Taste the Heat (21 page)

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.

Butterflies 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 sexy, 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 godchild 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 God.”

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 shining
in Jason’s eyes. “Captain, I thought you’d never ask.”

Welcome to Robicheaux’s

Emma’s Kicked Up Chicken Strips

Colby’s Crawfish Beignets

Jason’s That’s How It’s Done Crawfish Étouffée

Cane’s Bacon Stuffed Jalapeno Hush Puppies

Sherry’s Fried Catfish Sliders

Bite Ya Back Alligator Meatballs

Shrimp and Grits and Andouille, Oh My!

Just a Hint of Spicy Shrimp Quesadillas

Luxurious Lobster Mac and Cheese

Mini Muffulettas of Awesome

Oh That’s Good Tasso and Boudin Jambalaya

Crawfish Pie a la Yum

Yeah That’s Hot Cajun-Spiced Wings

Crab Cake Robicheaux

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 Robicheaux’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 titles, 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 space 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
relationship 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 godmother, Rhonda Armantrout, went WAY above and beyond in helping me research
this book. Her knowledge of every facet of the restaurant industry was a godsend—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 goddess. 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 godmother. 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 godmother, 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 embarrassing 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 pass
it on to my children even here in Texas, and their open door policy for babysitting
when I need a quiet space 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 passionate? Because it
sucked.”

“This is supposed to be the eighteen hundreds,” Brynn said. “It can’t be too passionate
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 shift 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
muffin. 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 shirt 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?”

He lifted his coffee. “Needed my morning caffeine.” He reached over and broke off
a piece of her muffin.

“I meant what are you doing at my table. Don’t you have anything better to do this
morning than bug me?”

“Sela. Is that any way to talk to me after last night?”

“Shh.” She cast a quick glance around the bakery. Mrs. Witt was pretending to read
the newspaper at the table next to them. The mayor and his wife both waggled their
fingers at her. “Don’t you remember how this town loves to know everything about everyone?
And you, Mr. Hotshot Photographer, are at the top of the list right now. Once your
story hits the newspaper, you can kiss your temporary freedom good-bye.”

Luke slanted his chin down, but his eyes stayed right on hers. He smirked. “Attention
can be a good thing.”

“It can also be very bad.” She slouched down in her chair, hoping no one had been
listening too closely. Something flashed across his face. Amusement? Interest? Desire?
Her body went on high alert. This mutual whatever it was could not be investigated
further in the middle of Crems!

“I don’t know. Sometimes being bad can also be very good,” he said, sounding all sorts
of tempting and dangerous.