Free Cooking Up Trouble by Judi Lynn Page A

need an ear, a shoulder to cry on, whatever, I’m here for you. It goes both ways. When you need something, let me know.”
    She gave a quick nod, and he pulled his hand away. “Hmm, no touching. Just like a cat.” He gave her a stern look. “You know how to give, Tessa Lawrence, but you’re not so good at receiving. You need to work on that.”
    Her shoulders stiffened. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel. “I’ve had enough lectures lately.” Her voice sounded surly, even to her own ears.
    â€œOkay, okay, I’ll drop it. If you ever want to talk about it, though, I’m here.” When she pulled into the gravel lot of the shop, he turned his attention to the rusted wash tub by the front door. A butter churn sat next to it. He gave her a questioning look. “You’re sure this is a good place?”
    â€œShopping for antiques is a crap shoot. Sometimes, you get lucky. Sometimes, you find junk, but I like this place. Come on.”
    He followed her inside and stopped, surprised. “It’s bigger than it looks.”
    The large pieces of furniture sat in the center, near the front of the store. Ian saw a long, trestle table and went straight to it. “I like this.”
    â€œWhere would you put it?”
    â€œBehind one of the leather couches. I could put a lamp and some memorabilia on it.”
    Tessa nodded. She could picture that. It would work.
    He looked at the price. “Not cheap, but not terrible, either.” Tessa motioned to one of the clerks. “We’re interested in this.” They began haggling about prices. Ian watched, bemused. When they settled on a number, the woman behind the counter grabbed a Sold sticker. Tessa led Ian up and down aisles. They found two, matching side tables. He chose a big, wooden chest to use as a coffee table. “Can I stain it a different color?”
    â€œGrams likes to refinish old furniture. She can help you.”
    He found some pink glass Depression-era dishes he liked. “We could put those in the corner cupboard over there.”
    By the time they paid for everything and loaded it into the back of her pickup, Tessa didn’t think they could haul anything else that was very big.
    â€œWe can go to the small towns to look for little stuff, though, right?” Ian had the gleam in his eyes that true shoppers get. Tessa sighed. She avoided shopping as much as possible. It showed. Her outfits needed updating. She never thought about it until she stood next to Lily or Leona, but she could use some spiffing up. But today was dedicated to finding antiques for Ian’s lodge, so she started toward Pierceton.
    They hit every shop there and still went on to Angola. Ian bought an old-fashioned horse collar to hang on the wall. He bought a quilt. Tessa had to curb him when he found braided rugs in all sizes. They settled on a half dozen. By the time they started back to his lodge, she couldn’t fit one more item in her truck.
    Halfway home, Ian pointed at a root beer stand on the side of the road. “We should stop there, get something to eat. Then we don’t have to worry about anyone taking what we bought.”
    Like he’d worried before. Not. She couldn’t keep him out of a store. Tessa pulled in, and Ian pressed the button on the speaker to place their orders. Tessa got two chili dogs, and he got a pork tenderloin sandwich. When he bit into it, he groaned with pleasure. “I’ve heard about these. I’ve never had one.”
    â€œYou’ve never had a PT deluxe?”
    He shook his head. “I think it’s a Midwest thing.”
    Tessa couldn’t imagine life without those giant breaded treats. While they ate, they talked about where he was going to place each piece of furniture and each accessory he’d bought. On the drive back to his lodge, he could hardly wait to start carrying things inside.
    Tessa hurried after him as he strode into the great