Bad Taste in Men (Clover Park, Book 3) Contemporary Romance (The Clover Park Series) (17 page)

She took off her glasses and cleaned them on the bottom of her “Reader Love” T-shirt, exposing a glimpse of the smooth, olive skin of her midriff. His mouth went dry, and he took a long drink of water.

She shoved her glasses back on. “Sure, I’ll be there.”

“Great. Do you want to invite your family too? It’s always good to have a variety of opinions.”

She made a face. “Your family is plenty.”

“Too much, huh?”

“No, your family is great. Mine’s just better in small doses. Like once a week.”

He shrugged. He’d met her family plenty of times around town and in his shop; they were nice. Rachel probably had something or another that bugged her about them. Most people did bug her, but not him. Least not until he’d started teasing her.

“Help me load these mugs into the dishwasher in back,” he said, gathering up some mugs. “I’ll show you how the machine works.”

“Sure.” She grabbed some mugs, and they headed to the back storage area, where a commercial dishwasher sat. They loaded them in.

“It’s pretty simple,” Shane said. “The detergent, sanitizer, and rinse aid are already in the pumps. Back here.” He pulled the control panel forward to show her, then closed it. “Then you just shut the door and hit on.”

“Easy enough,” Rachel said, peering closely at the dishwasher, seemingly unaware of how close she was to him. He could feel her heat and breathed in her flowery scent.

Don’t do it. Do
not
kiss her. It has to be her move.

She met his eyes and jumped back, her hand going to her throat. “I guess we’re good here. I’d better get back to the shop.”

She walked away as fast as she could.

“Busy over there?” he called, knowing she wasn’t. He was calling her out on avoiding him whenever they got too close. This attraction between them wasn’t going away no matter how much she danced around it.

She gave him the finger over her shoulder.

He shook his head, smiling to himself. For once he didn’t have to tiptoe around a woman and worry about upsetting her, taking care of her tender feelings. Rachel gave as good as she got. He couldn’t wait to see exactly how much she’d give when he finally got her to cross that line in the sand she’d drawn. It would happen soon. He could feel it.

Chapter Thirteen

Rachel got to Maggie’s house a little early on Thursday night and quickly realized her mistake. It was just her, Maggie, and Shane. The older woman took the opportunity to do what she did best—butt in.

“Rachel, I’m so glad you’re here to get a taste of Shane’s stuff.” Maggie waggled her eyebrows. The brow waggle paired with her outfit—a pink knitted tube top and matching knitted beret—would have been comical if Rachel wasn’t on guard against further matchmaking.

“Gran,” Shane warned. He was setting out platters of baked goods on the dining room table—scones, sweet breads, muffins, danishes, tarts, mini-pies.

“He’s a great cook,” Rachel said, refusing to rise to the bait.

“And how are things going with the café?” Maggie asked. “What was the name again?” She tapped her chin. “Something’s brewing between friends?”

“Ha-ha,” Rachel said.

Maggie pinned her with a sharp gaze. “So what’s stopping you, girl? My Shane is a catch. And he’s not getting any younger. Thirty-one is plenty old enough to settle down.”

Rachel glanced at a blushing Shane, who was looking at the ceiling, probably praying for strength to deal with his grandmother.

“I’ll fetch some drinks from the kitchen,” Rachel said, hurrying away. Shane’s voice rumbled in reply to his grandmother, and she heard Maggie’s snappy reply loud and clear.

“Make your move. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife!”

Shane rumbled something that sounded distinctly annoyed. Rachel stayed hidden in the kitchen, praying for the doorbell to ring. Instead Maggie joined her.

“It seems
some people
—” Maggie called loudly in Shane’s direction “—think I’ve overstepped my bounds. Sorry.”

Only she didn’t sound sorry. At all.

“That’s okay,” Rachel said.

Maggie grabbed some plates and forks. “Did I ever tell you about when Shane first started baking in seventh grade? He came to me after his mother died, so sad and nearly mute. In fact, he
was
mute at school.”

Rachel remembered him as quiet. She hadn’t realized he
never
spoke.

Maggie went on. “We spent hours right here in this very kitchen. Cooking healed him. Everything he makes he pours his heart and soul into, so when you sample one of his recipes, just know that it comes from love.”

Rachel blinked rapidly. “Um, okay.”

