Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) (15 page)

Gianessa gave a single, firm nod.

“Publicly. And that’s okay with you?”

She winked. “I’m good with that.” With a swivel of her hip, Gianessa sashayed around him and poked her nose in the first of Justin’s shopping bags. “What have you got in here? Cod”—she read the labels—“halibut and tilapia.”

She investigated the other bag. “A sack of mussels and some cooked crab.”

“Look good?”

Gianessa flashed a smile. “I think you’ve done this before.”

“That’s why the recipe is so colorful.” Justin pointed a finger to his bouillabaisse recipe taped to the front of an upper cabinet.

“I see smudges of tomato, saffron, and—what’s that, wine or lipstick?”

He peered at the stain. “Blood. I remember nicking myself with a knife once, bearding the mussels. Read me the spices and I’ll set them out on the counter for us.”

Gianessa read off the spices as she removed leeks, tomatoes, fennel, celery, and onions from her bag. She sniffed the air. “You’ve already started the
rouille
.”

Justin put his hands on her slender shoulders and she leaned back into his chest. Her scent filtered through the smells of the ingredients. “I have, yes. I’d like to take the lead, for a change, since this is my very favorite weekend dish. I believe it’s gluten free as long as we don’t add a hunk of bread at the end.”

Gianessa read carefully through the list of ingredients and the instructions as he took up his position at the soup kettle. “Gluten free, yes, and I’m glad you’re taking the lead, because it’s complicated.”

“Does that mean I can boss you?” Justin wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“Not if you’re bossy.” She carried a few vegetables to the sink on the island. “Am I preparing the leeks and onions and celery, boss?”

“Now this will be interesting.”

“What?”

“Watching you pretend to give up control to me.”

Gianessa laughed.

After the vegetables had been sautéed and the spices and herbs imparted their flavor, Justin added the cut-up fish fillets and some water to the big copper pot. He held the lid off to the side, and they peered in, contemplating the mix of ingredients.

“This is one thing I enjoy about cooking,” Justin said.

“What?”

“That every ingredient plays a part, but they all give up their individuality to make the dish what it is—something new and unique and bursting with flavor.”

“Sometimes, Justin Cushman, you blow me away. Who knew you were a contemplative at heart?”

Justin smiled, set down the spoon, and let the lid rest on the pot with a little crack for the aroma to drift out to the kitchen. “We’ll let this simmer and get the table ready for our feast.”

They set the table together and spent a few minutes enjoying their birds-eye view of the whitecaps on the lake until the aroma of the soup called them back to the stove.

“Time for the crustaceans.” Justin added the crab and mussels.

Gianessa leaned a hip into the counter. “Who were the women you made bouillabaisse with before today?”

“Suppose I won’t tell you?”

“I’ll always wonder.”

“The truth is I’ve made bouillabaisse many times, and shared it with friends but never actually shared the cooking with anyone.” Justin watched her face. “You seem a little disappointed.”

“Sad, not disappointed. You enjoy cooking so much, and you’re so much fun to cook with, I’m sad that the other times were solo. I hope the eating was great fun, shared with excellent friends.”

“Yes, it was, without exception.”

“Do you prefer making this recipe solo?”

He shook his head. “Not at all. Are you still jealous?”

Gianessa dimpled when she smiled and shook her head. “I know there were many women in your past, and I trust you to tell me whatever is relevant if it becomes relevant.”

“Such as?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“Well, I’m very jealous, and it’s time I said something.”

Her forehead creased with puzzlement. “Why are you jealous?”

“You’re wearing the necklace.”

Her hand flew to the double strand of hearts around her neck. “Yes, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about it, and we always get so caught up in whatever we’re doing I forget. I’m wearing it today so I won’t forget to ask you. So thank you.” She squinted. “Why does my necklace make you jealous?”

Justin turned back to the fragrant pot on the stove and took out one mussel that refused to open for them.

“Tell me the story of the necklace.”

Gianessa gathered her thoughts. “Les, my husband—”

“Your ex-husband?”

