“Uh hum,” Jane’s voice broke through their bubble. “Sorry to break up this happy moment.”
Logan and Charlie pulled apart, both slightly breathless and grinning like teenagers.
“But we need your connoisseur taste buds, Charlie,” Isabella said, holding up the tray. She glanced at Jane uncertainly. “Or maybe we can come back later?”
Jane looked at Charlie and Logan, then seemed torealize what she was interrupting. “Uh...” She swallowed. “Of course. How stupid of me. This is a big thing for you.”
Jane walked into the library and hugged them both. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you both.”
Isabella did the same, and the most divine aroma hit Charlie when she placed the tray on her desk. It made her realize she had worked straight through lunch and was starving.
“Please, stay,” Charlie said, unable to keep her eyes off the ring on her finger. The diamond caught the light from the library windows, sparkling brilliantly. “Let’s taste these delicious creations of yours, Isabella.”
Logan’s phone beeped with a message. He pulled it out and grimaced. “It’s Jack. I have to go.”
He looked at Charlie apologetically, and she smiled. “Go,” she told him, accepting another kiss. “But, Logan...”
He stopped at the door. “Yes?”
“Let’s keep this between us...” Charlie looked at the two women in front of her. “All of us,” she warned. “Until we’ve got this sorted out.”
“Maybe it’s what everyone needs,” Isabella pointed out gently. “Some happiness in the midst of all this stress.”
“I understand where Charlie’s coming from,” Logan agreed. “While I want to sing it from the rooftops, let’s keep it quiet for now. We’ll pick a magical night to announce it.”
“Like the Winter Ball,” all three women said in unison.
“Yes, like the Winter Ball,” Logan agreed with a laugh. He blew a kiss at Charlie and then left, closing the library door behind him.
Excited chatter erupted among the three women as they gathered around the desk. Charlie’s eyes fell on the tray, revealing several small plates of exquisite-looking appetizers.
“These are the entrees I want to make for the ball,” Isabella explained, catching Charlie’s gaze. “I need honest opinions on which ones work best together.”
They spent the next fifteen minutes tasting Isabella’s amazing creations. An assortment of delicate pastries filled with savory mushrooms and herbs, tiny tartlets topped with fig and prosciutto, and elegant canapés with smoked salmon and dill cream. Charlie cataloged each flavor while her stomach gratefully accepted the food she had been neglecting.
Isabella’s phone beeped, and she glanced at it with a sigh. “I have to go take the casserole out of the oven and continue preparing dinner for the inn.” She stood up, gathering her tray. “I’m glad we’re filling up with bookings, but boy, is it busy now.”
“Everything was delicious,” Charlie assured her. “The fig and prosciutto tartlets were my favorite, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these.”
“Thank you,” Isabella said warmly. “And congratulations again. I’m so happy for you both.”
After Isabella left, the library fell quiet. Jane looked at Charlie expectantly.
“Did you manage to find out anything about Pamela?” Jane asked, her voice dropping to just above a whisper.
Charlie nodded, glancing at the door to make sure they were truly alone. “The doctor is legitimate. Dr. Raymond Chen. The nurses were all legitimate staff at St. Luke’s Medical Center.”
“But?” Jane prompted, hearing the hesitation in Charlie’s voice.
“But the doctor was there on a special visiting privileges pass, specifically to see you,” Charlie explained. “He’s a specialist in genetic diseases, based out of Miami. He doesn’t normally practice at St. Luke’s, but Pamela arranged for him to have temporary privileges there for your appointment.”
Jane’s expression darkened. “So Pamela set the whole thing up.”
“It appears so,” Charlie confirmed. “I was waiting for Logan to leave so I could call my PI friend back. He left me a message with more information about Pamela and her family.”
“Can I be here when you call?” Jane asked immediately.
“Of course,” Charlie said. “Lock the door.”
