Page 66 of My Favorite Kidnapper

That got her off the subject, and she gushed over her new husband and their trip and how much fun they had. Then she asked one more question.

Carolina

So I shouldn’t be worried?

Me

No, I am really good. Learning to swim, even. Roomba loves it here.

Carolina

You brought your cat?

I smirked as I replied.

Me

Dante insisted. They are best buds.

Carolina

I am not sure this is the same Dante we are talking about, but as long as you’re okay, I’ll leave it. The honeymoon was fabulous. I will tell you more later.

Me

Okay, good. I’ll see you when I’m back in Canada.

Carolina

Which is when?

I swallowed as I replied.

Me

No exact date yet. I’ll let you know.

She signed off with a smiley face, and I set the phone down, staring at the water. My Stockholm syndrome must have kicked in big-time, because the thought of going back to Canada made me anxious. I loved it here.

I shook my head. I had lots of time left. I would enjoy it.

I was determined.

* * *

DANTE

I came downstairs, my mood slightly improved. The house smelled delicious. Even in my office upstairs I had heard Brianna’s voice at times, and I had enjoyed it. The sound of her singing relaxed me. In the kitchen, I saw her cake on the counter, and I stared at it for a moment, taking in all the details.

The flowers, the trellis, the tiny leaves that looked as if they wrapped around the posts. Roses, lilacs, daisies, all sorts of blooms were featured on the cake. Each one was lifelike. Some piped, some molded, all perfect.

She was an artist, using icing as her medium. I had to snap a couple of pictures. I began to chuckle when I saw the small bowl and the note beside it.

Leftovers.

Please don’t destroy the cake.

I sampled the contents of the bowl, the buttercream rich and decadent. There were enough crumbs of the cake to make me want to cut a piece and devour it, but I resisted.