Baking Love by Lauren Boyd Read Free Book Online Page B

December.”
    For some reason, I don’t want to hear about the proposal. “Congratulations.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Incidentally, her ring is beautiful.”
    “You like it?”
    “I do.” Kate nudged his arm. “What’d you have to sell to buy her that thing?”
    “Actually, I didn’t have to sell anything. Walter and Loraine gave me the money for Cecilia’s ring.”
    What? “Are you serious?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Were you insulted?”
    Eric laughed. “You’re the only person who’s asked me that question.” He paused. “Yes, I was insulted, not only because they were adamant about paying for their daughter’s engagement ring, but also because they insisted I take her shopping so she could pick out the ring she wanted. In my opinion, a man is entitled to select and finance the ring he wants his fiancée—his future wife—to wear.” Eric stepped over a stick on the trail. “I guess I’m old-fashioned.”
    “Not at all.”
    “You don’t think so?”
    “Absolutely not. There are lots of women who want their engagement ring to be a surprise, who can’t wait to see what their fiancé picks out for them.”
    “Like who?”
    I can’t believe I’m saying this. “Well, like me.”
    “Is that right?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Hmm.”
    They continued down the trail, and Kate knew this would be the only chance she’d ever get to ask Eric one lingering, mind-boggling question. “If you don’t mind my asking, since we’re being so honest with each other: what do you find attractive about Cecilia?”
    “Cecilia has it all. She’s smart, funny, beautiful, kind, level-headed—the total package. I’m a lucky guy.”
    “Great. I’m glad to hear she’s kind.”
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”
    “No, what’d you say? Did you say you’re glad to hear she’s kind?”
    “It sure is a lovely night.”
    “You did! What’d you mean? You don’t think she’s nice?”
    “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
    “Too late, you already did.”
    Clearly, I’m not getting out of this one without an explanation. “Let’s just say, after working with Cecilia, ‘kind’ is not a word I would use to describe her.” Kate quickly continued. “I’m a professional and I can handle it, so I’m not even sure why I brought it up.”
    “Cecilia isn’t nice to you?” Eric sounded perplexed. “She’s nice to everyone.”
    This conversation isn’t going in a good direction. Time to change my tune for argument’s sake. “I’m glad you found each other, and I’m glad she makes you happy.”
    “I know you better than that, Kate Sullivan. You’re backpedaling now.”
    “Oh, look. There’s the inn.”
    “Uh-huh. You got lucky.”
    Once they’d reached the front terrace of the Wynnfield Inn, Eric stopped and turned to Kate. “In the spirit of honesty, I have to say: I can’t believe you had your phone on during the pre-rehearsal.”
    Kate felt her face flush. “I’m sorry. I forgot to turn it off before things got started.”
    “It was loud, too.”
    She cringed. “I know. That made it worse.”
    “Just out of curiosity, who called you?”
    “I don’t know. I didn’t recognize the number. I didn’t even recognize the area code.”
    “What was the area code?”
    “I don’t remember.” Kate pulled her phone from her purse and pressed a button, causing the screen to light up brightly in the night. She squinted as she scrolled through the Missed Calls menu. “The area code was two-one-two.”
    “Two-one-two,” Eric repeated. “I wonder where that is. Wonder who it was.”
    There’s only one way to find out. “I’ll call the number and see who answers.”
    “You sure that’s a good idea?”
    “Why not?” Kate asked, already highlighting the number in her phone. She put it to her ear and heard it ring once. A split-second later, she heard it ring somewhere else—somewhere surprisingly close. What? The phone rang a second time, and it happened again. What’s going on? She scanned the immediate vicinity