Donovan picked up the yellow rubber chicken and examined it for the umpteenth time, flicking its red neck with his finger.

“I don’t think you should try cooking that.” Abby stood in front of him from behind the Sugar Spoon’s shiny pink counter.

He set it down. “Probably not.”

“So, why are you hiding out in the corner?” She cracked open a soda can and set it in front of him, holding up the yellow bird. “Feeling chicken?”

“Ha, ha.” He pointed to Chris, a popular biology teacher, who was the selected bachelor for tonight’s Batter Up night. “Just supporting Chris.”

She lowered her voice. “It’s going to be Rhonda. I know it.” Just then Emma called her over to retrieve sprinkles from the kitchen. She handed Donovan a purple-frosted cupcake. “Duty calls. I’ll be right back.”

He set the rubber chicken aside and took a bite of the cupcake. She was right. He was a coward. He’d purposely stayed away from Main Street all week, not wanting to run into Zoe.

Going stir-crazy at home, he went to the one place he knew Zoe wouldn’t be: the Sugar Spoon for Batter Up night. Emma and Abby would be the only women in the bakery for the weekly male gathering.

It’s not where he wanted to be. He missed Zoe. He wanted to be in her kitchen, finishing up the dishes from the Ice Heaven’s dinner crowd and brainstorming his specials for the next day—all with Zoe close by his side.

He’d royally f’d up. He wasn’t sure if Zoe would let him back into her kitchen let alone back into her life.

His muscles tightened. He was a jerk and every other curse word Will and his sister had called him. He never should have gone after Zoe like he did. What he should have done was be a man and give her the opportunity to explain.

With each passing day, he knew what he accused her of doing wasn’t possible. Spiteful? Revengeful? She hadn’t been either of those things. Deep down, he knew she wasn’t that woman.

Zoe wasn’t out to ruin him. No, he’d done that all on his own. She was right. He’d lost his spark way before the night of the blizzard. It was the primary reason he was drawn to hers.

Would she ever forgive him? He picked up a small pink pet collar he’d set next to the rubber chicken, jingling its bells. When Rachel had suggested he try opening the magical old trunk on the second floor of the Lakeside Inn, he had nothing to lose.

That night, he pulled out three items that were now spread out on the Sugar Spoon counter: a rubber yellow chicken, a pair of wire-rimmed eyeglasses, and a pink cat collar.

“So, what gives?” Abby asked, returning to her place behind the counter. “Are you opening up a magic shop?”

“Maybe I should. Give Emma a run for her money.” Speaking of . . . he nodded in Emma’s direction. “How’s your cousin?”

“She’s good. All wedding all the time . . .”

He lowered his voice. “Has she heard from her dad?”

“No . . .” Abby sighed, grabbing a cupcake from behind her and taking a bite. “I guess some people want to stay hidden. I have hope that Uncle Jesse will show up before the wedding.”

Jesse. Donovan sat up, recognizing the name. The old man he’d helped out with the car oil was Emma’s father. Where had he taken off to? He started to share with Abby what he knew but held back. If this man wanted to keep his whereabouts a secret, who was Donovan to expose him?

He’d done enough public exposing of secrets. He’d find another opportunity to tell Emma privately, or maybe first Sheila. He picked up the wire-rimmed reading glasses and put them on. “I found them in the trunk.”

“You look very smart. I take it you found the rubber chicken and the cat collar in there, too.”

He nodded and took the glasses off, setting them on the counter. “Yep.”

“Any idea what they mean?” She added, “Besides the magic shop?”

“Nope.” He had no clue. The antique purse wasn’t helpful either. Since finding the Joker card inside it, it had been empty.

“I’m sure all will be revealed.” Abby winked.

“Maybe . . .” His sentence trailed as he watched Emma begin to perform her magic with the shimmering pink mixing spoon. Seeing her in action was pretty cool. She asked Chris what he was looking for in a soul mate.

Donovan’s thoughts zoomed back to the night of the blizzard when he’d asked Zoe the same question.

He’s got to be funny and smart. Definitely supportive of my business.

He picked up the pink collar.

He has to like cats.

That’s it! He jumped off the stool and gathered the three items. Mary, you’re a freakin’ genius. He was the man for Zoe, and he had all the items right here to prove it to her. All but one, and he knew who he needed to see to get it. He bolted for the exit.

“Where are you going?” Abby called out.

He glanced behind him, tossing her a grin. “To borrow a cat.”

