Chapter 2

"That's right." The man nodded, his mouth curved wide in a smarmy grin.

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint, but the paying guests finished the last of the muffins before you got here. I'm fresh out."

Maggie twisted her face into a petulant frown. "Oh, no. And here I was telling Judd all about them and your extraordinary pastry skills."

"That doesn't matter." He flapped a hand in the air. "I was on my way over here to see you anyway, Pepper."

"Isn't that just the best coincidence?" Maggie gushed. "How lucky we ran into each other."

"Yeah, right," Pepper grumbled under her breath.

Looking at the man made her want to take a bath. It wasn't that he was grimy or anything. In fact, with his curly blond hair and masculine face, he might have even been appealing if not for his attitude. Too bad he had that slick appearance of a snake oil salesman. Even his expensive slacks and button-down shirt couldn't make him into anything but what he was. A hustler, full of himself. In a job his family's money had bought for him. Even standing next to him gave her the creeps.

"Judd said he was fixing to ask you out to dinner tonight. To that brand new restaurant down by the marina." Maggie wiggled her eyebrows. "Your daddy and I haven't tried it yet, but I hear it's the best thing to hit Bayview."

"So how about if I pick you up about seven?" Judd edged closer to Pepper.

"Thanks, but I'm busy tonight." She moved to the other side of the kitchen and busied herself rinsing out her glass.

"Tomorrow night would be as good." He sidestepped closer to her again.

"I'm actually busy every night, Judd." She made her voice as firm as possible without actually snapping at him. "I have things to do here at Hibiscus House."

Maggie planted her fists on her hips and glared at Pepper. "May I ask doing what? I swear, girl. You're going to die an old maid if you don't get away from this place. I want you married and giving me grandbabies."

Pepper stared her down. "Thanks, Mama, but I can manage my own life."

"Oh, really?" Maggie cocked an eyebrow. "And exactly what in your life are you managing?"

"As a matter of fact, I have someone coming to see me today." The words popped out before she could shut her mouth, and she couldn't stuff them back in.

Everyone stared at her.

"You do?" Maggie asked.

"Who's coming to see you?" Judd said almost at the same time, his eyes bugging out.

"My fiancé, that's who." Oh lord. Now she'd gone and done it. Why didn't she keep her damn mouth shut before she let that lie fly out of it? She needed to glue her lips together.

"Fiancé?" Maggie's jaw dropped. "Where did you get a fiancé? You never leave this damn B&B."

"Uh, online." Crap. Now the lie was grower bigger than she could handle. Way to go, Pepper.

"Online?" Three voices chorused the words at the same time.

"Yes. And y'all need to get out of here before he arrives. I don't want him assaulted when he walks in the door."

"Oh, no, you don't." Maggie shook her head. "I'm staying right here until I see this phantom fiancé of yours. And you got him online, for heaven's sake."

"I'm not leaving, either." Judd folded his arms across his chest. "I need to get a look at my competition."

Competition? Pepper had to keep herself from laughing. Judd Wallace wasn't even in the lineup.

At that moment, the wind chimes sounded, and everyone's head turned in the direction of the lobby.

"Why, that must be him now." Cilla gave her a shit-eating grin. "Why don't you introduce us all to him?"

"Yes, Pepper." Maggie grabbed her arm. "I can't wait to meet my future son-in-law."

As she found herself propelled toward a doom of her own making, Pepper could only wish a hole in the floor would open up and swallow her.