Page 6 of Cut The Cake

But that was the problem, wasn’t it? The shopkeepers in Heart’s Landing worked with brides day in and day out. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the moment they met her, they’d know she was hiding something. She wasn’t an actress. She’d never even tried out for a role in her high school plays. Instead, she’d concentrated on her studies and had left the artistic endeavors to the one who’d been blessed with the beauty and talent in the family, her cousin. But now, Kay’s happiness depended on her ability to act the part of a blushing bride well enough to convince everyone in one of America’s top wedding destinations that she was getting married.

She groaned. How would she ever face her cousin or her aunt if she failed? Or if some eager reporter caught wind of what she was up to and spread the word? She couldn’t stand the thought of having the paparazzi descend on Kay’s wedding. Which was exactly what would happen if anyone saw through her ruse. After all Aunt Maggie had done for her, she couldn’t—she wouldn’t—let the press ruin her cousin’s special day.

Willing her rebellious stomach to settle down, she reached into her bag for the thin notebook containing the biographical sketch Karolyn had created for her. On the long plane ride here, she’d committed every detail to memory, but sitting in her car, she whispered her fake fiancé’s name, occupation, and age until they rolled off her tongue like butter. When she was as ready as she felt she’d ever be, she tucked the notebook out of sight.

She crossed her fingers. Everything hinged on the next few minutes and, with a steadying breath, she stepped from her car and mounted the three wooden steps to the entrance to the bed-and-breakfast.

The front door opened onto a sitting area that was far more spacious than she’d expected from the photographs online. Gleaming hardwood floors and white wainscoting gave the entry a welcoming feel. Several overstuffed chairs and ottomans dotted the room, making it a great spot to linger at the beginning or the end of the day. A guest book lay atop the antique secretary nestled into a space under the stairs, but no one sat at the desk or in the formal living room beyond, where couches offered ample seating for a dozen or so.

“Hello?” she called softly. A nervous rush shimmied through her, and she gave the fake engagement ring on her finger a twist while she squared her shoulders.

“I’ll be right there.” Distant footsteps grew louder until, at last, wiping her hands on a dish towel, a plump woman with tight curls emerged from the bowels of the house. “Welcome to Union Street Bed-and-Breakfast. I’m Marybeth Williams,” she announced, a cheery welcome shining in her dark eyes. “You must be Jenny. We’ve been expecting you. Did you have any trouble finding us?”

“None at all. I hope I’m not too early.” The check-in time posted on the website had said four p.m. It was nearly that now.

“Actually, you couldn’t have planned it better. Sarah just finished getting your suite ready.” Marybeth tapped the old-fashioned guest register. “If you’ll sign in, I’ll have my husband, Matt, bring up your bags.” The hostess waited a beat before asking, “Will anyone be joining you while you’re here?”

“No.” Jenny gave her head a firm shake. “My fiancé …” Oh, phooey. Her voice trailed off as she blanked on the name of a man who didn’t exist. She struggled to hold her smile in place despite the bitter taste that filled her mouth every time she thought of the secrets she’d have to protect for the next two weeks. But she didn’t have any choice, did she? Helping to plan Karolyn’s wedding seemed like the least she could do to repay her cousin’s family. If that meant going incognito as a bride-to-be, so be it.

Besides, she reminded herself, she wasn’t going to cheat or steal from anyone. She really was planning a wedding—it just wasn’t her own.

“Tom,” she said at last, hoping Marybeth hadn’t noticed her hesitation. “He, um, he can’t get away right now. He’s an investment broker on the West Coast, and he’s putting in a lot of extra hours so he can take time off for our honeymoon.” Though she wanted to add more, she stopped herself.

The more straightforward the story, the easier it’ll be to remember, her cousin had advised.

“Someplace wonderfully romantic, I trust.” Marybeth’s head canted to one side.

Jenny bit her lower lip. “I’m sure it will be,” she said with far more assurance than she felt. Kay had left those plans up to Chad. Taking a page out of their book, she blurted, “My fiancé is, um, handling that end of things.”

