Page 31 of Leo and His Love Bunny
I smile a little at the thought, then quickly hide it as Cordelia’s brows lower. I decide that I need to try to take the bull by the horns here.
“I’m sorry about what happened yesterday. It was an honest mistake, but the Bible says that not being a good steward of what God has given you is a sin. So I couldn’t see throwing out cupcakes just because they didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. Plus, I’d spent a lot of money for the radio station to come to my shop. I would have wasted good money if I hadn’t had any cupcakes to sell. Plus, if I hadn’t made that money back, I wouldn’t have been able to pay my bills, and I’m pretty sure that the Bible says if a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat. I don’t want to throw away everything that I’ve worked for, not be able to keep my word, pay my bills, and not be able to eat.”
I could see the flaw in my logic as the words were coming out of my mouth, but I try to talk quickly and with authority, and perhaps I can buffalo Miss Cordelia.
The older woman’s jaw juts forward, but her voice actually sounds a little thoughtful. “Your references are a little shady, but I understand about not wasting. In today’s day and age, everything is consumable. We throw it all away, and nothing is built to last. I...have to admire someone who is careful about the resources.”
Did she just give me a compliment? I’m standing there trying to figure it out when Rev. Greenbrier speaks.
“I agree completely.” He clears his throat. “Wasting is sin. We have to take the talents God has given us and invest them wherever we can. If that means making breast cupcakes—”
“It most certainly does not mean making breast cupcakes,” Miss Cordelia interrupts him, giving him a glower that makes his mouth snap closed.
I feel bad for him. I know he had been hoping that things would be resolved and everything would be okay. He’s obviously a peacemaker.
But I have to suck it up and face Miss Cordelia, pulling up my courage and doing what I can. I guess he needs to learn to do that too.
“I’m not making any more breast cupcakes,” I say to Miss Cordelia. “At least, I’m not making them and putting them on display in my store. We did get orders for them yesterday, and I will keep my word and fulfill those orders. But it’s not going to be a regular staple in my store.” I didn’t have to add or admit that last part, but I remember what Leo said about hating liars and I don’t want to be a liar.
“Well, that’s a relief. We certainly don’t want that type of thing here in Whisker Hollow.”
I’m tempted to tell her that if I choose to display breast cupcakes in my shop, I most certainly can. But I don’t want to have that fight, especially since I have zero intention of ever doing that. So I say something else that’s true. “I don’t want that type of thing in Whisker Hollow either. I want to be able to raise my children in this town. I want them to have a good, wholesome environment. And as much as I can, I’ll make sure my shop upholds those standards.”
Miss Cordelia’s chin comes up. “What are you going to do in order to compensate for the fiasco of yesterday?”
I stand there. I wasn’t expecting this. I was expecting to be taken to task over it, of course, but I didn’t know I was going to have to...pay. Did she not hear me say I don’t have any money?
And then, the gift that Leo had given me yesterday came back to the forefront of my mind. I don’t usually like to cash in onmy friendships, but Leo is the town darling. Even Miss Cordelia grovels at his feet.
“I’m going to be helping Leo Lipinski with the speaking engagements he has booked for the summer. I’ll be providing cupcakes for the people who attend his speeches. Good, wholesome cupcakes that do not resemble body parts in any way.” I will make sure of it. Even if I have to decorate each and every cupcake myself. I would rather do that than be standing here in Rev. Greenbrier’s office with Miss Cordelia Higginbotham breathing down my throat.
Trekking to the North Pole in a bikini would be more fun. And less stressful.
“You’re helping Leo Lipinski?” Miss Cordelia says, and her tone has completely changed. Of course. There is no soul on earth who doesn’t like Leo.
The whole town is going to be absolutely crushed when they find out he is only playing one more year. I remember what he said about not telling anyone, and I push my lips closed. That information will not be dragged out of me. Not by Miss Cordelia, no matter how intimidating she is, nor by anyone else.
“I sure am,” I say and smile. I don’t have to pretend to be happy about it. I admit I’m kind of excited. I had such a good time with Leo last night, and while I know he was just there because he felt bad for me, it doesn’t change the fact that it felt like we had a couple of moments. Truemoments.
That’s probably what inspired my dreams. Because I’m sure every woman who’s ever done anything with Leo felt like they had moments with him. He just has that kind of charisma that makes a girl feel like she’s the only one in the room.
Of course, I really was the only one in the room last night.
“Well, now. That’s interesting. I didn’t know.” I can almost see Miss Cordelia’s mind churning with the idea of who all she can tell. Maybe she is trying to figure out who she can tell first.
“I’m also babysitting a parakeet,” I add hopefully, admitting to myself that I sound desperate.
Miss Cordelia waves that information off like it means nothing. “Leo Lipinski. All right. I’ll keep that in mind, and I’ll be in touch with you. We can definitely use this to our advantage and the advantage of Whisker Hollow in general.”
I blink. What in the world?
She waves her hand at me again, a little peon about to be dismissed. “Go on. You have a shop to run. Although, no body parts.”
I let my lips pull back, but it couldn’t even be termed a smirk. It smarts to just be shoved aside. Not that I mind being in Leo’s shadow. Everyone is in Leo’s shadow. It is that big.
But liking and dreaming about a man like Leo is one thing, actually having those dreams become reality is something completely different, and Miss Cordelia just reminded me of the impossibility of anything happening between Leo and me.
I will have to be content with his offer of friendship, which was, come to think of it, rather generous of him.
