Heart's Desire (6 page)

“There are others?” She urged him on.

“Quinton Marsh thinks so, and he runs the company. You saw the excitement from my staff. They love your cupcakes.”

“So, it’s the cupcakes that are different.”

“And the way you sell them...made to order. Brilliant.”

Maddie noticed that he grew more excited with every breath he took and every word he spoke. He gestured when making a point and his face beamed with enthusiasm. Maddie realized that Alex cared for her business as if it were his own.

“Just remember, Becky Field made chocolate chip cookies,” he continued. “Nothing special about that. Except her megamillions.”

She smiled back at him. “You flatter me.”

His smiled dropped. “I’m not conning you,” he said defensively.

“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. It’s just that where I live, where I come from, no one has talked to me the way you do. No one has ever given me—”

“Respect?” he interjected.

“Exactly.” Sadness filled her as she thought about her mother and all the complaining and harping she’d done over the years as Maddie had struggled to make her little café a success. Babs had hounded her to get a “safe” job in the bread factory, just as Babs had done. Babs told Maddie constantly that no one was going to pay four dollars for a fancy coffee and over three dollars for a cupcake. She ridiculed everything that Maddie said or did.

As Maddie gazed at Alex’s handsome, confident face, she realized that her mother had not wanted her own daughter to succeed. Suddenly, realizations about her own past were flying at her like the myriad of stars that pass by a spaceship as it zooms through space. “Yes. Respect. It’s been a tremendous amount of hard work.”

“And now you’re getting your payoff.” Alex smiled even more brightly, if that were possible.

He opened one of the manila folders he’d carried with him from the office. “Your investor is named James Stapleton. Ever hear of him?”

“No. Should I have?”

“Probably not. He’s been investing in restaurant chains and buying franchises since the sixties. He buys only a few at a time—two to six locations—and then waits to see how they do. If he doesn’t make any money, he shuts them down, and he may or may not use the location for a new franchise. He’s been moving businesses from the suburbs back into the city since 2000. I think it’s because as he’s gotten older, the suburbs are too boring for him and he and his wife like city life.”

“City life?” Maddie stopped him by reaching forward but not actually touching Alex’s hand. It was an unconscious move, motivated by years of standing on the shore of Lake Michigan and staring out to the west to see the skyline of Chicago glittering in the sun. She dreamed of living in the city, of leaving Indian Lake and all her heartbreaks behind. If she had this success, if she had respect, she could dare to live another life. A better life. A happy life.

Alex looked down at Maddie’s hand but didn’t make a move.

Maddie was dreamy-eyed when she asked, “Do you know what about the city they enjoy?”

“His wife is a theater buff. Goes all the time. She also likes the ballet, and I think she’s on a couple foundations around town. She’s a busy lady for someone nearly eighty.”

“Sounds wonderful.” Maddie smiled wistfully. “One of my two best friends will turn eighty-one this summer. She loves the theater. I should bring her with me sometime. We could see a play.”

“Or I could take you,” Alex said, and before Maddie could retract her hand, he captured it and raised it to his lips, kissing her fingers. “Maddie, I would like very much to show you my Chicago.”

Maddie squirmed in her seat. “Alex...”

“Do I make you that nervous, Maddie?” he asked with a chuckle.

“It’s not you, Alex. It’s just that I’ve put my heart and soul into my business and until it’s a real deal, I’m just not geared to think about anything else. Not plays or escargot, and certainly not champagne.”

A slow smile crept across Alex’s face. “Then I’m almost in the clear. How does a hundred thousand sound to you?”

“For what?” she asked.

“For the first two franchises of your cafés. James wants six, but I declined. After this first purchase, if James or any other investor wants to open a Cupcakes and Cappuccino Café, they’ll be a hundred thousand a pop. Once the first twenty are sold, our price moves to a quarter million for each opening. I didn’t think you would want to go low.”

“Go low?”

“You know, ask for just two hundred thousand for the entire franchise and let James open six cafés. It doesn’t work that way. At least not for me,” Alex explained.

“And they’ll need money for the build out and decor. The appliances and the brass-and-copper cappuccino machine.”

“James knows that. We’ll supply them with drawings, blueprints, scripts for employees, operation procedures, the standard regulations. You would be required to help train the managers and some staff in the beginning until these first cafes are up and running. And there would be the usual consulting. So, the hundred grand goes straight to you until we sell more sites. And believe me, I’ll make that happen for you.”

