Sweet Gone South Read Online Free PDF Page B

— furniture deliveries, insurance agents, movers, and painters. Let this person in. Sign for that delivery. Email him the security code. This morning a cleaning service came to put sheets on the beds and unpack and wash dishes. There’s a truck on my parking pad right now with what I assume is the last of his stuff. I’m sure some underling will show up soon to unload it.”
    “Welcome to Judge Land. There’s not a more arrogant bunch on the face of the earth. But at least Luke is a good one. I have to admit he’s smart and fair even if things don’t always go as I’d like in his courtroom.”
    “That reminds me,” Lanie fished an envelope out of the pocket of her chef’s pants. “I finally got the locks changed. Since you have court this afternoon, would you mind dropping his keys with Olive? She called me this morning to instruct me to bring them to him.”
    “I’ll be glad to.” Tolly put the envelope in her purse.
    “Thanks. Allison is watching the front and I need to get back so she can get today’s orders finished up. Life will be so much easier once I hire another full-time person. Though I’m beginning to wonder if it’s worth all the trouble Luke is causing.”
    “Once he gets settled in, maybe he won’t be any trouble.”
    “I’m sure you’re right,” Lanie said. “I probably won’t even see him.”
    • • •
    Lanie always breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the day when she was alone in Heavenly Confections and there had been no major catastrophes. Someone who had made as many bad life choices as she had would never take smooth sailing for granted. This was her favorite time of the day. The doors were locked, the kitchen was clean, and there was no smell of burned sugar in the air. She just needed to clean the coffee machine and turn off the lights. She didn’t even have to make candy tonight. Maybe she’d call Nathan and see if he wanted to get some dinner. Then again, the thought of settling in with a can of soup and her book club book was very appealing.
    She was weighing the advantages of the options when a bright green Porsche pulled in front of the shop. There was only one of those in Merritt. Luke Avery got out, looked toward the door, and waved. So she pasted on a smile and moved to unlock the door. After all, she had his fat rent check, not to mention his hefty security deposit.
    “Hello,” Lanie said cheerfully from the doorway.
    “Are we too late?” he asked as he made his way toward the passenger door. “I wanted to introduce you to my daughter. I like for her to know who the safe adults are.”
    “No problem. Come in.” Well, if that wasn’t right out of Miss Manners.
    He nodded slightly and opened the car door. The child he lifted from the car seat had a halo of black curls and a chubby face that was in transition from baby to little girl. Though healthy looking and rosy cheeked, she was small for three. Lanie would have put her closer to two. Luke’s wife must have been petite. The child wore smocked corduroy overalls printed with ladybugs and her red Keds matched the crooked bow in her hair. Luke set her on the sidewalk and patted her little bottom that was plump with a diaper.
    “Stand still, honeybee,” Luke said in a gentle voice. “Daddy needs to get your backpack.”
    It was difficult to imagine Luke having a gentle voice or using a term of endearment, but there it was. Lanie stepped onto the sidewalk and smiled at the child.
    Emma smiled back and every light in the universe went on. This child was magic, fairy dust, and everything good that would ever happen to anyone. Her eyes were the same Windex blue as Luke’s but, unlike his, hers sparkled with life and happiness. She broke into a run toward Lanie, giggling the whole way.
    “Emma!” Luke turned with a
Little Mermaid
backpack dangling from his hand. “Stop!”
    But by then Emma was running her fingers over Lanie’s chef’s pants. Today they were pink with purple lollipops and the