Page 88 of Revelry
We got into Princess and drove to the Mini Mart where I filled the shopping cart with vanilla, salt, heavy cream and whole milk. Then we went wild, grabbing fresh fruits, sprinkles, sauces, and candy. The excitement fuelling me, inspiring me with all the flavors and concoctions I could make that I zoned out and accidentally hit another cart with ours.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” I said. The woman turned to face us and her expression dropped as she spotted me and Kat.
“Hello Mrs. Brown, so nice to see you again,” Kat smiled politely.
The woman looked between us and then with a harrumph, she spun on her heel and stalked off.
“I see she’s not forgiven us for TP’ing the store then?” I whispered to Kat who snort-giggled at the memory. Mrs. Brown turned and glared at us over the rim of her glasses before sticking her nose back in the air and marching off. Kat let out another snort and I clamped my hand over her mouth and nose.
“You still can’t contain your laughter!” I hissed, trying not to giggle myself. “Mrs. Brown is a very well-respected woman in Reverence. We did a bad thing all those years ago, a very bad thing and need penance and—”
That broke Kat, she fell into a full-on cackle, struggling to catch her breath. “Stop it, Gertie, I’m gonna pee!” she wailed, wiping the tears from her eyes.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re a child, Katarina.” But I had to purse my lips to stop the laughter. We checked out, Kat paying for all the goodies and I dropped her back at the ranch with a promise to let her know how much I managed to get done.
“I really appreciate this, Gertie. Everyone is gonna lose their minds when they taste your treats! And you’ll make a ton of money for charity, and yourself,” she added.
I shook my head. “Oh no, you don’t need to pay me. The ranch is my second home, and I’ll do anything else to help it. Even better that it’s for a good cause.”
“Nonsense Gertie, you at least need to be paid for your time. And you’ll earn it with each mouthful someone takes.” She waved goodbye and then I was heading for home, stomach churning at the thought of strangers tasting my ice cream. It was fine when friends and family ate it, they had to be nice. But strangers had no filter and didn’t hesitate to tell you if something wasn’t up to standard.
My stomach continued churning when I pulled into the cul-de-sac, relieved to see that Tate was still out.
I pushed my nerves away, I needed to focus on making ice cream and not letting my best friend down. I dragged the groceries inside and got to work. I put on a playlist and enjoyed stirring and adding flavors together. I had to pause, too excited by the different mixtures that flew through my brain and started making notes.
I toyed with sweet and salty tastes, added candy as well as the fresh blueberries, raspberries and strawberries I’d bought. Then played with mint leaves, dried cranberries and chocolate chips.
Too absorbed in my creative process, I didn’t realize I had run out of space in the freezer. I wasn’t even nearly finished, too inspired to stop now. I could take some over to the ranch and store it there, but I needed more. I tapped my chin, twirling around the kitchen before I decided to end my avoidance of Tate. Purely in the name of charity, of course.
I peeked out the front door, but his truck wasn’t parked in the drive. I hopped the hedge and knocked on his door anyway justto check. But there was no answer, he wasn’t home. Not that that would stop me, I needed his freezer, and I needed it now.
I went back to my house and grabbed the spare key, my ingredients and let myself into his place.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tate
“No, you’ve got it wrong. It’s body roll, arm twirl, thrust, thrustthenmake it rain!” Leo groaned.
“Sorry, I think me and Jack collided and then I got lost,” Max huffed, running a hand through his dark hair.
“No wonder you’re struggling, you’ve got your chaps on back to front,” I sighed, looking at Max’s waist.
Max glanced down. “How the hell did that happen?”
“It’s a belt Max, it’s not hard. Do better,” Jack scolded, but his lips lifted with humor as he went over and righted them, looking like he was dressing a child.
We were packed into Jack’s small log cabin, practicing for the Cowboylesque show which was getting perilously closer, and we weren’t getting any better. The furniture had been pushed back so we had the floor. Daisy perched on the end of the couch assessing us, with Teddy, Jack’s dog.
“I don’t know why I can’t get it. The choreography isn’t hard,” Jack moaned. “It’s the arm twirl.”
“Show me your twirl,” I said. Jack lifted his arm and tried to twirl it over his head but his wrist seemed to go one way and his arm the other.
Leo shook his head. “That looks really weird, dude.”
“See!” Jack exclaimed and huffed in frustration. “I quit!”
“Hey, come on, you were so excited. Don’t quit now.”
