The Moore Sisters of Montana: The Complete Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Ann B. Harrison

  He pushed the mask down his chin. “If you’re sure. I didn’t mean for you to get bored. I thought the change of scenery would be nice though.” He pushed the mask back, picked up a scraper, and scooped a dab of the fiberglass. Pretty soon he was lost in his own world. Filling the dents and scrapes he’d missed last time he’d been out here. Smoothing it out as best he could ready for the next step of the process. He glanced up once and Bella was still sitting on the drum, leaning back against a post with her eyes closed and a small smile flickering over her lips.

  She really was quite beautiful. He could see her sisters there but Bella was definitely her own person. She had a vitality the other girls didn’t have as much as they were both go-getters. What drove the delectable Bella Moore? He really wanted, no needed, to find out more about her. Silly, really, when she wasn’t staying in town but something drew him to her. Was it the energy she exuded? Or the ease with which she fitted in?

  The slant of her cheeks as she tilted her head to catch the rays of winter sun made him stop and stare. The smile deepened and her lips parted. Jake’s stomach clenched and his breath caught in his throat. The moment shattered as a laugh rose in her throat. She doubled over and held her sides and the joy escaped her.

  “Have I got filler on my nose or something?” Jake stood, slighted because the moment was broken but relieved because he wasn’t ready to fall for this gorgeous creature.

  Bella stood up, wiped her hands over her face. “No, sorry. I was just thinking about where I was six months ago and where I am now. I’m easily amused by my own thoughts. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. At least you can look back and laugh, which is more than a lot of people can do.” He threw the mask in the trash can. “Listen, let me clean up this mess and then I’ll take you for a quick walk around the shoreline before we head back to town. Okay with you?”

  She gave him a warm smile, the light dancing in her eyes. “That would be lovely, Jake. Thank you.”

  Chapter Six

  After he dropped Bella off, Jake was determined to find out more about her. He stood in the living room, the television controls in his hand staring at the screen. “I had no idea.” Larger than life, a very different-looking Bella diced onions with the precision of a master samurai, all the time smiling and talking at the camera, the huge blade glinting under the studio lights. Her fingers moving like liquid with a speed that worried him. She hadn’t appeared to be missing a digit but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen the way she wielded that knife.

  “Hmmm. Seems to be pretty famous. One of the best ranking shows on the network. How come we didn’t know who she was?” Woodsie walked into the room with a cup of coffee in his hand.

  “’Cause we don’t watch that kind of show, I guess. I Googled it and found the last of her previous series on now.” Jake held his breath when she splashed a cup of brandy into her pan of diced browned onions and tipped it enough that it caught on fire. “What the heck…”

  If this was what she did, was it any wonder the stove went up in flames?

  “And you say she wants to cook for us until the hotel kitchen is back up and running? Hell, Jake, don’t let her get away. This looks like the kind of food I could get used to.”

  Jake snorted. “As if. If it isn’t ready made and frozen prepared, you look at it expecting it to grow horns, Dad.”

  “Nah, you have it all wrong. I could get used to that one cooking for me. I just don’t like doing that kind of fare myself.”

  A skid on the road outside and the clang of a bike dropping to the ground heralded the arrival of Cory home from school. The loud thumps of a teenage boy sounded on the front porch. Cory burst into the house, tossed his school bag on the floor and strode to the refrigerator, pulled open the door as he did every afternoon. “Hey, Dad, Granddad.”

  “Have a good day?” Jake stood transfixed to the television screen.

  “Yeah, alright I guess. What are you doing?” He messed around in the kitchen and then walked over with a bowl of Cheerios, slurping them into his mouth. “Hey, isn’t that Bella, the lady in the pink house?” He dropped down onto the chair and stared at the screen, his bowl of cereal tipping dangerously close to emptying on the carpet.

  “That’s her.” Woodsie gave him a grin. “Watch your bowl. She wants to cook for us because she can’t use the kitchen in the hotel until they get a new stove. Seems she set the place on fire and can’t use the kitchen for a bit.”

