Tamed by a Texan - Tanya Michaels 2 стр.


I dont know how I feel about you pinning all your hopes on this, Victor said slowly. Ever since the woman hed planned to be with till death parted them had told him they were no longer compatible, hed been a lot more pessimistic. To be fair, though, as the person who kept the books for the Jalapeño, he knew better than anyone that they were barely scraping along. You could work for someone else, Grace, and have all the joy of cooking without the responsibility of everything else. We didnt suggest selling the place because we dont believe in you.

I dont want to sell, she said mulishly.

I miss Dad, too. Victors voice started to rise. But sinking all our time and money into this old restaurant wont bring him back!

She flinched, too stung to form a response.

Whoa, Ben interjected. Lets everyone take a second. Getting a little tense in here.

Lowering her gaze and her voice, Grace said, I need this. I can win!

Just as softly, Victor rebutted, You dont know that. No ones disputing your talent, but competition is like owning a restaurant. Theres a lot of luck involved and timing and

If I lose, you can sell the restaurant. Grace hadnt known she was going to say the words until she heard them. But rather than add to her anxiety, the impulsive promise wrapped around her like a soothing hug. I can do this.

Once again, Ben and Victor exchanged glances, an entire conversation passing between them with nothing said. Finally Victor nodded.

All right, you have a deal. He paused, holding her gaze a long moment before adding, Good luck.

* * *

SUNLIGHT RIPPLED ACROSS the surface of the water. Not a single cloud marred the expanse of blue overhead. Country music piped through discreet poolside speakers, accompanied by the melodic rush of a small landscaped waterfall that ran over natural-looking rocks. The shirtless man drifting lazily on an inflated lounge chair grinned. It was a damn good day to be Ty Beckett.

But then, he drawled aloud, every day is a good day to be me.

From the nearby patio table came a grunt. Dont get too comfy, his business manager cautioned without looking away from his laptop. We have to clear out soon. You have an interview with an entertainment reporter from the Statesman at three-thirty and that restaurant opening tonight.

Too bad we couldnt invite the reporter here to Codys place and do the interview in the pool. Did you see the picture with her byline? Bet she looks smokin in a bikini. At his managers reproachful silence, Ty added, Im just sayin.

Ty sighed. You are no fun, dude. Not that you ever were, but youre even less so lately.

Stephen Zigler glared over top of his sunglasses. You mean now that Im married and have a baby on the way and generally choose to act like an adult? I swear, if Donna wasnt plagued by round-the-clock cravings for that secret-recipe potato salad of yours, Id drop you as a client.

When were on the verge of hitting it big? No, you wouldnt. Ty stuck his hand into the water and paddled toward the steps. Despite the bright sun, the early-March temperature would be too brisk for swimming if the pool werent temperature-regulated. He climbed the stairs, glancing around at the sculpted yard and Cody Blacks million-dollar Barton Creek mansion. Someday Ill have a place like this.

Stephen turned, his expression startled. You sound serious.

I am.

Yeah, butits you. Sounding serious. I didnt think you knew what the word meant.

Ty ignored the gibe. Despite Tys devil-may-care persona, his manager knew better than anyone how hard the celebrity chef worked. Well, not a full-fledged celebrity yet. But he was definitely on the right path. Last night, for instance, hed been hired to cook for the three dozen closest friends of country music star Cody Black, whod wanted to celebrate his fortieth birthday with an intimate dinner. As her gift, Codys wife had booked them a European vacation before his next tour started; theyd left this morning. Cody had invited Ty to stick around for a few hours and enjoy the pool and high-tech game room.

Nathan Tyler Beckett, the skinny kid whod grown up in a series of south Texas trailer parks, wouldnt have even believed a house like this existed.

Im gonna grab a shower, Ty said, and make sure all my stuffs packed up from the kitchen. Then well hit the road.

Two hours later, Ty sat in an upscale Austin restaurant while a beautiful blonde smiled across the table. As much as he enjoyed looking at her, her questions were all ones hed heard before. His mind kept wandering from the mundane conversation to the appetizer sampler theyd ordered. The fried pickles tasted too much like the inside of a deep fryer and whoever was responsible for the bland travesty of aioli should be shot. Other offerings were intriguing, though. He was trying to dissect the ingredients of the house Loco Guacamole, which included not only pumpkin but

Im sure my readers will be interested to know, howd you get hooked on cooking in the first place? the blonde asked.

