Hidden Mortality by Maggie Mundy Page B

of a stylish country gossip. She passed the plate of cookies towards Cara.
    The cookie melted in her mouth as the flavors rolled across her tongue. Butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground almonds and something else she couldn’t decipher. “These are delicious. I’d love the recipe.”
    “You like cooking then?” Janet sipped her tea.
    “I’m a caterer.”
    “It’s a family recipe my mother gave me. We used to call them yummy bites. Silly name really.” Janet picked one up and bit into it. Her eyes closed, as she savored the first mouthful before she took the next. She opened her eyes and smiled. “There’s something wicked about food, don’t you think? It’s like you’re being naughty, and it’s allowed.” Janet laughed.
    Cara liked this woman, even if she was in the kitchen of a stranger. She would have to explain later she really didn’t know Seth at all but for now she would enjoy the cookie. The door behind Cara opened and Janet started to fill the mug with tea.
    “About time you came in. You’ve been out there for hours. Why didn’t you tell me Cara was coming? I like to know if you’re expecting visitors.” Janet picked up the cake tin and refilled the plate.
    The fun of talking with Janet disappeared with the presence of Seth Scanlon. Cara’s heart pounded and her breath quickened. Stay calm, yeah like that was going to happen . The sun shone through the window behind him. It threw his imposing shadow across the table in front of her. Cara studied her empty cup and tried to remember to breathe.
    His footsteps indicated he had moved around to the other side of the table directly in front of her. She tried to remember what he looked like. All she could come up with was the man having sex with her in her dreams, not this stranger who had frowned at her in a bookshop.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming today. I would’ve told Janet to expect you.”
    Seth’s deep voice betrayed nothing but made the hair on her neck stand up. Cara looked up, and smiled her brightest smile. Seth’s expression was deadpan as he stood leaning back against the dresser with his mug in his hand. His gray T-shirt and jeans looked grubby. She had visions in her head involving no clothing at all. His piercing gray eyes studied her as she crossed her legs. She tried to control the ache building up in her core. He didn’t need to do a thing. He was turning her on just standing there.
    “I brought the book. I thought it only polite that I pass it on to you now.” Her voice came out like a squeak. What was wrong with her?
    “I’ll shower and change. Then we can talk.” Seth put his mug down and left.
    Her breath was coming too fast. She wanted out of here. It was like stumbling into one of those T.V. murder mysteries with strange characters. She didn’t want to be the red herring in the plot. Seth was exactly like the man in her dreams, except he didn’t look at her with love, but suspicion.
    “I noticed the roses in the front garden. I’ve never been able to grow them. I was wondering if you could give me some tips.” Cara smiled at Janet. She needed to go and grabbed her purse and headed for the front door. All she could do was hope Janet would take the hint. Once outside she could make an excuse to get away.
    “I know what you saw. It’s my climbing rose. I stole some cuttings from a country house around here that won’t be named. Trust me. They’re not difficult to grow.” Janet was right behind her. “Since autumn is coming, they are over the best.
    Seth’s friendly housekeeper kept talking and Cara guessed she was giving Seth time to get respectable. Cara clutched the gate latch. She sensed Janet walking away and heard Seth’s heavy footfalls on the gravel behind her. She wanted to turn and throw herself into his arms and feel those lips come crushing down on hers. All she could do was take a deep breath and close her eyes for a second.
    “I’ll leave you two to catch up then. I want to go