Page 12 of The Friendship Pact

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” She pulled the keys from her pocket and handed them to Chloe. Why wouldn’t Chloe tell her she was crashing a family gathering?

Chloe wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you for closing the shop and working your magic on the window display, Kate.”

“You’re welcome. I was happy to help. I’m glad you didn’t mind. I sold a few items and wrote them down on the back of a flyer. The cash is in the register.”

“I saw your note and appreciate you stepping in for me. Thank you. What would you like to drink? I have white wine, beer, or water.”

“I walked over, so I’ll have a glass of wine.”

She’d need it to calm her nerves, not knowing what she’d stepped into. Good thing she’d brought something to share.

Chloe gestured to the bottle at the end of the large granite island. “Nick, open that bottle and pour Kate a glass.”

Since she’d arrived, Nick’s eyes had been studying Kate’s every move. She couldn’t read him. Cole bumped him with his elbow, and Nick set his beer bottle down. “Sure.”

He twisted off the cap, filled the glass, and placed it in front of her.

“Thanks,” she said, hoping the smile she gave him wasn’t pity-filled.

Kate glanced around the room. The effects of the day’s events had set in; they all looked exhausted. Instead of fixating on the solemn faces, she asked Chloe, “What can I do?”

Chloe uncovered the cake pan she’d brought. “Yum, brownies. Is that a coconut layer?”

“It is. They’re Almond Joy.”

Chloe pulled a serving plate from the cabinet and a small spatula from a drawer in the island. “Would you plate these?”

“Of course.” Kate made quick work of arranging her low-carb Almond Joy brownies on the bright blue platter as Chloe’s brothers wandered into the living room. She’d made the rich and delicious sugar- and grain-free treat a few times, and nobody could tell they weren’t “the real thing.”

“I hope no one has a nut allergy,” Kate said.

“Nope, none of us,” Chloe said, reaching for a brownie and taking a bite. “Dessert first is my motto. Go ahead and dish out, then I’ll call the guys over.”

Kate didn’t need to be told twice; the chili smelled heavenly. She scooped a large ladleful into a bowl and asked, “What do you think of the bar?”

“Five stars. The creamy coconut filling—scrumptious. Tell me you’ll make these for Sacred Grounds.”

“Definitely. I enjoy experimenting with different brownies—they’re really a blank slate. I have many more for you to try.”

“Have you considered publishing a cookbook? You could sell them at your shop.”

“No. Not really. I don’t know if there is much of a market for them anymore.”

“I don’t know either, but Paige would. You should talk to her.”

“Maybe I will, thanks.” Kate appreciated that the baked-goods fan club seemed to be growing and though she didn’t think a cookbook was in her future, she figured any desire for her treats would help when she opened in May.

They walked into the living room. “Dish up, guys, and we’ll get down to business,” Chloe said.

Kate chose the oversized leather chair. After Garrett finished setting TV trays around the room, she set her bowl of chili, glass of wine, and brownie on one.

The men joined them with their bowls filled to the brim.

Nick spoke first. “Chloe called this meeting because we need to figure out a few things. Mom’s focus will be on Dad, and we have to make sure their work is covered. I know they have staff”—he glanced around at his brothers—“but Cole has his hands full filling in at the desk, doing the paperwork, and managing the rentals.”

Chloe spoke up and nodded toward Kate. “Kate volunteered to bake the cookies for Santa Days.”

“And anything else you may need,” Kate said.