  “Why?” Cory moved the bowl and saved his snack and the carpet. Another spoonful of cereal disappeared into his mouth.

  “’Cause she told your dad she needs to cook to breathe or something like that. Guess we just got lucky.”

  “Someone told her my cooking sucked. I think she’s taking pity on us.” Jake’s mouth watered when Bella spooned her brandy and caramelized onion sauce over the ocean trout she’d already plated up. With a sprinkle of diced parsley, the meal was almost done. She wiped the edges of the plate with a cloth and turned it toward the camera. “And there you have it, folks. The easiest, most delicious way to eat healthy and it only takes minutes in the kitchen. No need to reach for frozen meals or junk food when you can create fabulous, easy meals like this. Happy cooking. This is Bella Moore, leaving you wanting more, I hope. Good-night everyone.”

  Holy crap. That sexy wink at the end. Wanting more? How many ways could he take that? Jake stood staring as the credits for her show rolled up. Moore for You, featuring Bella Moore.

  “Dad. Dad!”

  He tore his eyes from the screen and looked at Cory, his mind still focused on that sexy grin. Was it possible that all his wishes were about to come true? “Sorry, what?”

  “You said yes, didn’t you?”

  Woodsie nudged him in the ribs. “He’d better have. Whatever she’s cooking, we want more of it. Moore, get it!” He cackled and walked back to the kitchen, put his coffee mug in the sink.

  “Did you?”

  Jake remembered the light floral fragrance wafting from her hair as she sat beside him in the truck on the way back to the hotel after their trip to the lake. The easy way they talked now that the awkward beginning had been dealt with and they’d laughed over their failed dates.

  He dragged himself back to the present, away from his fantasies. “Yeah, I think I did.” How on earth was he going to survive the next week? More importantly, how was he going to compete with the sort of lifestyle someone like Bella was used to? Her day-to-day existence was so far removed from his, he didn’t stand a hope. But, boy, did he want to try and the thought sobered him. After all the years of being alone, did he have the skills to even consider taking the chance with such a high-powered lady? How the hell was he going to pull this one off?

  *

  “Russell, hi.”

  “Hey, Bella. What’re you doing calling me already? You’re supposed to be sleeping late and playing sloth-like. I’m not going to change my mind about you coming back to work. You know that, right?”

  Background noise sent a pang of longing through Bella. He was on set of one of his many shows, probably doing what he did best – making high rating programs and driving his staff crazy. She missed it and him.

  “What can I do for you, kid?”

  She gave him a hurried, toned-down version of the fire and listened patiently while he admonished her for not relaxing. “I’m only playing, not serious cooking. Believe me, I’m relaxing so much my hands are itchy, and I swear if I so much as smell a burger joint here I’ll sweep in and take over the grill. Seriously, no, listen to me. I want to get Mari a stove and you have all the contacts, right? I don’t want to approach anyone in the industry in case I get caught up in a sponsor deal. Here’s what I want and I kind of need it yesterday.” She described what she had in mind and finally he agreed to help her out.

  “And, Russell, charge it to me, okay? I’ll deal with my sister.”

  “You are going to take it easy, right? You promised me, Bella. If you have a meltdown, you know you’r
e risking your contract?”

  Of course she did, but she had her fingers crossed behind her back as she made that promise and her contract – well that scared her half to death. It was what she’d worked so hard for all these years. To lose it would kill her. But Russell had to expect her to keep working at least a little. After all, he’d forced her to take the break—not something she would’ve done willingly—so he had to expect her to be sly about it and she didn’t want to upset him. Russell only had her best interests at heart.

  To her, work and breathing were the same thing. “Sure I will. No more than cooking for the family but you know I have to get the recipes ready for this book’s photo shoot so it’s going to work out fine having them test out my creations. You know as well as I do that families are the best critics out there. And I’ve found one that won’t sugarcoat anything because of who I am. I’ll be in touch. Thanks, Russell.”