“You think so?”

“Absolutely. I can give you your dream, Maddie,” Alex replied. There was such earnestness in his eyes, Maddie felt warmth ripple through her body.

Maddie believed Alex was the right man to could sell her franchises. She couldn’t help wondering how many of her “dreams” he was scripting himself into.

CHAPTER SEVEN

E
ASTER
S
UNDAY
WAS
one of the three days of the year, the other two being Christmas and the Fourth of July, when just about every business shut its doors and hung out the closed sign in Indian Lake.

Maddie had been one of the first to post her Easter hours. Though she was always closed on Sunday mornings, she closed on Good Friday afternoon and used the time to fill Easter catering orders for hot cross buns, coconut cupcakes, bunny-shaped cakes and her popular lamb-shaped, vanilla-bean, cream-filled cake.

But Easter itself was a day off for Maddie, and she planned to spend it at The Pine Tree Lodges’ Easter brunch with Sarah, Luke, his kids, Mrs. Beabots and Olivia.

The Pine Tree Lodges began its tourist season every year at Easter. Because so many holiday visitors came to Indian Lake for the early-spring dogwoods and red buds that blossomed on the property, the lodge was booked to capacity. Another main attraction was the six-hour-long Easter champagne brunch that Edgar Clayton had been serving for four decades. Not only did the out of towners book tables for brunch, but so did the townsfolk.

Maddie knew that Isabelle would be doing double duty all day on Easter. Normally, the bookkeeper and accountant, on Easter she had to serve as head hostess in the dining room.

Isabelle was a talented artist, but she had to work at the lodge to make ends meet, since she couldn’t yet support herself with her art alone. This winter again, Isabelle had entered several of her sculptures and three of her oils to various galleries in Arizona, New York and Los Angeles and was rejected by them. She was now faced with the fact that as good as her work was, it just might not be good enough. Maddie constantly told Isabelle not to give up and to keep submitting her work. Because Maddie was teetering on the precipice of success, she encouraged her friend to stay the course, too.

Maddie often dreamed that if she were rich, she would find a way to help her artist friends—Isabelle with her paintings and sculptures and Olivia Melton with her photography. They just needed connections, as she’d found with Alex.

Maddie had gone to the lodge early Easter morning to deliver the hot cross buns and cupcakes that would be served all day. She found Isabelle already at the hostess podium in the dining room.

“Breathtaking,” Maddie said as she looked around the main lodge. Each table was set with silverware and pink and yellow alternating napkins in the water glasses. In the center of each table was a nest of Easter grass with a small vase of tulips and white narcissus. Around the base of the flowers were jelly beans, foil-covered chocolate eggs and speckled malted-milk eggs.

Maddie noted the reserved sign for Jensen/Bosworth/Regeski, where she’d be sitting later with all her friends. Maddie felt an inner glow that Sarah always included her in her family outings. It had always been that way with the Jensens. When Sarah’s mother, Ann Marie, was alive, Maddie was never left out, no matter what the holiday, birthday or special dinner. Thinking about the past, Maddie realized that she had been like an adopted sister to Sarah. They had spent nearly their entire lives together. No wonder they knew each other so well.

“I brought my Easter dress to change into. Mrs. Beabots will be here with Sarah and Luke soon.”

“Sure.” Isabelle smiled. “Use the ladies’ lounge. I just have a few more tables to set up and we’re ready.” She reached into a bag of Easter candy and sprinkled a few extra chocolate eggs on Sarah’s table for Annie and Timmy.

* * *

MADDIE
,
NOW
WEARING
her jade green sleeveless sheath dress, was standing at the podium with Isabelle when Sarah, Luke, Annie and Timmy arrived. “Happy Easter!”

“Happy Easter, Isabelle,” Sarah replied. She hugged Maddie. Isabelle led them to their table. The lodge was nearly full as they sat down.

Isabelle helped Annie with her napkin. “That’s a pretty dress you have on, Annie.”

“Thank you, Miss Isabelle. Sa...I mean, the Easter Bunny brought it to me this morning.” Annie, who had just turned nine years old and clearly considered herself the “adult” of the two children, winked at her father and Sarah.

“He did?” Isabelle asked dramatically.

Maddie looked at Timmy. “And did you get that new blazer from him, too?”

“No. My dad took me downtown to the Little Men’s Shop. I had to try stuff on.” He nodded. “But I got an extra-large basket with candy from the Easter Bunny.”

