Love And Games: Taste The Heat Part 15

Colby's chest squeezed watching their four-way embrace. This was her family. Her second family. And she no longer felt like she was intruding or giving anyone the wrong idea by being there. This was where she belonged.

Emma sniffed into Jason's neck. "I was so scared."

"I know, baby." He opened his eyes and looked at Colby. "But it would take a lot more than that to take me away from you."

Hoping with everything in her that Jason was giving her an opening, Colby took a step forward and held up the bag. With only a quick glance at his parents she said, "We brought breakfast."

The whole Landry family smiled at her, though the one from the man in the bed was closer to a wicked smirk. He lifted an eyebrow in question, and she took another step toward the bed.

"I come bearing bribery," she said, her voice wobbling but determined. "But homemade beignets are just the first phase of my master plan. The second phase is letting you know I've decided to stay in Magnolia Springs."

At the revelation, Jason's mouth fell open. She smiled as she took the third and final step. Things still needed to be ironed out, both here and in Vegas, and she had several phone calls left to make, but she knew what she wanted. She set the bag of beignets on the bed beside Emma, biting back a laugh. It looked like she was the one doing the surprising today. Remembering the outcomes of Jason's surprises-the blindfolded meal and their amazing night in New Orleans-gave her faith that this one would have a happy ending, too.

"The third phase is the most important," she said, crawling in on his other side, careful not to jostle. Sharon caught her eye over her son's head and smiled in encouragement. Wow, this is embarra.s.sing. Smiling through the awkwardness, Colby forged ahead, looking only at Jason. "And that's making sure you know how completely, hopelessly, and unalterably in love with you I am. The both of you," she added, grabbing Emma's hand and ignoring the happy noises from her audience.

"I have made so many mistakes," she admitted, "and I've been terrified to open my heart. But Jason, it's always been yours. I've loved you ever since I can remember, and I will gladly spend the rest of my life making up for not telling you that sooner." She cupped his cheek with her free hand, desperately wanting to erase the memory of the night in his gym when she'd done the same-the night she'd almost lost everything. "I love you, Jason Landry."

For a moment, he just lay there, staring into her eyes. It had to be the longest moment ever recorded. But then he placed his hand over hers and the light she feared she had snuffed out came back into Jason's eyes. Colby began to hope.

And then, a nurse came in the door.

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Landry needs his final CT scan now."

Colby blinked her eyes.

Seriously? This couldn't wait, like, five seconds? The woman who Colby was almost certain was pleasant enough when she wasn't interrupting life-altering moments continued into the room, rolling a wheelchair. Colby looked to Jason, unsure of how to proceed, hoping he'd step in and ask for a few minutes of privacy-and discovered he had the audacity to be fighting back a smile.

"I really should do this now," he told her, making a move to scoot toward the edge of the bed. Colby stood, dazed and utterly confused. Gingerly, Jason pushed to a sitting position and took her hand in his. When he looked into her eyes, she noticed his were s.h.i.+ning with an emotion she couldn't name. "This could be a while, so why don't you go to the restaurant and I'll come by there as soon as I get released. We need to talk."

Uh, yeah we do. "What about Emma?"

"We can take her home, dear," Sharon said, offering a smile though she looked as bewildered as Colby felt. The Chief, however, seemed to be in on Jason's private joke because his whiskers were twitching.

Now Colby felt like she was intruding. Had she really waited too long?

Picking up the purse she didn't even remember discarding, Colby padded to the door, stopping just outside it to turn around. "See you later?"

Jason met her gaze. "I promise."

In those two words, Colby felt there was some sort of message. A message she wasn't getting. But she nodded anyway, and continued padding down the hall, back to the elevator.

What in the heck just happened?

Hours later, Colby was in the kitchen of Rob.i.+.c.heaux's, just as confused as when she left the hospital, except now she was less dazed and more depressed. Jason never called. He never came by. She really had lost him.

It seemed her career as the future cat lady was trucking along right on schedule.

"Hey Coley, can you help me roll silver?"

