Suzie Cooks!

Welcome to Legend's Landing Bed & Breakfast

2010-06-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

And welcome to my world...where I do the cooking!

(I also do a little matchmaking on the side, but that's another story for another day.)

I am Suzie Matthews and this is my Web site. It is a world filled with all of the things I love--family, friends and food. The three important F's!

A while back I realized that I was spinning my wheels trying to be someone I wasn't and decided to take a risk to be the person I am. It was a struggle, at first, but I did find my way. My path led me to the purchase of Legend's Landing a few years ago. This wonderful Victorian cottage is perched just back off a cove on Lake Legend, on the eastern side of the small city of Legend, Tennessee. On the other side of the lake is Legend Mountain.

Every evening I share a beautiful view with my family, looking out my back deck over the lake, as the setting sun behind me casts ripples of violet and pink over the shimmering lake waters. I take it all in and feel so fortunate.

Across the lake sits Lake Lodge, a renovated resort lodge and cabins, reminiscent of the glory days of summer lake vacations of the 40's and 50's. Remember the movie Dirty Dancing and the summer camp up in the Catskills? Lake Lodge is sort of like that, today, only modernized a bit. As I look across the lake I can see a few of the dormers of the lodge and some of the back deck. My husband Brad, whom I married after I had LLBB up and going, is the owner and head chef of the Lodge. So between the two of us, we hopefully know how to please our guests.

It was hard work but all worth it. Today, Legend's Landing Bed & Breakfast is booming. It is not a huge operation but just right for what one woman can handle!

So, again, welcome to my little corner of the world. It's small but I always have room for more friends, and I consider you one.

Take a look around my place, slip into some of the rooms, amble about my garden, or take a walk by the lake. When you get back, pour yourself a glass of sweet tea or a cup of cinnamon coffee, and be sure to sample whatever sweets are sitting atop my kitchen island.

Take a deep breath and sigh. You're in Legend and things are easy here.

Want to learn more about me?

How about a stroll through my garden?

Today's Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-06-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

Although I bake all year long, there is nothing like baking at Christmas time. Even with all of the fancy-schmancy confections Brad and I create during the holidays, nothing beats the simple chocolate chip cookie.

I gurantee you, it's the first cookie to go and I always wished I had baked more.

I spent the afternoon baking Chocolate Chippers . It is a simple recipe but tried and very true. Bake and then just add milk.

Don't you love simple pleasures?

Suzie's Chocolate Chipper Cookies

Preheat oven to 375degreesF

Ingredients

1/2 cup softened Butter (not Margarine)

1/2 cup Crisco Butter-flavored Shortening

1 cup Dark Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Granulated Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla

2 Eggs

2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1 20 oz pkg Jumbo Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips (or regular sized chips)

3/4 cup chopped Walnuts

Directions:

1. Cream together brown sugar, white sugar, butter and Crisco.

2. Add vanilla and both eggs, mix.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt.

4. Add flour mixture a little at a time to sugar/butter mixture and slowly mix.

5. Once all flour is incorporated, add chocolate chips and nuts. Stir in to mixture.

6. Spoon uniform-sized drops of cookie batter onto ungreased cookie sheets.

7. Bake 9-11 minutes, watching for doneness. For chewier cookies, underbake and remove from oven when just turning brown. For crunchy cookies, bake until golden brown. Be sure to keep a close watch, as they can bake quickly.

*Hint. The butter gives the cookies a nice brown color and rich flavor, while the shortening keeps the cookies from baking too quickly and becoming overly crisp and brown. If you prefer very crisp and brown cookies, you may want to use all butter.

Romancing the Scone by Maddie James

2010-05-13T05:19:00.000-07:00

So, you guys know I have this friend, Maddie, right? We met a few years ago. She's a writer and she loves to stay at Legend's Landing when she's plotting out a new book. (actually, I think she loves that I cook for her and have the cinnamon coffee brewing all day long.) But nevertheless, she's a great friend and I love her dearly. We're even writing a cookbook together next year! It's called, The Best of Legend's Landing Cookbook. I'm really excited about that.

But that's not what I want to talk about today. You see, Maddie has a new romance novel coming out soon. It's another novella in her Matchmaking Chef series. You see, for some odd reason, Maddie got this idea that I'm good at matching people together, you know, like in a couple. Oh yeah, it has happened a time or two but to be honest, it's mostly not planned. Just happens. Maddie thinks differently, however.

Well, I don't know. Anyway, she has this new book coming out in a few weeks and I thought I'd give her a plug here. I absolutely adore this cover. Isn't it cute and hot?

This story, Maddie tells me, is about my cousin Sydney, who has been single and without a man for way too long. We've been a little worried about her, actually, but it looks like in the story Maddie is taking care of her quite nicely. Seems there's a man lurking about her bakery and we think he's after Sydney's world-famous scones! I can't wait to see how it turns out!

So if you get a chance, remember this story, okay? I'll let you know when it hits the stands.

Have a wonderful day today. It's a beautiful morning.

Suzie

Valentine's Day in Legend, Tennessee

2009-09-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

As you know, I've been busy matchmaking for most of the past year. It was not a profession that I chose, but rather, one that sort of chose me. It all started when my sister Chelly moved back into town and her old boyfriend was pining (yes, even if he denies it) after her. They were both so stubborn, though, and quite by accident (meaning totally unplanned) I told a little fib that got them back together. Yes, it worked. After all, it was so obvious they were meant to be together, what's one little fib?

But it didn't stop there. Pretty soon I was wrangling plain Mary Lou Picketts into a date with visiting country music star Nash Rhodes. From there, it was puppy nanny Lyssa Larken who arranged a lunch date a day (lunch cooked my moi) until she found a man. Then there was Katie Long who was quite fond of Hot Crossed Buns. By now, the word had totally gotten out and my career was set afire. I landed a television show called, The Matchmaking Chef, where I managed to hook up bookstore owner Nora with my landscaper, and finally, Patricia Plum, the producer of my show, gets in on the act, too, and a "husband list."

Whew!

So when do Brad and I find time for romance in the midst of all that? Well, we do, but it takes planning.

This Valentine's Day, however, we have agreed to one thing -- neither one of us will be doing the cooking. Here are our plans.

My parents are our little boy Petey for the weekend.
Brad has reserved the honeymoon suite at the Lodge for the entire weekend.
Since it is Sweetheart Dinner night at the Lodge on the Saturday evening of Feb 13, we'll have dinner catered up to us.
And since my cousin Sydney owns this wonderful little bakery in Legend, she's delivering our favorite Red Velvet cake to us on Sunday.
I'm sure there will be surprises. I overheard Brad ordering roses over the phone the other day and well, I've made a couple of trips to NY city lately and there is a favorite lingerie shop I visited, with a couple of extras thrown in on the side.

So, those are our plans. What about you? What are you doing special for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day?

Thanksgiving prep at LLBB

2009-09-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

I've just put a big ol' juice semi-boneless ham in the oven! This year I'm doing something a bit different with our ham (we always have ham AND turkey, we like variety...). With the ham in the roaster, I added my usual water and orange juice mixture to the bottom to keep things nice and moist, but today I decided to add a package of mulling spices to the mix. The spices had a lot of cloves so I studded the ham with many of those. I'll let her bake for a while then add a brown sugar and orange juice glaze about 30 minutes before taking her out of the oven.

Life is all atwitter at the Legend's Landing Bed & Breakfast today! Brad is up at the Lodge, prepping for Thanksgiving day dinner. He always serves it at lunch time. Many Legendarians, especially some of the older folk, like to head up to the Lodge (if the weather is good, if not, we'll deliver!) for their Thanksgiving meal. Brad loves to cook for the community and feels he's at his best when he is cooking for others.

Me? I'm not much different but I'm in charge of the family meal. Since Brad will spend most of his morning and afternoon at the Lodge tomorrow, I'll have our family Thanksgiving meal ready for him in the evening. My sister, Chelly, and her hunky hubby, Matt, will be here with their two girls Katie and Karly. My cousin Sydney is coming and bringing the pumpkin cupcakes! And of course, my mom and dad will be here as well.

There is rumor of Brad's brother coming to the states but we're not sure about that. He's running about Europe tasting chocolate, we've heard. Stay tuned about that one.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! If I get a chance, I'll pop in once in a while to leave a recipe or two. Be safe!

Photo credit: The Food Network (and check out their glazed ham recipe!)

Today's Recipe: Lima Bean and Ham Soup

2009-09-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

I love a good soup and so does my family. There is nothing better on a crisp fall evening than coming home to steaming bowls of soup and a pan of cornbread. Lately, I've been experimenting with soups made from dried beans. Sinced the lima bean is one of my favorites, I decided to experiment with lima and ham. It turned out wonderful! Brad tells me this one is on the "often cooked" list!

So, here is how you make it.

Ingredients

1 16 oz. pkg of dried baby lima beans

Olive oil

@ 2 cups of diced ham or ham pieces

1 lg. onion, chopped

4-5 stalks of celery, chopped

4-5 lg carrots, sliced

2 cups of stock

2-4 cups of water

salt, pepper, thyme and rosemary to taste

Directions

Pick through the beans, wash and soak them overnight. Drain the beans the next morning.
In a soup pot, lay down 2-3 T of olive oil in the pan. Heat and add ham, onion, celery, carrots and 2 t salt. Saute for a few minutes.
Add stock and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Add lima beans, cover with water, add spices to taste, and bring again to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until beans are tender and flavors melded. Great with cornbread.

Enjoy!

