Page 11 of A Little Bit More

Deleted Scene from Caught – Invertary Book 7

Jodie wandered through the empty treatment rooms in her spa one last time before heading upstairs to her home. She planned to take a bath, finish up the bottle of wine in her fridge, and blast Adele from her stereo. But first, she had to make sure everything was in place for the grand opening in the morning.

The spa’s décor was tranquil—pastel shades of green and blue with large potted plants to break up the space. She’d gone for ornamental bamboo and sculpted trees. Although a bright pink orchid sat on the reception desk. Every single thing was designed to make her customers feel relaxed and pampered. From the overstuffed sofas in the waiting area, with their hot-pink accent cushions, to the state-of-the-art lime-green treatment chairs she’d paid a fortune for.

“It’s looking good, Sis.”

Jodie glanced over her shoulder where she stood, fussing with the stack of fluffy white towels, to find her brother, Deke, grinning at her. “It couldn’t be better, could it?”

“I don’t know a whole lot about spas, Jo, but it looks good to me.” He glanced around. “It looks professional, clean, organized, and girly. What more is there?”

Jodie patted him on the chest as she walked past him into the corridor. “And that’s why I’m in charge of the spa side of things and you’re in charge of the kitchen. Girly? Really?”

“Are you going to turn that comment into a feminist rant? Because if you are, I’m out of here.” He followed her through to the restaurant area.

“I don’t rant. I educate.” As she had been doing for Deke for most of his life.

“Well, consider my education complete.” He pushed the double doors to the kitchen open and held them for her to pass. “I should get a graduation certificate.”

“For what? If you’re calling women girls, there’s obviously still work to be done.” She cast her eyes around Deke’s domain and smiled. He’d insisted that the kitchen open up into the dining area, saying he didn’t trust a kitchen he couldn’t see. He’d also done away with the usual stainless-steel surfaces of a professional kitchen and opted for wood and marble instead. The overall effect was one of beauty and function. “Are you ready for your opening night?”

They’d staggered the opening of different areas in the business just in case there were any problems and they needed to do some damage control. The restaurant was due to open the weekend after the spa.

“Got the menu sorted, produce ordered, and the bulk of the staff on board. I need to hire two more waitstaff, then we’re ready.”

The dining room faced the newly landscaped gardens, where a small gazebo sat decked in fairy lights—the focal point of the view. They’d kept the height of the main room in the old church, making a feature of the exposed beams and the stained glass windows that had once sat behind the pulpit. The smaller windows running the length of the room had been replaced with picture ones, providing views of the garden, but the rough stone walls remained. It was small, cozy, warm and unique.

“The McGregor brothers did a great job with the furniture.” Jodie ran a hand over the warm wood of a handmade table.

“Talented lot,” Deke agreed.

The brothers ran a local building business that covered everything from electrical work to carpentry. The eldest brother had made the tables from recycled wood taken out of the building before the renovations. The chairs were customized from old pews, cut to various sizes and fitted with luxurious cushions.

“I hope people like it,” Jodie confessed. “I want this to be a safe haven. Not just for the staff, but for the women who come to the spa and the people who dine here. A place where they can escape the stresses of life and get some really, really good food.”

Deke chuckled. “I can promise the good food part anyway.”

As Jodie bumped her shoulder into her massive brother’s side, a wave of sentimentality washed over her. He could have taken any one of the jobs he’d been offered in London. Instead, he’d thrown in his lot with her.

“This is for Mum,” she said softly.

“Yeah.” Deke wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “She’d be proud of what you’re doing here.”

“Whatwe’redoing,” she corrected as she pressed a palm to her stomach. “I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous. I actually feel nauseous.”

“Well, damn,” a deep voice drawled. “Guess you won’t want the dessert I brought then.”

Jodie jerked out from her brother’s hold and spun toward the door, where Mitch stood grinning at her. Great. The sight of him standing there in his gray suit, tie loosened at his throat and hair messed from running his fingers through it all day, did nothing for her nerves.

“Mitch, good to see you.” Deke crossed the short distance, and they shook hands.

Jodie stood frozen to the spot, her mind running a mile a minute. Why was he there? They had an arrangement. One that didn’t involve seeing each other outside of his hotel room. Shelikedtheir arrangement. It was perfect. She didn’t need him messing with it.

“Hear you’ve been seeing my sister.” Deke folded his arms, making those army muscles of his bulge.

Mitch, wisely, didn’t reply. He just gave Jodie a smile that made her blood heat. Not a good situation to be in when her baby brother was busy poking his nose where it didn’t belong.

“I told you to butt out of my personal life,” Jodie reminded her brother. “It has nothing to do with you.”