Nutritious...but delicious?

All that remained of the Thanksgiving feast was dessert. Anticipation sent a tremor up her spine as she cut two thick slices of pumpkin pound cake and placed them on antique china plates. With a smile, she brought them to the table.

"Looks good," he said, sniffing appreciatively. "Smells like cinnamon. Isn't this your new recipe?"

"It is. I hope you like it."

She watched as he took the first bite. The furrow that appeared between his brows told her something was wrong. Horribly wrong.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Is it supposed to taste like this?"

Uh-oh. Not a good sign.

Quickly she broke off a corner of the slice that looked oh-so perfect on her plate and put it in her mouth. Instantly she knew why he'd chased his with a mouthful of tea.

"Don't eat that," she said, grabbing his plate.

"It tastes like...like...like it doesn't have any sugar in it."

When he picked up his fork and looked ready to take another bite, she rose and put the dishes on the counter. Thank goodness she had baked an apple pie and fig cookies yesterday! Swallowing a giggle, she reached for fresh plates and forks.

"That's because it doesn't."