Today's Recipe: Lemon-Basil Cupcakes with Lemon-Buttercream Frosting and Blueberry Sauce

2009-09-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Preheat Oven to 350degrees F

Cupcake Ingredients

1 ½ cup melted butter
½ cup fresh basil leaves and a few lemon balm leaves (much heavier on the basil)

2/1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 t. baking powder
½ t. salt

1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 c. milk
2 large eggs
1 ¼ t. lemon extract
Yellow food coloring

Blueberry sauce or pie filling

Directions

1. Melt butter over low heat. Add basil and lemon balm leaves. Bruise the leaves in the butter. Let stand in warm place and infuse for at least 30 minutes.

2. Sift dry ingredients—four, baking power, and salt—into a mixing bowl and set aside.

3. With sugar in mixing bowl, drizzle in strained butter (no leaves) while mixing and cream together. Add lemon extract, followed by eggs, and then milk. Mix on medium speed.

4. Add dry ingredients, about 1/3 at a time, until mixed. Add yellow food coloring if desired. Scrape sides and mix on higher speed for about a minute.

5. Fill prepared cupcake tins approximately ½ full and bake 20-25 minutes, until thin knife comes out clean. Cool.

Lemon-Buttercream Frosting

Soften 1 stick of unsalted butter. Cream on medium speed with 1 ½ cups of confectioner’s sugar, 1 ¼ t. of lemon extract, and 2 T. of hot water (plus yellow food coloring if desired). Add more or less sugar for desired consistency. Makes enough for about 12 regular sized cupcakes.

Frost cupcakes and add a dollop of blueberry sauce or pie filling as desired. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Enjoy!

More facts about Suzie

2009-09-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Personal

Hometown: Legend, Tennessee
Birthday: October 18
Maiden name: Suzie Schul
Husband: Brad Matthews, chef and owner of Lake Lodge
Son: Petey Matthews, age four
Parents: George and Stella Schul
Sister: Chelly Branson
Brother-in-law: Matt Branson
Nieces: Katie and Karly Branson
Cousin and best friend: Sydney Schul, owner of Sydney's Sugar High Bakery and Coffee Stop, in downtown Legend

Favorites

Color: Green
Coffee: Cinnamon
Television show: The Food Channel
Food: Strawberries

Where she shops

Grocery: Myer's Piggly Wiggly
Garden Center: Haven's Hill Landscape & Nursery
Books: Nora's Novel Niche, in Pigeon Forge, and Jane's New and Used Books, in Legend
Whatnots: The Emporium, in Legend

Good Friends

Lily and Jim Hood
Jane and Graham Winchester
Midnight and Martin McClain
Sam Ackerman
Jim Ackerman
Patricia Plum
Lyssa Larkin
Katie Long
And the list grows everyday...

Come visit my home.

The Lodge

2009-09-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

Brad's domain is Lake Lodge, as many of you may know if you have read the book, Bed, Breakfast & You, in the first Ladies of Legend anthology, Finding Home. He acquired the Lodge before we were married and believe you me, we had a very difficult time coming together as a couple because of his need to tear the lodge down and rebuild, and my very valiant effort to preserve the old Lodge, as it was.

As you can see, I won! (I won him over, too!)

Today, the Lodge, which overlooks Lake Legend, and sits tucked back into a cove on Legend Mountain, is a bustling place. Over the years we've revived some of the smaller cabins around the Lodge, too. Brad not only manages all of that, but is head chef, as well.

Here are a few pictures we've snapped of the Lodge. More coming soon!

Don't you want to come and getaway for a day or week?

Have you see the Lake yet?

Or, the House?

The House

2009-09-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

As you approach Legend's Landing Bed & Breakfast, I hope you begin to feel a sense of coming home--even if you've never been here! I strive to make all my guests feel at home and cater to their every whim and need. Please step up on the porch and feel free to put your feet up and watch the day roll by before you.

Nothing says hello like a welcoming entrance. Some days I may greet you as you come up the drive and park on the south side of the house.

The north porch is small, cozy and tucked into a corner next to a shady space. It's cooler there on warm summer nights so bring your sweater!

I love this gable on the east side of the house in the green room, overlooking the lake and mountain. It is a great window to leave open on cool summer nights.

The dining room boasts of a couple of cozy eating nooks for two, as well as a larger dining table for groups.

If you come in the side door, be sure to check out the cook's island in the kitchen for the baked goods of the day.

What could welcome you more, than a hand-embroidered Tennessee pillow on a well-worn rocker? If you look real close, you'll see Legend squeezed in-between Knoxville and Gatlinburg.

Have you peeked in any of the rooms yet? C'mon, it's okay.

Or maybe you want to see the garden?

The Garden

2009-09-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

I love my garden although I consider myself quite an amateur gardener. I like to say I'm a "garden piddler." I leave the real gardening and landscaping work to my friends Sam and Jim Ackerman, who like me are born and bred Legendarians. The brothers own Haven's Hill Nursery and Landscaping and I highly recommend them if you need any work done. I always look forward to spring when the new plants are out and I can go shopping.

Roses at the front picket fence.

Climbers at the back of the house.

Hanging pink geraniums on the back deck.

Wildflowers on the north side of the cottage.

A few starter herbs out my back door.

A patch of lilies off the deck.

A cozy dining nook off the north-east side of the house.

A goldfish pond niche near the woods.

Want to take a walk around my house?

Or do you want to see the lake first?

Lake Legend in the Smoky Mountains

2009-09-05T12:31:00.001-07:00

Lake Legend is beautiful any time of day but I especially enjoy it in the evenings.

Here is a picture I snapped of a couple visiting Legend's Landing a short time back this past summer, as they enjoyed dusk settling over the lake. The path from my house leads around the lake and toward Legend Mountain on the right, and down a narrow cove to the left. I love this time of evening when the lake is still and the tree frogs are croaking.

Lake Legend is a "no high-speed engine" lake, which means that fishing is allowed only with trolling motors. No bass boats allowed. I personally like to take my little row-boat out and skim around inlets and pretend I'm fishing. Usually you can find me laid back in a cove somewhere reading a book--that is, of course, a luxury now that little Petey is in my life. He does love to fish for blue gill off the boat and dock, however!

Here is an early morning misty view of the lake. A couple of my guests had dragged the Adirondack chairs closer to the lake the night before. I couldn't resist snapping this cozy photo!

Then, there is nothing like Legend in the fall, as you can see from this view looking down the dock behind the house.

The Smoky Mountains are a wonderful place to live!

The Green Room

2009-09-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

I like to say that the green room (which isn't truly green since we've not yet painted!) is decorated in "beach meets country whimsey" style, with a touch of French Provincial. Okay, so it's just a bit of eclectic style, but that's okay, right? We still love it.

The green room is slated for redecoration, so stay tuned as we refurbish this room over the coming winter!

The Blue Room

2009-09-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

Our blue room upstairs has a cozy nook for relaxing into a good book. It sits across the hall from the green room and shares a bathroom. The two rooms are great for a small family to share or for girlfriends to have an old-fashioned slumber party. Another full bath is available down the hall (because we know how girls, young or old are, at slumber parties!)

Hand-made quilts and afghans adorn the room with antique plates on the wall and a stained-glass panel hanging in the window.

Here's a quick peek into the adjoining bathroom, the one shared with the green room. Have you taken a walk around the house outside yet?

Better Than Chocolate?

2009-07-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

My friend Maddie--I gotta tell ya--she's such a sweetheart. And creative! You see, not long ago I was telling her about Brad's (my dumplin' hubby) little brother who came to visit from Italy about a month ago.

Well, we didn't know it at the time but Scotty had been in some trouble in Italy, where he'd lived and worked for years. There was some scandal with his boss--a woman, of course--and somehow her daughter was involved. It was in all the tabloids, especially in Europe.

You see, Scotty was quite the player. And had we seen the tabloid article or heard of the affair, we probably would have believe it. Thing was, it wasn't true (we think) but Scotty lost his job, anyway, and he came slinking here to Legend to visit, his tail tucked between his legs, and vowing that he was off women, and chocolate.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that part. Scotty is/was a chocolate taster for world-renowned Bianchi Chocolates. You know, the really good and expensive kind. And his boss, well, she was THE daughter of the head Bianchi.

But we knew none of that. And we knew nothing of Jillian Bass when she rolled into town, either, other than she made some damned good truffles.

And so, I told this story, sort of, to Maddie a while back and lo and behold, before I could turn my back, she's written up a whole story about. Go figure with that girl!

Anyway, it's called Better Than Chocolate and I've not read it yet, but I hear it's pretty tasty in all the right places.

They say you can buy it here, for now. Later, I think it will be available on Amazon and other places.

Just thought I'd let you know. I need to get back to my kitchen now.

Love,

Suzie

Mate to Order

2009-02-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

The Matchmaking Chef series, book five....

When Suzie Matthew's success as the Matchmaking Chef hits the national scene about the same time as her debut cooking show on The Food Channel, her new producer comes to her with a list of requirements-not for Suzie's job, but for a husband. Patricia Plum has a specific Husband List and if Suzie really wants to make it big in New York City, she'll make every attempt to deliver Patricia's "mate to order."

Ames Cooper, however, has other ideas. Ames knows he's the exact opposite of any item on Patricia's list, but he also knows that three years earlier, she had him firmly twisted around her little finger. So much so that it scared the hell out of him. Instead of running into her arms, he did a stupid thing and cheated on her. Now, a second chance woo her has landed in his lap-he's been selected as the photographer for Suzie's cookbook-and he's not about to screw up this time.