He flashed her a practiced smile. Would it make me sound desperate if I said I started cooking because I wanted to impress women?

Her cheeks turned a rosy-pink. I dont think anyone could ever mistake you for desperate, Chef Beckett.

Ty. Please. He widened his grin. It all began back in middle school with Family and Consumer Sciences, which was their fancy name for what used to be called Home Ec.

There were grains of truth in his stock answer. He had, after all, taken Family and Consumer Sciences, which included a cooking component. But Ty hadnt been there for the cute female students. Hed wanted the free food each lesson brought, supplementing the state-funded school lunches he qualified for because of his familys poverty level. By the time Ty was thirteen, hed been growing like a weed and constantly hungry. Beth, his single mother, had never been able to put much on the table. During his teen years, there had been times late at night or even in the middle of class when hed catch himself fantasizing about food with the same intensity other guys his age probably daydreamed of cheerleaders.

But he didnt share those memories with anyone. Ever.

So whats next for you? the reporter asked. I know youve traveled extensively, helping new restaurants find their feet and developing menu items before you move on to the next challenge. Some of us wonder, will Chef Ty Beckett ever settle down?

Not until the price was right. Hed followed specific strategic opportunities, constantly building on his name and reputation, rather than investing in a place of his own.

You never know, he said enigmatically. But as for whats next, Im one of the ten semifinalists in a cooking competition that will be filmed in Fredericksburg this month. Fans will have to watch the show to see how I do, but I can tell you right now, I plan to win.

A cable network had hinted this show was his informal audition. Ty had done televised segments before and was popular with audiences. Male viewers liked him because he eschewed fancy French terms they were suspicious of and offered grilling advice real men could use; women loved him because Well, women just loved him. If Ty won this Frederick-Fest competition, getting his own show was a done deal. He could be a household name one day like other famous chefs before him.

And being a household name paid well.

His companion leaned back against her side of the booth, looking impressed. Your skills are legendary, she conceded, looking him up and down in such a way that made him wonder just which skills she meant. But Im sure the other nine chefs are very talented, too. You believe youll beat them?

Ty gave a decisive nod. Bet on it.

Chapter Two

Cant sleep? Amy Winthrop stood at the edge of the kitchen wearing an oversize University of Texas Longhorns jersey that fell almost to her knees.

Grace looked up guiltily from the batter shed been stirring. Sorry. Didnt mean to wake you. Maybe middle of the night cupcake experimentation hadnt been such a good idea.

Her roommate waved a dismissive hand. It wasnt you. Ive screwed up my sleep cycle for all eternity. The job I had before this, I rarely got home before five in the morning. A bunch of us would clean up the bar after closing, then go for breakfast at one of those twenty-four-hour diners. Im trying to retrain myself to be normal.

Grace grinned at the womans eggplant-purple hair, which clashed spectacularly with her burnt-orange shirt, and sparkling eyebrow ring. A row of small hoop earrings curled up her left ear. Retrain? That implies there was a time when you were normal.

Amy grabbed a dish towel off the counter, wadded it and threw it at Grace, who laughed.

The two of them had hit it off within minutes of meeting each other last fall. Grace had been in Austin for the weekend and ordered one of Amys drinks, which had been exceptional. Theyd talked on and off all night as Amy served other patrons. Before Grace left, shed impulsively pulled out a business card for The Twisted Jalapeño. You ever want to relocate to Fredericksburg, you have a job waiting for you.

Still, Grace had been shocked when Amy walked into the restaurant six weeks later. Amy and her fiancé had called it quits and she needed a change of pace. Meanwhile, Grace, whod been living with her mom at the time, had agreed with Ben and Victor that it was time to sell the house to help pay for Colleen to have professional care. Grace and Amy had decided to pool their limited resources, and theyd moved into the small two-bedroom carriage-house apartment behind the Henderson family. There wasnt much space, but it was a cute place and Grace enjoyed the company. After growing up with brothers, she looked at Amy as the sister shed never had.