Maggie exhaled sharply and lowered her voice. “He’s not much of a fighter. Oh, he’ll kick ass if he has to, but he’d rather get along.” She wagged her finger. “Just remember that. If you push him too far away, he might not come back.”

“I’m not pushing—”

The doorbell rang.
Thank you!

Maggie dropped off the plates and forks on the dining room table and went to answer the door. Rachel gathered the glasses and set them on the table.

“Don’t listen to Gran,” Shane said. “She’s always playing matchmaker.”

“I’m sure you get a lot of women that way,” Rachel said with a smirk.

Shane set down the platter he’d been holding with a clatter and headed straight for her, a determined glint in his eye. She squeaked and escaped to the living room, where Liz and Ryan, Shane’s oldest brother, stood.

“Chicken!” Shane called.

Liz grinned at Rachel. “Doesn’t he know you’re egg?”

“Oh, shut it.” Rachel hugged her friend and whispered, “I’m so glad you’re here. Maggie was trying to play matchmaker.”

Liz pulled back and grinned at Maggie. “No. I’m shocked. Maggie matchmaking?”

“I was not matchmaking,” Maggie huffed. “I was merely pointing out Shane’s finer qualities when he got all persnickety.”

“Hey, Rach,” Ryan said. “Anything good to eat in there?”

“Definitely. Hope you skipped dinner.”

The door opened again, and Maggie’s husband, Jorge, walked in. “Mmm, something smells good. Hello, everyone.”

A chorus of greetings went around. They all gathered around the dining room table.

“How long do we have to wait for Trav?” Ry asked. “Turtle’s always late.”

“So is Daisy,” Liz put in.

Trav and Daisy were newlyweds with a toddler, so Rachel figured they were often late.

“They live across the street,” Ry said. “How hard can it be to get here on time?”

“It’s not easy to get out the door quickly when you have a little one,” Maggie said with a pointed look. “I’m sure you’ll know all about that soon enough.”

Ry sent a longing look to Liz, who busied herself with her napkin. It was no secret that Ry wanted to get started on a family while Liz dragged her feet. Taking care of her colicky nephew Bryce had scared Liz straight.

“I say we wait,” Maggie said. “Shane wants the full effect of everyone’s feedback all at once. Right, my single, eligible, bachelor grandson?”

Shane looked to the ceiling, but still couldn’t prevent the blush that stained his cheeks. “We’ll wait.”

They chatted about the summer Little League team that Ry was coaching with pint-size kids full of attitude, until they heard the front door open followed by Bryce’s toddler squeal. “Na-na!”

Maggie beamed and stood. “Bryce!”

The boy ran straight for her, wrapping his arms around one leg. She ruffled his hair. Trav lifted him up, and Maggie rubbed noses with Bryce. Then he was off, running into the kitchen. Trav followed at his heels. “Hi all! Be right back.”

“Sorry we’re late,” Daisy said. “Just when you think you’re out the door you have to come back in for a diaper change. Never fails.” She took in the table full of food. “Shane, you outdid yourself. Wow. Just wow.”

“Thanks,” he muttered, blushing again.

Rachel used to think it was funny how much Shane blushed, but now that she’d been doing so much blushing of her own, she could sympathize. It was bad enough to be embarrassed, but then to have the world know it was even worse. Trav returned with Bryce on his shoulders holding a sippy cup with monkeys on it.

“Hang onto that cup, Bryce,” Trav said. “If you throw it, you’re done.”

Bryce just kept sipping, one hand tangled in Trav’s hair.

Ry rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get started.”

“Wait!” Shane ordered. “We’re starting with the fruits and working our way up to the super sweet.” Shane grabbed a notepad and pen he’d stashed nearby. “First up, corn muffins with blueberries. Remember, one bite, savor, then tell me the first thing that comes to mind. Thumbs up or down for adding it to the menu.”

“No brownies?” Trav asked, scanning the table.

“I skipped the brownies and chocolate chip cookies because I already know you guys like them.”

“Aw, no cookies?” Ry asked, looking disappointed. “Just fruity stuff? I come here for sinful desserts.”

“You come here for your brother,” Maggie said.

“I love you, man,” Ry said, pounding his chest and pointing at Shane. Shane smiled and pointed back.

Maggie grinned. “That’s more like it. Trav?”

Trav snorted. “What is this, a lovefest?”

