Chapter 15
“Oh my,” Hope said as she walked into the kitchen early Saturday afternoon to find Amy putting the final touches on three triple-layer, triple-chocolate cakes. “Those look delicious. What’s the occasion?”
Amy pointed at two of the cakes and grimaced. “Bribery.” Then she pointed at the third cake. “And that one’s an apology for Ben.”
She’d finally come up with a plan to get Robert and Jake to agree to the bachelor auction. She was going to sweeten them up. She’d seen it work time and again at the restaurant. Bringing a belligerent, unhappy diner a sweet treat, often calmed the most stubborn customer.
She’d gotten a jump start on the cakes last night while James and Hope had been in Spokane for a cousin’s birthday. Now, she added the final touches.
“I see. I take it you haven’t talked to Robert or Jake?”
“Not yet.”
“You come bearing gifts like that, they’ll have a hard time saying no.”
Amy prayed Hope was right as she rang Robert’s doorbell an hour later. Gratefully, Hope had offered to watch Kallie while she did her sweet talking. She hoped the sweets would do most of the talking, and the men would easily agree, but she doubted it.
Robert’s house was a modest rambler-style home in the same neighborhood as Charity’s house. His flower beds were not overflowing with colorful flowers, but his yard appeared well kept. In fact, a recent mowing lent a fresh-cut grass scent to the air.
He’d invited her to lunch again yesterday, but she’d been relieved when he’d gotten called away shortly before lunchtime. The subject of the bachelor auction would undoubtedly come up, and she hadn’t decided how to convince him to participate.
Robert opened the door dressed in worn, well-fitted jeans and a snug, white t-shirt that showed off his muscled chest and biceps.
Amy’s breath caught in her throat. This was the second time she’d seen him wearing casual clothes. Robert looked handsome in his sheriff’s uniform, but he sure wore his casual clothes well. It amazed Amy that some woman hadn’t taken him off the market. Not only was he handsome and owned a nice house, he was the sheriff, for goodness sake.
“What do we have here?” Robert leaned against the door frame, arms folded, biceps bulging.
She pulled her eyes up to his face, her cheeks warm. “Um... I made you a cake.” She thrust the plate into his hands.
Pull yourself together.
He took the cake and motioned her in. “What’s the occasion?” Leading her to an L-shaped kitchen, he set the cake on a small table in the corner and studied her.
“It’s bribery.” She bit her bottom lip, waiting for him to blow up.
His eyes darkened. “I see. So, the rumors are true.”
“It’s for a good cause.” She listed the things they hoped to buy with the proceeds from the festival before he could stop her.
As she talked, Robert set two plates, glasses, and forks, and milk on the table. He sat down, motioning for her to join him.
“It’s for a good cause,” he mimicked. “Says the woman who has never had to spend more than a few minutes with Debbie Wheeler.” With a growl, he added, “You know she’ll win, don’t you?IfI agree to the auction, that is.”
She bit her lip again and gave him an apologetic glance. “I guess you’ve heard it was my idea.”
He nodded, his lips tight.
“Actually, it’s your fault.”
Robert’s eyebrows shot up. “My fault? How is this my fault?”
“You told me Debbie always likes to make sure people know how much she donates. I found a way to capitalize on her donations?”
“I see, so Jake and I are your pawns. What about Ben? Will you ask him to participate too?”
Amy lowered her eyes. “No. I’d never ask that of him.”
“Good. By the way, he’s not mad at you.”