Excerpt:

Patricia Plum's Husband List

1. Clean-cut.*

2. Older than 35.*

3. Has had at least one serious, committed relationship and must be ready to commit.*

4. No kids.

5. Absolutely cannot work in the Food or TV industry (and that definitely means The Food Channel).

6. No ick factors (i.e. foot fetish, bad breath, sex in public places, etc ... ).

7. Has to be drop-dead gorgeous. Clean-cut. Did I mention that?

8. Has an established, lucrative career/business/profession--in other words, supports self/has money.*

9. Catholic.*

10. Must love sushi.

*not negotiable

* * * *
Chapter One

Suzie Matthews breathed deep, held that breath for two full seconds, then relaxed with a lengthy sigh. Staring at the Manhattan high-rise to her right, her gaze steadily rose as she peered out from the grimy cab window. The light changed and the cab jerked, her body scooting forward with it, then falling back against the seat.

Music and words circled inside her head.

Start spreading the news...

Da-da-da-dA-Daaaa.

I want to, da-da-DA-da-DA, New York, New York...

"I'm a part of it," she whispered.

"What honey?"

Suzie hadn't realized she'd said that out loud. Glancing to her left, she took in Patricia Plum's smile. Patricia was the producer of her new show and quickly becoming a very good friend.

"Nothing. Just mumbling to myself."

"Ah." Patricia turned to look out her window, and Suzie followed suit on her side of the cab. "Can you believe you are here?"

Inhaling deep, Suzie smiled at the window. "No. No, I can't."

It had been a whirlwind, fairytale time. Three years earlier she was struggling through a divorce and trying to start her cooking classes and B&B business, all while writing her first cookbook. Then Brad came back into her life and they had their little boy, Petey, her cookbook became a bestseller, and now ... now this! Her own television show!

"Pinch me."

"Believe it, sweetie. Life is good."

She glanced again at Patricia, whose head rested against the back of the seat. Her eyes were closed, and she wore a slight smile on her face.

"Good for you, too, Patricia?"

She nodded and smiled bigger. "Your Matchmaking Chef show is going to be hot. It's going to be good for all of us. I am so glad I discovered you!"

Then, Patricia started humming from her side of the cab. Suzie guessed happiness was catching. Patricia did seem quite cheerful yesterday when she'd picked her up at the airport and as they shared dinner last night. She was excited about the show, of course, but there was a simple calm about her--not the frenzy they had all exhibited back home in Legend, Tennessee at the first taping--but something totally different. Relaxed, maybe.

Perhaps it was because Patricia was in New York, in her element.

She smiled at her new friend's off-tune humming. It was a different song from Suzie's, although she couldn't quite make out what it was, because her own tune kept running through her ears.

Earwigs, they call those. Right? When you can't get a song out of your head?

Ba-da-dA-da-Daaaaaa...

Start spreading the news...

"I'm gonna be a star," she whispered, absolutely certain she was up for it.

The pointed toes of Patricia Plum's candy apple-red Jimmy Choo heels tapped out a rhythm on the vinyl floor mat. The darned tune got stuck in her brain two days ago when she'd come up with a harebrained scheme that she had yet to slide by Suzie.

Ta-ta-ta, Ta-ta-ta, Ta-Ta-TA-TA!

Ta-Ta-TA-TA! Ta-Ta-TA-TA!

The cab rounded a corner, a little too sharp, and she opened her eyes to glance out at the street. Simultaneously, she rapped on the Plexiglas between them and the driver.

"Hey! I said straight to 5th Avenue. Don't go this way!"

"Slight detour, miss," he rattled out. "Traffic."

"No. No." She glanced at Suzie who had now turned and was watching her. "Pull over. Let us out here. We can walk."

The cabby shrugged and did as she asked. Patricia glanced at the meter, tossed him a scowl and enough cash to pay for the ride plus a small tip. She pushed Suzie out the passenger side door.

Scrambling, they reached the sidewalk and both women exhaled.

Patricia watched Suzie, who was looking up--always was looking up, it seemed, since she'd arrived in the city the day before. She linked her forearm at the woman's elbow. "It's a beautiful day to walk, and it's not that far now."

Grinning, Suzie nodded her agreement, which warmed Patricia's heart.

"Besides," she added, "you're in New York. We walk everywhere here."

She didn't know why she was taken so with this country cook named Suzie Matthews, but she knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that she and Suzie would be fast and long friends. She also knew that Suzie was bound to be a star. Ever since their weeks in Legend, they'd clicked like peas. And the pilot they'd taped for her show went over famously.

Patricia was going to have a kick showing her new protégé the finer points of New York City. Particularly, the cuisine.

Not to mention, the men.

Not that Suzie needed a man. She had the hunky, sinful Chef Brad wrapped around her delicate fingers. But Patricia was lacking in that department, and if Suzie's matchmaking skills were as good as they say, and as she suspected...

Well, she'd think more about that later.

They walked arm-in-arm; Suzie still grinned in awe. Was she humming? Patricia strained to hear. Ah, yes, she was.

Happy.

Everyone was just happy!

Her own tune invaded her head again, and she sang to herself. Why not?

Matchmaker, matchmaker, bake me a match...

No ... make me a match, she thought with an inward giggle. But bake me a match was much more appropriate.

Shit! What a great jingle for the show.

Brilliant. She was just, brilliant.

This was going to go well. All worries aside. Now, on to the studio.

The duo marched forward. Glancing to her right, she asked, "Are you ready for your first day at work, Ms. Suzie the Matchmaking Chef?"

"I'm scared as hell," she shot back. "But ready to dig in."

Patricia knew exactly how she felt.

Get your Mate to Order from:

Amazon Kindle
Resplendence Publishing
Fictionwise

Side Dish

2009-02-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Book four of The Matchmaking Chef series....

Becca North doesn't want a boyfriend, but her BFF Nora certainly does-even if she won't admit it. Becca is so off men. But when Nora, owner of Nora's Novel Niche, meets Suzie the Matchmaking Chef during a booksigning, she finagles a way for the matchmaker to arrange a picnic lunch date for her-on television, no less! Nora drags Becca along for moral support, and to check out her date.

Thing is, Nora's date would rather check out Becca, instead. Sam Ackerman is a busy man with a business to run and no time to pursue a relationship. The last thing he needs is to be hooked into a matchmaking scheme played out for the world on national television, but he reluctantly plays along for his friend, Suzie. He knows right away, that his "date" Nora, as beautiful and smart as she is, isn't for him. Her raven-haired BFF hanging around on the sidelines, though, is a tempting candidate. So, he decides to forgo the entrée and head straight for the side dish.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

"Are you looking for an annual or a perennial?"

That sounded like a question she should know the answer to but didn't. Looking the sales girl in the eye, Rebecca North replied, "Annual?"

"Sounds like you're not certain."

How she hated being clueless. "You're right. I don't know. An annual sounds like something I should make an appointment for with my doctor."

The young girl laughed. "Well, you are sort of on the right track. You go to your doctor once a year, right? That's annually. So a plant that is an annual only comes up once."

"Once a year?"

"No. Once."

"Sounds like it should be once a year."

"That's a perennial."

"Huh?"

"It comes up and keeps coming up year after year."

"Oh." Confusing. But sounded like what she needed to get her mother for her birthday. Something that kept coming back. The gift that kept on giving. "That's what I want then."

Turning, the girl pointed to the left of the nursery. This was the first time Becca had been to Haven's Hill. She knew her mother loved the place, so she felt like she could find something here to please her. "The perennials are all back there," the girl said, "next to the trees and shrubbery."

"Which would also be perennial?"

She grimaced. "I suppose you could say that."

Maybe she should just get her mother a tree. You can plant trees in the fall, right? Glancing back to the girl, who had now disappeared, she shrugged. She'd ask questions later. Right now, perhaps the best thing she could do was act like she knew what she was doing.

She had to get a gift today. Her mother's birthday shindig was tonight.

Thing was, she had no clue where to start. Becca was a bookworm, not a gardener. Her mother had always had such a nicely landscaped lawn, with flowers everywhere, but Becca's tiny apartment afforded her space only for a houseplant or two, and she was lucky to keep those alive. She wandered the aisles of green, stopped once in a while to finger a feathery frond or bend to read the plant names on plastic tabs, only to realize that she still hadn't a clue what she was doing.

About the time she was ready to head out, having decided that perhaps yet again she'd get her mother a book she wouldn't read instead, she turned to find herself crowded up against a strong, male chest. A chest that wasn't budging.

"Help you find something?" the chest said.

Well, actually, it wasn't the chest, but the mouth attached to the face above the chest that spoke. Somehow, her hands had ended up flat on that chest and she could feel a quiet thump-thump-thump of what must have been his heartbeat against her palms. At once, her own heart echoed that thump-thump-thump, and she worried that it was beating so loudly, that the chest, er, man in front of her, would hear it.

Her gaze slowly lifted and she met twinkling, hazel eyes.

"Annual," she said. "Uh. I mean perennial."

"Maybe I can help."

"Plant."

"Excuse me?"

"Need a plant. For my mother. Birthday."

What the hell had happened to her speech?

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Dates du Jour

2009-02-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

Book three in The Matchmaking Chef series....

Speed dating? Speed eating is more like it. When Suzie sets up lunch date after lunch date for Lyssa Larkin, Legend's homegrown homecoming queen of 1992, she knows she's about bit off more than she can chew. Lyssa inspects and rejects her dates in two bites and then sends them on their way.

Suzie wonders if she really wants to date or just eat two lunches, and worries that soon Lyssa's hips won't fit on her dainty chairs. That is, until Suzie takes a risk with a man the exact opposite of what Lyssa describes as "perfect for her." A man that Lyssa knows, but doesn't know, and is falling for her hard and fast. Suzie just can't help but work some of her matchmaking magic behind the scenes....

Excerpt:

Chapter One

"Lord. I think I might just marry the first man who pops his head into Sugar High, just so I can get a divorce and get it over with."