“Oh, isn’t that nice.” An odd expression passed over Marybeth’s face but, like a fleeting shadow, it quickly disappeared. “Are you parked out front, dear?” When Jenny nodded, the hostess motioned toward the rear of the building. “You’re welcome to leave your vehicle on the street, but there’s also a private lot around back, on the other side of the garden.”

“Sounds good,” Jenny agreed, relieved now that the conversation had moved away from her fake fiancé. “I’ll park there when I get back from dinner.” She’d narrowed the choices for the rehearsal dinner down to three restaurants and had reservations at the first of them this evening.

Together, the two women made quick work of the business end of things before Marybeth led the way up a flight of stairs to a two-room suite at the back of the house. “It’ll be quiet here. The rooms facing the street tend to get a little more noise,” she explained, opening the door on a generously-appointed bedroom. “Will this do while you’re staying with us?”

A warm feeling started in the pit of her stomach and spread upward as Jenny took her first peek at the place she’d call home for the next two weeks. “It’s lovely,” she said, trailing her fingers over the footboard of a canopy bed covered in plush linens. From eyelet curtains at the windows to a thick Oriental carpet at her feet, the room gave off a cheery, peaceful air. She crossed to the connecting room. Here, the windows overlooked a garden where flowers bloomed in riotous colors. A conveniently placed desk and chair made the perfect spot for organizing her notes each day. A small sofa and footstool made an inviting spot to curl up with a good book whenever she had a free moment. There was even a fireplace, though she doubted she’d use it, considering the spring-like temperatures.

“So when’s the wedding?” Marybeth asked from her spot near the doorway.

Jenny whirled. She’d been so entranced by the room that she’d practically forgotten her hostess. “In four weeks and two days.” Her plans to get an earlier start had dissolved when Kay had needed some serious hand-holding through the talk-show appearances. Throwing her cousin’s engagement party had delayed her even more. She’d left for the airport right after the lavish affair.

“Why, that’s right around the corner. I guess you’ll be busy finalizing things while you’re here.” Marybeth clucked sympathetically.

“Actually, I’m just starting. Tom and I had planned to wait until next spring,” she said, sticking to the story she and Karolyn had agreed on. “When I heard of a cancellation at the Captain’s Cottage, we rearranged our schedule. I’ve always wanted a Heart’s Landing wedding.” That was the absolute truth. “But it’ll be a simple wedding, so I’m hoping to handle everything over the next two weeks.” After that, she’d fly back to California and oversee the last-minute details from there. Smiling, she wrapped a loose strand of hair around her finger and gave it a good-luck tug.

“If you haven’t chosen your baker yet, be sure to stop by I Do Cakes on Bridal Carriage. Nick is a good friend of ours, and he makes the best cakes.” Marybeth paused. “A month, though. That’s not much lead time.” She gave her chin a thoughtful tap. “I probably shouldn’t have suggested that particular bakery. Nick usually books up months ahead.”

Jenny allowed herself a small smile. One mention of her famous cousin’s name would move her to the head of any line.

Except, she couldn’t do that, could she?

Her smile faltered. She’d grown so used to dropping Karolyn’s name whenever she needed a last-minute reservation that she hadn’t stopped to consider how she was supposed to get things done without anyone discovering her connection to the movie star.

Suddenly, planning her cousin’s wedding didn’t sound as easy as she’d expected it to be. Though she’d lined up a series of appointments before she’d left L.A., she had no guarantees that the vendors could fit Kay’s wedding into their schedules. She checked her watch. There was no time to waste. If she left right now, she could stop by the bakery for an impromptu taste-testing before her dinner reservation.

Nick touched one finger to the bottom of one of the four dozen cupcakes he’d pulled from the oven an hour earlier. It had cooled enough to decorate, which meant the others had, too. He surveyed the collection of ingredients he’d gathered on the counter. Tomorrow’s special would feature a salted caramel base covered in his famed buttercream frosting. Topped with a light sprinkling of crushed toffee and a drizzle of chocolate ganache, the customer favorite would sell out by mid-morning.

Unease rippled through him. He pressed a fist to his chest. A slight frown bent his brows inward. He gave the assembled equipment a second glance. Everything he needed sat ready and waiting, so why was he on edge?

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