Fall for You (10 page)

“
You asshole!” Reed groaned.

Keith was unrepentant. “You're welcome.”

Walking into the office, Ben looked from one brother to the other. “What happened?”

Reed knew he looked miserable. “Mom made cookies again.”

Ben smirked in amusement.

Eying Ben's reaction, Keith said, “Did I mention that I told Mom you had a sweet tooth too?”

Ben opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, then made an about-face and walked right out of the room.

Keith looked to Reed for an explanation. “What was that?”

It was Reed's turn to smile. “That's Ben's way
of calling you a dick.”

Standing up, Keith gave Reed a brotherly slug to the shoulder. Reed wouldn't react or admit to it, but damn, that shit hurt! He fisted his hand and returned the favor. It was like hitting a brick wall. Next time, he'd just throw his mom's cookies at him. He bet they'd leave bruises. At least now Reed knew what to do with them.

“
Don't you have work to do?”

Keith frowned
at the reminder. “Unfortunately, yes. I have to get to the site and
manage
things. Thanks for that.” The sarcasm dripped off each word. Reed sat behind his desk and almost put his feet up just to irritate him. Instead he said, “You're welcome, little brother. Anytime.”

His brother stomped out and flipped him the bird. Only a guy like Reed would take that as a sign of affection. Coming from Keith,
it probably was.

* * * *

Sophie was putting a tray of root beer float cookies in the glass case when hell froze over. Dot Sutton walked through the door and read the sign:

Welcome. Please excuse our dust but building our wall is a must!

She didn't look awed by Tracy's poetry. Dot checked out the room as if actually looking for dust. Finding only the wooden frame that would soon be a wall,
she glanced up at Sophie.

Sophie straightened and braced herself. Her heart was ready to thump out of her chest, but she put on a serene expression and smiled. “Hello. Welcome to The Cookie Jar. May I help you?”

Dot looked down in the glass case at the array of cookies but seemed wholly unimpressed with the selection. She looked at Sophie and said, “Hello. I'm Dot Sutton. I'm chairwoman of the
Madison Falls Ladies' Improvement Committee. Maybe you know my sons, Reed and Keith?”

Dot actually held her hand out in greeting like she had no idea who Sophie was.
Okay, then. If that's the way you want to play it.
Sophie reached over the counter and shook her hand.

“
I'm Sophie Brandon. Pleased to meet you.”
Again. Oh, and by the way, your son is a fabulous kisser.
She wanted to say that,
but instead went with, “Yes, of course I know them. As a matter of fact, Reed is building our wall.”
As if you didn't already know.

Reed's mom turned to scan the wooden frame of the wall. “My son is very talented with his hands.”
Amen to that, lady.
“So, is that how you two are acquainted?”

Dot appeared innocently inquiring, but Sophie knew better. The woman was on a fact-finding mission. She
wouldn't give anything away. If Reed wanted to tell his mom what was going on, then so be it.

“
Yes, he and Ben Carrington are doing a wonderful job so far.” Sophie kept the smile firmly planted on her face. Dot peered into her eyes, waiting for Sophie to confess all, no doubt.
Not gonna happen, sister.

She looked half stymied/half relieved that Sophie didn't say anything more about it. She reached
into her purse for her wallet. “My purpose for being here is to place an order for cookies.”

Sophie was stunned. “Excuse me?”

Dot continued, all business. “Yes. I'd like to order fifteen dozen cookies for our next MFLIC meeting. All of the members will be in attendance so I'll need a variety.”

Sophie was in a state of shock but went through the motions of retrieving an order form and a pen.
She gave a list of all the available cookie flavors to Dot and told her to make her choices.

She stared down at the menu and frowned. “Are these all you have?”

“
No, this is the standard selection of what's usually available. I also have different flavors according to the seasons and I'll make some special requests.” Sophie pointed to the cookies she had just placed in the case. “These are root
beer float cookies in honor of summer. Children and adults love them because they're a reminder of their favorite ice cream treat.”

Dot looked skeptical. “Root beer in a cookie? I'm not so sure about that.”

Sophie asked, “Would you like a sample?”