Lyssa Larkin daubed at the sugar rim gracing her upper lip and dipped a cinnamon-powdered doughnut into her heavily-creamed coffee one last time. Sydney Schul, owner of Sydney's Sugar High Coffee Stop and Bakery, frowned and watched Lyssa dunk, dunk, dunk the thing and then lean gingerly over the coffee cup. Her long brunette pony tail slid over her shoulder while she stuffed the rest into her mouth.

Sydney handed Lyssa a napkin.

"Your chin," she said. Lyssa nodded and swiped again. "And why would you want to go and do something like that?"

Lyssa rolled her big brown eyes. "I'm an old maid, Sydney. And no one wants an old maid. Men expect that a thirty-six-year-old woman has had some experience with men. Most men assume that you've already been married and divorced by my age. Had kids even. Me? I've only had sex with two men and have never been married, no kids, and no stinking divorce!

"I'm nothing. And men just don't understand that. They wonder what is wrong with me."

"There is nothing wrong with you, Lyssa. You're beautiful, smart, and a catch."

"Tell that to the guys who look at you cross-eyed when you say you've never been married."

"That's ridiculous. Women older than you marry for the first time all the time!"

"Maybe in the big cities. But Sydney, this is Legend. Population 6,232. Small, southern, Bible-belt and all that. It's weird here."

"Hm."

"So now you get it?"

"Let me get this straight." Sydney braced herself against the counter, her palms flat on the Formica top. "You're out to get married just so you can get a divorce? How very Bible-beltish of you."

She shrugged and reached for another sugared treat.

Sydney put her palm over her hand. "That's three. Don't you think...?"

Lyssa's baby brown's narrowed and Sydney jerked her hand back. "Listen to what I am saying. I don't have sex, Sydney. I don't drink. I don't smoke pot or do drugs. I don't even drink diet soda laced with artificial sweetener, although some would say that I should. So let me have the damned doughnut, you hear me?"

Sydney nodded. She would give her that.

Poor thing.

The bell over the bakery door tinkled and she glanced away from the sugar-coated disaster. Sighing, she moved around the counter and rushed to take a box from the woman struggling with the door.

"Give me that."

Suzie Matthews blew out a breath. "Thank you!"

A breeze whipped in behind them and slapped the door flat open against the wall. "Oh!" Sydney angled the box on the counter and raced before the wind caught it again and broke the old glass window pane insets.

"A bit brisk," Suzie said, straightening her jacket about her.

Sydney firmly shut the door. "You can say that again. Thunderstorm coming, I think." Turning, she glanced toward her cousin, Suzie, and then at Lyssa, who was dabbing off another round of powdered sugar on her Dusky Pink-lined lips and staring into her empty cup.

She glanced up. "Mind if I refill my coffee, Syd?"

"Have at it."

Both Sydney and Suzie watched as Lyssa slid off the counter bar stool and waddled in her black stretch pants around the counter and toward the Bunn coffeemaker. Suzie sidled closer to Sydney and whispered. "Put on a tad bit of weight lately, huh?"

In a low voice, Sydney replied, "She's depressed. Wants a divorce."

Suzie slanted a gaze her way. "But she's not married."

"Yeah. Well, she needs to get married so she can get a divorce. It's part of her grand plan."

One corner of Suzie's mouth drew up. "What the hell?"

Lyssa shouted out from across the room. "I took the last of it, Syd. Should I make a new pot?"

"Sure thing, hon. Go for it."

They watched her twiddle with the carafe and the filter and the basket, punching buttons and watching the first drips hiss against the bottom of the glass pot.

"So, what do you think?" Sydney prodded.

"What?"

"Can you fix her up with someone? It's not like it's forever, so this one should be easy."

Suzie turned her body fully toward Sydney. "I'm not getting caught up in this. I'm exhausted after that last bout with Chris and Katie."

"But that worked out fine. Chris said yesterday morning they set a date. November, right? And Mary and Nash are already building a big cabin up in the mountains. Not to mention how you got Chelly and Matt back together. You're good, Suzie. You can do this for Lyssa."

"I know. But she's doing it for the wrong reason."

"Maybe you can turn things around for her."

Suzie shook her head. "I dunno. This will require..." She glanced again at Lyssa, who was waiting for the carafe to fill while inspecting her teeth in the wall mirror behind the counter. "Oh hell, face it Syd, Lyssa is just ... different."

"But she's a good person. Truly. Just a little high maintenance, is all."

Suzie snorted.

"C'mon, Suze. You were never one to hold back on a challenge. Besides, I'll help if you need me."

"What I really need is to get started on preparations for that party tonight."

"So say you'll give it a thought, and then we'll get busy."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Suzie forced a thin breath through her lips. "All right. I can find her a man, but she's got to stop eating. Those stretch pants remind me of bulldog pups under a picnic blanket."

Sydney snickered. "Remember, it doesn't have to be the right man, Suzie, just a man who will marry her and then divorce her. That way she'll be more respectable to the menfolk. At least, in her mind."

Lyssa turned and headed their way again, having just filled her mug. She sniffed the coffee aroma, settled back on her stool, and glanced to the edge of the counter. "What's in the box, Suzie?"

"Key lime tarts, blueberry scones, and my famous Cinna-mocha Brownie Fudge Cupcakes."

Lyssa's smile widened and her eyebrows popped up. "Oh?" She stood and leaned toward the box.

Sydney laid a gentle hand on the lid. "They are for a party we're catering this evening." She turned to Suzie. "By the way, did Chelly get to Knoxville to get that dipping chocolate? I can't make my dipped fruit without it."

Nodding, Suzie reached for the box, gathered it in her arms and started toward the back of the bakery. "Yes. She called and is on her way. I'd say she'll be here about three. In the meantime..."

She stopped. "Lyssa? What are you doing tonight? We could use another hand at the Talbert reception later. It's at the Lodge."

Lyssa stared at her. "You mean. Work? Me?"

Suzie closed her eyes.

Sydney shook her head.

"Excuse her, Lyssa." Sydney's sarcasm was thick. "Suzie totally forgot that ex-Homecoming Queens with trust funds do not work. How dare she?"

"I do too work! I have a job and you know it! I am the best damned puppy nanny in Legend!"

"You're the only puppy nanny in Legend," Suzie snapped. "And of course we know you work. I just thought maybe you'd like to pick up some extra cash and we could talk about your, um, man search."

"Man search?" Lyssa's voice rose an octave. "Sydney, you told her?"

"Well, I..."

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Hot Crossed Buns

2009-02-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

Book Two in the Matchmaking Chef series....

Wild Katie Long, she'll never settle down, will she? But Chris Marks has had his eye set on her for a long time. She just doesn't know it yet. When Chris hires Suzie to set him up with a romantic dinner for two, so he can woo Katie in style, Suzie does all she can to set the scene and the mood.

Thing is, Katie isn't about to be wooed and she's hotter than hot crossed buns when she figures out what Suzie and Chris are up to. Then Suzie turns the tables on both of them, when she switches the mood by supplying Chris with a couple of items that just might tame Katie after all: handcuffs and a leather riding crop.

Excerpt:

Prologue

Katie Long's fingers trembled even though she had a death-grip on the steering wheel. Her sight blurred, she shook her head in an attempt to clear the glaze over her eyes. Not happening. With a gasp, she gunned the engine of her Mustang GT and whipped to the side of the road, gravel arcing behind her as she narrowly avoided the ditch of this back country highway.

At least she'd gotten out of Legend before she totally lost it.

Wouldn't do to have him see her crying.

The sonofabitch.

She pressed the brake--much too hard--and jolted forward with the rapid stopping of the vehicle. At the same time, she let out ragged sob, and whacked her forehead on the steering wheel. She was tempted to bang her stupid brain against it.

Just in case repentance did come with beating one's head up against something, she gave her forehead a good hit at the thing.

"Ow. Dammit."

Then she let loose with a stream of sobs. Tears spilled over. Which was so, so unlike her. She was Katie Long! She didn't cry.

She was tough.

Wild.

Crazy.

Left the boys and made them cry.

Lifting her head, she leaned back against the headrest and at last switched off the engine. After a couple of moments of gulping back sobs and swiping at her runny nose and dripping eyes, she got enough courage to look at herself in the rearview mirror.

"Oh, good Lord in heaven." Her face was splotched, shiny, and smudged in all the wrong places. Was that snot stringing back toward her ear? Gross.

"Damn you, Chris Marks," she whispered while rummaging for a napkin or used tissue or something in the glove box to wipe the mucous out of her hair. "That'll teach you to ask me to marry you."

But after she found a tissue, and looked back into the mirror again, her head shook in disbelief and confusion.

He asked her to marry him.

Got down on one knee.

Even had a ring.

Goddamn him!

Didn't he know what everyone else in Legend knew? That wild Katie Long would never settle down? That she didn't want the picket fence and two-point-five kids and the dog and mini-van?

"Damn you, Chris Marks," she sputtered again while dabbing at her face, "for going and doing the right thing." She sniffed and stared at the reflection of her eyes. "When all I have ever been about was doing the wrong thing."

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Perfectly Matched

2009-02-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

Book one in the Matchmaking Chefs series...

Suzie Matthews is busy working on her new cookbook, Perfectly Matched, when she asks the local "wallflower" to help her with her project in an attempt to bring the young woman out of her shell. Mary Lou Pickett's dreams of falling in love with country music star, Nash Rhodes, but knows she'd settle for Thurman Phillips down the street if she had to. But she doesn't want to. Not really. When Nash comes to Legend for a music benefit and stays at the lodge, Suzie wonders if she can perfectly match this miss-matched couple.

Excerpt:

Prologue
Thursday

The sushi looked good.

