Read Online Bride by Mistake by Marilyn Shank - Free Book Online Page A

chimpanzee cake? Do you think Eloise would like any of those?”
    “They don’t seem to fit her personality. I figured we’d get a plain cake with a couple layers stacked on top of each other, and top it with thick, preferably chocolate, frosting. Wouldn’t that work?”
    Liza pursed her lips. “I suppose so. But I’m fascinated by these photos,” she said, continuing to flip the pages. “Someone is certainly creative.”
    Gilda came to rejoin them. “Have you found anything you like?” she asked. “Did you say this was for your grandmother’s birthday?”
    Zach nodded. “That’s right.”
    “Does she like flowers?”
    “She loves them. Her rose garden is amazing,” Zach told her.
    “Then check out the ‘Gilda’s Garden’ section. If you’ll notice, I’ve named each cake, and it’s listed under the photo for easy identification.” Gilda paged through Liza’s book, looking for the appropriate section.
    “Do you bake the cakes yourself?” Liza asked.
    “Every last one of them. I majored in art in college and took baking classes as a hobby. Since I knew I’d never support myself as an artist, I combined my passions, and voilà. Cake Heaven was born.”
    “Your cakes are amazing,” Liza said. “It’s obvious you love what you do. I’m convinced that creative people enjoy life in a special way.”
    “I totally agree with you,” Gilda bubbled. “What kind of work are you in?”
    Liza paused a moment and caught Zach’s eye before she answered. “I’m an attorney with Burns, Logan, and Grant. I handle mostly divorce cases.”
    Gilda’s dark eyes widened. “No kidding? I figured you for something more free-spirited, like a musician or a dancer. You’ve got the body of a dancer, honey.”
    “Oh, no,” Liza countered. She flushed vividly as she twisted a tissue nervously in her hands. “But I’ve always admired creativity in others,” she added.
    Zach rubbed his neck, waiting for Gilda, the artistic baker, to locate the garden section. It would take a bottle of aspirin and hours of sound sleep to restore his body to normal. But the way Liza chatted with Gilda, choosing a cake could take all night.
    “Ah, here it is. Gilda’s Garden,” the woman finally said. “Will you folks excuse me a minute so I can take a cake out of the oven? See if you find something you like in this section.”
    Zach expelled a relieved breath as Gilda fluttered out of the room. He might possibly have managed this high-energy woman on a normal day. But her lively chatter didn’t help his headache one bit. Maybe with Gilda in the kitchen, Zach could move the selection process forward before his head exploded.
    “Do you see anything appropriate, Liza?” he asked.
    She turned the pages slowly, smiling at the various creations. Finally she stopped. “What about this one? It’s called A Cottage Garden.”
    She pointed to a rectangular cake with several tiers, decorated with gaily colored flowers. Hmm. Maybe Gilda was an artist after all. “I like it,” he said, feeling genuinely impressed.
    “So do I.”
    When Gilda returned, they ordered the cake then headed out to their cars. Zach felt suddenly hungry. Remembering his refrigerator was bare and that his housekeeper had the day off, he turned to Liza. “Are you hungry?”
    “I’m always hungry,” she said. “Um, recently, I mean. What about you?”
    “To be honest, my head is pounding and my muscles ache, but I’m hungry too. Why don’t I pick up a pizza and meet you at your condo so we can share it?”
    Liza paused a moment and bit her lip. Finally she said, “Okay. That’ll be fine.”
    “See you in a little while…Oh, Liza?” Zach said, just as she turned to go.
    When she turned back to look at him, the attraction kicked in again. More powerfully than ever.
    “What is it, Zach?”
    “Gram will love that cake. It’s a great choice.”
    Her smile drew Zach like a high-powered magnet draws paper clips. “I’m glad,” she said. “Eloise is