Love is What You Bake of it Page 3

  “I’m assuming it’s your date that put you in such a good mood today?” Kally asked.

  “Do tell!” Luis shimmied over and pulled up a chair, hoping for all the intimate details.

  “Na, he was a dud. So boring I could have fallen asleep even after a triple shot of caffeine,” Egypt said. “But … when I got home I had a request on my Etsy account from a woman who bought a pair of earrings from me, asking for five more pieces.”

  “Fantastic!” Kally exclaimed.

  “That’s not all. She has a shop in a touristy town in California and she’s placing the pieces in her store. If they sell, she’s going to commission a whole collection for the holidays.”

  “This is big!” Kally hugged her friend, careful not to put her sticky hands on Egypt. “You have to tell your parents. They’ll be so proud.”

  “As proud as your father is that you left the family business to run your own?”

  “He’s just set in his ways, just like your parents had their expectations on what they wanted for you,” Kally said. “But once they see you’ve made a success of your dreams, they’ll change their minds.”

  “Who knows?” Egypt shrugged. “I’ll unlock the front door.”

  George’s plans for Kally were purely selfish in her eyes. He should want her to branch out on her own and make her own way, the same as he had when he emigrated to the United States. But his dreams for Kally were small—work in his business until she got married and had children.

  Egypt’s parents wanted a grander future for their daughter—a college education, medical school and a practice all of her own. But those were never Egypt’s desires. Kally remembered how she hated science class and nearly flunked biology. All her electives were in the arts, and forcing her to attend college had been a huge mistake.

  Now, at thirty-two, Egypt worked at Kally’s café, helping out front but also designing decorative elements to add to cakes and cookies. In her spare time, Egypt created one-of-a-kind jewelry that now sold in several local boutiques.

  Kally was stacking books on a shelf for next month’s book club selections in a cozy corner of the shop dedicated to selling novelty items when a male voice greeted her.

  Turning, she came face to chest with the police officer from the day before. The very one who for some inexplicable reason was the source of her sleepless night.

  “Oh, hello,” Kally said politely. “Is there something more you needed from me? Um … I mean … regarding the car plate?”

  “I thought I’d give you an update,” Max answered. His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Whoa!” He lifted his hands in surrender. “Do you choose those aprons at random or is that a warning?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see,” Kally replied smugly. “The update?”

  “Oh, yes.” Max brought his attention back to the matter at hand. “We tracked down the car. It was used in a drugstore robbery about twenty miles from here on the South Shore. The car has been recovered and the suspects are in custody.”

  “Good to know. Thanks.” Kally resumed stacking the books.

  “So, what do you recommend today?” Max asked ambling over to the glass dessert counter.

  “The blueberry scones are good or the individual carrot cakes. Luis, my baking assistant, just finished a fresh batch.”

  “Who made the scones?” he asked pressing his palms to the glass.

  “I did.”

  “Hmm. I’m not a fan of blueberries. Maybe I’ll come back another day. Thanks,” he said, pushing away from the display. But as if by afterthought, Max turned back to Kally. “You have a little something right … here,” he told her, cleaning a clump of icing from her hair. And without another word, he left.

  As he walked away, Kally stood with her fists planted on her hips, her expression held in a confused scowl.

  “What did Officer Hot Buns want?” Egypt asked, bouncing over as soon as Max shut the door behind him. “He was eyeing you with those smoldering eyes.” She imitated Max in a goofy exaggerated manner.

  “Hardly!” Kally scoffed. “I think he just insulted me. Not a fan of blueberries,” she muttered under her breath. “Who doesn’t like blueberries?”

  * * *

  Finally, at six o’clock, Kally closed up for the night. She had barely enough time to go home, shower, walk Emma, scoff down a quick dinner and get back to The Coffee Klatch in time for her book club.

  At first, she had begun with only eight members. Now, six months on, the romance book club had seventeen women attending, not counting the three other genre book clubs that met throughout the month.

  The corner of the café she had designed for the events was fashioned with a plush couch, a set of mismatched upholstered chairs and a coffee table. It wasn’t long before she had been forced to extend the space and add furniture, which turned out to be a blessing as her daytime customers gravitated toward the welcoming spot.

  Book club gathered together an eclectic assembly—regular patrons of the café, a few of her mother’s friends and acquaintances from her fitness class—women of all ages, the eldest being her own grandmother who, once she heard some of the selections could be on the steamier side, decided she was in.

  “I really loved this book,” one woman said as she sipped her café Cubano. “I learned so much about a country and people I knew very little about.”

  “Yes, and it certainly makes us realize how lucky we are to have the freedom we do,” another woman added.

  “I thought it was cruel in a way, never knowing that the one she loved was alive all along,” a young woman stated.

  “That’s reality. The book was based on situations that were common for the time and conditions,” Kally said. She looked over to her grandmother, gauging her expression. She had gone through her own troubles when she came to the States as a young mother, hoping her husband would follow soon after. Sadly, that day had never come.

  “The book needed more sex,” her grandmother blurted out and everyone laughed.