Biting back a sigh, Colby tore her gaze away from her silent phone. If her sister was evoking her nickname and asking for help on a mindless task-an unnecessary mindless task, since Colby knew for a fact the silver was well stocked-the situation must be as bad as she'd thought. It was a good thing she hadn't called her head chef Matt yet, because it looked like she wouldn't be staying after all.

"Why not?" she replied. Rhonda and the rest of her staff could hold down the fort for a few minutes. Mindlessness sounded pretty good right about now.

Following Sherry into the dining room, Colby couldn't help scouting the faces, hoping to see his. Even though it had been a long shot, her shoulders still deflated. Her sister wrapped an arm around her waist and said, "Don't worry, girl. I'm sure Jason just got caught up with Emma. He'll be here soon. I know it." She pulsed a squeeze and gave Colby an optimistic smile.

Colby returned it, although her hopes were sagging around her ankles. "You're right," she said, stopping next to the rolling station. "That's probably all it is."

Sherry grabbed four sets of silver and tapped Colby on the shoulder. "Now get to work, lazy bones," she teased. She scooted off to man more tables and the second Colby was alone again, her worried frown made its reappearance. Lazy was the opposite of what she was. Since leaving the hospital that morning, Colby had changed into her own clothes, washed a load of laundry, scoured the kitchen sink, inventoried the walk-in, and even cleaned the bathrooms. She'd just completed her second impressive pyramid of silver when the wail of a siren came from outside.

Like, right outside.

Concerned murmurs broke out as the patrons closest to the windows stood from their tables. The sound grew louder, closer, and more customers joined them, blocking Colby's line of sight.

"Did something happen to the building across the street?" she asked aloud, worried about the historic Southern style home, but her question was lost in the excited chatter. The wail seemed to come to a stop just outside Rob.i.+.c.heaux's and Colby bolted to see what was happening.

"Excuse me," she said, politely shouldering her way past customers gathered near the front of the restaurant. Cane stood head and shoulders above everyone else near the main door and she raised her voice to ask, "Cane, can you see what's happening?"

Flas.h.i.+ng red lights highlighted his wide grin, dimple in full view-an odd reaction to an emergency, she thought, but maybe it wasn't as bad as she'd thought. But then he grew serious, wiping any trace of amus.e.m.e.nt from his face. "You better come with me, Colby. I think you'll want to see this."

The solemnness of his voice paired with the intense look in his eyes got Colby's feet moving double-time. More than a few of the customers grinned in her direction, another weird reaction, and when she reached Cane she asked, "What on earth's going-"

He yanked her outside the door.

"-on?" Colby blinked, unable to process what she was seeing.

A fire truck was indeed parked in their lot. The siren had been silenced, but red lights still flashed. A semi-circle of fire fighters dressed in uniform stretched on either side, joined by handfuls of familiar civilians. But they weren't fighting a fire. They were just standing there, smiling.

That was enough to put the wrinkle of confusion on her forehead, but it wasn't what had Colby blinking her eyes like a crazy-eyed chica. No, that was due to the highly adorable, brightly colored, handmade banner attached to the ladder on the truck that said: Will You Marry Us???

Colby's jaw gaped open. She was definitely dreaming.

As if to prove that this wasn't some wonderful stirring of her imagination, Sherry suddenly appeared by her side, latching onto her right hand. Cane grabbed the left.

Colby looked up at her big brother with a question in her eyes, and he smiled.

"I was worried you'd both get hurt," he explained, referring to his obvious prior objections. "I see now I was wrong." When Colby mock-gasped in shock, Cane shrugged. "What can I say? Even I'm wrong from time to time. Guess no one's completely perfect."

Sherry snorted. "Lord, it's getting deep out here."

Cane chuckled and ducked down to press a kiss on the top of Colby's head. "Make each other happy," he whispered.

Awed, Colby nodded and looked out at the wide arc of friendly faces. If her hands weren't otherwise occupied, she'd pinch herself to prove this was happening. Sharon and the Chief were front and center in the pack, Jason's dad smiling and his mom dabbing at her eyes. To her right was old Mrs. Thibodeaux, who for an old lady seemed to pop up everywhere in Magnolia Springs. Jake from Jake's Seafood, Missy from LeJeune's bakery, and Tootsie from Trosclair's Convenience store were all there, too. It was like a strange, Cajun version of The Wizard of Oz. Of course, the arc was mainly made up of fire fighters, a few of whom Colby recognized from Taste the Heat and the hospital yesterday. And then there was Angelle.