As if on cue, the sippy cup slammed into his head. “Ow!” He pulled Bryce off his shoulders and set him on the floor. “I love you too, little bro. Can we eat?”

“I love you all too,” Liz said, smiling at everyone.

“I’m so happy to be part of this family,” Jorge chimed in.

“Now you know I love you all,” Maggie said.

“Me too,” Daisy said with a loving look at Trav.

Rachel stayed quiet, uncomfortable with all the open affection going on. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone in her family had said I love you.

“All right, all right,” Shane said. “Everyone eat.”

Platters were passed around as everyone took one of everything. Rachel wondered how often they got together for taste tests. Once they got started, they moved like clockwork, passing dishes, savoring, reporting on initial reactions. The food was fabulous, everything fresh and in season. They were lucky it was August and the blueberries, peaches, and raspberries were all at their peak. The blueberries in the corn muffins burst with flavor in her mouth. The peach mini-pies were velvety and delicious. And the raspberry scones were so good she couldn’t stop with just one bite. Their café was going to be so popular.

“Shane, this is amazing,” Rachel said, halfway through. “People are going to be lining up out the door just for the baked stuff.”

Conversation stopped as all eyes went to Shane.

“Thank you,” he said. “That means a lot to me.”

They smiled at each other. Rachel suddenly realized no one was eating. She looked around the group, who were looking at her and Shane. They were all smiles.

“The coffee’s great too,” she said uneasily.

“I’m sure it is, dear,” Maggie said with a knowing smile. “We’ll be the first ones in line.”

They went back to eating. Lemon cookies, chocolate cupcakes with raspberry filling, éclairs.

“Yes to éclairs!” Rachel exclaimed, overwhelmed with the delectable dessert. It was heavenly, a thick chocolate ganache on top, sweet cream inside. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted!”

Shane grinned.

Maggie held up an éclair, which suddenly looked very, very phallic. “I told you it’s the love!”

Rachel blushed furiously. Everyone laughed.

“Shane’s got a lot to love,” Trav quipped.

Now Shane blushed furiously. “Moving on,” he grumbled.

They finished the taste-testing with a lot of moans and groans over eating too much. There wasn’t a dud in the bunch.

“It sounds like I should keep everything and just rotate the items,” Shane said. “Rach, keep track of the top-selling items, and we’ll keep those on the menu permanently.”

“Sure,” she said.

Shane addressed the group. “In the fall, we’ll have another taste-testing for pumpkin, apple, pear, and cranberry flavors.”

Everyone moaned and groaned good-naturedly.

Shane started gathering up the platters.

“I have to wonder, bro,” Trav drawled, “why you’d become business partners instead of just taking the easy way and asking her out.”

Rachel stiffened.

“Shut it,” Shane snapped.

“Would that really be the easy way?” Maggie asked. “What if he asked her out and then she said no, then that’s that.”

“I told him going into business together wasn’t going to help his case,” Ry said.

“But now that they’re working together, he has lots of chances to ask her out,” Daisy pointed out.

This launched a big debate over whether going into business together was the easy way or the hard way for two people to get together. Face flaming, Rachel looked to Shane for help, but he’d gone back to gathering dishes, seemingly fine with his entire family teasing them. Liz shot her a sympathetic look.

“It was more than just an investment, you know,” Maggie said. “It was a sacrifice on Shane’s part.”

Shane’s attention snapped to Maggie, clearly surprised. “Don’t,” he warned.

“What sacrifice?” Ry asked.

Rachel’s stomach dropped. “Shane?”

He shook his head. “Don’t listen to her.”

“You should tell her,” Maggie urged.

“What’s going on?” Trav asked.

Everyone stared at Shane.

“Nothing,” Shane said. “It’s nothing. I dug deep for the cash, but we’ll make it back. No problem.”

Rachel stared at him. “Tell me what you did to get that money.”

He shook his head.

Rachel went hot and cold. She had a very bad feeling about this. “Tell me!” she demanded.

His eyes were steely in their resolve. “No.”

Rachel jumped up from the table and rushed from the room. Something was very wrong here. What did Shane do? What did he sacrifice?
Shit.
She went outside, taking a deep, calming breath of the nighttime air. She walked down the front path, needing to get away from the crowd. She heard the voices in the house rising in volume, followed by some catcalls, and then Shane was heading her way.

“What’s Maggie talking about?” she asked once he reached her side. “What did you do to get that money?”