Zoe filled the last cup of soup, sliding on the to-go lid and handing it to Will.

She wiped her brow. Wow. Today had been crazy.

In a good way.

It’d been a busy day, feeding huge lunch and dinner crowds. She hadn’t known what to expect when she declared she’d be open for business without Donovan, but the customers kept coming. The best thing? They loved the soup and sandwiches she was making. Many even said they’d be back later in the week for more.

She was grateful for Will who didn’t mind helping her during his time off from the boutique. And he was quite the soup pusher. She wasn’t quite sure what she’d do when he went back to work, but Ralph stopped in earlier and offered one of his employees to help her out until she hired someone.

She glanced into the empty soup pot. Things were going to be fine. Business was good. She didn’t need Donovan Foster to succeed.

Funny, how he proved it for the second time.

She sighed. Mad at him or not, she missed the way he danced around her kitchen, his sexy smile, the feel of his warm embrace.

Stop it! She sent that order straight to her heart. Donovan was an insensitive jerk who hadn’t even bothered to get in touch with her after the blow up at the Lakeside Inn. He could have done the decent thing and dissolved their partnership amicably.

“Zoe . . .”

She spun around to see Will holding the soup cup she’d just given him. “We’ve got a problem.”

“What?” Her only problem right now was deciding what she’d make tomorrow with the ingredients she had left from the Fresh Foods delivery. The supply was dwindling. Maybe she could go shopping in the morning.

Right now, she wanted to clean up, go home, and prop up her feet.

“The soup. The customer outside says it’s awful, and he wants to speak to you.”

“Let me see that.” She grabbed a tasting spoon from the prep counter and pulled off the

cup’s lid, plunging the spoon in and taking a taste. The sweet cream melted her taste

buds. “This is delicious.”

Will shrugged. “I think you should go talk to the customer.”

“Fine.” She slipped her dirty apron off over her head and glanced over her shoulder.

“You coming?”

“Nah.” He reached for a pan and brought it over to the sink. “I’ll get a head start on these dishes.”

“Suit yourself.” She pushed open the door, and her heart dropped. Donovan was standing in her shop, back turned to her. What was he doing here?

“Ahem.” She cleared her throat.

He turned around, his lips curved up, causing her heart to race. Damn him and his sexy smile. She immediately noticed the new wire-rimmed glasses. Since when did he start wearing eyeglasses?

Maybe he got them to see the truth. Could he see through them that she wasn’t some spiteful lunatic who moved clear across the country just to get revenge?

She straightened her shoulders, glancing down at the lavender purse in his hand. What was he doing with that? She held up the soup cup and cocked her head. “I hear you have a problem with this.”

His smile widened. “It’s missing something.”

Ass. He wasn’t the only one in town that could rock chicken noodle. “As a matter of fact, I sold two large pots today, and I have you to thank for not showing up to work.”

“I deserved that. You know, you could have doubled that if you had this.” He reached inside the bag and pulled out a large yellow rubber chicken, tossing it to her, the goofiest grin on his face.

She looked down at the chicken, holding it out by its long neck. “Is this some kind of joke?”

“Yes!”

She gave him the side-eye and heaved the chicken at him. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m closed.”

“I thought you’d say that. I’ll be right back.” He opened the glass door, disappearing into the night.

Seriously? She could only shake her head. The guy doesn’t come around for days and then shows up with a rubber chicken. Maybe he’d had a few at the Buttermilk Tavern. Whatever game he was playing, she wasn’t interested. She spun on her heels for the kitchen, anger pulsing through her.

A loud meow caused her to stop in her tracks.

What was a cat doing in here? She turned to see Magic struggling to wiggle out of Donovan’s arms. At least, it looked like Emma’s cat that she’d met that night at Sheila’s.

Donovan set him down on the floor. The miffed feline sauntered over to Zoe, rubbing against her jeans. She scooped him up, petting his head. “What are you doing here?” She narrowed her eyes at Donovan. “Did you steal him?”

“Borrowed. I borrowed him from Sheila. She’s visiting with Ralph. I have to give him back.”

Zoe hugged the furry ball. “Why did you borrow him?” she asked, thoroughly confused.

“Because I know it’s your deal breaker.”

Zoe rubbed Magic’s chin with her finger. “What are you taking about?”

“You said the night of the blizzard that your soul mate had to be smart, funny, and support your business.” He nodded to Magic. “And must love cats.”