When Colby locked eyes with the young woman, she seemed to shrink into herself. The redhead looked to the ground and bit her lip, then raised her head and met her gaze again with a small, hopeful smile. Without hesitation, Colby returned it. Nothing that happened that night at the gym had been Angelle's fault. The blame lay totally on Colby. She mouthed the words thank you, and relief crossed Angelle's beautiful face. The woman's smile widened as her eyes darted to the homemade sign.

b.u.t.terflies burst into flight in Colby's gut.

But where were Jason and Emma?

Whispers and cheers went up, and then the line of fire fighters broke. Colby watched, her heart in her throat, as Jason and Emma stepped forward. Just like the others, the man she loved was dressed in uniform, and he looked so good tears instantly filled her eyes. He confidently strode across the gravel lot, not stopping until he stood before her. And after sharing a wordless look with a beaming Emma, Jason sank to one knee.

Colby's breathing faltered. It was quite possible she'd forgotten how to perform the involuntary action altogether.

She'd been wrong before. She was dreaming. There was no way this was really happening. Any minute her annoying alarm would go off, yanking her from this wonderful fantasy. But until that happened, Colby wanted to soak in every moment.

Jason's lips turned up in that signature s.e.xy, lopsided grin she loved. He lifted his chin at his best friend, and Cane squeezed his sister's fingers. Then Jason simply stared into her eyes and said, "Marry me."

Emma squealed. So did Sherry. Cane chuckled as his G.o.dchild bounced up and down on her toes chanting, "Say yes, say yes, say yes!" while Colby stood there like a blubbering idiot, laughing in amazement as she realized that what she'd thought she heard, what she'd dreamed of hearing ever since she was a little girl, had actually just happened. "Oh my G.o.d."

Happy tears sprang forth, falling freely down her cheeks as she released her siblings' hands and sank down to her knees. She pressed her lips to his, love, peace, and contentment filling her heart until she thought it would burst. This was her family. This was her life. And she was never letting go.

Leaning back, Colby rested her forehead against his, losing herself in the love s.h.i.+ning in Jason's eyes. "Captain, I thought you'd never ask."

Welcome to Rob.i.+.c.heaux's Emma's Kicked Up Chicken Strips Colby's Crawfish Beignets Jason's That's How It's Done Crawfish etouffee Cane's Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Hush Puppies Sherry's Fried Catfish Sliders Bite Ya Back Alligator Meatb.a.l.l.s Shrimp and Grits and Andouille, Oh My!

Just a Hint of Spicy Shrimp Quesadillas Luxurious Lobster Mac and Cheese Mini m.u.f.fulettas of Awesome Oh That's Good Ta.s.so and Boudin Jambalaya Crawfish Pie a la Yum Yeah That's Hot Cajun-Spiced Wings Crab Cake Rob.i.+.c.heaux Not Your Mama's Fried Catfish Who Dat Blackened Gold Chicken Dahlin' Gimme Some Shrimp Creole Fixin' to Eat Merliton Stuffed Bell Pepper Lick Ya Lips Artichoke Dip Stick to Ya Hips Deep Fried Cauliflower Desserts: Bourbon Street Bananas Foster Heavy on the Rum Bread Pudding Big EZ Pecan Pie Sinfully Delicious Doberge Cake Gramma Rob.i.+.c.heaux's Praline Cheesecake

Acknowledgments.

I get teary-eyed whenever I get to this part. It takes so many people to bring a book to life, and often the little things mean the most. First and foremost, I have to thank my family. My husband, Gregg, is my rock. He helps me plot, he brainstorms t.i.tles, he reads every book I write, and he even critiques my writing-especially the dude conversations! He gets me hotel rooms when I really need a quiet s.p.a.ce to write and takes care of the girls when I leave for yet another conference. Most of all, he believes in me. And it is because of him that I know what true romance looks like.

