Free Secrets in the Shadows by T. L. Haddix Page B

thanks.”
“How are things?” Lauren asked when she reached the register. “Did your repair guy get the parts in?”
“He’s over there now, working on the ovens. He should have them fixed in a couple of hours.”
“I know Guy will be thrilled. He’s very… touchy about his kitchen.”
Janet came out of the kitchen with Helga close behind, both carrying large cake boxes. Guy had ordered four chocolate cakes and four Italian cream cakes, in addition to an assortment of pastries. The women placed the boxes on a table near the front door and headed back to the kitchen for the rest of the order.
“So who was the guy you were talking to when I came in? He looked familiar.”
“Travis Tyler. He’s a real estate developer from Madison.”
He nodded, picking at the edge of the counter with his thumb. “So, he’s a friend of yours?”
She hesitated, not sure how to classify Travis. “I guess you could say he’s a friend, yes. It’s complicated.”
“Ah. He must be one of your collection, then.” His voice was full of sarcasm.
Lauren wasn’t sure she had heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”
“Well, you seemed awfully cozy when I came in, and you sure did seem to be having a good time at the Lighthouse the other night. I’m just saying…”
She stood back, shocked at his tone and his implication. Crossing her arms, she tried to rein in her temper, but lost the battle. She lashed out verbally, not noticing when the front door opened. “Oh, I understand exactly what you’re saying. What, are you jealous that you’re not on the ‘list’?”
Charlie’s face flushed, and he opened his mouth to reply, but stopped when a man cleared his throat. Lauren saw David standing just inside the door, wearing his “cop” face. Ava and Josie, David’s second wife, had stopped on the sidewalk and were looking at something on the concrete. He stepped inside casually, letting the door fall closed, and walked up to the counter.
“Don’t let me interrupt.” He gestured at Charlie. “I think it was your turn.”
Lauren groaned and dropped her head into her hand.
Charlie shook his head, jaw clenched. “Jesus, another one.”
“That does it.” Before she could think about it, she opened the pastry case and picked up a butterscotch pie. With the arm that had twice taken her high school softball team to the state championships, she let the pie fly. It hit an astonished Charlie square in the face, the tin sticking a few seconds before it slowly slid away from the crust to land at his feet with a clang. The majority of the pie followed shortly afterward.
There was absolute silence in the dining room.
“Oh, my…” Janet, coming back out front, rushed to the sink and grabbed a roll of paper towels. “Lauren, what were you thinking? Are you okay, Charlie?” She hurried to his side and tried to clean up the mess.
“I’m fine.” He stared at Lauren through the whipped cream and filling, but didn’t say anything else. Janet handed him the roll of towels and stalked off to the kitchen, muttering about mops and frustrated bosses.
“Mommy?” Ava’s puzzled voice sounded from the door, where she and Josie stood. “Why is Charlie wearing a pie?”
Ashamed of her behavior, but still furious, Lauren cleared her throat. Before she could answer, David spoke.
“Josie, would you mind taking Ava to the bookstore for a few minutes?”
“Um, no. That’s probably a good idea.” Josie sent her a sympathetic smile and ushered a still-curious Ava out the door.
Her ex-husband looked at each of them in turn, his gaze resting on Lauren. “Want to explain this?”
She shook her head. “Not particularly.”
He looked at Charlie. “You?”
“Nothing to explain.”
“Uh-huh. And you probably have a bridge you’d like to sell me.” David sighed. “Am I correct in assuming that you’re the Charlie who is Win and Molly’s new neighbor?”
Charlie nodded.
“I don’t think I want to know what you did to make her that mad. As long as