Takes the Cake by Lynn Chantale Page A

was revealed. He had an overwhelming urge to slide his palm over the exposed flesh. The long apron did more than just keep her clothes clean. It also hid a great figure.
    She glanced at him but continued to work the dough. “Are you still here? I thought you were leaving.”
    He bit back a smile. He liked her gumption. Plus, she was sexy and sassy, a combination he thoroughly enjoyed, but this was supposed to be about his sister, not him. “For the time being.”
    “Mr. Murphy, I’m sure you’re aware that there is a dinner for thirty friends and relatives in roughly”—she glanced at her watch—“three hours. You being here is a distraction. Unless you plan on donning an apron and joining the prep?”
    He laughed. His idea of cooking was a takeout menu or pushing buttons on a microwave. Even then he still used the smoke detector as a timer. “Right. I’ll talk to my sister about this. You will change the design.”
    “Whatever.”
    Keegan strolled out of the kitchen, aware of the looks from a couple of the cooks, one chopping vegetables, the other standing near the wall of commercial stoves. Let them stare. Having such a simple cake for a grand wedding would be an atrocity. Too often he heard about Liz’s cakes and how her more elaborate designs would ensure a newlywed couple would enjoy a long and prosperous future. Even while they were dating, a certain mystique was attached to her name as the premier cake decorator. And he’d checked out the weddings of the cakes she had designed. Many were still happily married, but those who’d chosen a lesser design… The simple cake for his sister would guarantee disaster for her marriage.
    He shoved through the double swinging doors, rounded the corner into the wide corridor, and spied his sister. Her back was to him as he approached. He hurried over. “Hey, Caroline.”
    With a bright smile on her face, the younger woman turned from her conversation with an older woman who held a clipboard. “Keegan. Just the person I was looking for.” She glanced at the other woman. “Thanks, Martha. Would you be so kind as to let the caterer know about the menu change for tonight?”
    Martha nodded and hurried toward the kitchen.
    “A menu change?”
    “David just informed me that half his family is allergic to shellfish, which just proves he was not paying any attention when we were going through the menus for the parties.” She shook her perfectly coiffed head. “I hope Liz isn’t too inconvenienced by the menu change.”
    Keegan nodded. “Caro, are you sure about the cake?”
    His sister stopped in front of a mirror and tucked a stray blonde curl back into its pin. “Isn’t the design heavenly?” She pulled lipstick from her purse, then swiped the color across her lips. “She’s got the most decadent chocolate, chocolate-mint, and vanilla-raspberry layers going on. It’s so good.”
    “This is your wedding day. Your cake should be elaborate.”
    “It is. It’s got curlicues and fresh flowers.”
    He shook his head. “I know you’ve heard the rumors about Liz’s cakes. A simple cake means your marriage won’t last.”
    Caroline faced him and laughed. “Keegan, you are the most superstitious person I’ve ever met, and I can’t believe you’d put stock in all that nonsense. People make a marriage work, not a piece of pastry.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. Then she wiped the lipstick off with her thumb. “You’re so sweet to worry about such things.” She glanced around the large foyer. “Have you seen David?”
    Keegan frowned. The caterer had corrupted his sister into giving up her dream cake. “What about all those pictures you had in your wedding wish book?”
    Her greenish-gold eyes widened. “You remember that silly thing? Goodness, I think I lost that when I was thirteen.” She shrugged. “Besides, there are much more expensive items to worry about than childish wishes. Did David show you the rings? Or my gown?” She clutched