Page 11 of Rattler
Janet stood and addressed the group, hands on her hips.“Remember, this is a tasting.You’re supposed to try some different ones, and we’ll vote on our favorites at the end.”
I’d never seen a cupcake tasting before and watched in fascination as the women all swarmed the table, each grabbing a couple of the little treats.Mom had cut each cupcake into quarters so there were lots of pieces to go around.
“It’s really just for fun.”Rattler put his arm around me again.I should have objected, but it made me feel safe.Safe, and something else that I didn’t want to explore just yet.
“What do you mean?”
“Janet’s already decided what she’s going to order for the wedding.She just thought this would be a fun thing to do.She plans to have some of each flavor, and a bunch with colorful sprinkles for the kids.”
I looked up at him in surprise.“There’s going to be kids at a wedding?”
“Sure.”He looked puzzled.“It’s a family affair, so people come with their kids.The actual wedding is at a church, but the reception will be here, so there’s lots of room for kids to run off some energy.And if things get spilled, it’s no big deal.”
I’d only ever been to a couple of weddings, and they had been very formal affairs.Ties, suits, long dresses, and definitely no children.I was starting to see why Jack had been so enthusiastic about this group.
Janet came over and took my hand, making shooing motions at Rattler.“Go.This is women’s work.”
He lifted one eyebrow but let go of my arm.
I tilted my head.“Tasting cupcakes is women’s work?”
Janet smiled at me.“Absolutely.Come on.You can help.”
“Do you want me to keep an eye on Scrapper for you?”Rattler eyed the little furball.
“No need.I can take him inside and give him something to eat.He’s probably hungry,” Mom offered.
“That would be great, thanks.”That muffin I’d fed him at the bakery probably wasn’t the best food for a growing kitten.
Mom reached for Scrapper and carefully lifted him into her arms.“Come on, little fella.I have a can of tuna with your name on it.”Cuddling the kitten, she headed back inside, closely followed by the curious Willow.I had a feeling Scrapper was going to be spoiled rotten here.
“So you just met Rattler today?You two looked pretty cozy.”Janet led me over to the table laden with cupcakes.
“He seems nice, but it’s not like that.”Tim had seemed like a great guy when I first met him, I reminded myself.“He’s just being friendly because he knew my brother.”
Janet laughed.“I don’t think so.I saw the way he looked at you.The man is smitten.”
I shook my head.“Hardly, unless you believe in love at first sight.We literally just met.”
“Doesn’t matter.That’s how these guys work.”She reached for a cupcake sample and peeled the paper off it.“When they find a woman they want to spend their lives with, they don’t waste time.I bet you didn’t approach him; it was the other way round.”
An image of our first encounter came to mind.He’d followed me into the alley, and I’d pulled a gun on him.Hardly the start of an epic romance.“Yeah, but it wasn’t like that.”
I seemed to be saying that a lot, maybe because deep down I wished it was.
Rattler gave off a sense of cool confidence that made me feel safe.He was big.Rough looking.Covered in tattoos and leather.My common sense told me I should be wary of him, but my gut told me just the opposite.It told me here was a guy who’d stand by the woman he chose to be his own.Who’d protect her instead of hurting her.Hell, here was a guy who laughed at a kitten’s antics.
Here was a guy who made my panties get damp with a mere glance.
“Sure.”She smirked.“That’s what we all say at the beginning.”
Sophia glanced over at me.“You want a cold beer?”
“That would be nice, thanks.”I realized it would probably make me drowsy given the past twenty-four hours, but I felt safe here.Safe enough not to worry about Tim showing up and finishing the beating, assuming he was even alive.I was pretty sure he was.Although it would probably set me up for a murder charge, I’d be happy if he were dead.I wouldn’t have to worry about him finding me.
“These are delicious!”Emma grinned and licked a bit of vanilla cream cheese icing from around her mouth.“How are we supposed to pick a favorite?”
Jewel spoke up.“I vote for the chocolate mocha.”