  “Yiayiá!”

  “What? It’s true.” Her grandmother rose from her seat and shimmied. “I might look old, but inside the fire still burns.”

  It’s a good thing they all knew her and found her amusing, Kally thought. One minute she was lecturing on the reasons to attend liturgy faithfully and the next moment referencing a line from an erotic romance book that should never be repeated out loud, especially by her own grandmother.

  “I’ve chosen a book for next month’s discussion that’s a true romance rather than a historical fiction with some romantic elements,” Kally said, holding up the selection. Some of the women clapped. Others cooed their approval.

  “It’s a good one! I’ve already read this one, Kalliope,” one of the ladies said, addressing Kally’s grandmother of whom she was named after, although her mother played with the spelling when Kally was born. Kally’s mother had an unexplainable obsession with names containing the letter Y—Kallyope, Efthymia, Krystina. Melina hadn’t named Theo, but if she had, Kally sometimes wondered what she would have come up with.

  “I’ve read it too,” Kally said. “And I believe it will satisfy everyone.”

  “Sat-is-fy,” Kalliope dragged out in her heavy accent, her eyes bright with mischief. “I need to get my hands on this book.” She began to laugh so hard she threw herself into a coughing fit.

  “Yiayiá! What I meant was it has romance, mystery, strong female characters and a beautiful location. A little something for everyone,” Kally explained. “Behave!” she admonished with a smile.

  “She’s the best part of the evening,” a young girl around nineteen-years-old said. “I wish my grandmother was this much fun.”

  When the discussion had officially ended, the members began to move about and chat amongst themselves. One of the older women Kally knew from church approached her.

  “Kallyope mou, you have no boyfriend at the moment, correct?”

  “No, Risa,” she answered with a hint of impatience. Kally knew what was
coming next. Fiddling with the chain of the pendant she wore, she anticipated Risa’s next words.

  “I didn’t think so. I’m sure Melina would have told me if one of her daughters was taken.” Risa’s smile widened. Cuffing her hands on Kally’s shoulders, she continued, “My nephew recently moved back to town—”

  A low groan bubbled up from Kally’s throat.

  Risa twisted her lips in condemnation. “Now hear me out.” Affectionately, she took Kally’s face in her hands. “Your mother and I have been friends for years. I love all you girls like you were my own.”

  “I know that. We all love you too,” Kally assured her.

  “It’s time you meet a nice boy and settled down.”

  “I am settled,” Kally defended. “I run a business and have my own home. I have everything I need.”

  “But do you have everything you desire?” Risa asked. “I don’t know anyone who has read more romance books than you. Yet you don’t search it out for yourself.”

  “That’s because, for me, romance is nothing but a fantasy. I’ve accepted that and I’m happy with my life.”

  “I’ve never heard anything so silly. There’s a lid for every pot.”

  There’s a cliché she’d heard a thousand times. Kally sucked in a deep breath.

  “The lids I’ve found either crack or find another pot.” It was Kally’s turn to lock Risa in place with her grip. “Seriously, I’m fine.”

  Risa, small in stature and recovering from hip surgery, held her ground like a soldier ready for battle. She was relentless. “What could it hurt to just meet the boy? He could use at least a friend. He’s a good man. Loyal, steady and reliable, but he’s had a rough go of it lately.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” And Kally meant it. She was nothing if not sympathetic. “Maybe you should let him find his way when he’s ready to. It might be a bit soon for him.”

  Risa sighed heavily. Pouting, she looked at Kally with sad eyes. “Okay. But if you happen to be in the same place, like, let’s say, church, I’m going to introduce you.”

  “That’s fine.” Kally turned her attention away from Risa, facing the rest of the crowd. “Okay, everyone. It’s been fun, but I have a little girl at home waiting for me to walk her.”

  After everyone had gone, Kally locked up and began to walk home. The street was unusually quiet; the only sound the clanging of ropes hitting the flagpole. The wind had picked up and she could sense change coming. The warm summer weather was about to depart, replaced by a damp chill. A storm of some sort was definitely brewing; Kally could feel it in her bones.

  Blueberry Scones

  Preheat oven to 425º

  2 cups flour

  ⅓ cup sugar

  1 tablespoon baking powder

  ½ teaspoon salt

  7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

  1 ½ cups fresh blueberries

  1 large egg

  ½ cup heavy cream

  Zest from one small orange

  2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  *The secret to light, flakey scones is in not overworking the dough.

  In a large bowl whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

  Cut butter into small pieces and drop into the flour mixture.

  Use a pastry blender to coat the butter, cutting it up until the pieces are no larger than the size of peas. Stir in the blueberries. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, heavy cream, zest and vanilla. Mix the wet ingredients into the flour/butter mixture until just moistened. Gently press into two balls. Place each ball of dough onto a floured surface and flatten to form a disc. Cut each disc into quarters or eighths, depending on how large you want your scones to be. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown - about 14 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.

