“Sure.”
“Okay, kid. Call me when you’ve made your decision,got it? But don’t take too long. This situation calls for decisive action. We’re all counting on you.”
Hank remained there a moment, grimacing at his phone after he’d ended the call. Then he texted Elizabeth. He’d played hooky long enough.
CHAPTER NINE
Bethany stopped singing Christmas songs and cracked another egg to add to the beef and breadcrumb mixture. There was only one way to mix meatballs and that was with your hands.
Who’s the actor who broke your heart?
The melody hadn’t blotted out the memory of Hank’s deep voice, which echoed in her mind like a tolling bell. She put on rubber gloves, trying to stop a shiver from running down her spine. Travis was out front, waiting on customers and wiping down tables. They’d had an influx as word spread of their famous visitor. Rosie stood next to her, helping the girls make cookies.
Do you still love him?
Bethany put her hands in the bowl and squeezed the mixture, but her mind was not on the task. She couldn’t stop the sound of Hank’s voice in her thoughts. And the look in his eyes. Like he wouldn’t rest until he had dragged her heartbreak from her.
Our conversation is not over.
Another shiver. It was over. He must have left thepremises by now. The phone call he’d made had been serious. She could tell by the way his voice had lowered, and he’d hunched over his phone to guard it from prying eyes. Her eyes.
“Are you cold, honey?” Rosie asked.
“What?”
“You’re shivering like you’re cold. And you’re singing about it being cold outside. You’re not getting sick, are you?”
Cat got your tongue.“Oh, no. Just thinking about—stuff.”
“I know what you’re thinking about—your hot customer. Wowza, did the temperature in this place just go up or what? No wonder you’re singing winter songs.”
“Don’t be silly.” Bethany refused to crack a smile.
“Did you get your picture with him? The girls and I did.”
“Didn’t even think about it.”
“You should have. It’s not every day a TV star joins us for lunch. I can’t wait to post it on my Instagram. Is he still out there?”
Bethany frowned and rolled a meatball. “I don’t know.”
Rosie’s eyes widened. “You’re a better woman than I am, that’s for sure.”
“Hi, Mr. Hank,” Tana said. “We’re making heart cookies. Aren’t they nice?”
“Speak of the devil.” Rosie’s voice dipped, and she moved her lips like a ventriloquist. Her normal bright smile remained in place, a trick Bethany wished she could master.
Hank lounged in the doorway, blinding as the sun. Heat shot through her body, forcing a gasp. Her lungs and throat froze. His warm gaze zeroed in on Bethany before taking in the cookies the girls were painting with red icing. “Sure are,sweetheart.” He winked. “You two master chefs need any taste testers?”
“You can try one of the broken ones.” Tia pointed to a crumbled cookie.
Hank pulled himself away from the wall and moved toward them, his gait smooth and confident. “Don’t mind if I do.” He scooped up the partial cookie and popped it into his mouth. His eyes closed in mock excitement before he opened them again. “Wow. You girls sure are some bakers. These are delicious. Are you positive you made these?”
“We did,” Tia said. “We’re not lying.”
“I don’t know if I believe you. Better try another one.” He nabbed another broken cookie and shoved it in his mouth, to the girl’s delighted laughter.
Bethany refused to be swayed by his adorable antics. “You’re still here,” she observed dryly as she forced her hands to continue making meatballs.