Surprised, Suzie Matthews glanced up at the smiling Japanese girl behind the glass counter who was rolling rice and spicy tuna and seaweed.

"Who would of thought," she whispered to herself, "that the Legend, Tennessee Piggly Wiggly would ever hire a sushi chef?"

She smiled back at the girl who said, "See what you want? I make more."

Shaking her head, Suzie returned, "Oh no. You've got quite a selection here." She reminded herself to tell her husband, Brad, about her new discovery. With the two of them being chefs, they were always interested in the new food offerings in their small town of Legend. Somehow she couldn't imagine sushi on the menu at Lake Lodge, Brad's business. Nor could she imagine it at her bed and breakfast. Sushi on the menu in this Tennessee mountain town seemed, well, ridiculously out of place.

Still, she picked up a pretty salmon roll.

"So what do you think of my little sushi girl?" The deep voice came from behind her.

Suzie turned to face Ralph Myers, the owner of the Piggly Wiggly. Rumor had it that he left the franchise and had gone independent. Recently, he'd been trying a lot of new twists to get Legendarians to buy their groceries local rather than driving the hour or so to Knoxville.
Hence, the sushi attempt.

Glancing at the raw seafood in her hand, she said, "The sushi looks great, Ralph. But whatever possessed you...?"

He cut her off with a wave of both hands and leaned her way. "She's a gem. I stole her from a restaurant in Memphis. Just the thing Legend needs." Then he stepped back and crossed both arms across his chest while nodding. "We're uptown now."

How can you doubt a man who is so pleased with himself? Suzie smiled and put the salmon roll in her cart. "I hope it works out for you, Ralph." She glanced toward the meat counter. "Now, tell me about your beef sale. I need a couple of nice rib-eyes."

He led her to the counter and proceeded to tell Bart Shackler behind it to get her a couple of extra-thick cuts, the best he had.

"Now, Ralph," she batted her eyes, "y'all don't have to give me special treatment..."

He bowed and swept a hand in front him. "Ma'am, yes I do. If I keep you buying from me, Ms. Famous Cookbook Author, I can claim you as my own customer. See?"

He pointed behind the meat case and Suzie cast her gaze on the wall there. "Well, knock me over with a noodle. Ralph, what in the world is that!"

A huge poster graced the wall. On it was a picture of her--the same photograph on her just-released cookbook, The Best of Legend's Landing Bed and Breakfast--with a tag line that read, "Legend's Own Celebrity Chef, Suzie Matthews, shops at Myers' Piggly Wiggly!"

"Oh my! Ralph, you shouldn't have done that!" She was embarrassed, to say the least, but not one bit surprised that Ralph would try to capitalize on her celebrity. Still, she was home-grown Legend, and if he wanted to gain from her growing popularity, then that was fine with her.

Ralph leaned and winked. "Hope you don't mind, Suzie. I'll give you ten percent off your order if you let me keep it up. I'd like to put an ad in the paper, too."

Now that made her a mite uncomfortable. She smiled sweetly. "Ralph Myers, I've shopped at The Pig all my life and I have no intention of shopping anywhere else. I'm honored to have my poster up in your store and you can keep your ten percent, because," she reached out and grasped his hand and leaned forward herself, "that's the way we do things here in Legend."

He covered her hand with his and nodded in gratitude, she suspected. Then he left her and headed toward the front of the store, tossing a hand up at another customer coming down the aisle.

Sighing, Suzie looked back at the poster. "Oh boy," she said under her breath. "Brad will get a kick out of this."

Movement to her right caught her attention as someone else stepped up to the meat counter. She looked and saw Mary Lou Picketts staring at the wall, too. Oh dear, what will the rest of Legend think of this? Again, she was a tad embarrassed.

She followed Mary Lou's gape, however, and realized that she wasn't exactly looking at the Suzie poster, but yet, something else had caught the young woman's eye.

A different kind of sigh exited Mary Lou's lips and Suzie watched as she gazed up at a man pictured on another poster--tall, lean, dark and gritty, with a guitar slung over his shoulder--and then studied her face as Mary Lou took in the full-color and full-body likeness of Nash Rhodes, Nashville's newest and up-and-coming country crooner.

Adoration. That was the look on Mary Lou's face.

No, that wasn't it.

Adolescent crush-like?

No. Mary Lou had to be close to thirty and was way past the adolescent crush phase of life. The look was something else. Like staring at something just out of reach. Perhaps lost and given up on.

Longing?

Love?

Suzie shook her head. Of course not. No one falls in love with a celebrity icon. Oh, they may think they are in love, but how could they truly be? You cannot fall in love with someone by reading their fanzines, watching them on CMT, scouring the Internet for tidbits of information, and going to their concerts.

Mary Lou heaved another sigh. Suzie watched her chest rise, her breasts lift, and then fall in a half-defeated motion. She felt a little sorry for her and wasn't sure why.

She leaned Mary Lou's way. "Hard to believe he's going to be in Legend this weekend, isn't it?" The poster was advertising the benefit concert to raise money for the children's wing of the hospital. Nash was the star attraction.

The young woman swung her way and jumped back. "Oh! Suzie. I didn't realize you were there!"
Smiling, she reached out to grasp her elbow. "No problem, honey. Thought I'd say hello. Came in to pick up some meat."

Mary Lou rotated her gaze back toward the poster. "Yeah. Meat. A hunk of it."

"Mary Lou!" Suzie chuckled.

Mary Lou's hands fluttered to her neck. "Oh! Did I say that out loud?"

"Sure enough did, sweetie." Suzie stepped up beside her and they stood and ogled the poster together. "I do have to agree that that man is definitely one prime choice of--"

"Beefsteak?"

The women rolled their gazes toward the meat case and Bart who was holding out Suzie's rib-eyes.

"Ahem. Yes. Thanks, Bart."

"No problem, dear." A sly grin broke his lips and he left.

Suzie grabbed her steaks and Mary Lou waved as she headed in a brisk walk toward the produce aisle. Embarrassed, Suzie guessed.

A few years younger than herself, Mary Lou had always been one of the smartest girls in her class, but sad to say, had not dated that much. Suzie remembered a couple of boyfriends, but nothing significant--according to the Legend rumor mill--except that brief buzz recently that she had finally settled for Thurman Phillips who lived down the street. Suzie hoped not. She could barely picture the two of them together. Other than that, there was nothing to indicate a relationship of any significance. Too bad, she was an attractive young woman in a plain sort of way.

Still watching, Suzie took stock. Her clothes were rather baggy, but underneath, her frame was small with rounded hips moving beneath the jogging pants. Mary Lou turned and Suzie caught site of a rounded contour in the chest area.

Mary Lou Picketts was hiding a rack under those old clothes!

Moving to her face, devoid of make-up, Suzie took stock of a smooth, peaches and cream complexion hiding behind a mousy brown ponytail caught high on her head, which hung down to frame part of her face.

An interesting notion was growing in Suzie's heart and gut. She glanced once more at the poster of Nash Rhodes, and then back to Mary Lou. Nash was doing that big benefit concert at the Lodge this weekend, and her husband Brad was hosting the thing...

Did she dare?

Yes. Consider it a gift to humanity. Besides, she had managed to incidentally hook her sister Chelly and her old boyfriend Matt Branson back up together, hadn't she? And that was a rematch made in Heaven. Maybe she could work a little match-making magic on Mary Lou.

Lord knows, the girl could stand a break.

Determined, she tossed the steaks in the cart, gripped the handle, and ventured forth. "Mary Lou?

Wait!"

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Romancing the Scone

2000-04-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

Romancing the Scone
by Maddie James

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High tea or sweet tea? As long as there are scones, it doesn't matter. In fact Sydney Schul, owner of Sydney's Sugar High Coffee Stop and Bakery in Legend, Tennessee, makes the best damned scones east of the Mississippi and south of the Mason Dixon, and there was an article written about her in Southern's Best magazine to prove it.

All is well, and life in Legend is good until a mysterious male stranger comes to town stalking her scones.

Stone Kellerman, owner of Stone's Scones in Atlanta, has held the title of Best Scones of the South for five years now--that is, until little Sydney Schul comes into the picture and Southern's Best magazine awards her the coveted title. So he can't help himself when he travels north to Tennessee to check out her scones. Thing is, he never intended to be a stalker of scones, or her scone recipe, until he got one bite of the heavenly confection...

And one look at Sydney.

Excerpt:

"There he is again."

Sydney Schul jerked her head up, bonking her forehead on the top of the display case where she'd just placed a fresh tray of scones. "What? Ouch! Where?"

She rubbed her head and looked to where her cousin, Suzie Matthews, pointed. "Over there. On the bench across the street in front of the library. Your stalker."

Sydney squinted, wiped her hands on her apron, and took a couple of steps toward the big picture window of her bakery. "Oh, Suzie, are you sure?"

"Dead positive. I remember his jacket."

"Well, shoot." Dammit.

Puzzled, Sydney blew a strand of hair out of her face and eyed the guy. "I thought maybe he was gone. I really didn't believe he was stalking me anyway. I mean, Chelly gets riled up about stuff like that, but you are always so levelheaded, Suzie, which has me a bit worried. And you know me; I don't pay a bit of attention to anything other than what's happening straightaway in front of me. So, what do we do now?"

Suzie picked up her cell. "Time to call in the local forces."

Grasping her wrist, she said, "I don't think that is necessary."

A brow arched above Suzie's right eye. "Syd, listen to me. Let me give Matt a call. He can advise."

"Suzie, Matt is about as effective as Barnie Fife. I mean, I love him, seeing that he's Chelly's husband and your brother-in-law and my cousin-by-marriage and all, but nothing big ever happens here in Legend, and I'm suspecting nothing big is going to happen with this guy. Let Matt be. We don't need to involve any of Legend's finest."

