Read Online The Bookshop on the Corner (A Gingerbread Cafe story) by Rebecca Raisin - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Rebecca Raisin
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green. The vibrancy of them with the oozy goodness inside had me reaching for the plate before anyone else. I knew some girls couldn’t eat in front of men when they were feeling somewhat gooey, but I wasn’t like that. Especially when it was Lil’s food.
Damon said, “If they get your vote they’ll be on the new catering menu, along with some other recipes you’ll try tonight.”
Between mouthfuls, I said, “They get my vote!”
One thing was certain: there wasn’t a lot of chatter while we ate. Lil and Damon were harmonious in the kitchen; they fluttered around each other, stopping every now and then for a brief kiss, before laughing their way through the preparation of the next dish. As a couple they were certainly something to aspire to.
I tried hard not to notice Ridge’s leg directly next to mine. I was conscious of not touching it with my own leg, which had me sitting stiffly, hyper-aware of his proximity. So what if our legs touched — would it be that bad? I tried to look serene as I slowly allowed my body to relax. If in my relaxed state my leg touched his, so be it.
“Are you OK?” CeeCee asked, frowning at me.
I tensed up, and become toy-soldier-like again.
Do not cough.
“Yes, Cee, why do you ask?”
“Oh, it were nothin’ really, you just looked—”
Missy interrupted, “I think she’s just contemplating the meditative effect of the food, right?”
I threw her a grateful glance. Maybe I wasn’t being as subtle as I thought. OK, no leg touching. Unless he touched me first.
“So,” CeeCee said, leaning forward. “What brought you to Ashford originally, Ridge?”
And here it went: let the interrogation begin. I sank back in my chair, and wondered if my friend’s questions would make him squirm. After all, he had to pass the friend test if I was even going to think about a date with him.
“Well,” he said, “somehow I stumbled onto the chocolate festival Facebook page, and thought that sounded like a nice event to attend. My job allows me to travel for a story, so I figured I’d see what the town had to offer, and I’m mighty glad I did. I found something unique here, something special, that I wasn’t even looking for. Serendipity — it’s a wonderful thing.” He turned and stared into my eyes. Oh, boy. I coughed. Twice.
***
As the evening progressed we got a little rowdier after each course. The wine was flowing, and the food plentiful. Ridge charmed everyone with stories of his travels, and all the excitement he’d squished into his thirty-five years. He’d sure seen a lot of the world, and not just the pretty sunny things, either. He’d travelled to Third World countries, and helped in orphanages. Flown to places after natural disasters and got his hands dirty trying to assist with rebuilding small communities. Maybe Ridge was deeper and more compassionate than I’d given him credit for. CeeCee and Missy goggle-eyed him as if he were Prince Charming; it didn’t take a genius to work out he’d won them over.
Lil ambled over with the last dish of the night. The third dessert. I groaned as I watched her set down miniature ice creams.
“These are creamy margarita popsicles with a circle of salted lime on top.”
“I’m fit to burst,” Missy said, and handed her popsicle to her husband, Tommy, who’d arrived at the dinner party late after being held up at the dairy he worked at.
“More for me,” he said. “I got a bit of catching up to do.”
Missy had dodged wine all night, without anyone noticing, a miracle in our small group, and had now managed to refuse the alcohol-soaked ice cream. Usually CeeCee would sniff out a secret within minutes with her so-called second sight. There was nothing like a newcomer to distract everyone.
As full as I was, the ice cream before me looked so creamy, and fresh with the verdant lime, there was no way I wasn’t going to consume it in three bites. I made the mistake of glancing at Ridge. And there he was. Holding onto
Damon said, “If they get your vote they’ll be on the new catering menu, along with some other recipes you’ll try tonight.”
Between mouthfuls, I said, “They get my vote!”
One thing was certain: there wasn’t a lot of chatter while we ate. Lil and Damon were harmonious in the kitchen; they fluttered around each other, stopping every now and then for a brief kiss, before laughing their way through the preparation of the next dish. As a couple they were certainly something to aspire to.
I tried hard not to notice Ridge’s leg directly next to mine. I was conscious of not touching it with my own leg, which had me sitting stiffly, hyper-aware of his proximity. So what if our legs touched — would it be that bad? I tried to look serene as I slowly allowed my body to relax. If in my relaxed state my leg touched his, so be it.
“Are you OK?” CeeCee asked, frowning at me.
I tensed up, and become toy-soldier-like again.
Do not cough.
“Yes, Cee, why do you ask?”
“Oh, it were nothin’ really, you just looked—”
Missy interrupted, “I think she’s just contemplating the meditative effect of the food, right?”
I threw her a grateful glance. Maybe I wasn’t being as subtle as I thought. OK, no leg touching. Unless he touched me first.
“So,” CeeCee said, leaning forward. “What brought you to Ashford originally, Ridge?”
And here it went: let the interrogation begin. I sank back in my chair, and wondered if my friend’s questions would make him squirm. After all, he had to pass the friend test if I was even going to think about a date with him.
“Well,” he said, “somehow I stumbled onto the chocolate festival Facebook page, and thought that sounded like a nice event to attend. My job allows me to travel for a story, so I figured I’d see what the town had to offer, and I’m mighty glad I did. I found something unique here, something special, that I wasn’t even looking for. Serendipity — it’s a wonderful thing.” He turned and stared into my eyes. Oh, boy. I coughed. Twice.
***
As the evening progressed we got a little rowdier after each course. The wine was flowing, and the food plentiful. Ridge charmed everyone with stories of his travels, and all the excitement he’d squished into his thirty-five years. He’d sure seen a lot of the world, and not just the pretty sunny things, either. He’d travelled to Third World countries, and helped in orphanages. Flown to places after natural disasters and got his hands dirty trying to assist with rebuilding small communities. Maybe Ridge was deeper and more compassionate than I’d given him credit for. CeeCee and Missy goggle-eyed him as if he were Prince Charming; it didn’t take a genius to work out he’d won them over.
Lil ambled over with the last dish of the night. The third dessert. I groaned as I watched her set down miniature ice creams.
“These are creamy margarita popsicles with a circle of salted lime on top.”
“I’m fit to burst,” Missy said, and handed her popsicle to her husband, Tommy, who’d arrived at the dinner party late after being held up at the dairy he worked at.
“More for me,” he said. “I got a bit of catching up to do.”
Missy had dodged wine all night, without anyone noticing, a miracle in our small group, and had now managed to refuse the alcohol-soaked ice cream. Usually CeeCee would sniff out a secret within minutes with her so-called second sight. There was nothing like a newcomer to distract everyone.
As full as I was, the ice cream before me looked so creamy, and fresh with the verdant lime, there was no way I wasn’t going to consume it in three bites. I made the mistake of glancing at Ridge. And there he was. Holding onto
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