The woman looked like she would rather eat a bug but accepted the cookie from the waxed paper Sophie had used to retrieve it. At the first bite,
Dot's eyes widened at the unusual flavor. Sophie could tell she enjoyed it even though her face gave nothing else away. She chewed slowly, savoring the taste. After the last bite, Dot finally gave her opinion.

“
These will do. I'll take a dozen.”

Such high praise.

Sophie added them to the order form while Dot chose fourteen other flavors as well.

“
Okay, Mrs. Sutton, when will you need these?”

Without batting an eye, she said, “Tomorrow by noon.”

Sophie thought she heard her wrong. “Tomorrow? That's a little short notice for this much of a variety.”

Dot almost looked smug. “If it's a problem, I can always order from the Madison Falls Market.”

Like they had the quality that Sophie offered.
She had a feeling this was a test of some sort.

Sophie calmly replied with a confidence she
didn't feel. “No problem at all. Your order will be waiting here for pick up before noon.”

Reed's mother looked displeased. “That won't do. I have a busy morning. Would you have them delivered to the town hall between eleven thirty and noon?”

Sophie was seriously wishing she had hired that part-time help. If she said no to the delivery, she could lose any possible future orders from the MFLIC.
Dot Sutton would make sure of it.

There was nothing to say but, “Absolutely. Not a problem.”

Biggest lie ever.

Dot rifled through her purse. “I'll have to pay you when you deliver them. I left the committee checkbook at home.” She didn't ask if that was okay. She simply stated it as a fact.

Sophie filled out the rest of the order form and gave it to Dot to confirm the cookie selection. For
an order this large, she normally required payment up front.

“
That's okay but I'll need cash on delivery.”

Dot looked vaguely insulted. “Yes, of course. You'll have it.” Lifting her chin, she disdainfully asked, “Will they be fresh? I don't want any that have been sitting in this case all day.”

“
Mrs. Sutton, my cookies are always freshly baked.”

Without a reply, Dot sniffed indignantly and
returned the form to Sophie.

Sophie was hanging on to her smile by a thread.
Come on, game face!
Her cheeks were getting sore from the effort. “Thank you, Mrs. Sutton. Have a nice day.”

Reed's mother turned and left without a goodbye.

Sophie leaned against the counter and blew out a long, frustrated breath. “So, that went well.”

Tracy brought a tray of red velvet cupcakes out front and began
arranging them. “I thought I heard the bell over the door jingle. Did we have a customer?”

“
You could say that. Reed's mom was here.”

Tracy's mouth fell open in shock. “Are you kidding me? What the hell did she want?” Her voice lowered conspiratorially. “Was it about Reed?”

Sophie shook her head. “Not exactly. She pretended like we'd never met before. Introduced herself and everything. Said
she thought I might know Reed and Keith. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Sutton was here to snoop, but she placed an order.”

Tracy looked around. “Check the news. Is it The Apocalypse?”

Sophie rolled her shoulders and rubbed at the back of her neck. “It looks like I have fifteen dozen cookies to make by tomorrow if they're going to be fresh. Did I mention she wants fifteen different kinds?”

“
Sophie, how
are you going to do that?”

She shrugged. “I guess I'll have to work extra late, probably through the night. Would you check on Max and make sure he has food and goes outside?”

“
You're really going to do this?”

She was determined to do this. “If the committee likes my cookies, this could bring in a lot of future orders. It's good for business; you know that.”

“
I do, but you have your other
orders too. Do you want me to help?”

Sophie wished that were possible. “Thanks, Tracy, but you know you have your own baking itinerary. You're doing me a huge favor by taking care of Max. I'll figure out the rest.”

Tracy gave her a big hug. “You're crazy, you know that?”

Crazy or not, work was work

Reed and Ben came through the front door and were enveloped with the delicious scent of cookies baking. Reed set down his tool belt and followed his nose to the kitchen. Sophie was there, wearing a bright pink T-shirt and matching shorts. Her hair was up in a messy bun that was starting to unravel.

She had her back to him, pouring something into a stand up mixer and hand stirring something
else. Cookies, in different stages of baking and cooling, were everywhere. He checked but didn't see any chocolate chip yet.

