LITMIR.BIZ

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the kids put together for the recycling program. It’s a great project.”

      “Thanks.”

      Ashley. Her name kept coming up. In his mind’s eye he could see her, slim and elegant, her hair looking tousled and windblown around those big gray eyes, though it had probably taken a salon hours to create the effect.

      “Really, I wish I could do it, Piper. But with Tati to take care of and working at the school—I think I’ve bitten off just a little more than I can chew.”

      She laughed, a soft musical sound that carried across the wires.

      “Tati’s a sweetheart. One look from those big brown eyes and I’d be lost. I don’t know how you can ever say no to her.”

      “I can’t,” he admitted.

      They traded a few more words then Piper let him go, but not before asking him to dinner after church on Sunday.

      “Nothing big, just a few of our friends. Jason and I want everyone to meet Ashley.”

      “Oh, we’ve already met,” he told her. “Didn’t she tell you? She was going to call the cops on me.”

      When they hung up Michael was grinning.

      Let Ms. Ice explain that.

      Chapter Three

      “Everything for the winter festival is coming together so well. If I could just figure a way to get those sets built.”

      “You will.”

      Piper tossed her briefcase on a chair, flung off her shoes and smiled at Ashley.

      “Such faith. Thanks, pal.” She sniffed. “Something smells wonderful. I love it when you cook on Fridays. Jason says it’s like the kickoff to a great weekend.”

      Jason says this and Jason says that. During the month Ashley had been at Cathcart House, barely a sentence had left Piper’s lips that didn’t include her fiancé. Ashley felt a faint prick of envy for the couple. Theirs would be a wonderful marriage.

      “Shrimp cocktail for starters. Prime rib and roasted potatoes. Corn from the farmer’s marker. Coleslaw from the cabbage in your garden, and apple betty crumble for dessert. How does that sound?”

      “Like I should have brought another three guys.” Jason walked through the door, kissed Piper, then waved a hand. “Come on in, buddy. Hey, Ashley, I found Michael heading for his mother’s coffee shop and invited him to join us. Since he missed our Sunday get-together, I figured we owed him. Is that okay?”

      Like she could say no now, with him standing there, grinning at her.

      “Of course. The more the merrier.” Ashley sent a half smile in Michael’s direction then busied herself thickening the gravy. “It won’t take a minute to get everything on the table. I made some punch if anyone’s interested.”

      “I ask you, could I have found a better roommate than this?” Piper poured four glasses, handed them round, then walked out onto the deck with Jason, laughing over something that had happened that day.

      Ashley prayed Michael would follow, but God apparently had other plans. Michael leaned one hip against the end of the counter and took a sip of his drink.

      “Cranberries, raspberries and a bite,” he guessed, licking his lips. “Cinnamon and bitters?”

      She nodded.

      “For some reason the changing leaves always make me think of cinnamon. Is it too strong?”

      “It’s perfect. Like you.” He ignored her uplifted eyebrow. “I mean it. Look at you, after slaving all day in the kitchen your hair looks as if you’d spent the day at the spa. Your dress hasn’t got a spot of grease on it and as far as I can tell you haven’t broken a sweat.”

      She had to laugh.

      “It’s not exactly hard labor you know. All I did was cook a few things and set the table.”

      “To me that is hard labor. Mostly I hope my mother invites us for dinner so I don’t have to go through the agony of cooking. Tati even asks Wanda to invite her so she won’t have to eat it.”

      It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious. She began to dish up the meal. Without being asked, Michael carried each porcelain container to the table. When he saw her lift out the meat, he went to the door and called the other two.

      Jason helped Piper be seated. Michael winked at Ashley as he held her chair, then promptly sank down in the one closest to her.

      “Honey, do you want to say grace?” Piper asked, reaching out for Jason’s hand on one side of the table and Michael’s on the other.

      “Sure.” Jason held out his hand for Ashley’s, watched Michael take the other one, then bowed his head. “Thank you God for friends and food and your love. Bless us now we ask. Amen.”

      Jason released Ashley’s hand immediately but Michael held on so long she had to tug her fingers from his. He made a face.

      “Couldn’t you think of a longer prayer, Jason?” he asked.

      Piper and Jason chuckled. To hide her red cheeks, Ashley rose to retrieve the carving knife. As she handed it to Jason her gaze rested on Michael.

      “It’s very sharp,” she said clearly. “You’ll want to be careful it doesn’t slip and hurt someone.”

      Michael inclined his head. “She means someone like me,” he explained in a loud whisper.

      Ashley pretended to ignore him and concentrated on her meal, listening as Piper expounded on her winter festival plans.

      “Things are falling together so well. So far we’ve had a great response. It looks like we’ll have entries in every category. The trapper’s dinner has been taken over by two women who used to run a catering business, which is a huge relief.” She leaned back in her chair, her forehead wrinkled. “If it wasn’t for that play—”

      “Still nobody to build the sets, I’m guessing.” Michael sipped his water, looked at Jason. “How about you?”

      Jason’s head was shaking before he’d finished asking.

      “Give me a motor and some tools and I can do great things. But with a hammer I’m a liability.”

      “He’s telling the truth,” Ashley vouched, trying to smother her smile. “If you look above the piano you can see where he was going to hang a picture.”

      They all turned to stare at the damaged plaster. Jason endured their teasing good-naturedly until Ashley cleared the dishes and served dessert. The subject changed to the timing of the festival.

      “It’s got to be in January,” Piper explained. “We need the ice and snow to carry off the ice-sculpture contests. And the lake will still be frozen, which will allow us to have our family skating day and the community bonfire out there.”

      “Not to mention the ice-fishing tournament.” Jason set down his fork. “I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a meal so much. Thank you, Ashley.”

      “Me, too,” Michael added, scooping up the last bite of apple betty. “You should sell this recipe to my mom. She’d pay a lot to serve this.”

      “It has to be the spices,” Piper decided, savoring the taste on her tongue. “I know there’s cinnamon, but you’ve added something else that makes me think of apple trees just starting to form the apples. It’s delicious.”

      “A hint of nutmeg. Thank you all.” Blushing, Ashley rose, began removing the dessert dishes.

      “Oh, no. You cooked. We clean.” Jason lifted the plates from her hands. “Isn’t that right?” he asked Piper.

      “Absolutely. Why don’t you take your coffee out on the deck, Ash? It’s a gorgeous

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