Annie glared at her brother. “And what else?”

Timmy’s seven-year-old face lit up. “I got a baseball mitt! I didn’t even think the Easter Bunny could do that. Bring presents. I mean. But Sarah told me that when we are little kids, we just get candy and chocolate eggs. Then when we get older, sometimes we get stuff we need instead of sweet treats.”

Annie nodded. “It’s better for our teeth.”

“You are so right, Annie. That’s a wise Easter Bunny, isn’t it?” Maddie said.

“I’ll say,” Luke said, taking Sarah’s hand and squeezing it.

Just then, Olivia, Emily and George walked in together.

Luke stood up. “Uncle George.” Luke shook George’s hand. “Aunt Emily.” He leaned over and kissed the pretty brunette’s cheek.

Emily was wearing a pale green silk suit with a single-breasted, collarless jacket. She wore her signature pearl-and-diamond earrings and bracelet, and the pearl necklace Ann Marie had passed on to Emily shortly before her death.

“Oh, you wore Mom’s pearls,” Sarah said wistfully. “She always wore them on Easter.”

“Precisely,” Emily said. “I think she would want me to keep the tradition going. Speaking of tradition, would you like to wear them for your wedding? I don’t know what kind of dress you’re thinking about...”

“Don’t ask,” Luke said, rolling his eyes and laughing.

Emily’s eyes searched Sarah’s face. “No luck?”

“It’s really hard.” Sarah looked glumly at Maddie.

Maddie’s mind was suddenly filled with the vision of Nate standing outside the bridal shop on Valentine’s Day. She hadn’t heard a word about him around town, and she hadn’t seen him again. She’d finally come to the conclusion that Sarah was right. She’d seen a ghost. Her mind had played tricks on her that day. Maddie had been in a wedding dress, and Nate had been the only man she’d ever thought about marrying. It made sense. Or not. It didn’t matter. Nate was in the past, where he needed to stay.

“What can be so hard about picking out a wedding dress?” George asked. “They’re all white.”

Sarah sighed. “This is the dress I’ll begin my new life in. It’s the dress in which Ill be photographed at least a hundred times—”

“And posted on Facebook,” Annie chimed in.

Maddie helped Mrs. Beabots with her chair and then sat down. “We still have time, Sarah. The wedding isn’t until late June. As long as you find one by the day before, we’re good.”

“Sage advice.” Mrs. Beabots chuckled.

“The champagne is on its way,” Luke said. “Or would you rather have a mimosa?” he asked Mrs. Beabots.

“No need to spoil good orange juice. I’ll take the champagne straight,” she said with an impish smile.

Maddie sat on one side of Mrs. Beabots, and Olivia sat on the other, rounding out the table. “Looks like a great crowd,” Maddie said, taking in the bustling lodge. “I hope it’s a harbinger of the season to come.”

“I have a good feeling about this year,” Mrs. Beabots said. “A very good feeling.”

“What makes you say that?” Maddie asked.

“I suppose it’s because I’ve seen so many years come and go. You get a gut feeling about them when you’re my age.” She put her right forefinger to her cheek and thought for a moment. “No, it’s more than that. There’s a sense about things. An energy that makes everything feel more positive or more negative.”

“What makes it do that?” Timmy inquired.

“I think it’s me, dearie. Maybe I’ve just become more sensitive to people—how they think and what they need. I know this is going to be a glorious year for me because you’re all going to be living right next door to me. Sarah smiles all the time now that she has Luke and you children. Even Beau is happier. He’s cut out all that digging he used to do.”

“Beau is not a digger,” Sarah retorted. “It was just that one time. When I threw the dead squirrel over the fence. It was my fault.”

“Oh, right.”

“Well, I wish I thought it was going to be a good year.” Maddie said, then noticed everyone was staring at her. “Did I just say that out loud?”

“Yes,” Sarah affirmed.

“Sorry.”

Mrs. Beabots patted Maddie’s knee. “Now, dear. Don’t you worry. Your Alex Perkins is making things happen for you. When do you see him again?”

“Next week. I have a meeting with James Stapleton to finalize the deal.”

“Why, that’s wonderful!”

“I’m just so nervous about it. What if James changes his mind?”

“He won’t,” Uncle George said firmly. “I’ve talked with Alex several times, as you know. He’s quite eager to get your deal going. He’s even searching for other investors.”