  She hung up her phone and looked at the notes and photos she’d spread all over her living room floor. Time to choose what to cook for dinner tonight. A firm favorite or something new? Something she wanted to put in her new cookbook seemed like the best way to go. She had to come up with something that wasn’t too over-the-top fancy but a dish that would blow the socks of a family of meat eaters. She was going to impress Jake with her meals.

  She tossed ideas around before she decided what to make and headed for the grocery store for supplies.

  Three hours later she knocked on Jake’s door.

  “Bella, hey.” Cory opened the door, a huge grin on his face. She could really get to like this kid.

  “Hi, want to take this for me while I get the hot dish and bring it in?” She handed the casserole over to Cory and hurried back to the car, her heart racing. What if he didn’t like what she’d put together? Her reputation was at stake and for some strange reason it really mattered that this little family of kitchen-challenged males liked what she cooked.

  As she walked back up the garden path, Jake stepped out onto the porch and took the dish from her. The lazy smile he shot her way had her stomach flipping over in seconds. It wasn’t fair that so much sexy male was tied up in the one package! It was going to play havoc with her heart.

  “Let me take that.” His fingers brushed over hers.

  Too scared to pull away and risk dropping the hot dish, Bella held on, savoring the touch. How long had it been since she’d had a real date where she was actually interested in her partner, not a coffee date like she had with Jake yesterday but a date-date where she wanted to be kissed good-night?

  You’re asking for trouble, girl, if you think this is a good move. Staying in Cherry Lake isn’t an option. Not after you’ve clawed your way to the top.

  “Thanks.” She wiped her tingling fingers on her jeans, tried to still her breath. He was way too sexy and appealing for his own good. Bella Moore did not do casual sex but, boy, she could be tempted. Maybe. Possibly. No. Not a hope in hell. Too much too soon. Concentrate, girl. You’re here to wow them with your cooking, not your needs. You have a book to get out. Priorities, girl!

  “Welcome to our house, Bella.” Woodsie appeared at the door, his silver moustache twitching as he watched her argue with herself.

  Thank goodness she hadn’t said the words out loud but no doubt her twitching lips would have given her away. She couldn’t help it. Even when it was all in her mind, her face said it all.

  “Thanks and thanks so much for taking pity on me and letting me take over your meals until I can get my hands on a decent stove for the hotel.”

  “This old man is more than happy for you to take charge. You know what it’s like here, steak, steak, and more damned steak.”

  Jake appeared behind his father, a scowl on his face. “Stop complaining or I’ll make you cook every night.”

  Woodsie cackled. “As if. You hate my cooking.”

  “This smells terrific.” Cory had ripped the lid from the grilled fish and sniffed deeply at the steam rising from the trout.

  “Get the plates so we can test this out. Don’t want to leave Bella hanging on our opinion.” Jake hustled his son to move as he put the last dish on the table. “Do you want to serve this up, Bella?”

  “Sure.” She carried the jug of sauce over to the table and took the lids off the rest of her creations trying not to feel nervous. The three watched her every move. Was this what she felt like when she dished up her first meal for the competition? Her nerves as tight as a bow, ready to snap if she failed? Get a grip, Bella. They aren’t judging you. They’re desperate for a decent meal, that’s all.

  “Want me to do that? You’re kinda shaky there.” Jake stood to take the ladle from her hand.

  “No, it’s okay. Must have a bit of muscle cramp.” She flexed her fingers hoping he was convinced. “I do hope you like this. I made one of my new favorite fish dishes with something I haven’t yet tested on anyone as well. I’m thinking of using it for the sweet section of my next cookbook. The one I’m going to do while I’m here.”

  Woodsie stretched his neck to get a closer view as she plated the main meal and poured the sauce over the trout. “Hey, isn’t that the dish you did on that show, you know the one where you set it on fire?”

  “You watched my show?” She glanced at Jake, he couldn’t make eye contact with her.

  “Had to find out more about who you were and seemed the most sensible way to do it, eh, Jake?” He chuckled, took the plate she offered him. “That sign off line of yours, ‘leave you wanting more,’ who the heck came up with that?”