“Cats . . .” She struggled to compute everything he said. He really lost her way back at the rubber chicken. She gave Magic’s head a gentle scratch and set him down. As if the cat knew exactly where he was going, he sauntered toward the kitchen, pushing the door open. “So, you felt the need to bring a cat to me?”

“I had to make sure I’m not allergic.” He set down the purse on the floor and held out his arms. “No itchy redness.”

“Good for you,” she deadpanned. “Donovan, why are you here?”

He came a few steps closer. “Because I should have never left to begin with.”

What? She cocked her to the side, not saying a word.

“I never should have lost it on you like I did. I saw you on that television show rerun, and I tried to make sense of it all.”

“That’s how you found out,” she said, her voice low. The shame she felt last week slammed into her.

“Yeah. I know you’re looking for someone smart, and I’ve been far from it. I was a total idiot. I’d like to make it up to you.”

He continued, “And I do support you. I don’t care about what happened at the Rocky Top. I handled things badly back then, and I acted worse at the inn. I’m sorry.”

Zoe stood, her head swimming. Did Donovan just apologize? She needed to tell him the truth about that night at the Rocky Top. “It wasn’t me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn’t graze the Governor’s dish with the peanut sauce. I only took the fall because the line cook who did was going through a really terrible time and needed the money. She couldn’t lose her job.”

“Zoe . . .”

She let out a frustrated sigh. It was time to get it all out in the open. “You made me feel like I wasn’t good enough to work in your kitchen. Even though I didn’t do it, it could have easily been me that messed up.” She took a few seconds to gather up her confidence to finally tell him the truth, “I thought if you remembered that you’d fired me, you’d think less of me. You wouldn’t want to be my business partner”—she paused, breaking eye contact—“or involved with me in other ways . . .”

Donovan closed the gap between them, causing her pulse to quicken. “I’m sorry how I treated you in Colorado, and I’m so sorry for last week.” He grinned down at her. “You, Zoe Mathews, are a fine line cook, an amazing entrepreneur, and I really, really want to date you.”

“Really?” she asked, the one word full of hope.

“Yes. I promise, I will be smarter this time, fully supportive, and make you laugh every chance I get.” He brushed his hand over hers. “I want you in my kitchen.”

Her heart was now pounding against her chest. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was asking for a second chance. “Well, technically it’s my kitchen,” she said flippantly.

“Can I come back? I’d like for us to get to know each other.” He reached down and stroked her cheek. The same cheek that had the grease smudge. “I feel something for you, and I hope you feel the same way. I’d like to see where this goes.”

His words coupled with his touch were sending off fireworks inside her. She ran her hands along his arms and stepped back. Maybe now that things were out in the open they could try again. She wanted that . . . but first maybe a little payback. “I don’t think it’s going to work,” she said, stepping away.

“Oh.” His face fell, and he picked up the purse. “I’ll just go get the cat.”

She reached for is arm, pulling him close. “Until you admit that my creamy chicken noodle soup is way better than yours.”

He brought her in close, and his spicy aftershave tickled her nose. “It’d be better with Rudy,” he said.

“Rudy?”

“The rubber chicken.”

She laughed.

“Finally. I made you laugh.” He lowered his mouth to hers. “Can I kiss you now?”

She shrugged a shoulder, while meeting his lips halfway. Her mouth opened up to the man she was falling in love with.

“So, can I come back to work tomorrow?” Donovan asked.

He could come back tomorrow, the next day, forever. “I don’t know. I already have a great cook, but I need a server. Will,” she called out.

Will appeared from the back, looking like he hadn’t been eavesdropping on this entire conversation. She’d thank him for that later, but for now she playfully said, “You’re fired.”

“Aw . . . man.” He bent down and scooped up Magic, holding the perturbed cat an arm’s length away. “This better not be my replacement,” he joked. “I kicked ass today.”

Zoe wrapped her arms around Donovan, squeezing. “My one Sweet Match Up is back.” She smiled up at him as his lips brushed hers. They’d have more to talk about, but plenty of time.

Who knows? Maybe one last snowstorm would blanket the town and they’d be trapped in her apartment for hours with nothing to do but get to know each other. She could only hope. “You can go back to your day job, Will.”

“Fine. I know when I’m not wanted,” Will said, putting the cat down. He started to leave, fist-pumping his approval to Donovan as he walked by.

“Wait.” Donovan picked up the lavender purse, tossing it over to Will. “Here’s your pay.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do with this?” Will asked, hoisting it in the air.

Donovan laughed, bringing Zoe back into his embrace. “Everything Mary tells you to do.”