Wild Fire (The Fairy Tale Match Series) by Danielle Rose-West Page A

dress is perfect for you. Look how it matches your eyes. You look
drop dead gorgeous in it. Jake will never be able to take his eyes off you. We
just need to get it cleaned and mended in town. We could go shortly and drop it
off at the cleaners. I also want to take you to meet Martha.”
    Laura tried to argue, but Kerry
wouldn’t hear of it. She helped Laura out of the dress and then carefully
packed it in a box with tissue paper to take with them, while Laura got her
normal clothes back on. Then she bundled Laura out of the house and into her
car. Laura gave up, her heart filled with warmth at the generosity of her new
found friend. More than anything she wanted to make a life here in Willow
Creek. A small silent voice also admitted she wanted that life to include Jake.
    *****
    The drive to Willow Creek didn’t take
very long. The town was every bit as charming and pretty as Laura could have
ever wished for. People were friendly and everyone seemed to know everyone
else. There was only one real street with larger shops and two diners, but
plenty of small side streets carried their own unique and interesting smaller
shops and businesses. Laura enjoyed exploring as Kerry took her to the
cleaners, who also did repairs. She gave the dress over, with the request that
it be ready by the barn raising event being held the following weekend. The
woman promised she’d have it ready on time.
    Happy to have that sorted out, Kerry
headed to a diner called Martha’s. It was cheery and quaint, with flower boxes
outside the large windows. Walking in, Laura was very surprised to find it
virtually empty. Only two people frequented the place, one sitting at a table,
the other on a stool at the counter. She knew Kerry had said her friend was
having problems, but she’d expected more people. Being lunchtime, the place
should have been packed.
    A woman in her late forties stood
behind the counter with a coffee pot in her hand. She had warm brown eyes,
short brown hair and a cheery smile. But despite her cheery exterior, Laura
could detect worry in the strain around her eyes and mouth.
    “Well, hi there Kerry. I’ve not seen
you in a few days. Who’s your new friend?” She called as she grabbed two mugs
and poured coffee for them.
    “This is Laura. She’s staying with us
for a while,” Kerry introduced. “Laura, this is Martha. She’s owned this place
for years. It’s as much a part of this town as the bank and library. She’s an
institution. I can’t imagine this town without her.” Laura greeted the woman and
took a stool next to Kerry.
    “I wish everyone felt that way,”
Martha said as she handed them a menu. “Since that bastard opened up his place
across the way and stole my cook, business has been dead. It’s getting worse
every day. If this keeps up, he’ll get his wish and shut me down before the
month is out.”
    “I didn’t realise things had got so
bad,” Kerry said dismayed.
    “Well, without a decent cook, I can’t
compete. Alfie tries his best, but he’s just not able to reach the standards of
Rosalie. That Henry Blankton knew just what he was doing when he snuck her away
from me. There’s not another decent cook in this town and I can’t afford to
hire someone from elsewhere, even if they would move to this small place. I
have to face the fact that I’m through.” Martha told Kerry, her voice betraying
her bitterness. “I’d like to get my hands on that man. He wouldn’t be so high
and mighty by the time I was finished with him, I can tell you!”
    “I think we can do better than that
and teach that stuck up slime a lesson instead,” Kerry grinned. “This is why I
brought Laura here. She is thinking about maybe settling here in town and would
love to have a job working with food. She’s an incredible cook and I think she
could turn this place around, as long as we’re not too late. Would you be
interested?” she asked Martha.
    “Sure I’d be interested in theory.”
She turned to Laura.