“
Hey, Sophie. Are you stocking up or something?”

She turned immediately and held a hand to her heart. “Oh my God, Reed! You scared the hell out of me.”

Reed held up his keys. “Sorry. We let ourselves in. I thought you'd be home by now.” He looked around. “Why so many
cookies? Is this normal or is the circus in town?”

Calming herself down with a deep breath or two, Sophie gestured around the kitchen. “Actually, most of these are for your mom.”

“
My mom?”

Clarifying, Sophie said, “Well, they're technically for the Madison Falls Ladies Improvement Committee. Your mom placed the order.”

Taken aback, Reed questioned her. "My mom? Here? When was this?"

Sophie
could hardly believe it herself. “She came in today to get a fifteen dozen variety sampler for a meeting tomorrow.”

“
There's only fifteen or twenty women in the committee, Sophie. They would have to eat almost a dozen apiece.” He looked perplexed as he considered it. “She wants them by tomorrow? Are you sure? Thursdays aren't her normal meeting days.”

* * * *

Pointing to the table before turning
to stir whatever was in the bowl, Sophie answered him. “The order form is over there, Reed. I wrote down the date and amount myself. She specifically said there was a meeting tomorrow. Your mom requested fifteen dozen cookies, each dozen a different flavor.”

Seeing how frustrated Sophie was by the angry way she was stirring, Reed went to her side and put a hand on the small of her back. “I don't
doubt you. Thursday is just an off day for a meeting.” He thought about it. “Then again, I remember her mentioning a vote they were going to have over…I think it was mulch?” Reed placed a soft kiss on her lips. “How are you going to make all of these tonight and still get your regular baking done in the morning?”

Sophie smiled ruefully. “It wouldn't be the first time I had to work late. Tracy's
been busy too. If I can get a hold of my sister, I'll see if she can watch the shop for an hour while I make the delivery.”

“
You do deliveries too?”

Sophie shrugged. “No, not really. Your mom said she would be too busy to pick it up.” She rubbed her forehead in thought. “I've been meaning to hire extra help but there hasn't been any time.”

Reed didn't like to think of Sophie running herself
ragged.

“
I have an idea. Since it's my mom's order, how about I deliver them for you? That way, you can take a little nap up at Tracy's place while your sister or someone minds the counter a while.”

Sophie began to protest, but Reed stopped her with another kiss. “I know you're running a business but you need to take care of yourself.” He shrugged. “I'll be in town anyway, so let me help.”

When he saw the tension in her shoulders ease a little, Reed knew Sophie had finally relented.

“
Thank you, Reed. You're a sweetheart.”

He put an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “No, I'm not. I just have a thing for cute little bakers in distress.”

Rising up on her tiptoes, Sophie pulled him down for a kiss. It began as a sweet thank you but heated up quickly. Reed was setting her
on the counter for better access to her lips when Ben interrupted…again.

“
Hey lover boy, we working?”

Reluctantly Reed stopped kissing Sophie and dropped his forehead to hers. Sophie was doing her best to scramble away, but Reed blocked her escape.

“
Go on. I'll be there in a minute.”

Ben stayed put. “Hi, Sophie.”

Reed could hear the laughter in his voice.

Sophie looked over Reed's shoulder
and murmured, “Hi, Ben.”

He could feel the heat radiating from her face. Reed gritted out, “Go away! You're embarrassing her.”

Ben left, looking quite amused with himself.

“
I swear he enjoys being an ass.”

She untangled herself and hopped off the counter. Pink tinged her cheeks in a rosy glow. “I suppose we should get back to work.”

“
I suppose we should.” Reed knew she was right but didn't
budge.
What would be the harm in one more kiss?

Sophie gave him a little push. "Go on now.”

Reed gave in and walked backward as he talked. “I'm going. I'll be back later to see if you need me for…anything.” He winked at her.

“
You'll be the first to know if I do.” She gave a shooing motion with her hands.

“
Anything at all. Just saying.” Reed caught the smile she was trying to hide before heading
back up front.