  Chapter 3

  Kally

  The sound of heavy rain pelting the window panes woke Kally from a sound sleep. She rolled over with a moan, sprawling out on her stomach and covering her head with her pillow. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think there was a family of angry woodpeckers tapping furiously against the glass. Through the cracks in the window blinds, evidence of another bleak day was clearly visible. For three dreary days, it had poured continuously. It would have been so easy to stay snuggled up under her comfy duvet, sleep in and not step outside to battle the elements.

  Kally groaned. The longer she put it off, the less time she’d have to dress. A promise was a promise and Kally never disappointed. Her mother was expecting her in church with a supply of baked goods for the Philoptochos fundraising sale the ladies group was running during the coffee hour.

  * * *

  “You’re late,” Melina whispered a little too loudly when Kally slipped beside her into the seat closest to the aisle.

  “I’m aware. I got here as soon as I could,” Kally said. “I put the cookies in the community center.”

  Kally and her mother sat quietly through the remainder of the liturgy. When it was time for the priest to deliver his sermon, he signaled for the parish council members to come forth with the donation trays.

  Rifling through her wallet, Kally found a wrinkled five-dollar bill. With a small frown, she attempted to smooth it out with her fingertips while waiting for the basket to come her way. When the usher handed her the red felt-lined wicker basket to pass along, she looked up to smile at him. But her pleasant expression was quickly replaced with one of shock and confusion as she stared into the equally surprised eyes of Max.

  They both froze, each with their grip on the tray, until Kally dropped her bill into it before giving it a firm yank from his hands so she could pass it to her mother.

  As Max moved on to the next pew, Melina elbowed Kally. “Who is he? Did you see the way he looked at you?”

  Kally brought her fingers to her lips in a plea for her mother to be quiet. Oh, for the love of God, how long will it take for the real interrogation to begin, she wondered. But truth be told, Kally had questions of her own. This Max person seemed to have materialized out of thin air and now he was … everywhere.

  “But I’ve never seen him before,” Melina whispered. “And I’d remember him!”

  “He’s a police officer. I didn’t know he was Greek,” Kally whispered. “He stopped by my café the other day.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?” she asked a little too loudly.

  “Quiet! There’s nothing to tell,” Kally said, her exasperation building. “You really are a menace to be around.” Kally tightened her lips and glared at her mother. The subject was closed. Melina’s sigh of resignation confirmed that she had gotten the message. At least for the time being.

  “Aren’t you staying for coffee hour?” Melina asked after the liturgy was over.

  “No, I have to get to work. I can’t expect Egypt to cover for me all day.”

  Kally needed to leave quickly. There was no time for chit-chat or surprise run-ins.

  “You should say hello to your new friend.”

  “Mom! I know what you’re doing. He’s not my friend.” Kally crossed herself three times, kissed the icons in the narthex and swiftly headed for the double doors leading to the parking lot.

  But she wasn’t to escape that easily. Her mother followed behind. “Stay for a few minutes,” she pleaded.

  Kally whirled around. “Aren’t you the one who told me to stay away from Greek men?” Kally pulled her keys from her bag. “Don’t ever accuse me of not taking your advice.”

  “Why are you being so stubborn?”

  “Family trait.” Kally smirked. She knew she was driving her mother to madness. She turned back to her, kissing her briefly on the cheek. “I know you have my best interest at heart, but leave it be. Besides, he could have a girlfriend, a wife or …” Kally shrugged. “… a boyfriend. Don’t waste your energy or brain power.”

  Chapter 4

  Max

  By the time the donation money had been counted and placed safely in the church office
, liturgy was over and the parishioners were either heading to their cars or off to the community center for coffee hour.

  Max walked briskly from the breezeway that connected the church to the community center, hoping to find Kally there. With his hands dug deep in his trouser pockets, he scanned the room. The woman he assumed was her mother was talking to a few of the other ladies but Kally was nowhere in sight. She wasn’t by the dessert table, nor sitting by any of the chatty people. He even checked the kitchen as a last resort.

  Thinking of when they had come face to face, he smiled. The expression on her face was as shocked as he imagined his had been. Only his surprise had been quickly followed with a hint of a smile and a jolt in his chest. Kally, on the other hand, seemed annoyed at the mere sight of him and had averted her eyes from his quickly.

  This was the last place he’d expected to see her. It had never occurred to him that she might be Greek. Although the thick, dark hair; large, wide-set eyes the shade of dark maple syrup; and the olive complexion did hint at her ethnicity.

  He figured, at some point, he’d run into her—a restaurant, the beach, or maybe even the Sunday Farmers’ Market. And if he didn’t, he could always go back to her café for coffee. But the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption? It had never entered his mind that he’d find her here.

  Maybe he was better off leaving her alone. He had come back to his home town to sort himself out. The fast-paced life he’d led the past ten years had almost destroyed him. After what he’d gone through, getting involved so soon with anyone was the last thing that should be on his mind. He had to focus only on the priorities he’d set, to carve out this new life and then, maybe once he was settled, he could think about getting involved with the right person. Someone who would love and accept everything that came along with being involved with Maximos Vardaxis, reformed ‘supreme royal screw-up.’