Read Online Concealed by Victoria Michaels - Free Book Online Page B

over-caffeinated announcer gathering everyone’s attention.
    “Now, for my favorite part of the night. The big winner. The record price for a pie, set a few years back by the mayor’s wife has been shattered tonight!” Excited applause came from those still in attendance.
    “He’s going to have to spend big bucks to reclaim the title for his wife next year. He’s such a cheapskate, too, it’ll kill him to throw out extra cash,” Melissa said with a laugh.
    “The highest selling pie, as we all know, was number sixteen. The lovely lady who baked it is none other than one of our newest residents to Elton, Sydney Ross!”
    “Hooray, Momma!” Faith jumped up and down with all the exuberance her five-year-old body could manage. “You won!”
    “Told you so,” Melissa sang with a Cheshire grin on her face as she elbowed Sydney.
    With a wave of her hand, the announcer signaled to Sydney. “Could you come up here, dear?” When Sydney was within earshot, she whispered, “Lucky girl.”
    Sydney prayed she didn’t look as terrified as she felt as she stepped on stage. She nervously played with a piece of hair that fell over her shoulder and looked anywhere but directly into the crowd. She could feel him watching her, even now.
    “Pie sixteen went to the very generous and high bidding Wade Jenkins! Come on up and claim your pie and your date, Sheriff.”
    Her eyes immediately locked on his across the room. The applause and wolf whistles faded and all she saw was Wade. Sydney felt like she was going to combust as he pushed off the wall and strode through the crowd with that quiet confidence he had. Everything about the way he moved made her insides melt and her brain short-circuit. She vaguely remembered his massive shoulder brushing against hers as he claimed the pie and then her hand. He led her off to the side where Faith and Melissa joined them, congratulating Wade on his purchase. She dropped his hand like a hot potato when Melissa smirked at their linked fingers.
    Sydney pulled out of her fog just in time to hear Faith say to Wade, “You know I helped her make the pie, but I’m not going on the date because I don’t want to kiss a boy yet. But Momma’s okay with it.”
    “That’s good to know. Thanks, Faith.”
    “Why is your face all red, Momma?”
    Faith’s innocent question sent Melissa over the edge into a laughing fit. She scooped the little girl up into her arms and managed to squeak out, “We’re just going to go help with the clean-up while you two…chat.” As they walked away, behind Wade’s back Melissa mouthed, “You owe me” to Sydney.
    “So,” Sydney said to fill the awkward silence between them, “you liked the pie?”
    “I order it every time I’m at Pete’s, don’t I?”
    Her heart soared, and then fell. “Oh, you thought it was Cara’s,” she mumbled as she looked away.
    Wade cupped her chin and turned her face to look at him. “I’ve been going to Pete’s for years. Cara’s specialty is cherry, but yours is the blackberry pie.” His hand felt warm and strong against her cheek but he held her like she was as delicate as a baby bird. “There’s always blackberry when you come to work carrying those white boxes.”
    Sydney stared at him for the longest time before the corners of her mouth turned up into a little grin. “I guess being a cop makes you pretty observant, huh?”
    “I pay attention to things I’m interested in,” he said, releasing his hold.
    They stood together for a moment, the basket that carried the pie between them acting as a barrier. Thankfully it was there or she might have done something stupid like wrap herself around Wade.
    “Give me your phone.” When her eyebrows shot up at the command, he sheepishly rephrased his words. “May I please have your phone?”
    It was a miracle her fingers still worked, she was trembling so much. She prayed he wouldn’t notice as she slipped it into his outstretched hand. He quickly punched in his number and