Page 95 of The Perfect Distraction

Colton laughed. “Haven’t you noticed that she only asks for you? And then turning to Beth, he said, “The woman is newly divorced, and she’s got her sights set on Mason.”

“What? You’re crazy, man,” Mason said.

Just then, Beth ventured a look down the table and saw Judy staring at her, no doubt reminded of their conversation in the kitchen.

When it was time for dessert, Beth chastised herself for bringing a cake. She should have let Judy’s food have the spotlight, especially after she’d complimented her on it. That time, when Judy asked for help in the kitchen, Colton hopped up as if he were anxious for the chance to speak to his mom alone.

Once they’d gone inside, Beth engaged Mason and Joe in conversation about their carpentry work, partly for the distraction but mostly because she was interested.

“It’s a family business that’s been handed down through the generations,” Joe explained proudly. “It started out with my grandfather, and it will pass on down to Joey.”

“Hey, I could have a son too, you know?” Mason said.

“Maybe, but at this rate, I might not be alive to see it,” Joe teased.

Suddenly, Joey piped up. “I don’t know if I want to be a carpenter. I might want to be a soccer player or a teacher like Miss Beth!”

Beth had been so engaged in the conversation that she hadn’t heard the patio door open, and suddenly, Judy and Colton were standing there just in time to hear Joey’s proclamation.

“What’s this about being a teacher?” Judy asked.

“He’s still young. He could change his mind a thousand times before he’s old enough to take over the business,” Joe said.

“Joey can be anything he wants to be,” Colton said definitively.

Beth smiled at him while Judy glared down at the pan she was holding with Beth’s cake in it. Setting it down on the table with more oomph than was necessary, she turned away and said, “I’ll be right back with some plates.”

Colton smiled as he sat down next to Beth and slung an arm around her shoulder. It was meant to provide comfort, but when Judy returned with the plates, Beth almost wished he hadn’t done it. Everything about her being there seemed to rub Judy the wrong way, and it gave Beth a sense of foreboding. If she, Colton, and Joey were to have a successful relationship, they’d need Judy on their side, wouldn’t they?

Joe, perhaps sensing the tension, changed the subject after that, and they ate dessert in relative peace until…

“Mmmm,” Mason said after tasting a bite of Beth’s cake. “This is the best cake I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you, but I can’t take all the credit. It’s my sister’s recipe. She’s a bakery chef.” Her words tumbled out in a rush after she’d noticed the scowl on Judy’s face.

Colton jumped in to correct her. “But Brooke didn’t make this. You did, and Mason’s right. It’s delicious.”

“I helped,” Joey added.

“Yeah. You helped by eating most of the fruit before it went on the cake!” Colton teased.

“Your sister’s a bakery chef?” Mason asked with obvious interest. “She wouldn’t happen to be single, would she?”

Everyone laughed except Judy, who was busy eating her homemade chocolate cake.

“As a matter of fact, she is,” Beth said. “And I think she’s about your age.”

“Hmm. Interesting. I don’t suppose she’ll be coming up to visit you this summer?” Mason said with a teasing glint in his eye.

“She might be. My middle sister, Becca, already came for a visit, but Brooke’s been wanting to come too.”

“Well, if she does, I want to meet her. I’d love to sample some of her other baked goods.”

“Alright, lover boy. Help me clear these dishes,” Judy said, effectively ending the conversation.

Shortly after dessert, Colton made a show of looking at his watch, and then he announced that they had to leave since Gretchen was coming to pick up Joey.

“Thanks for dinner and for inviting me,” Beth said, looking at Joe and Judy.