"Good morning," she said, wiping her hands on a towel, "or should I say good afternoon."
I glanced at the clock on the wall above the kitchen table. "It's definitely afternoon."
"Eileen's been good enough to lend me her kitchen."
"So, I see. What are you making?"
"Lemon poppyseed muffins. I thought everyone might appreciate something sweet before they get started tonight."
"I'm sure they will."
As she crossed the kitchen to fetch a couple of muffin tins from another worktop, I noticed her feet were bare. I couldn't help smiling. Last night in her red designer dress, she'd been wearing armor, presenting the image expected of her. Today she was unguarded, natural. It was incredibly appealing.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked.
"Yes," Eileen said. "Stay out of the way. I know you only want to lick the spoon."
Raising my hands in surrender, I skirted around the edge of the room to make myself a coffee.
"I'd love a cappuccino, if you're offering," Juliet said.
"Me too," Eileen chipped in.
By the time I finished making the coffees, Juliet was sliding the second of the two trays into the oven.
"You two go and enjoy your coffee," Eileen said. "I'll clear up in here."
"Oh, no," Juliet protested. "I made the mess. I should be the one to clean it up."
"No." Eileen shooed her away. "You two spend some time together. I'll clean up and take your muffins out when they're done."
Juliet tried to resist my aunt's attempts to take over, but it was futile. I grabbed our coffees, and we headed out onto the porch.
"There's no arguing with my aunt."
"She's a determined lady, that's for sure." Juliet smiled as she accepted her cappuccino from me.
"Have you let anyone know you're here?"
Juliet shook her head. "You told me not to contact anyone without asking you first."
"And I meant it."
"I know, but I should probably get in touch with my mother. She's expecting me back in L.A. I need to let her know I'm safe, or she'll call out the National Guard." Juliet lowered her gaze. "If that's okay with you?"
"Of course. Where will you tell her you are?"
"That I'm staying with a friend for a few days."
"Will she accept that?"
"She'll have to." Juliet sounded determined. "I'm not a child. I can take a break if I want to."
I nodded, though I suspected Caroline Caldwell wouldn't see it the same way. From what I'd seen of Juliet's mother, she moved her husband and daughter around like chess pieces. It didn't surprise me in the slightest that she'd encouraged Garrett Kane's pursuit of Juliet.
"Are you going to tell her I'm the friend you're staying with?"
Juliet sank her teeth into her bottom lip in an adorable display of uncertainty. "Should I?"