She tried like hell not to look out the window again. "Besides, I don't have a stalker."

Glancing across the street, Suzie said, "Need I remind you that the guy followed you all around the Piggly Wiggly on Saturday?"

Well, that was true. He had a cart with only a few items in it, but he had watched her like a hawk. She also noticed he had a little notebook with him, and he frequently jotted down things while he stood a fair distance behind her. It wasn't the first time she'd noticed him lingering about, either, but that didn't mean he was a stalker. "He was shopping. Just like me. You know how I have to go through the entire store one aisle at a time. Likely that's the way he shops, too. I don't think that's anything to be concerned about."

The notebook thing bothered her a little, however.

"What about the Thursday before at the pancake breakfast you catered for the American Legion? He was there, too."

"He was eating!"

"Well, maybe so! But who is he? And why is he always staring at you!"

Sighing, Sydney moved closer to the door and stared at the gentleman across the street. It was early spring, and he wore a light blue fleece jacket, jeans, a nice pair of Nikes, and a black ball cap pulled low over his forehead. Nothing weird about that. In fact, he looked rather normal.

"I don't think stalkers sit out in the open, in the middle of the day, watching their prey from a few feet away."

"Hmpht."

"I don't think they wear Nikes, either."

"Unless they need a fast getaway."

Sydney turned. "Oh, Suzie, stop it! The guy is not a stalker! I mean, why would he stalk me? I am a nobody. I'm not famous like you. You're the big television star and cookbook author. I'm a lowly baker and coffee shop owner in a very nondescript little southern town where nothing, and I repeat nothing, ever happens."

She looked her cousin square in the eyes. Suzie's suddenly shot open wider.

"He's standing up."

Sydney jerked her gaze back to the street. Her gut tightened, but she refused to acknowledge it. Well, sort of. "So what?"

The man looked right, left, and then stepped off the curb.

"Shit." Suzie flipped her cell open again.

"Stop that," Sydney told her. "You are not calling Matt."

"He's coming. Look! He's staring straight at the store front door."

"Great! I'll sell him some coffee and Danish. Now move it, and put that phone away." She hustled back toward the counter, unsure why her tummy was twittering like a house afire. Stalker my ass, she thought. The guy is probably just new in town and trying to get a lay of the land.

"He's on the sidewalk!"

Staring at her, Sydney said, "Quit! Go in the back if you are going to have a conniption right here in the bakery. I don't need that."

Sydney rounded the display case and pretended to straighten things on the counter. His shadow crossed the door.

"Oh, God. Oh, God!"

"Suzie, shut up!"

This was all rather unnerving. Suzie never acted like this or got spooked by things. What in the world...?

The bell on the door jiggled.

Glancing up about the time the door closed and the man stepped fully into the bakery, Sydney plastered her best Southern Belle smile on her face and said, "Good morning, sir! Welcome to Sydney's Sugar High Coffee Stop and Bakery. What can I get you this morning?"

Behind the display case, she waved Suzie off, who was pressed to her back like a cat in heat.

The man didn't say a word but took a leisurely pace moving forward, then let his gaze fall to the baked goods in the display case. "A cup of black coffee to start," he said finally, shifting back and forth while looking over the goodies in the case.

"One cup of black coffee coming up!" She turned to stare at Suzie who was blocking her way. Keeping eye contact, she gripped both her arms and maneuvered her to the left so she could get to the Bunn coffeemaker. "Suzie, do I smell something burning in the back?"

A look of horror crossed her cousin's face. "Muffins!"

"Go check please?"

She was off, and Sydney sighed, "Thank, God."

Turning, she placed a thick mug of coffee on the counter. The man still stood at the case, scrutinizing her scones.

"Those...orange?" He pointed.

"Yes. Just baked and frosted. A local favorite. Shall I get you one?"

"What's the icing?" The ball cap lifted a bit, and she caught his gaze. Barely.

"It's a butter cream, sort of. With a hint of Curacao and a little something else for tartness."

"A little something else," he mumbled.

"Shall I get you one?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"For here or to go?"

He glanced up and about the place, then finally responded, "Here."

Crap. She halfway hoped it was to go, honestly. Suzie was so unpredictable.

Peering through the case, he watched her every move as, with gloved hands, she reached inside, covered one of the nicest scone specimens on the tray, and moved it to a small dessert plate. She always used real dishware in her bakery when people were staying to eat. It was homier that way, and she really wanted people to feel at home here.

So they would come back, of course.

Did she want this guy to come back?

Quit letting Suzie get to you. He's harmless.

She handed him the plate. "Three dollars and fifty cents."

His head jerked up. "That's all?"

"Yes, sir. One dollar for the coffee, two-fifty for the scone. Tax included."

He mumbled something unintelligible, pulled some bills out of his wallet, and dug two quarters out of his jeans pocket. He scooped up his pastry and coffee and sauntered off toward a table in the corner.

"Great," Suzie whispered from behind her. "Now your stalker has set up shop in your bakery. I'm calling Matt."

Sydney faced her. "Oh hell, just go on and do it. Geez!" If there was anything Sydney knew better than the back of her hand, it was her cousins, Suzie and Chelly, and how they were. Once Suzie had something in her head, there was no getting her to back off. "Have at it, cuz."

Suzie scurried off to the back. Sydney wiped down the counter and ordered herself not to look at the man in the corner. But she did peek, once.

Stone Kellerman stared at the scone in front of him, glanced briefly up at the woman behind the counter--was she the Sydney of Sydney's Sugar High Coffee Stop and Bakery? He'd have to peruse her later--then back to the object of his affection on the plate.

Damn. Real plates. Why hadn't he thought of that? Added to the charm.

Yes, the town was full of charm. Something else he didn't have a lot of in downtown Atlanta. He had urban. She had charm.

But he wouldn't think of that at this moment. He had a scone to consider.

And there it was, the thing he sought, the reason he was here, the possible cause of his demise or perhaps, the reason for his rise to glory.

The Double Orange Scone of Sinful Decadent Desire. Aptly named. Almost like sex on a plate. At least in his world.

But Curacao? In a scone? How absurd.

Yet, it might work. Might.

Lifting his fork, he poked at the end of the baked confection devoid of glaze. A few crumbs flaked off. Moist, flaky crumbs. He frowned.

People loved that about scones. A delicate mixture between dry and moist, flaky and crumbly. Had she achieved it?

So they said. Now, he was observing, witnessing, experiencing one for his very self.

His chest grew tight. The proof would be in the tasting. Still, he was concerned about that butter cream and Curacao combination.

His fork bit into the scone and cut off a piece. He lifted the morsel to his lips, sniffed first--ah, a nice aroma--and deposited the bite on his tongue. His lips clamped over the fork and raked all of the crumbs and glaze away and into his mouth before departing.

Melting. In his mouth.

Eyes closed, he savored the first taste. Moist, yes, with an earthy bite. Sweet orange flavor ran through the biscuit-y chunk. And... there was a hint of something else. Nutmeg? Maybe. Allspice? No. No. Nutmeg. Yes. Orange and nutmeg...wait. Maybe a touch of...

Nut.

Not nutmeg. Maybe both.

He took another bite, rolling the scone over his tongue. Yes, a nutty flavor. But what exactly was it?

He wasn't sure.

He might have to buy another one to take with him back to the Lodge so he could continue his flavor deconstruction in private.

Closing his eyes, he tried to concentrate on the subtle nut flavor.

Not your everyday nut, he was sure. If he could only get a handle on it...

Now wouldn't that be just it? An ingredient so obscure one could not distinguish it from the rest. Just like her to come up with something like that. Hm. Well, it was just like him to do the same.

He swallowed then returned his attention to the scone. With one fork tine, he dipped into a puddle of glaze on the plate. He touched the tine with sugary icing to the tip of his tongue, rolled it around on there for a moment to hit all the right spots of his palate, and then swallowed.

Eyes closed again, he savored the flavors...floral, orange blossoms? The liquor? Double... Double orange. What were the two orange flavor combos? Wait...what did she say, something with a hint of tart?

Yes. Tart. There it was. Strangely complimented by the butter cream....

Damn!

Not just sex on a plate. Bad, twisted, kinky and oh-so-very satisfying sex on exquisite bone china.

"More coffee?"

Startled, he glanced at his cup. Hadn't touched it yet. Was totally and thoroughly absorbed in the scone. Still chewing, he lifted his gaze to the woman holding the coffee carafe. "I actually haven't taken a drink yet. Come back in a little while?"

Her eyes were a deep shade of blue, and for a moment, he was totally distracted by them and had forgotten the scone. Well, almost.

"No problem. I'll check back. Am interested to know how you like it."

"The scone?" Shit, was she onto him?

"Well, that, too. But also the coffee. It's a new blend. From Hawaii. Has a tinge of macadamia nut in it."

Again, he glanced at his cup. A tingling ran up his spine. "Sure thing. I'll try it." He picked up the cup, lifted his eyes again, and caught her smile as she turned away.

A twitter of excitement rolled up in him as she sashayed toward the coffeemaker and replaced the pot. If he hadn't been so absorbed in the coffee and scone, he wouldn't have minded staring at her a little longer.

But not at this moment. Right now he was about to jump out of his skin.

He took a sip of the brew. Then another bite of the scone. Another sip of coffee. Relished in the blending of flavors.

The woman is brilliant.

A perfect blend, scone and coffee, so subtle the married ingredients that the average, ordinary person would not know whether it was the individual thing--scone or the coffee--that was so wonderful, when in fact, it was the combination of the two, that made them so perfect.

Yes, brilliant.

