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Noelle took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Wes had obviously swooped in and saved the day. But like Holly had said, instead of feeling as if she’d lose her independence, she felt…loved. Cared for. Cared about.
“Don’t overthink. Just go.” Holly hugged her.
“I’m not. But I’ve got an idea. I need you to be in on it though, Franchesca. Are you willing to give all the money we made at the performance to charity?”
“Anything, if it helps you have your happy ending.”
*
Glitter was themain word that came to mind as Wes observed the Graff Hotel. The final Bake-Off had been set up in the restored, historic hotel as an afternoon tea. With rich paneled wood, marble, and grand chandeliers, the place could rival any major New York hotel in style and class. Troy Sheenan, a tech tycoon from San Francisco, had purchased the hotel and paid for the renovation. It was obvious he spared no expense. Wes was impressed.
Well, he’d have time to be impressed if he weren’t so damned worked up. He’d learned more about ingredients with the Pumpkin Buttermilk Cake Noelle had chosen than any other recipe. In all his life, he could never have imagined how much went into the making of one simple cake. Well, not simple. He knew that firsthand. But from now on he’d be sure to show respect for the chefs who made him meals or desserts. It was no easy feat this cooking and baking thing.
The baking was about to start and like the second Bake-Off, Wes found himself half listening to the MC and searching the room for Noelle. She said she’d be there. He’d planned a special dinner for them afterward where he could tell her in private about Spellman agreeing to leave town and not return.
Daniel St. Claire had been almost as upset as Wes when he heard the news of what Spellman had planned. Not only did he not like being lied to, but Marietta was now home for Wes’s dad and he was a protective and loyal man. He also didn’t like being made to look the fool. He’d told people in town that the deal was a good thing, and they’d believed him. Spellman almost made him look as if he was not a man of his word. Something a St. Claire never took lightly.
Wes scanned the crowd. He spotted his dad and Mike together, Annalise dressed in her favorite color, pink, from head to toe. They’d had to work hard to keep her occupied that morning, her energy without bounds over going to a dressy tea as well as the Bake-Off that afternoon.
Maybe his little niece needed some more women around. Something he hoped to help with soon, if Noelle was happy with what he and his father had done. The thought of her getting upset and walking away from him again made his palms sweat more than the thought of baking this cake in front of a crowd. A dressed-up, festive crowd, but a crowd nonetheless.
Annalise’s head bobbed up and down as she ran toward someone near the door. Wes’s eyes followed her path, hoping her objective was a certain dance teacher she loved. Instead, the child leaped into the arms of his youngest brother, Lucas, who hugged her tight then passed her to their baby sister, McKenna, who stood beside him.
“Just freaking great,” Wes mumbled. Not only was he baking in front of a crowd, he now had his entire family there. As if Mike’s ribbing wasn’t enough, he’d get to hear it from all of his siblings. Perfect. Fan-freaking-tastic. He shook his head and turned his attention back to the MC. The event was about to begin. Great. The sooner it started, the sooner it was over.
Wes got so lost in what he was doing: measuring things, mixing, pouring things into a pan, he didn’t have a spare second to look up and search for Noelle. Even the frosting was from scratch. He focused on that, grateful the whole thing was almost over.
Cakes were finished and judged. Wes finished second overall in the competition, which his dad looked overjoyed about.
The first bachelor had his cake auctioned off for a decent amount. Wes’s palms started to sweat again. In the chaos of the past week, he’d forgotten to set up someone to bet on his cake. He eyed the single women who looked him up and down as if he were the dessert instead of the cake. Once more, he cursed his father for getting him into this. His cake was up for bidding and he prayed his sister would step up. Hell, even Lucas. He’d take anyone at this point.
“I’ll bid one thousand dollars for that cake,” a voice in the back of the room shouted.
He took back the curse he’d mentally tossed his dad’s way as the sea of people parted and everyone looked at the source of the voice. A voice he’d know anywhere.
Noelle.
“Wow! What a generous bid,” the auctioneer said. Without waiting for anyone to go against her, thank God, the auctioneer added, “Sold to the woman in the gray lace dress.”
All Wes could do was stand and stare. In a gown that fell just below her knees with lace that covered her torso and arms, Noelle was the epitome of femininity, a breath of fresh air that filled the room.
The other bachelors made their way toward the people who bought their cakes. Wes attempted to move through the crowd, his eyes never leaving Noelle’s.
“Hey, brother.” Lucas stopped him with a hug. “I see you’re on a more important mission than stopping here with us, so we won’t keep you.”
McKenna hugged him as well. “Yeah. Dad told us. Go get her.”
“Hey, you two. I’d thank you for coming, but…”
“There’s time for us to tease you later.” McKenna patted his arm. “We’ll see you back at the house.”
He looked at his family. His dad, brothers, sister, and niece. This was home. These people were home. Marietta was home. They all nodded, encouraging him to go. Yes. Noelle. She was the only piece missing for his family to be complete.
He made his way to her, her smile drawing him in. Man, she was gorgeous. And he prayed to God she was his.
“You helped me dodge a bullet there.” He put his hands in his pants pockets, not trusting himself to pull her in before she was ready.
“I hear you helped me dodge one as well.”
