Bettie’s blue eyes twinkled.
“Umm. Okay, but only a small piece.” She took one of the little paper wrappers and braced herself as she placed the piece of cake in her mouth just to be polite.Please don’t let me gag.
She pasted a smile on her face, prepared to give it a good show at the very least. As she chewed, the flavors tickled her taste buds. The texture was light and silky. With her hand still at her lips, she slowly made eye contact with Bettie.
“You want another bite, don’t you?” Bettie beamed.
“This can’t be fruitcake.”
“This is Porter’s fruitcake.”
“Wow. Thatisreally good.”
“You’re not telling me anything I didn’t already know. I wouldn’t take a job offering samples of just any old thing. I’m not that good of a liar.” She stepped closer and tucked three more pieces of fruitcake into the top of Vanessa’s purse. “For later,” she said in a hushed voice followed by a wink. “You’ll thank me the next time you see me.” She squeezed Vanessa’s forearm and then swept over to the other side of the store where a couple had just walked inside to offer them a free sample too.
Vanessa licked her lips. Anna was not going to believe this.
Fruitcake in all sorts of containers and sizes was for sale ready-to-ship, but there was a whole counter, more like a bakery, where you could pick out exactly what you wanted in an assortment box.
There were fruitcake cookies, fruitcake pops with sticks, fruitcake muffins in plain or bran and gluten-free too. Even a rack of do-it-yourself kits, and books on how to preserve your fruitcake. A book she didn’t plan to read, because no matter how absolutely delicious that cake tasted, she’d never understood the appeal of fruitcake preserved for one year, much less several.
On the other side of the store there were dozens of branded items. Everything from shirts and koozies to jackets and snow globes. Even handmade scarves, and Christmas ornaments and cards by local artisans.
She picked up one of the ornaments.Fairly priced too.
She didn’t have time for all of this right now, though. Vanessa walked over to the cash register.
“What can I do for you?” the young lady asked.
“Hi.” She glanced at the girl’s name tag. “Misty. I’m supposed to pick up an envelope that Lilene left here for me. My name is—”
“Vanessa Larkin?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve got it right here.” The girl lifted the tray in the cash register and withdrew a card.
Vanessa accepted it and flipped it over in her hand to be sure this was indeed addressed to her. “So it is. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Can I pack you up a muffin or tea to go?”
“Umm. No. Thank you, that’s very sweet of you. I think I’m good.” A quick finger wave and Vanessa was back out in the town car. “Whew.”
She handed the directions to the driver, then pulled out one of the samples that Bettie had given to her. “You have to try this.”
He took the cake and hesitated before he put it into his mouth. “Is this fruitcake?”
She patted him on the shoulder from the backseat. “I know. I had the same reaction. Go ahead. Don’t be a wimp.”
He broke the small piece into two and lifted a half piece of cake to his mouth. She was pretty sure he was holding his breath. But once he began to chew, his eyes got wide. “That’snotfruitcake. No way,” the driver said.
“I know. It’s great. Right?”
“It tastes like more.” He popped the rest of the piece into his mouth without hesitation.
“You’re welcome.” She slid her finger beneath the back flap of the bright envelope and took out the card as he pulled away from the curb.
The card had a pretty straw basket filled with flowers and baked goods on the front.WELCOME TO FRASER HILLSwas artfully inked around the artwork. Inside it read,Please let us know if we can make your stay more comfortable. You can reach one of us at Porter’s any day of the week.It was signed by Dave, Jenny, Bettie, and Misty. Below that,Welcome Vanessa, My office is upstairs, first door on the right. Next to yours. See you soon, Lilene.