My two beautiful girls, Jordan and Cali, are by far my biggest fans. They tell everyone they know-and I do mean everyone-about my books. They love giving me plot suggestions, and while I may not take many of them, their enthusiasm inspires me and keeps me going. This book was actually inspired from an episode of Chopped we watched as a family, and our hobby of cooking together formed the basis of Jason's relations.h.i.+p with Emma.

Next, I have to thank the Greater New Orleans area. I was blessed to grow up in Jefferson Parish (on the Best Bank-locals will get that), and though I've moved a few times over the last ten years, I wanted to write a love letter to the place I'll always call home. Good food, amazing people, unique music, and a culture that embraces history and tradition, nowhere beats Nawlins. I look forward to showing the world even more about our section of the world in the next two books!

My G.o.dmother, Rhonda Armantrout, went WAY above and beyond in helping me research this book. Her knowledge of every facet of the restaurant industry was a G.o.dsend-and if you notice, I totally used her name for Colby's fabulous sous-chef. Thank you for the pages and pages of notes and willingness to answer any question, even the silly ones, and for connecting me with a local firefighter to help with Jason's story. He'd rather not be named but I hope he knows what a blessing he was. Our conversation totally changed the ending of this book!

As I always say, my critique partners are my sanity. Without Trisha Wolfe and Shannon Duffy, I don't think I'd ever get a book finished. They push me, challenge me, encourage me, and inspire me. They were joined for this book by Tara Fuller and Cindi Madsen, who I KNOW I drove batty with e-mails. Tara, thank you for being the world's best beta reader on this, and Cindi, thank you for the cover quote, the phone calls, and the responses to questions sent at the most random of times. I owe all four of you like a tub of chocolate.

Karen Erickson, thank you for all your guidance and fun e-mails. You know how to make me laugh, girl. Rose Garcia, Lisa Burstein, and Diane Alberts, thanks for always being there to answer questions or give advice. Amber Troyer, thanks for reading the first half of this book and for supporting everything I do. And a huge thanks to the ladies of West Houston RWA for teaching me so much over the last two years-looking forward to many more!

Joey Thomas, of the Joey Thomas Band, thanks for letting me use your name. Emma's not your only fan around these parts. You are so gifted and we believe BIG things are in store for you!

Kelly P. Simmon of InkSlinger PR has taught me SO much in such a short time. She also happens to be one of the kindest, most genuine women you'll ever meet, and is an angel to have in your corner. Speaking of angels in my corner, I also have Tara Gonzalez, my literary cheerleader, and Heather Riccio, my ninja G.o.ddess. Seriously, these ladies ROCK!! A huge shout out to Jessica Turner and Misa Ramirez, for all the amazing things you do. Much love, ladies.

Stacy Cantor Abrams is like my fairy G.o.dmother. She plucked my YA debut out of the pile, believed in it and loved on it, and then believed and loved on ME. She never doubted that I could take my brand of humor and romance to the adult romance world, and that unshakable faith gave me confidence. If Stacy is my fairy G.o.dmother, Alycia Tornetta is my magical muse. During the plotting of this book, she gave me advice. Her lessons on GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) have changed how I write. And her eagle eye and wordsmith skills kept me from embarra.s.sing myself many times in this book. Girls, it's an honor working with you...but an even bigger one to call you my friends.

To our captain, Liz Pelletier, thank you for always keeping it real, for making me laugh, and for having such a teacher's spirit. My fabulous agent, Pam van Hylckama Vlieg, thanks for loving this story and believing in it as much as I do. I look forward to many, many, many years working together!

My mother-in-law Peggy was my instant form of research whenever I got confused or needed a certain detail. She read this book in record time, and her response e-mail made me all kinds of giddy. She may tie with my daughters for being my biggest fan. Speaking of reading in record time, my dad read this book when we were on vacation together. I admit I blushed knowing he was in the next room reading the body paint scene, but it meant SO much to know he was doing it. My mom not only reads every book I write but has also started writing herself. Our talks on plot and our favorite books always make me smile. Both of them keep our Cajun ancestry alive and help me pa.s.s it on to my children even here in Texas, and their open door policy for babysitting when I need a quiet s.p.a.ce to write has been a blessing more times than I can count. I love all of you!

