Cowboy in the Kitchen by Nunn Mae

Author:Nunn, Mae [Nunn, Mae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE DRIVE to Kilgore was quiet. Meredith nodded off early in the ride, and Gillian seemed lost in thought, probably making a mental checklist of things to argue with her father about when they got to Moore House. Hunt glanced at the beauty on his right and noted the barbecue smudges on the front of her Redskins sweatshirt. She’d been more agreeable after a generous serving of Jackpot’s wings with a side of pommes de terre frite—crispy fries dusted with herbs de Provence.

Hunt smiled to himself at the image of his old buddy. The brief encounter was a vivid reminder that today’s culinary business was a close community, a small world that the general public had begun to peer into with the growth of food television. Reality cooking competitions, such as the one that had launched his career, had opened up a window on the artistry involved in creating memorable dishes while respecting the ingredients. The cameras had propelled many a chef, who might never be more than a legend in his own mind into the national spotlight.

Hunt remembered his early days in the kitchen, the harassment of his brothers, the encouragement of Mama and Alma. In the beginning he’d never given much consideration to achieving celebrity status, but the culture had changed and so had Hunt since he’d joined the ranks of James Beard Award winners. Popularity in the food world could take a chef out of the heat of the kitchen and in front of the hot lights of a film crew.

It was heady stuff for anybody, especially a boy from East Texas. And depending on where he was willing to go and how much he’d sacrifice, it could get much more intense for Hunt. He understood Jackpot’s desire to live life on his own terms and in his own truck. But Jackpot also understood the rewards and benefits of corporate gigs, which were more stable with greater earning potential.

Rudy was offering that for the taking, and his wasn’t the only game in town. Another call to Hunt’s agent could produce any number of opportunities...as long as Hunt was willing to make the move. He’d already done Europe and the Caribbean. There was unlimited potential in Asia.

Asia? Really?

How far did he have to go to learn for himself what Cullen had said the night before?

This is home, the one place where he’d always belong. He’d do well to stick around, mend fences with old friends and let this kernel of new love have a chance to sink its roots, to blossom into something amazing. At the same time, he wasn’t sure he was ready to give up advancement this early in his career and settle.

Settle? Was that any way to label the future with the dynamic woman beside him?

But to be blunt, Gillian hadn’t asked him for more than a temporary commitment. She wanted his help, not the rest of his life. There were even moments when he wasn’t sure she wanted his here and now.

The future he’d been so certain of a few months ago had fled and confusion had rushed in to fill the void.

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