  “Didn’t you like it?” She passed a plate to Cory who immediately dug in, ignoring the conversation. Thank goodness. “Which show did you watch?”

  Jake rubbed his chin and seemed to stumble over his words. “The one where you set it on fire, you know the fish with the flaming sauce.”

  “Jake here just about had a heart attack.” Woodsie nudged his son. “Didn’t you?”

  Jake swallowed and finally met her gaze. “I, ah, wanted to see what your show was like. It’s, ah, really good. I can see why those women were fan-girling you the other day.” His cheeks bloomed and she wondered why the embarrassment.

  “So, what did you think? Did I impress you with my cooking?” Bella placed his plate in front of him, waited for his answer.

  “Without a doubt. I just hadn’t realized that you were so, ah, good at what you did.”

  Her lips twitched and she resisted the urge to laugh out loud. “It just so happens that I cooked the trout for you tonight. I only came up with the recipe for that show and wanted to use it in the book. Tell me what you think of it.”

  “Doubt it would be terrible the way the audience reacted.” Woodsie took a bite and moaned in pleasure.

  She presently held the top-ranking show on the network, and it made her proud to see how far she’d come since she’d made the decision to try out for it.

  Cory stopped eating long enough to agree. “This is totally cool. Can you teach Dad how to cook? Anything as long as it’s not steak.”

  Bella let the laugh go, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. “It’d be my pleasure.”

  “You gonna eat, girl?” Woodsie pointed at the extra plate. “Don’t think you can dish up this kinda food and not join us for a meal, now do you?”

  “If you’re sure you don’t mind.” She’d hoped for an invite but hadn’t taken it for granted.

  “Bella, there’s no way I would’ve agreed to let you cook for us if I thought you’d do a delivery and then leave. It doesn’t work that way. Please, sit down and eat with us.” The conflicted look in Jake’s eyes didn’t make it easy but she sat, plated up a meal for herself, and wondered exactly what was going through his mind.

  “Thank you, but don’t wait for me. Eat up while it’s hot.”

  It was the dessert that got the most response from the three men she’d set out to charm. Alaska bomb, Cherry Lake style. An old-fashioned dessert but still one of her firm favorites.

  Of course Bella had
put her spin on it. Chocolate sponge instead of plain, vanilla bean ice cream with amaretto soaked cherries covered in soft-peaked meringue, topped with scattered toasted crisp coconut flakes. The rich nuttiness of the toasted coconut made even her mouth water. A small amount of work for maximum impact.

  “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” Jake licked the last morsel of cherry juice from his spoon and smiled across the table at her. “You, Bella, are one amazing cook. No wonder you’re so popular.”

  “Don’t let her get away, Son, unless you want to go back to frozen pizza.” Woodsie winked at her, glanced at the empty serving platter with a frown. They’d managed to polish it all off between them.

  “Why, thank you, kind sir.” She tried to ignore the pained expression on Jake’s face and instead shared a glance with Cory. “Happy with that one, Cory?”

  “Heck yeah. That was so good.” He dropped his spoon in his plate, pushed his chair back from the table and rubbed his hands over his belly. “Even better than the cherry cobbler.”

  “You can wash up, Cory.”

  “Aw, Dad.” He rolled his eyes as only a teenager could.

  It was all Bella could do not to laugh out loud.

  “You wash and I’ll wipe.” Woodsie stood up and collected the empty bowls. “Let your dad take Bella out for a walk along the shore. Get some fresh air while we clean up and then I’ll make coffee.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Thank you for letting me use you guys as guinea pigs.”

  The way she said it made Jake question his sanity. He didn’t mind being used by Bella. Certainly not after that meal but it was the woman herself that had made the biggest impression on him. She had him as soon as she took the lid from the sauce. Watching her make it was amazing but when he got a sniff of the sweetness of the caramelized onions and brandy he was lost. All of his self-talk about staying single after failed blind dates and raising his son seemed to flitter out the door when Bella walked in.