AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A knock sounded at the back door, startling me. Not that I thought it was a robber, though given what had happened with Ginger recently, it could be. But really, I was more terrified that just thinking of the meddling matchmakers might have conjured them up.
“Ginger. Thank goodness it’s just you.”
She frowned and stepped inside with a canvas tote slung over her shoulder. “Not the greeting I was hoping for.”
“Sorry,” I laughed and explained what I was previously thinking.
“Apology accepted,” she said easily and took a glance around the kitchen at all the pots simmering on the stove. “Are you ready for the first cook-off competition this weekend?”
I shrugged. “Yes and no. It’s chili, which is a Texas staple that I’ve been making since I was nine. Then again, it’s chili. A Texas staple.”
Ginger laughed and shook her head, finding a small corner of table for her tablet and phone. “Care to share what you have planned?”
“Sure. I’m working on a mole-style chili, which I’m planning to run on special for the days leading up to the competition if anyone in town wants to give me feedback. The other is a surprise you’ll have to show up at the cook-off to sample.”
Ginger’s grin did nothing to hide her surprise. “Someone prepared notes for their interview.”
“I did,” I admitted. “Makes it easier. Less stressful.”
“Glad to hear it. So, how are things going with Jackson?” She wiggled her brows suggestively and I rolled my eyes.
“Not as bad as I was expecting,” I admitted. Things were still tense between us, but that was because my stupid body was still attracted to his utter maleness and hadn’t gotten the memo that he was old news.“You have to know that I am absolutely dying to know what happened between you two.” Her face showed eagerness, but not the breathless kind that enjoyed hearing other people’s bad news. This was plain old curiosity.
But I wasn’t ready. “I’d rather not talk about it. It’s firmly in the past, and that’s where I’d like to keep it.” The last thing I wanted was people in town talking about me, again. Especially when it came to dating someone I shouldn’t. Been there, done that. Got the emotional scars to prove it.
It was only this past year that the good people of Tulip seemed to have forgotten about my past romantic indiscretions. Chad the developer from Santa Fe had reeled me in right from the beginning with his floppy blond hair and prep-school good looks. Turned out he wanted my house more than me. A total bummer.
Then, there was Ricky, an artist from Walla Walla. He made me fall in love with his poetry and sexy sketches of me doing mundane things like dusting or stirring. But his affection was as whimsical as the rest of him, and he blew out of Tulip with Margo, the yoga instructor.
See? My bad luck is not exaggerated.
Instead of being offended by my gruff tone, she leaned forward, more fascinated than ever but not willing to pry. “Interesting.”
“No.” I pointed a finger at her and when her smile widened, I switched things up and pointed a wooden spoon at her. “No, it’s not interesting. It’s nothing at all, Ginger. Nothing.”
Through her grin, she managed to zip her lips and throw away the key. Then she opened her mouth, and I rushed to beat her to speaking.
“Want to taste the chili?”
She groaned and shook her head as another knock sounded at the door. “More than anything I want to taste whatever smells soo good in here, but I want to do it live on camera at the competition. It’ll be more organic and authentic that way. Click, click, click,” she said with a lot less enthusiasm than she’d started with as she pushed off the wall to go open the door.
I was too busy thinking about bottling and selling some of the mole sauce and chili at the cook-off, and here at the restaurant, to notice who the new visitor was.
“Here to help make sure the boss wins this weekend?” I heard Ginger ask, and I frowned.
What was Maven doing here this time of night?
“Something like that.” Not Maven. Jackson’s deep voice carried over to me, and I looked up just in time to watch him run a nervous hand through this thick dark hair. “Busy?” His gaze settled on mine like a warm hand and I shook my head.
“Nope,” Ginger added unnecessarily and tugged him inside. “In fact, it’s pretty perfect you’re here because I can get some pics of you two prepping for the big event!”
I groaned and glared at her. “I think I liked you better when you went after traffickers and criminals.”
She stuck her tongue out. “I go after those stories, too, but lucky for you this week is all hot hunky heroes and delicious barbecue. Good news is also news, Reese.”
