“Tippy? Got a question for you.” Ian said.
“Shoot, Baby Doll.”
“Did you have my locket engraved when you sent it to the jewelers?”
“Why of course not. I wouldn’t even let him buff the scratches out. I just had him polish it and put on a new clasp.” She looked at an empty plate. “Are those other cinnamon rolls ready yet?”
“Saxon, would you mind getting those out of the oven for me?” Ian asked. “It’s the box underneath the round thingys that get hot.”
“Smart aleck. I know that.” Saxon uncrossed her arms. “Do I just push a button and they pop out or do I have to slide something open?”
“I’ll do it.” Daryn got up from the table and headed to the kitchen door.
“Icing’s in the fridge!” Ian yelled as the door closed behind her. He turned back to Tippy. “So you didn’t have my name engraved on it?”
“Of course not, Baby Doll.”
Ian took the locket out of his pocket and dangled it from the chain in front of her. “Then what’s this?”
Tippy put down her fork and wiped her hands while she chewed. “Chocolate.” She swallowed. “I think it’s chocolate.”
“Look at it.”
She reached out and took the locket in the palm of her hand. Ian gently let the chain gather in her palm as well. Tippy looked up at Ian. “I don’t know what to say, Baby Doll. I didn’t do that. I picked it up from the jeweler, inspected it, paid him then brought it straight to you and hung it around your neck.”
“How did it get there?” Ian asked.
“Baby Doll, I have no idea, about either the chocolate or your name.” She handed it back to him.
Blake reached out his hand. “Let me see it.”
Ian gave it to him. “That hasn’t left my neck since you brought it back. How did my name get on it?” He said to no one inparticular.
“Aw…” Blake had flipped open the locket. He and Ella were looking at the pictures. “Is that you?”
Ian blushed. “I assume so, and the other my mother.”
“Let me see.” Jeff said.
Blake handed it to Jeff. “Ian, the lettering is so light. Is it possible that the engraving was always there, and you didn’t realize it until you got kinky with the chocolate?”
“First of all I didn’t get kinky with the chocolate, but I guess that could be it. I knew there were some scratches on the back. I supposed we just couldn’t tell it was lettering until the episode with the sundaes last night.”
“You were getting kinky with chocolate.” Tippy piped up.
“No we weren’t.” Jeff cut right in. “I knocked over a shake at dinner and it steam rolled. Ian, do you have a magnifying glass?”
“Drawer behind you.” Ronnie said.
“When did you discover the name, Baby Doll? This morning in the shower?”
“Gross. I’m not putting chocolate sauce on my body!”
“How do you feel about whipped cream?” Wella smiled.
Ian looked at her and smirked. “Depends on whose eating it.”
“Will you marry me?” Wella pushed her plate aside.
“Wouldn’t you rather just use me, toss me aside and come back again when you need a real man?”
There were catcalls while Tippy and Wella high fived again.
Jeff looked up from studying the locket with a magnifying glass. “Have you ever tried caramel?”
Wella beamed. “Party at my house Saturday night.” She pointed at Jeff. “You is invited.”
“People.” Ronnie spoke up. “There are children in the room still trying to eat.”
“Sorry, Ronnie.” Wella bit her lip and put the napkin from her lap to her plate. “Ian I’ll help with the pots and pans.”
Ian looked at her like she was an idiot. “What barn were you raised in? You clean as you cook.”
Wella sat back down and looked at Saxon. “Girl, we got to chat.”
“Speaking of parties.” Ian announced. “The party will be here on Saturday.”
“Party?” Daryn came back in with a tray of iced rolls that quickly got snapped up. “What’d I miss?”
“We pulled an all-nighter that, I must say, was a big success. I talked with David Turner this morning, and he’s agreed to give everyone Friday off. Saturday morning, bring your families, friends, whoever. We’ll eat and relax in the backyard. Bring swim suits.”
“You’re gonna cook?” Sean looked up hopefully.
“I’m gonna cook, breakfast and lunch.” Ian waited for the cheers. “Now, I thought we would do a little work. Pearce Warner will be here, and I though we’d do a round table on ‘America Alive!’ just the way we did with ‘World On A String’, and I thought our friends and relatives, since they are our target audience, would be perfect sounding boards. I promise not too much work, mostly fun.”
“Speaking of work.” Blake stood up. “Where’s Lee?”
“Over here.” Lee looked up from his cinnamon roll.
“You’ve got the equipment ready?” Blake asked.
“Waiting for us when we arrive.” Lee munched.
“Did we find a baby?” Someone else asked.
Jeff motioned Ian over to him with his finger. “Ian, buddy, got another mystery for you.”
“Shoot.” Ian came over with Saxon at his side.
“This isn’t your baby picture.”
“How can you be sure?” Saxon asked.
“See for yourself.” Jeff handed her the locket and the magnifying glass. Jeff looked at Ian. “The baby’s naked.”
Ian blushed. “Well, yes, but its such a tiny shot. Probably cut out of a bigger picture.
“He’s right, Ian.” Saxon handed him the glass. “This is definitely not you.”
“You can barely tell.” Jeff said.
“Oh my God.” Ian said quietly.
“What is it, Baby Doll?” Tippy looked over his shoulder. She squinted her eyes and then Ian allowed her a closer look. “That’s a baby girl.”
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