Babycakes Read Free Page A

looking out for her, Alva.”
    “She certainly does, and I’ve let everybody know about it, too.”
    “I’m sure you have,” came the somewhat dry, but compassionate response. “And, of course, all of us will be rooting for her and little Lilly to hit it off. Have they reunited yet?”
    “Not yet. Supposed to have a picnic or some such, but Mr. Morgan is taking his time.”
    “Well, given all they’ve been through, maybe that’s not a bad idea. It’s a lot of change in that little girl’s life. And a picnic, whenever it happens, sounds lovely. It’s been so warm this fall. I can’t believe it’s almost November and we’re still having weather in the upper seventies every day. Not that I’m complaining.” Lani laughed. “Neither Baxter nor I are missing those New York winters. Let me know if I can contribute anything to the picnic when the time comes. A few cupcakes could add some smiles.”
    “I’ll mention it to Birdie. She loves your strawberry shortcake cupcakes. That might be just the thing.”
    “Done. Consider it my homecoming gift to Miss Lilly.”
    “Imagine not having seen your own grandchild since the day of her birth. Lilly just turned five, you know.”
    “I heard. Well, I still say we should give her uncle the benefit of the doubt going in. Sounds to me like he’s trying to do what’s best for the child, giving her family, a home, and roots. And, apparently going against that bitter old prune you mentioned, in order to do it. Pretty commendable if you ask me.”
    “I suppose you’re right. He’s unmarried, no kids of his own, you know,” Alva added. “To turn your whole life upside down like that . . .” She gave an audible sigh. “If it were anyone other than a Westlake, I’d be heading the welcoming committee. As it is, I’m still doing some digging. ”
    “On?”
    “Him. For Birdie’s sake, of course.”
    “Of course,” came the dry response. “You’re not thinking of putting him in one of your columns, I hope. I don’t think anyone would benefit, least of all Birdie.”
    “Now, now, I wouldn’t do that,” the older woman said.
    Even Kit, who hadn’t met the woman yet, wasn’t sure how sold she was on that score, and she didn’t know what the “column” was they were talking about. With the comment about a funeral in Atlanta . . . there was no doubt which Westlakes they were talking about. Even during the trial, she knew the Westlakes had suffered a tragedy when one of the Westlake scions and his wife had died in a car accident. Kit had been too overwhelmed with what was happening to her and her employees—not to mention losing loved ones that way struck a little too close to home—to pay attention, especially when the name Westlake was involved. But . . . she was almost certain that was the situation Alva and Lani were talking about. And that situation had come to Sugarberry, too. Right along with her.
    Crap.
    “What I know is that he’s thirty-two, wealthy, educated, and quite the looker as it happens. So,” Alva said, sounding all conspiratorial, “what I wonder is, why isn’t a man like that married? Must be something wrong with him.”
    The younger woman laughed. “Not everyone thinks marriage has to go hand-in-hand with the rest of that list.”
    “Well . . . we’ll see. If he thinks he’s bringing his playboy ways to Sugarberry—”
    “He brought his five-year-old niece. I hardly think that would be his intent.”
    “Well, those rich folks usually pawn off child care to a nanny, so until we know what’s what, we can’t be certain of anything,” Alva said, sounding quite put out. “And be assured, if it’s there to be found, I’ll find it.”
    “I’m sure you will,” Lani said dryly, “but, if he is a playboy, I doubt he’d have come to Sugarberry. The island isn’t exactly teeming with single women.”
    “Speak for yourself, missy,” Alva said. “Besides, all the rest aside, nice scenery is never a bad thing.”
    The younger