“Of course.” She seemed even more puzzled.

He let it go.

“Les gave it to me just after our daughter Isabella was born. He said the side-by-side hearts were symbolic of his love for his two women—the Bennett Girls, he called us—wife and daughter. I think he had the artist add the amethyst in the center because my eyes have violet in them.”

“And are you in need of money? Is that why you’re thinking of selling?”

Gianessa blinked a few times, but her face was calm, no sign that she’d taken offense at the question. “I am making enough now to support myself, but I would like to have a cushion. Manda calls it an emergency fund. And I want a little car. But mostly, I don’t want or need the necklace. And when the trip to New York City came up, I hoped it would be possible to sell it there. I think that’s where Les bought it. I hope you don’t mind my asking you for advice about finding a buyer.”

Are you kidding?
“Not at all.” He added the final few ingredients to the pot.

“What bowls would you like to use?”

“Third cabinet, middle shelf. Those dark ones.”

Gianessa put two of the bowls next to the stove and poured tall glasses of water for them. While he stirred the pot, she extracted a ladle from the jar of utensils. “Do you need this?”

“Thank you.” He reached for it without taking his eyes from the bouillabaisse.

“What are you contemplating?”

“Come look.” He traded places with her. “It’s splendid, isn’t it? The mussels are open to the rich broth. The fish pieces are swimming around with the chunks of tomato. It’s a fascinating pot, don’t you think?”

“It is.” She inhaled. “And fragrant.”

“Please take off the necklace.”

She met his gaze. “It bothers you?”

He nodded. “I promise we’ll talk over dinner about how and where to sell it. Please take it off now.”

Gianessa fumbled with the clasp and finally succeeded in opening it. She slid the heavy piece off her neck and dropped it carelessly onto the counter.

Justin studied her as she turned back to the pot of swimming seafood. Her eyes never strayed to the necklace. She watched the bouillabaisse cook for a while, inhaled again the intense fragrance and gave him a smile.

“Think it’s soup yet?”

Manda stepped onto the pedestal to view the gown in multiple mirrors. It was the fifth gown at the second bridal shop, but it was the first one Gianessa considered a possibility.

“Shoulders back, head high,” Penelope, the saleswoman, reminded her for the fifth time.

Manda watched Penelope, who demonstrated. Manda imitated her.

“It’s lovely,” Gianessa said.

Manda’s smile was tentative. Gianessa saw her steal a look at Justin. He sat across the room with one eye on the
Wall Street Journal
.

“What do you think, Manda?” Gianessa pushed her to voice her opinion.

“I really like the top, and I like how it skims my body. I like how swirly it feels.” She swiveled in place, and the fabric floated by her legs. “But I don’t like these layers.” Her fingers teased the translucent silk layers that flowed downward from the waist.

They heard the newspaper rattle. Justin studied Manda in the champagne silk gown with the filmy layers.

Gianessa hoped he wouldn’t insist on this one. It was too ethereal for Manda and the wrong color.

Justin voted. “Not her best color, but I like the sleek lines.”

“Good, we’re getting closer,” Penelope said with a perky smile. She signaled her assistant and made a number with her fingers. Ten plus one.

Were they were skipping over six others? Gianessa wondered how anyone had the patience and tact to do Penelope’s job.

Justin went back to his newspaper, and Manda climbed off the pedestal.

While Manda changed into gown number eleven, Gianessa helped herself to another cup of herbal tea.

Justin joined her at the refreshment table. “I agree with Penelope that we’re starting to find Manda’s style.”

Gianessa touched his arm. “Manda is the first to tell you she has no confidence about clothes, but I’m seeing a change in her as we do this. She really wants to find the perfect gown for her wedding to Joel, and it’s a learning process for her.”

“She’s not a princess, is she?” he observed.

“Not even close.”

“I hoped one day I’d be helping my niece Christie find the perfect gown. Christie was a princess.” He chuckled, but his eyes were moist.

