The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (3 page)

“I’m sure Cecily and I can come up with something just as beautiful.” Eric said

“But not as fun as that.” Jon said laughing

“We’ve known Susannah and her parents for over twenty years. We will give her what she wants even if it does sound overdone.” Cecily said

“It’s good to see she’s running true to form with being overdone, overdramatic and pink.” I added

“One day I am going to design cakes however I want. My clients will just have to take what I give them," Polly grunted

“You’ll have to tell me how that works out for you and what shop you’ll be employed at so I can drop by and say Hey." I said

“You’re always concerned with the bottom line and profit Willa.” Polly argued. “What about artistic freedom?"

“By bottom line and profit you mean money, which funny enough, is what keeps this little thing I like to call a business going." I replied

“I still say you're meanie pants." Polly smiled

“And you’re a Goth chick freak but I love you," I said blowing her a kiss.

“Alright Ladies, Jon and I need to get home and check on our kitchen and powder room renovations." said Eric

“That’s right." Jon sniffed. “You have to watch these guys like a hawk."

“I’m sure that you do. Jon, tell me, how is ‘Thor’ the plumber?" Polly asked slyly

“And the electrician simply known as ‘Iron Man’?” I added

Sighing Eric looked up at the ceiling. “Jon you have got to get over your ‘Avengers’ fixation."

“I’m trying honey. I still call you my ‘Captain America.'"

“C’mon Black Widow, it’s time to go. Bye everyone. Have a nice night, especially you Cecily, Happy Anniversary!" Eric said as he and Jon gathered up their things to leave.

“Yes, Happy Anniversary, make sure you give that strapping Irishman a kiss from me. Bye all!" Jon said as he and Eric walked out the front door.

“I forgot it was your anniversary. How many years is it now?" Polly asked

My mother paused for a moment before answering. “Thirty years."

“That’s so awesome." Polly said. “It’s nice to know that there are people out there that make their marriage work. My parents may be still together, but they fight like cats and dogs, even though they take a break from each other every few months."

“Why is that?" I asked

“Oh, they just have to go and chill by themselves, for a bit." Polly said evasively, like she always did when I asked about her family.

“All right, whatever, cryptic much? Mom you need to go home and get ready for your date.” I ordered before adding. “Polly you need to go and do whatever it is you do in your down time. Light some black candles and plan human sacrifices for your next coven meeting. I am going to get my haircut and run a few errands." I announced

“You’re going to get a haircut? That’s wonderful honey. You never take the time for yourself lately." Cecily said

“You can always come to my Den of Sin and I can cut your hair with my sharp dagger and use rat blood for highlights." offered Polly

“Tempting but I’ll stick with Amy at the salon." I said laughingly

“See you tomorrow Polly." I added as I set the alarm and locked the front door.

“See you later Chicas!" Polly said as she strapped on her helmet and hopped on her scooter. Driving down the street with her usual careless abandon, she beeped her horn and was out of sight a few seconds later.

“Bye Mom. I’ll see you later." I said giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before she walked to her car.

“Bye sweetie, love you, drive safe." Cecily said

I watched her car turn down the block and looked up and down the street while I strolled to my car leisurely. At the time when I bought the building, the neighborhood was going through revitalization, now the old crumbling Adobe buildings were all lovingly restored. The bright pastel colors gave the street an old-world funky vibe.

The bakery was sandwiched between a cute paper goods store and a children’s boutique, which of course, brought in tons of business for me. Up and down the block, little shops and pubs had opened in the last few years, and our street was now considered the little gem of Yuma.

I got into my car and sat there for a moment contemplating my day. I flipped down the visor to look at my reflection. So the messy bun that I had haphazardly tied on top of my head wasn’t the best look but I was in a hurry this morning and needed it up and out of the way. I pulled the hairband out and shook my long, thick, auburn hair as it tumbled down past my shoulders.

I’ll admit there were small bags under my big green-blue eyes, but my skin was clear with just a smattering of small freckles on the bridge of my straight nose. I still got carded, well most of the time; my lips were pretty decent, the bottom lip slightly larger than the top. I may not be Cover girl material, but I wasn’t that bad I thought as I started my car up and drove away.

Drowning my butt, I thought, as I pulled up to a red light. I caught a flash of red out of the corner of my eye and glanced at the gorgeous Mercedes convertible with envy. I then took a peek at the driver and realized he was staring at me. He gave me a wink while he revved his engine slightly and smiled. For a second, I was flattered.

But then, of course, the realization that the distinguished gentleman probably wasn’t a day over eighty registered in my brain. I pressed down on the accelerator the moment the light turned green and speed away slightly flustered.

Oh my gosh, a grandpa checked me out. Maybe I am drowning. I have been too lax on the old beauty maintenance as of late. Was all this work and no play turning me into an old fuddy-duddy and grandpa had sniffed me out?

