Read Online Cake on a Hot Tin Roof by Jacklyn Brady - Free Book Online Page A

family’s money can buy.”
    I waved away the offer. Whatever he was drinking must have been powerful stuff, though, because I could smell the fumes from where I stood. “Thanks, but I shouldn’t. I need to keep my head on straight for the next few hours.”
    With a shrug, he slipped the flask into his pocket. “If that’s the way you want it. So you’re looking for a way in, are you? What brings you out here all by yourself in the first place?”
    “I needed something from the van,” I said. “I’m with Zydeco bakery. We provided the King Cakes for tonight’s party.”
    His lips curved into a sly grin. “Oh, I know who you are, sweetheart. You’ve been the object of much discussion around here. People have been waitin’ for tonight with bated breath. They’ve been speculatin’ for months about whether you’d try changin’ things.”
    That didn’t surprise me. I’d suspected as much. “And the verdict?”
    Judd sketched a mock salute. “Even your detractors have conceded. You’ve done well…for an outsider.”
    I laughed then shivered a little as a cool breeze blew across the grounds. “I’d ask who my detractors are, but I really don’t want to know.”
    “I couldn’t tell you anyway,” Judd said in a flat voice. “If I did, they’d have to kill me.” He peeled off his jacket and held it out to me.
    I accepted it gratefully and slipped it on. “I’m Rita, by the way,” I said as I held out a hand. “Lucero.”
    Instead of shaking, he touched my fingertips and bowed low over my hand. Charming, even if he was pickled. “As I said, I know who you are.”
    “Ah, but I don’t know you ,” I reminded him. “Or did we meet inside and I’ve forgotten?”
    When he lifted his head again, a smile curved his lips. “Fear not, my dear. Your memory hasn’t let you down. We haven’t met until this moment.”
    “So then you are…”
    “A source of never-ending disappointment to my family.” He waved me back toward the sidewalk. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you the quickest way to get inside out of the cold.”
    He led me a few feet to the right then slipped into a copse of trees where a path had been worn into the grass—which explained how he’d beat me to the clearing.
    “You have a secret entryway?” I joked as I stepped around an exposed tree root. “I take it that means you’ve spent some time here.”
    He grinned over his shoulder. “I’ve been coming here since I was a boy. My parents were always busy with something, so I spent a lot of time exploring.” He came to a stop in front of the door and held it open for me. “There you go, m’dear. You’ll find the stairs to the lobby just beyond the weight room.” He handed over my sandals and backed a step away.
    “You’re not coming?”
    He shook his head. “Later, perhaps.”
    Beneath the gallant smile, there lurked a deep sadness. I wondered what his story was. But I couldn’t stand out here talking to him all night. Miss Frankie would have my hide if I did.
    “Thank you,” I said. “You’ve saved my life—or at least my feet.”
    “Then I am a happy man.”
    I would have bet everything I owned that was the biggest lie I’d heard all night.

Eight

    It wasn’t until Judd had disappeared through the trees again that I realized I was still wearing his jacket. I thought about going after him, but he’d made it pretty clear he wasn’t in the mood for company. Plus, I really needed to get back to the party. And I still hadn’t resolved the napkin issue.
    And besides, the prospect of meeting up with Judd again later wasn’t altogether unappealing.
    I forced my feet back into my sandals and climbed the stairs, trying not to wince as I walked through the saxophone arch into the party. The band was playing a slow song that sounded vaguely familiar, and several couples had moved onto the dance floor. I folded Judd’s jacket and tucked it under the tables at the King Cake serving station, then looked around