Gianessa remembered the story of the fiery accident that took Christie’s life as a young teen.
So that’s why he’s giving Manda the gown of her dreams
. She touched his arm and smiled. “Are you disappointed that Manda isn’t a princess?”

“Not at all. And I’m sure Joel wouldn’t want to marry one.”

“He was engaged once,” Gianessa mused and tried to remember.

“To the wealthy and beautiful Lorraine. The woman everyone expected him to marry.”

“Was she a princess?”

“Ah, no, Lorraine was a queen.” He poured tea for himself.

“Sounds all wrong for Joel.”

“Indeed. We had a fierce fight about it. I flew back to London, sure he was going to go through with the biggest mistake of his life.”

“What changed his mind?”

“I don’t know. I think Lorraine was pressuring him to have children, and he wasn’t sure he wanted any. The next thing I knew, Lorraine was married to a handsome professor. They had two or three children right away, and then divorced. She and the children are ensconced in a country estate outside of London.”

“If I can read between the lines, you’re still in contact with her?”

Justin gave her a startled glance. “How discerning of you. I’ll tell you the story sometime.”

Penelope came to join them, shaking her head. “I was sure eleven was the one. Mandy stuck up her nose and wouldn’t even consider coming out to show you.”

Gianessa said pointedly, “Perhaps if you call her Manda, you’ll get more cooperation.”

Penelope’s face flamed. “You’re right. I apologize.” She hurried away.

Justin touched Gianessa’s hand. “You did that so graciously. I was about to snap her head off.”

“I can’t imagine doing her job.” She gave Justin her full attention. “Tell me the story of your connection to Lorraine.”

Justin drew himself up, as if debating how much to tell her. “You know Manda and I want to build a holistic rehabilitation center on Cady’s Point on Chestnut Lake.”

“Yes, Joel and Manda have both urged me to be part of that.”

“I think you should be the brains of it, personally, but that’s a discussion for another setting.”

Evidently Joel had planted the seed, just as he’d promised. Gianessa coughed to cover a shout of excitement.

“What’s pertinent here,” Justin said, “is that Lorraine owns Cady’s Point. When Joel approached her about selling it to him, he let slip that he and Manda are marrying. That killed any chance of Joel purchasing Cady’s Point.”

Gianessa gave him a slow smile. “So you’re approaching her as an interested buyer?”

“How discerning of you. Again.” His tone was inexplicably angry this time. “If you breathe a word of this to Joel or Manda, I will cut you out of the deal.”

He might as well have hit her in the face. Gianessa stumbled backward two steps. “You play too rough sometimes, Justin Cushman,” she said, her voice hard when she rebuked him.

Justin studied her face, and Gianessa let him see her flashing eyes. “I don’t deserve suspicion and harsh words.” To her surprise, Justin looked shocked himself at his own behavior.

“Manda would like you to see this gown.” Penelope interrupted the exchange.

While Gianessa was glad that Manda had regained her composure, she had totally lost her own. Her face still flamed, as if she’d been slapped on both cheeks. She gave the saleswoman a bright, false smile and moved back to her chair.

Justin came close behind her and hovered. Her shoulders stiffened.

Manda glided out of the dressing area as though she were walking down the aisle to Joel. Her smile was radiant, her shoulders back, her head high.

Penelope offered a steadying hand as Manda stepped onto the pedestal and admired herself in one mirror after another.

Gianessa caught her breath.
This is the one
. The single-shoulder style sparkled with beads that cascaded across Manda’s breasts. The cascading beads repeated from the top of the knee-high slit all the way to the hemline and around the dress. Manda did a little twist and watched the beads sparkle and the silk swirl at her ankles.

“
Bella
,” Gianessa said with a little clap of her hands.

Manda’s eyes connected with Justin’s in the mirror. His face glowed with affection for this young woman, and his eyes were bright with tears that tugged at Gianessa’s heart.

Justin nodded, and Manda’s smile brightened.

“I think Joel will like it, too,” Manda said tentatively.

“Indeed he will.” Justin’s laugh was pure joy.