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blonde’s full red lips formed a pout. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were avoiding me, Tom. Last night you left the Riley party early, and now I find you in the kitchen with the help.” Her cold, pale blue gaze slid over Mary Beth.
    Tom narrowed his eyes at Taylor. “Mary Beth is a professional chef. And a damn good one. She came to your mother’s rescue.”
    “Mary Beth Kendrick.” Taylor’s lip curled in a sneer. “You haven’t grown at all since school. You still look like a little girl.”
    Mary Beth’s face heated. “Hello, Taylor. It’s been a long time. I can’t say you look eighteen anymore. Every one of the past twelve years is—”
    “Hi, I’m Gail O’Connell, Mary Beth’s partner. We haven’t met.” Taylor ignored Gail’s outstretched hand.
    Mary Beth threw Gail a look. Gail shrugged.
    Tom glanced at Mary Beth. His mouth tilted into a smile he quickly suppressed. “Taylor, we should leave and let these ladies get back to the work they do so well.”
    Taylor twined her arm through his. The blood red of her long lacquered nails stood out against the dark blue of his jacket, like talons imprisoning their prey.
    “Come on, Tommy.” She flicked her icy gaze at Mary Beth and ran her hand slowly up Tom’s arm. “The conversation in the drawing room is much more stimulating. And Daddy just opened a bottle of his best Sauvignon Blanc.”
    “Go on ahead,” he said, pulling his arm free of hers. “I just remembered some business we have to discuss here. I’ll join you shortly.”
    With a toss of her head, Taylor pranced from the room.
    “Mary Beth, we need to talk,” he said. His gaze caught hers.
    “We’re finished talking. I have a dinner to cook.”
    A muscle worked in his jaw. “Later.” He strode from the room.
    The excitement and tension that surrounded Mary Beth whenever Tom was near left with him. She felt deflated, like a pie cut too soon.
    “What was that all about?” Gail asked.
    “Nothing.”
    “That Taylor’s something else,” Gail said. “A real spoiled bitch. Tom didn’t seem to appreciate her charms.”
    “They’re old friends. They dated in school.” Remembered hurt made her stomach turn. She pushed the old memories aside. “We have work to do. By the way, thanks for bailing me out.” She threw Gail a rueful look. “I almost rose to Taylor’s bait. If you hadn’t broken in when you did, God knows what I would have said.”
    Gail laughed. “When I heard her say you look like a little girl, I knew we were in trouble. I tripped all over myself getting in here.”
    “I know I have to bite my tongue at times for the sake of the business,” Mary Beth said. “But what satisfaction I would have gotten telling Taylor Bennett exactly what I think of her.”
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    Mary Beth sipped ice water and leaned against the butcher-block island in the Bennett kitchen.
    Gail sat on a stool opposite her. Perspiration beaded her forehead and she pushed blonde curls off her face.
    “We did it,” Mary Beth said, raising her glass in salute. She and Gail were alone in the quiet kitchen while the staff served desserts and coffee.
    “And did it well.” Gail nodded toward the doorway. “Sounds like they’re enjoying their desserts as much as they did the rest of the meal.”
    Laughter and the delicate musical tinkling of sterling flatware on bone china came from the huge dining room where two massive tables seated all thirty of the Bennetts’ guests.
    Mary Beth set her glass on the island and rubbed her arms. Her muscles ached from cooking and from hauling heavy pots. But it was all worth it.
    She surveyed the kitchen and its counters littered with dirty plates, glasses and serving pieces. No leftovers in sight. All signs of a well-enjoyed meal.
    The staff would clean up later. She and Gail had already washed their personal knives, the only equipment they’d needed to bring. Once they got the Bennetts’ check they’d be on their way.
    “Did you see Jim