Cupcakes and Kisses (Hot in Magnolia Book 1)

Melvina hit the alarm on her phone for the third time, but it wouldn’t quit. It was Mona calling her to video chat. She swiped her finger across the screen, answering the call.

“Melvina Banks! I hear you were cozied up with the chief last night. Do tell.” Before Melvina could utter a word, Mona pressed on. “I can’t believe that I have to hear the details of your love life through the likes of Jill Baker.”

“What does Jill Baker know about my love life? What are you talking about, Mona?” Melvina wiped a finger under her left eye, thinking to herself that no one over thirty should ever video chat. She looked like a truck had rolled over her, leaving track marks on her face. By the time she’d gotten home from her meeting with Stan, she was so pooped she’d just fallen into bed. She’d forgotten to take her makeup off and the crusted mascara made her look like one of Eli’s football buddies after a rough quarter.

“She knows you were with Manny last night, cozied up in a booth at the café.”

“We were not. Manny came in around six o’clock for a cup of coffee and to talk about the newest fundraiser that Celia has roped the Blossoms into, though I think this particular event might have every woman in town trying to become a Blossom.”

Mona’s lips were painted an Easter pink today with a fuchsia line around the outside, creating pointy peeks. “Well, rumor has it that he all but proposed to you in the café.”

“Oh, for the love of—Manny isn’t interested in me. We’re just friends. He stops into the café all the time. I don’t know why you listen to Jill, anyway. Didn’t she start that rumor about Alex’s wife, Kara, and had them in couple’s therapy for a year, even though Kara never once talked to Mac Green?”

“I guess you’re right,” Mona conceded, chewing her bottom lip.

“Where’s the eye candy this morning?” Melvina asked, changing the subject. “Hey, you were supposed to come tell me all about it at the café yesterday. What happened with you and Jorden?”

Mona began giggling and dove off screen for a moment. “Well, Jorden called in sick yesterday, so we spent the whole day in bed and well, you know—we never got out of the house.” Peals of laughter burst from the speaker and Melvina clicked the volume down a few notches.

“Well good for you, Mona. He’s got a nice behind.” What else could she say? “Look, Mona, I need to get up and get ready to go to the library. I missed last night’s literacy meeting and I promised Celia I would drop off some accounting figures to the Blossoms.”

“Why do you let that woman dump all that stuff on you?”

“Because I’m the treasurer, remember? I like the things that the ladies’ league does for the community, and though Celia isn’t my favorite person in Magnolia, she is the president and I want to do my part to help out.”

“You do enough parts for three people, Melvina. There aren’t many good-hearted people like you around, and Celia Lockwood wouldn’t be president if she hadn’t climbed up on your back to get it. It just ain’t right.”

Melvina had heard that a thousand times, but what could she do? She believed in the cause, so she let it go without fussing. “Let’s meet later for lunch or dinner. I gotta go.”

“Lunch. I’ve got plans tonight with Jorden.” Mona bit her lip and rolled her eyes heavenward.

Melvina laughed, “Lunch it is. I’ll text you after the library.”

Melvina parked the catering van in the library lot. She really needed to get up to the hotel and pick up her little convertible before it got towed. She had talked to a manager at the hotel the day after the fundraiser dinner, and he said he would keep an eye on it, but he warned her that they usually towed the ones they didn’t have on their roster after three nights.

Her 1967 Shelby was a gift from Pop on her sixteenth birthday, and she had kept it running ever since. It was about time for the engine to be rebuilt again. Mac would be happy to get his hands on it whenever she could find the time to be carless. Maybe now was the perfect time. Pop said she could use the van until the Drew-Thompson wedding party next month. He hadn’t booked any other catering events because the café was too busy. The idea of driving around all her errands in what she referred to as the Grocery Getter did not appeal, but the timing would be convenient for everyone. Maybe she would stop by the shop and leave Mac the keys after lunch with Mona, then ask if one of his boys could pick it up. Harlan and Larry would have a fight over which one got to drive it. Being a small town, her muscle car was somewhat of a celebrity piece.

“Miss Banks, are you coming in?” Maurice opened the door to the library for her as Melvina approached.

“Why yes, Maurice. I’m coming in to make up for missing last night.” She gave him her biggest smile and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“I really missed you, Miss Melvina. I have a project to do this weekend and I don’t know where to start, plus I have an English test on Monday.” Maurice’s eyes were thickly veiled with sooty black lashes that he’d inherited from his pretty young mother. He had a habit of looking down when he was sad about something. Was he upset by the amount of homework he had to do?

“It’s okay Maurice, I’ll help you. I have time today, and I can come back later this evening if your mom can drop you off. The library is open until nine.”

Despite her reassurance, Maurice continued to study his shoelaces as they approached an open table where she set her purse and he removed his book bag. “Anything else wrong?”

He shook his head, but she wasn’t convinced. She would distract him with math homework first and as they delved into whatever project he’d been assigned, she would see if Maurice would tell her what was really going on.

Soon they were making an outline of the solar system and thinking up ways to display the planets for his science project. Melvina told Maurice how Pop had been too busy to help her when she was in school, and that her friend’s mom had helped her with projects and costumes for plays.

“My dad can’t help us, either. My sister wants to see him, but I don’t think he’s coming back.” Shrugging one shoulder, he leaned on the wood table, stretching his elbow out farther as he rested the side of his face in one hand.

Melvina blew out a breath and started carefully. “I’m sorry to hear that, Maurice. I know it must be tough for you and your family. I’m sure you miss him.”

Maurice shrugged again and looked uncomfortably back at the door.

“You might think grown-ups have all the answers, but not all of us do. Maybe your dad had to go find some answers for himself.” She watched as Maurice picked up a marker and started scribbling on one of the worksheets they had used. What was she supposed to say? She couldn’t promise that everything would be okay. Maurice was too smart for empty promises and he’d suffered his share already.

“You know, I had a mom that left when I was just a little younger than you. I know how it feels to miss a parent. Would you like to hang out with another adult who might have more time for you right now?” Melvina studied him as she waited patiently for an answer. He chewed on the marker cap as he continued to draw the sun. She could tell he was turning the suggestion over in his head.

His voice was tentative. “Like you?”

“Yes, like me, but maybe a big brother type. Someone you can do fun things with. I know a few nice guys at the fire department who could use some help washing their trucks, and maybe they would even give you a ride when you’re done.” She didn’t want to spell out mentor program because Maurice was sensitive about accepting charity. He hadn’t wanted to accept free lunches when the principal tried to sign him up. He brought a sandwich and a piece of fruit every day in a plastic grocery store bag. If he craved a hot meal, no one would ever know.

After several moments of deliberation, he made eye contact, “Okay.”

Melvina picked up the markers and stacked the books they’d used. “I’ll set something up at the station and I’ll let you know when we can set up a time, maybe next weekend. Until then, I think we have worked hard enough for today. I’ll pick up some Styrofoam balls, glue and tissue paper we can use for the project and we can meet back here tonight. Deal?”

His broad smile melted her heart. He was a good kid. She nodded, squeezing his shoulder once more before picking up her purse and texting Mona.