I sure missed that when she passed away." Bryan glanced out the window, but not before Leona got a glimpse of the sadness clouding his eyes.

"You're welcome to join us," Leona offered.

He smiled with dazzling brilliance.

Leona got a glimpse of why woman melted at his feet.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "That would be the best Christmas present ever. I would love to."

"Then it's settled. The four of us will make cookies when y'all get back from your snowmobile rides." Leona turned toward the kitchen.

"Wait," Bryan called after her. "Aren't you coming with us? I need a partner. Won't you join me?"

When she turned back to the group, she was met with hopeful smiles from Bryan and Cameron. Marissa's painted on smile spoke the loudest.

What should she do? Bryan had been the one to invite her, not Cameron. She'd never ridden a snowmobile before and would love to see the countryside. Would this be her only chance while here?

"I don't know."

"C'mon. I'm sure Chef can spare you for the day." Bryan put his hands together. "Please come."

It wasn't everyday a man deemed The Sexiest Man Alive begged you to go snowmobiling with him. She'd surely have to mark this in her journal. His green gaze beckoned.

Cameron donned his stocking cap. "C'mon. Chef already said it was OK."

CG walked in. "Everybody ready? Leona, are you joining us? We'd love to have you."

Bryan's questioning gaze never left her. "Well?"

"OK, sounds like fun. Let me tell Chef." She ran into the kitchen, and before she could say anything, Chef waved her off. "Go. It's time you had some fun, girl. You work too hard."

She kissed his cheek. "See you this afternoon."

He handed her a sack lunch. "Dress warm."

"Yes, Chef." She snickered, grabbed the lunch, and then dropped it off with the others before running upstairs to change.

Marissa did not look very happy.

 

****

 

Just out the door, four large snowmobiles lined the front driveway. Cameron's dad had installed trails years ago, and they'd added a few additional ones every couple of years. Today CG would lead them through the latest trails and to a gorgeous spot on top of the mountain for their picnic.

CG and Coco led the group, followed by Henry and Charlene, Bryan and Leona, with Cameron and Marissa bringing up the rear.

As they gathered speed, Cameron's heart rate sped as well. He'd forgotten the thrill of riding the big machines. He wouldn't be able to be too adventurous with Marissa onboard, but there were a few open fields where they could have some fun.

Leona, just ahead of him, dressed in a snowsuit with one of his dad's helmets on, turned her head from side to side. Was she enjoying the ride? Taking in the beautiful views? He hoped so. It was always a treat to have someone come up to their lodge who'd never been in snow before. It was like experiencing his first time all over again through their eyes. He was happy she'd come.

He searched his brain trying to remember who she reminded him of. Her warm brown eyes brought a familiar calm when he looked into them. It felt like coming home after being gone for a long time. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with her for purely selfish reasons—he liked how he felt when he was around her.

Marissa, with her arms around him, squeezed his waist, reminding him who sat behind him. A twinge of guilt pierced. He couldn't stop thinking about Leona even while the beautiful and desirable Marissa clamored for his attention. Most men would trade places with him in a heartbeat.