“You like Alex, do you, George?” Mrs. Beabots asked.

“I do. Seems mannerly, intelligent, and if I didn’t know better, a bit fond of Maddie.”

“Fond?” Sarah’s eyes grew wide.

Emily looked from Sarah to Maddie then back to George. “How fond? And what else do you know about him, George? Does he come from a good family? Where did he go to school?” She rattled off questions like an Interpol interrogator.

“Maddie?” Sarah’s voice grew stern. “What are you not telling me?”

Maddie toyed with one of the long, gold knockoff Chanel chains around her neck. “He might be interested in more than just my business.”

“Might?” George laughed. “You ought to know better than me.”

“I’m not sure. I certainly haven’t encouraged it,” Maddie said.

“I believe that,” Luke said under his breath. He smiled wanly at Sarah, then picked up his champagne. “Happy Easter, everyone. Good health.”

They toasted and fell into convivial chatter, sharing their recent news. Nearly all the adults at the table ordered the lodge’s signature eggs Benedict along with smoked lake trout. Annie and Timmy opted for waffles with lots of whipped cream and strawberries. There were cranberry and walnut muffins, Irish butter and fruit compote for the table, as well.

* * *

W
HILE
HER
FRIENDS
finished their brunch, Isabelle was helping the busboys set up for the second seating. The only other large table reserved that day was in the Garden Room. She placed the pink and yellow napkins in the water glasses and helped with the silverware before going back to the podium.

She checked the last name on the reservations list.

“Barzonni?” Isabelle said in horror as her head whipped up. She glanced across the room at Maddie and then down at the sheet. “There’s gotta be some mistake.”

She looked back at the reservation.
Barzonni for six.

Unless someone was bringing a date, that meant the entire family was coming. No way. Nate? Impossible. She had to get Maddie out of there before they showed up.

Just then, the main doors to the lodge opened and the Barzonni family walked in. Anyone in Indian Lake who had ever laid eyes on Rafe, Gabe, Mica or Nate knew it was useless to try to cast a vote for the most handsome. They looked like four Adonises marching shoulder to shoulder toward the podium. Gleaming black hair, piercing blue eyes and faces that appeared chiseled and carved. They were all dressed in dark suits, white shirts and dark ties, probably all overseen by their fashion-conscious mother. They were smiling as if they owned the world.

All except for the youngest.

Nate.

Angelo and Gina Barzonni entered behind the boys. Angelo was in his mid-sixties and stood over six feet tall like all his sons. Though he had a small paunch, and his face was weathered and lined from years of making his fortune in the sun, he was as robust as his offspring.

Gina still had the figure of an Italian movie star from the early sixties, and Isabelle knew she was devoted to long workouts as well as tending her famous rose garden. Gina wore a white designer suit with gold buttons down the single-breasted front. Her expertly colored dark hair was worn mid-shoulder and behind the ears, all the better to display her two-carat diamond ear studs.

“Mr. Barzonni.” Isabelle greeted Angelo with a smile. “Happy Easter and welcome to the lodge. We have your table ready, sir. It’s in the Garden Room, just as you requested.”

“Thank you. My wife loves the Garden Room. She can see the beach better from there, she says.”

“Absolutely.”

Isabelle purposefully chose a route to the Garden Room that would keep the Barzonnis out of sight of Maddie and her table.

* * *

M
ADDIE
HAD
JUST
RISEN
to help Mrs. Beabots with her chair. She froze like an animal being stalked by a mountain lion. She could feel his eyes on her just as clearly as if he’d walked up to her and touched her. She straightened and stiffened.

She held her breath.

Then she turned.

Sarah, who was beginning to stand, took one look at startled Maddie and sat back down, pulling Luke with her. “Kids, sit down.”

“What’s going on?” Annie asked.

“Shh,” Luke replied.

Maddie stared at Nate. She didn’t know if she’d turned to ice or fire. She felt afraid and bold all at the same time. She told herself again that Sarah had been right. She was seeing a ghost.

Somehow, she managed to gather the courage to put one foot in front of the other, and with half the town staring at her, she walked across the dining room.

Streams of sunlight came through the huge windows that overlooked the lake as Maddie made her way around the chairs and tables, never taking her eyes off Nate. She didn’t hesitate as she pushed through the French doors to the Garden Room and came face-to-face with Nate.

He stared at her, his blue eyes matching her lilting green, fire for fire. He started to smile, but his lips stuck to his teeth.