And finally, to you, my lovely, awesome readers, and to my fabulous Flirt Squad. Your emails, tweets, and reviews make me teary-eyed, giddy, and doing humorous happy dances that keep my girls laughing. As a bookworm, I know how many choices are out there, and I feel truly honored and blessed that you have chosen to read my stories. I hope they entertain you, give you a warm fuzzy, and help you escape the chaotic world we live in. Y'all are made of awesome.

About the Author.

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama's favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches reality television with her amazing husband. Taste The Heat is her adult romance debut. She's the author of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century and A Tale of Two Centuries. She loves hearing from readers! Find her at www.RachelHarrisWrites.com.

Find your Bliss with Cindi Madsen's Act Like You Love Me "Cut, cut cut!" Sawyer stood. "Was that supposed to be more pa.s.sionate? Because it sucked."

"This is supposed to be the eighteen hundreds," Brynn said. "It can't be too pa.s.sionate or it would seem inappropriate for the time."

The next instant Sawyer was charging up the steps to the stage. "I'm not saying it's got to be a kiss with tongue, I'm saying you've got to look at each other like you're in love so the audience will want it to work out. Our modern audience." Sawyer shook his head. "Take it again, from before the proposal."

It was impossible to concentrate with Sawyer standing right there, so close she could hear every s.h.i.+ft of his body and feel his gaze on her like a weight. All her lines were swimming together.

Leo knelt, told her she was an angel. She said her line, trying to peer into his soul like she wanted to be with him, and then Leo kissed her. And it was sloppier than usual. She did her best to not jerk back, though it was her first instinct.

"Okay, that was just..." Sawyer moved in front of her. He looked at the playbook, then lowered it by his side and stared into her eyes. The air thickened around them and she could feel every thump of her heart. "What a perfect angel you are, Cecily." He said it so tenderly, his smile close-lipped but full of joy.

"You dear romantic boy," she said, all out of instinct because thoughts were getting fuzzy.

He leaned in and kissed her, a soft kiss with his lips barely parted. The pressure of his lips increased for a delicious moment, and then they were gone. A quick, simple kiss, but when his mouth left hers, she felt its absence so strongly that she couldn't think about anything else for a couple seconds. Her breath was stuck somewhere in her lungs and her lips still tingled, living the sensation over and over again. Heat wound through her body, her hands itched to reach out and touch him. And then she remembered she was supposed to. She ran her fingers through his hair and felt the whisper of his breath on her wrist as he exhaled.

"Wow, that was good," Wendy said from the front, breaking Brynn from her trance.

Brynn stepped back and swallowed, but her throat wasn't working right. Sawyer's eyes never left hers, and one corner of his mouth curved up in a smug, self-satisfied way.

"It was all right, I suppose," Brynn said, working to keep her voice steady. She crossed her arms and shrugged. "For a first-timer, anyway."

That only made Sawyer's smile grow wider.

Brynn couldn't help but watch Sawyer as he jumped off the stage. Funny how she'd dreamed of kissing him all the time in high school, but her fantasy wasn't even close to the real thing. Her heart felt like it'd just been wrung out and shoved back in her chest.

And her scene with Leo was better. She was sure it had nothing to do with the fact that she closed her eyes and pretended it was Sawyer kissing her again.

Nope. Nothing at all.

Find your Bliss with Robin Bielman's Kissing the Maid of Honor Sela grinned and moved up to place her order. A few minutes later she had a cup of coffee-with cream and enough sugar to make her dentist cringe-and a spiced-apple oatmeal m.u.f.fin. Her first bite into the breakfast treat garnered a, "Mmm."

She almost echoed that sentiment when Luke sat down across from her. Without invitation, his presence thrilled her. He wore a long-sleeved blue waffle s.h.i.+rt that stretched nicely to accommodate his broad shoulders and chest. His face was clean-shaven, revealing a handsomeness that was seriously unkind to the rest of the male population and made it difficult for her to breathe normally.

"Something wrong?" he said.

Yes. You are too good-looking. "No. What are you doing here?"