And not too smart. Because unknowingly, she had just given him her secret. Macadamia nut flour. Oh, he'd have to figure out the measurements, baking being such an exact science and all, but that was it all right. And he'd bet his bottom dollar it was Grand Marnier, not Curacao, in the glaze.

Satisfied, he tipped the coffee back up to his lips, nodded her way, caught her gaze, and gave her a thumbs up.

Her innocent smile back spoiled his excitement. But only for a second.

It warmed her heart to see a person enjoying himself so much.

Sighing, Sydney stepped away from the counter and pulled her gaze away from Mystery Man--she much preferred that handle than stalker--who was still hanging out in the corner. The bakery was slow this morning, only a handful of customers, so she was actually glad to have someone here. He'd ordered another scone, the same kind, and was on this third cup of coffee.

She didn't think a thing about it; Suzie, on the other hand, was rattled.

"He should be gone by now," she whispered into her ear, while Sydney was cleaning off a table in the opposite corner.

"Suzie, get a grip. He's harmless!"

They both filtered in and out, from the kitchen in the back to the front of the store. They were using her place, rather than Suzie's kitchen at her B&B, to bake about a dozen trays of goodies for a writer's retreat hosted at the Lodge. Of course, the kitchens at the Lodge were top-notch, seeing that Suzie's husband was executive chef and owner, but Suzie preferred baking with Sydney at her place when they joined on these catering adventures. Besides, the Lodge was set up for all kinds of cooking; Sydney's place was designed exclusively for baking.

"I love it here," Suzie told her, leaning in to her right, pushing at some dough on the butcher-block counter.

"It is nice, isn't it?"

"You've worked hard to get it exactly the way you want."

Nodding, she smiled, glancing about. "I know. And patience is not always my virtue, but I was willing to wait to get exactly what I wanted." She pulled a rack of biscotti out of the oven.

"Well, you're doing so well. And that award!"

Sydney's heart fluttered at the mention. Her toes hadn't hit the ground for days after she'd been notified. At the thought, her chest swelled with twitterings. She was about to launch into an excited response, when the bells on the door tumbled again signaling either that someone had left, or come in.

Suzie was up to her elbows in flour, kneading that yeast dough for the cinnamon rolls.

"I'll check," Sydney told her.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she peeked into the store and saw no one. Then, moving further in, she glanced around the corner to where Mystery Man had been sitting, wondering if he had left.

Something icky landed in the pit of her stomach.

Mystery Man, indeed, was still there. And so was Chelly's husband, Matt, Legend's own Barney Fife--and she meant that in a good way--standing over him as he sat at his table.

And she wouldn't have been so alarmed, had Mystery Man not abruptly stood, and shouted.

2000-04-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

Better Than Chocolate
by Maddie James

Fictionwise . Amazon Kindle . All Romance eBooks

When Scott Matthews escapes to Legend to visit his brother, Brad and family, he has only one request-he doesn't want to see, hear, smell, or taste chocolate. Nor does he want to talk about the chocolate business, or about getting fired from his job as chocolate taster for world-renowned Bianchi Chocolates. Or the scandal in Italy, or his former boss-slash-girlfriend, or the tabloid article.... What he needs is a palate-cleanse, women and chocolate being on the top of the list.

What Jillian Bass needs is to make it in Legend. This Manhattan transplant knows nothing about small town living other than she wants to make it big here real bad. Forget New York, she's trying to set up her small chocolate shop and impress the locals-especially the foodie duo of Sydney Kellerman and Suzie Matthews. Of course, she doesn't tell them that she really owns Jeaneva Chocolates, or that her father is a big publishing mogul, or that she's lied about how she makes her chocolates.... But all is fine until the day she smacks straight into Scott. Who at first, refuses to eat her chocolate, but after one whiff of her exquisite Belgian truffle, forgets his vow and takes a bite. Then against his better judgment, he takes another....

Blurb:

Jillian Bass had a lot of good things going for her. She'd sailed through her liberal arts degree at Vassar in three years, rather than four. She'd landed a to-die-for internship right after college at Thurston House Publishing, working under the senior editor who handled the notorious crime author, Stephen Crown. And thanks to her grandmother's foresight, Jillian had acquired a nice trust fund when she had passed on.

Money wasn't an issue for Jillian Bass.

She missed her grandmother, and their talks, tremendously; however, she said a prayer of thanks each and every day for having had her in her life for all of her twenty-three years.

Much to her father's chagrin.

Because you see, there were some not so good things in Jillian Bass's life too.

She'd quit the internship a few weeks after her grandmother had died, left New York City in her wake, and pretty much had told her father to stuff his influence and his money where the sun don't shine.

She was tired of working with words. Tired of diva authors, incompetent copyeditors, and liquid lunches. Truly she was tired of all of it. It had only taken her a little over one year to realize that her heart wasn't in the publishing world.

Her father's world.

Oh yes, her father owned Bass Publishing Conglomerates, the country's premier publisher of mass market genre fiction, true story magazines, and a couple of tabloids to boot. Since she was the sole heir to his kingdom, he'd planned on her taking over the business someday.

Not.

And if all that weren't enough, she also broke her engagement. Rand Hart had been hand-picked for her by her father. Not that it was an arranged marriage, or anything like that; she did really and truly like/love Rand. But he was just like her father. In fact he was her father's right hand man in his company, and so, well, while she was cleaning house, she just decided to make a clean sweep. Rand was upset, couldn't understand at all why she would want to run off to the hillbillies of Tennessee, and when he had actually made that statement to her, she knew she was making the right choice.

It was time to cut all the apron strings.

So when Grandma Jean passed on and left her a quite healthy sum of money--enough to live on for years if her business idea fell through--she decided to go after her dream. A dream that only Grandma Jean knew about. Life out of the rat race, small town, and owning her own little business.

Oh, and chocolate. She loved chocolate. And somehow, chocolate would fit into this equation. Somehow.

You see, because Grandma Jean was the Jeaneva of Jeaneva Chocolates. World renowned Jeaneva Chocolates.

And with her passing, Grandma Jean had left Jillian with all of her secret recipes and the full rights to use them and the Jeaneva Chocolates name in whatever manner she wished. She'd also left her the company, although Jillian had never told her father that. She didn't plan to tell anyone that; she wanted to make it on her own merit. It was the one thing she had convinced her mother to go along with, since her mother had always kowtowed to her husband since their marriage. But this? Well, she wanted Jillian to be happy, and she knew she wasn't, so she'd caved and given in to her daughter's request.

After all, had her mother taken her own mother's, Jeaneva's, advice all those years ago, she would never have married the man anyway.

It all was kept on the hush. Her father thought that her mother had inherited the business.

Jillian kept the management with the man who had run the company with her grandmother for years. She trusted Robert Knowles, to the nth degree, and saw no reason to make changes. He kept her informed, they made some decisions together from time to time, and she could go off on her small town adventure and live her life.

Which is how and why she landed in Legend, Tennessee with a small establishment called Bittersweets. Sweet, because of the chocolate, and bitter, because she wouldn't have had this at all had her grandmother not died and left her the money. Bittersweet.

It was a nice play on words, and her Grandma Jean would have enjoyed it. Probably already had.

The bell over her door chimed, and Jillian looked up from her books. It was barely half-past eight in the morning, but the first coffee rush had already come and gone. She'd taken advantage of the lull to glance over the numbers from yesterday, her opening day. She expected that her next rush would be after lunch, for some sort of chocolate confection dessert or drink. At least that was the way it had happened yesterday.

But all of that was forgotten when the two women walking into her shop gave her pause for concern.

Jillian sucked in a breath. So, there they were. She'd been waiting for them.

Hard Candy Kisses

2000-04-22T17:29:00.000-07:00

Hard Candy Kisses
by Maddie James

Amazon Kindle . Fictionwise . All Romance eBooks

New Year’s Eve sits just around the corner and Legend Elementary teacher, Patti Jo Baker, has tried every trick in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The Lodge. In final desperation, she takes her best friend Kate’s advice and gives Suzie Matthews, Legend’s own matchmaking chef, a call. Suzie tells her right away she can solve her dilemma—but only if she’s serious about finding a husband, because Suzie has a reputation to uphold, don’t you know.

Jim Hamilton, Legend Elementary School’s principal, doesn’t know what’s gotten into him of late—he can’t get Patti Jo Baker off his mind. Smart and quirky were two words he’d always used to describe Patti, but lately the word irresistible was edging out the other two. Too bad he’s married to his job, and too bad he doesn’t date his teachers.

Too bad he’s not jealous, either, or at least that’s what he thinks. Because when Patti sets up a kissing booth at the Legend Elementary Winter Carnival, he promptly and decisively shuts it down. If Patty Jo Baker is passing out kisses, he wants to be both first, and last, in line—and he definitely doesn’t want to sample them in front of the student body.

Excerpt:

“I need a man.”

Patti Jo Baker watched her best friend, Kate, turn her way and roll her eyes. “Patti,” she began, shifting her teacher’s bag full of papers on her shoulder, “You’ve been saying that for years. If you need a man so darned bad, why don’t you go out and get you one?”

Feeling a little defensive, Patti shot up off her teacher desk chair and, hands on hips, glared at Kate. “It’s not like I haven’t been trying!”

Kate waved her off. “Oh, pooh. Get serious. What have you really been doing besides draping yourself in tinsel and hanging out at Hooters in Pigeon Forge? I tell you, Patti, the men at Hooters are not there to find a date. At least not one to take home to Mama.”

“I know; they go for the wings.”

“And the breasts.” She grasped her arm. “Face it. They are just there to ogle. That’s not where you find a man.”