Damn it, I hate it, when Suzy is right.

Chapter Two

“I’m sexy and I know it." I sang to myself as I drove home from the hairdressers feeling fresh and frisky. My hair had been washed, conditioned and cut into long layers after spending about an hour at the hairdressers. I ran my fingers through the smooth, shiny strands while I pulled into the long driveway I shared with my parents.

I brought my little Audi to a stop around the back of the property and contemplated the little cottage. While my parents’ house was a sprawling Spanish hacienda, my home was more adobe style. The red roof tiles were a perfect contrast to the white stucco walls. Custom-made wooden shutters salvaged from an old church framed her small windows. This little cottage was her pride and joy, and she loved living here. At one time, a small playhouse that her father had built for her when she was three stood there but upon graduating high school her parents had presented her with a set of house plans.

“What? Are you kidding me? What is this?" I had yelled with excitement at my small graduation party. “Are you building me a house? Holy Moley!"

“Your father and I thought that since you were going to school here in town that perhaps you would be more comfortable in your own little space instead of sharing a small dorm room." Cecily had explained

“It’s not big of course, only about nine hundred square feet but I’m sure we can make it work for you. You’ve got a small but functional bedroom, bath, and living area, eat in kitchen and also a laundry/ study room,” said my father in his lilting Irish voice. “What do you say Willy Dilly? Too close to home? We promise to give you space. I cannot promise though that I won’t be polishing my guns in the driveway first thing in the morning. Just a little warning in case a young lad comes strolling out of your house early.” His blue-green eyes twinkled

I stood there a little shocked. While most kids her age may not like the idea of living in her parent’s backyard, Willa cringed at the thought of having to share a room with a stranger. A loud, cramped dorm was not her idea of fun. Call her dull but none of that sounded like a good time. As she looked at her parents she thought, I am so lucky. Laughing she said. “You ass, you don’t even own a gun.”

“Or underwear,” Mac quipped

“Eww, that’s not a visual I want daddy-o," I said going over to hug him

"Well, honey, what do you think?" my mom asked anxiously

“I truly believe that you both are the best parents in the world. I love this fairy cottage. Just promise me you won't be all up in my grill."

“Up in your grill?" my father asked. “What in blazes does that mean? Cecily do you know what daughter is saying?"

“I think it means we need to respect her privacy dear." my mom said with a small grin that lit up her beautiful face.

I smiled as I reflected on that memory and got out of my car, my arms loaded with several shopping bags. I let myself in the front door and dropped my takeout from the local burger joint and various packages on my little bistro style table dining room table. I walked into my living room, plopped down on my couch and put my feet up on the mission style coffee table. After taking a long sip from my strawberry milk shake, I let out a sigh of contentment. I eyed my beehive fireplace and thought all I needed was a little fire, and I would be one happy girl. Slowly my eyes drifted shut only to be jarred awake by the annoying sound of my cell phone a few minutes later.

“Hello." I grumbled

“Hi sweetheart, how was your day?” asked my father cheerfully

“Peachy keen, lemon squeezy," I answered grouchily, “What’s up, besides me now?"

“I wanted to inquire if you had everything done for tonight. Your mother and I are leaving in about ten to fifteen minutes, and I wanted to touch base with you on our ‘Operation Anniversary Romance.'"

How can you be grouchy when a fifty- year- old man says something like that I wondered?

“Operation Anniversary Romance is a go.” I replied. “After my session in the torture chair at the hairdressers I stopped at the store and picked up candles, yellow and white as requested. Then I was off to the florist where I was immediately accosted by the owner, who is your biggest fan, by the way, there I was laden down with enough boxes of fragrant rose petals and flowers you could easily enter a float in the Rose Parade. After that, I completed my mission at the jewelry store where I was again met by another one of your admirers and pocketed a magnificent, but understated diamond bracelet crafted of thirty large diamonds for thirty glorious years. Little FYI, I also picked out my next birthday present. To reward myself for a job well done I decided to treat myself at Julio’s Burger Palace and bought with your shiny black card a lovely celebration meal that cost you about twelve bucks."

I took a breath and continued. “I will change into my sleek black cat suit in a few hours and break into your house where I will spread sunshine, happiness and romance that will be waiting for you when you get home from your evening out." I said with gusto.

“What would I do without you Willy Dilly,” Cormac said chuckling

“Well, honestly, dad if you keep calling me Willy Dilly you’ll find out what will happen without me."

“I keep forgetting my little girl is all grown up, it seems like only yesterday you came into our lives."

“It’s amazing you keep forgetting that since I’ve been a legal adult for seven almost eight years now. Do we need to start looking into Dementia Care Centers for you?"

“Always a comeback." said Mac

“Yup, I learned from the best." I answered. “So when are you leaving? I want to get a few shots of you old dogs for prosperity."

“Ten minutes,” he answered