Read Online Man of the Month (Willowdale Romance Novel) by Lisa Scott - Free Book Online Page A

deliveries at local businesses would cover the utilities. He’d catch up on the rent they owed on the shop once they were paid in full after the event. The building owner was an old family friend, and being one of the Larsen boys had some pull, even when dealing with late rent. And here he was, still keeping the truth from Jeanne.
    He stood up and did what he always did when he was stressed—started cooking, often without a recipe. With plans for a new cake, he grabbed some eggs, sugar, flour, and other ingredients. He liked seeing what he could create. Better than seeing what he could destroy with bottle after bottle of liquor like his folks had done. While growing up in that chaotic house, cooking had been the one thing that had created order in his world.
    Too bad his father had told him he’d be embarrassed to have a chef for a son. “Woman’s work,” he had said, before spitting.
    So Brad had gone to college to major in business instead, bartending on the weekends. He’d only put in a few semesters at college, dropping out after his father died. Brad liked to tell himself he’d finish up the degree someday, but that seemed as likely as roping the moon.
    Cracking the egg against the bowl, he decided to make a few Valentine’s desserts. Sure, he was supposed to be the business brains of the operation, but he loved cooking and baking just as much as Jeanne did. They could offer some desserts to local restaurants for the big day. He’d make a heart-shaped lava cake. Jeanne would love it. He added cream and sugar and imagined her nibbling the sweet crumbs off her fingertips. He smiled, remembering the first time he’d had a chance to talk to her at The Hideaway, after so many years of avoiding each other.
    He’d actually introduced himself that day. “I’m Brad Larsen,” he’d said.
    She had stared at him for a moment before smiling. “I know.”
    He jumped, knocked off his stroll down memory lane when she walked into the kitchen.
    “Whatcha working on?” she asked.
    There was no fighting the warm feeling that spread from his chest and on down—way down—whenever he saw her. “A little Valentine’s Day experiment. I was thinking lava love cakes?”
    She pretended to gag. “How about heartbreak cookies with jagged edges.” A giggle slipped out. “Or conversation heart cakes with horrible sentiments. Like ‘Love Sucks.’”
    “Or ‘Bite Me.’”
    “Or ‘Not In A Million Years.’” She frowned. “That one’s too long.”
    He paused. “It’s a great idea, really. Not everyone loves Valentine’s Day. We might have an untapped market here.”
    She playfully knocked on his head. “Hello, I was kidding.”
    He grabbed her hand and held it. “I’m not. We could throw an Anti-Valentine’s party. That might get us some good publicity anyway.” Sure, they didn’t exactly have the funds for it, but his credit card wasn’t maxed out quite yet. And hell, they’d make a profit for sure, and he could pay it off.
    She slipped her hand out of his. Good thing, he thought.
    “An Anti-Valentine’s day party,” she said. “Which is less than two weeks away. Isn’t it a little late to plan?” She pulled a ball of dough out of the fridge and set up to make a pie.
    “The banquet hall is pretty much ready to go.” They still needed new lighting, fixtures, and drapes. “Some of the unfinished work might add to the unromantic charm. What have we got to lose?” Besides more money . . . But for some reason, he loved the idea. “You’re the one who suggested heartbreak cookies.”
    She set her hand on her heart. “My, my. This coming from Mr. Matchup. I’m shocked. Does this mean you’re giving up on love? Canceling Man of the Month?” She gave him a great big smile.
    “No ma’am, that continues until you find true love.” Or killed him. Whichever came first.
    She rolled those beautiful eyes of hers. “Well if you’re serious, I’m all for it. Down with love on Valentine’s Day, seven