“So where do I find one then? You tell me. Because I’ve tried every online.com matchmaking service there is, and I’ve done them for years. You know, matched.com, singlemingle.com, marryarichguy.com, cuddleup.com and even that ebliss.com which costs big money. I splurged. And guess what? They hooked me up with a little Republican Jewish guy with small hands. I clearly stated that I was liberal and Baptist. What were they thinking? Besides, those places don’t work, and the same guys are on all of them, and they’ve been there for years.”

“Small hands? What does that have to do with anything?”

“I like a man who can handle me.”

“Patti!”

“I mean, shoot. Small hands are dainty. Who the hell wants a man with small hands or, for that matter, feet? I can’t believe they matched me with that guy. My perfect-for-you match. Geez.”

Kate arched a brow. “That should tell you something.”

“What do you mean?”

“Those things don’t work.”

“But have you seen the commercials? And the testimonials?”

“How many years have you been on all of those sites?”

She shrugged. “I dunno. Five? Six?”

“I rest my case.”

Patti thought about that for a moment, glancing off over her empty classroom. How else was one supposed to meet a man in Legend, Tennessee? She knew every single man in town and there were no prospects here. None. She was forced to go out of her boundaries. She needed a man bigger than what Legend could offer—larger than life, worldly—one that would worship the ground she walked on and love her quirkiness unconditionally. But how far would she go? She’d heard of a woman once who found a husband by placing an ad in the magazine Mother Earth. Maybe she should try something like that. Not Mother Earth, perhaps, but maybe something like A Man’s Cave or Alaskan Wilderness.

But not now. It was the end of the day, and she was tired. The classroom Christmas party was over, and the kids just left for their winter break. She had a mess to clean up in here, but she wasn’t in the mood.

Sighing, she looked back to Kate. “I guess I would settle for a date for New Year’s Eve.”

“Hire Suzie.”

“Who?”

“Suzie Matthews. You know, The Matchmaking Chef.”

Suzie. Of course, she knew Suzie. Everyone in Legend knows Suzie Matthews, hostess with the mostess, cookbook author, owner of Legend’s Landing Bed & Breakfast…her own television show to boot. “She’s not a real matchmaker.”

Kate shrugged. “I think she is. I’ve heard stories.”

Patti thought about that. “But I thought it was just a television show.”

“Don’t think so,” Kate drew closer and sat her bag on the desk. “Sometimes I think she’s subtly behind the scenes working, and other times I’ve heard she’s gone to great lengths to get people together.”

“Like who?”

“Well, Nash Rhodes and Mary Lou Picketts, for one.”

Patti gasped. Mary Lou! “I wondered how Legend’s Plain Jane had landed that big hunky country singing sensation!”

Kate nodded. “Yep. I heard that one was pretty intentional, planned right down to the proposal. And you know about Lyssa Larkin, right?”

Patti scowled. “Lyssa, too! Why, she was practically an old maid.”

“Practically as old as you.”

Playfully sneering, Patti said, “Watch it, sister.” Leaning her backside against the desk, she added, “She married that new guy in town, didn’t she? The one with the dogs?”

“Yep.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

“I guess Suzie set up a speed dating lunch thing for her at the B&B.”

Patti’s brain spun with possibilities. “Seriously. I wonder how much she charges?”

Shrugging, Kate went on, “There are more I’ve heard of, like her cousin Sydney, and her sister Chelly, and the librarian, Katie Long, and I think she even did some work for someone in New York, someone she works with up there.”

Patti sat back down behind her desk. Perhaps she needed to take another tack and quit the online match sites. Perhaps, she should try out this thing with Suzie, just to make sure she is covering all of her bases…

“Well, I’ve got to get home. Michaela is waiting for me at the sitter, Danny is likely home from basketball practice already and hungry, and Mike and I have a get-together tonight at his office. Should be a rowdy evening with all those ATF agents. I need to get ready.”

ATF?

Sigh….

Patti knew Mike had cute friends. And men in law enforcement turned her on a bit. Hm. “Need a third wheel?”

Kate smiled and patted her friend’s hand. “Nope. Believe me, you don’t want to get tangled up with anyone in that crew. The testosterone and Alpha male attitudes will be hitting it hard tonight, I’m sure. They just solved a huge case, and Mike’s entire team is ecstatic.”

“But that sounds pretty fun.”

“Believe me, you’re better off doing…” She paused and looked into Patti’s eyes. “What are you doing tonight?”

She didn’t want to say ‘nothing.’ It was Friday night, the last day of school for almost three weeks. Everyone in Legend likely had some sort of Christmas plans, but not her. Not much of anything, anyway. “I’ve got a ton of work to do before the Winter Carnival on Wednesday, Kate. I’m too busy to go anyway.”

She registered the look on her friend’s face immediately and knew that Kate wished she hadn’t made that last statement

“Hey, shoosh!” She waved her away and moved toward the classroom door. Kate backed up. “You’ve got things to do, and I’ve got to clean up this classroom. Be gone with you!”

“Patti, are you okay?” Kate’s worried look was getting to her.

“Fine! Skedaddle. Get a move on. You have a hunky ATF hubby waiting. Now, vamoose.”

After a held gaze, Kate nodded and turned toward the open door. “I’ll talk to you on Monday. And I’ll be back here Monday night and all day Tuesday to get the carnival booths set up.”

“Excellent.”

“See you then.”

“Sounds good.”

And Kate left. Patti stared after the door for a moment, the silent classroom echoing the thoughts rolling around in her head. She wanted a husband, and a child to pick up from day care, too. Just like Kate. Of course, Kate hadn’t had it easy. She and Mike had had their own difficulties getting together, but in the end, it had worked out for them.

Could it work out for her, too?

She just wasn’t sure it was in the grand plan for that to happen.

5 Heart Sweetheart Review at TRS!
"Ms. Maddie James has, once again, carried her readers through the area of Legend, Tennessee, and made us want to read non-stop. This quick-paced book is another in the series of this small town I have, personally, grown to love. James has a unique ability of telling the new story while revisiting old friends from previous books. It’s almost like a family reunion—we meet the new folks in the group while reacquainting ourselves with the others."
Her characters are dynamic, vibrant people that become great friends as you read through the series. She has the capability of weaving her subordinate characters along with each of the others which tells an incredible story. She is a great author and this book is one of the best. I highly recommend it." - Brenda Talley

Home for the Holidays

2000-04-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

Home for the Holidays
by Maddie James

Amazon Kindle . Fictionwise

The last thing Chelly Schul wants is to go home for the holidays. She left her hometown of Legend, Tennessee on a wing and a prayer two years earlier and hasn't returned. Her leaving humiliated her entire family, particularly her sister Suzie, since she ran off with Suzie's (almost-ex) husband.

Legend Police Officer Matt Branson values being alone. Even during the holidays, he enjoys the solitude. Dubbed the town hermit, he tells himself he prefers his "cave" to socializing. His friends say he still pines after that lost love--although he begs to differ. All that changes the snowy day he pulls over the older model sedan heading into Legend. His gut slams against his backbone as Chelly rolls down the car window and looks up into his eyes. His high-school sweetheart is back in town--the woman who sent him into his cave in the first place.

Excerpt:

"Shit. I'm going home."

Chelly Schul slammed the trunk lid down on her old Dodge Stratus, and grimaced as the gas cap flew off and tumbled over the asphalt. Darn thing. The little door was sprung, and the cap never worked right after her tank got siphoned. That incident happened the first night she moved into her new apartment in Dalton Springs. Which occurred three months after the bank said they were taking her house. Which took place six months after her husband Cliff was killed in a traffic accident.

Nine months. Long enough to have a baby.

No, thank you very much.

One of hers was screaming from the backseat, already.

"Be there in a minute, sweet pea."

She glanced back at the apartment and frowned. She'd had high hopes she could make it. But no. Didn't seem to matter how far she tried to stretch the dollars; there wasn't enough. Her gaze lifted to the sky behind the complex. It was overcast and gray, tinged with a pink early morning sunrise. A winter sky. The weatherman promised a white Christmas and the air smelled like snow.

The mountains rose in the distance, strong, sturdy and secure.

"Legend is over there," she whispered. "Home ... is over there."

Strong, sturdy and secure. She supposed she needed that.

Only forty-some miles separated Dalton Springs from Legend, Tennessee. However, a chasm of hurt and past indiscretions stood solidly in the way.

She swallowed hard, then swiped a tear from an eye with a gloved finger. Soon she'd have to swallow a whole lot more than spit. Pride. Yes, that was it. It had been years since she'd gone home. The last thing her sister Suzie expected to see this Christmas was her little sister Chelly on her doorstep, homeless and penniless, and dragging along two small kids--the ones she had with Suzie's husband ... er, make that ex-husband.

Yeah, she'd caused quite the small-town scandal. That disgrace even beat Polly Gruber running off with the preacher back in the forties. Didn't seem to matter that she and Cliff were actually happy and loved each other. Oh, she knew the repercussions, running off with her sister's husband. The whole town thought she was pond scum. Lower than pond scum, even. But Suzie had left Cliff and he was lonely.

Wasn't entirely her fault, was it?

Cliff. He'd had to go and die and leave her in this mess, didn't he?

No matter. Home was where she was heading--home to Legend--and for the holidays, no less. With no plans to return to Dalton Springs. Ever. Dalton Springs and Cliff were all in the past. A pleasant, distant memory.

Sniffing, she wiped another tear before it froze to her lashes.

Legend.

She was about to tuck tail and head home to family. Like it or not.

Taking three brisk steps forward, she bent, snatched the gas cap off the parking lot and twisted it back into place. She rounded the car and got in, not tempted to look back.

Just forward.

"Come on, babies," she said. "We're going home."