Page 48 of Hers to Marry
Chapter 14
Kat checked her phone for messages and got a terse one from Susie. Kat cringed as she read it.
I’m not sure why I had to hear from him that you hadn’t submitted anything to the state judges. Are you trying not to bring in business? So I took care of it for you.
Kat put a hand over her eyes and sighed.
“What is it, Kat?” her mother asked from behind the wheel.
Mary had roped Kat into helping the reenactment society today. Something about reliving the battle of Wilson Creek from the Civil War. Kat didn’t have to be a soldier, but she did have to play the part of a bride for a short reenactment ceremony of an 1860s-style wedding. Apparently, the bride had come down with something at the last minute, and Mary offered Kat as a substitute.
“How would that work, seeing how I’m not exactly white?” Kat had asked her mother with a raised brow.
Mary had waved a dismissive hand. “Nobody will care about that. Muriel is in charge of that part of the reenactment, and she asked for you specifically.”
“Oh, boy. What is she up to?”
“Who says she’s up to anything?”
Kat had laughed at her mother’s terrible display of false innocence. “Muriel isexactlythe mastermind type. She’s always scheming about something.”
“Well, this time she’s scheming to get someone to replace the bride because shehadto eat some bad sushi the night before a major reenactment ceremony. How inconsiderate.”
Kat couldn’t get anything else out of her mother for the rest of the night. Even now, her mother wouldn’t explain. Kat locked her phone. “Oh, nothing. Susie’s mad I forgot to enter the statewide baking competition.”
“Is that the one where that famous chef tries a select few recipes and then the winner gets to—what, be on his show?”
Kat nodded. “That’s the one.”
“Wouldn’t you want to be on his show?”
Kat bit her lip and considered. Her plans of getting her own bakery were denied at every turn. Perhaps she should try other means of being recognized. Maybe that type of publicity would bring in more business and allow her to branch out.
“I guess so. I’ve been…preoccupied.”
“Drew, isn’t it?” Her mother glanced at her. “I understand. To have him show up and then be engaged to Parker. How are you handling it?”
It’s a good thing her mother hadn’t heard about her almost-kiss with Drew. There were a few gossipy patrons in the shop that morning, enjoying their regular tea and scone. They knew her mother.
Kat sat up straighter. “There’s nothing to handle. I’m happy for them both. They’re both my friends.”
“Hmm…”
“What? What’s that ‘hmm’ for? Shouldn’t I be happy for my friends?”
“Sure. You should also go after what you want. I know I didn’t teach you girls to do that so it probably doesn’t come naturally, but you’re young and talented.”
Kat squeezed her mom’s arm. “Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me.”
“You were always the sweetest and most sensitive of my girls. You’re not like Keke or Kori, but that’s okay. You don’t have to be like either of them to get what you want. You just do it your way.”
Kat nodded and wiped at the tears in her eyes. She had wrestled with her own self-worth compared to her sisters. She still wasn’t completely sure, but both her mother and Susie couldn’t be wrong.
“Also, you shouldn’t forget to enter contests, and you…you shouldn’t let your friend have the man you want.”
Kat gasped. “Mom! I’d be a homewrecker. Is that what you want me to do? To be a homewrecker? Would you be one?”
She harrumphed. “You’re not a homewrecker until there’s anactualhome. Doesn’t sound like Drew and Parker are getting to the altar any time soon.”