You sure you want to start with me? Grace picked up the towel that had just missed her and brandished it with deadpan menace. Im muy peligrosa.

Dangerous? You? Amy snorted. Bring it on, shorty.

Although Amy was at least two inches taller than Grace, the bartender had a very delicate build. A strong breeze might knock her over. Grace, while short, was curvy. Nothing delicate about me. She was all right with that. Who would trust a chef who looked like a twig? Besides, the guys shed dated had told her she was rounded in all the best places.

Amy pulled down a glass and filled it with water. So whats with the late-night cooking spree? Sudden inspiration for a new dessert menu?

Nerves, Grave admitted. About tomorrow night. Or, more accurately, she realized with a glance at the clock, tonight.

But the competition doesnt even begin until Monday. Tomorrow, youre just being introduced to some judges and the other contestants. One of the local vineyards was hosting a reception, an opening ceremony of sorts.

And you dont think spending the evening with a bunch of people who are going to shape my future is nerve-racking? I, uh, got the list today, she admitted. She hadnt told anyone because shed had this weird superstitious response to seeing the other names, as if talking about the impressive chefs on the list somehow added to their power.

Two vertical lines appeared over Amys nose as her forehead puckered in a frown. What list? Im not following.

When I was first notified Id made it through the selection process, Grace backtracked, I was told I was one of ten chefs, but I didnt think Id know who the others were until we got started. Today they emailed me a list. Shed printed it out along with some final paperwork she had to sign.

And youre just now telling me? Amy demanded. Gimme names, woman!

Grace sighed, abandoning the cupcake batter. She crossed the kitchen to the slotted wooden box on the wall where they kept mail and bills. She wasnt sure why she retrieved the message and unfolded itshed already memorized the other nine names. Hoping Amy wouldnt interrupt to ooh and aah over the combined talent, she sped through the list. There were men and women of varying ages and specialties, from all over Texas. Katharine Garner currently worked as an executive chef in New York but had grown up in Dallas; Grace wasnt sure where Texas-born Ty Beckett lived. He seemed to bounce all over the place.

Ty Beckett? Amy fluttered her eyelashes. I saw him at a couple of events in Austin. Do you have any idea how hot he is?

Hes not that good-looking, Grace grumbled. Ive seen him on TV.

Okay, one. Amy jabbed an index finger in her friends direction. You are a lousy liar. No talent for it whatsoever, so dont bother trying. And, two, take it from me, hes even better looking in person.

Thats probably why they selected him, Grace said, trying to bolster herself. Hes so photogenic. Hell look good on television.

Also, hes supposed to be a phenomenal chef.

Grace groaned. Whose side are you on? Im sure hes very good, but I can beat him, right? He has little formal training that Ive heard of, doesnt have a restaurant of his own and his entire career seems to consist of flitting from one thing to the next. Do you think he loses focus, gets bored easily? That could bode well for his competitors. Serious cooking required lots of patience.

Her pride niggled at her. Didnt she want to be named the best because of how hard shed worked at her craft? Would it be as satisfying to beat Ty Beckett because he got distracted by something shiny or bailed midway through the competition? Then again, if the end result was that she got to keep her restaurant

I dont know, Amy said. I realize that in the media he seems very flirty and like he doesnt take anything seriously, but, to the best of my knowledge, he hasnt lost any culinary competition in years. Dont let his attitude fool you. He may crack jokes and not look like hes exerting much effort, but my gut tells me, when Ty Beckett wants something, he goes for it.

Yeah? Grace raised an eyebrow. Well, so do I.

* * *

REMIND ME AGAIN WHY WERE stopping here for dinner when were on our way to a party with lots of food, Stephen said from the passenger seat. While youre at it, remind me how it is that you ended up driving my car.

Ty flashed a grin. Because people find it impossible to tell me no. And were here because there was only one person on that list neither of us know anything about, and coincidentally, she happens to be local. Or maybe not coincidentally. Do you think they picked her to keep the Hill Country sponsors happy?

As opposed to any of the other dozens of award-winning Hill Country chefs and restaurateurs? Stephen said wryly. Face it, if shes in the game, shes probably something special.

Назад Дальше