A Recipe for Love

By Kaithlin Shepherd

He's the hottest thing to hit the diamond in decades. She's american's sweetheart chef. Forced together for a good cause, will these two hit a home run, or will their love stay on first base.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaithlin Shepherd
• Release date: Feb 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393961932

Kaithlin Shepherd

Kaithlin Shepherd was born and raised in Canada where she learned to figure skate and crafted a love affair with coffee. Growing up in a household filled by strong-headed women, she learned early on that life is what you make it. You've probably never met a bigger country music fan and in the words of Brooks and Dunn, she's a die-hard 'George Strait junkie.' Constructing a world away from her real life, Kaithlin loves the feeling of creating a universe where her fans can forget about everything in their life. She loves writing about hot alphas and doesn't shy away from turning up the heat with scorching hot sex scenes.

Book preview

A Recipe for Love

A Getting Hot Series Book

Kaithlin Shepherd

Pretty Lovely Publishing

Copyright © [Year of First Publication] by [Author or Pen Name]

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

1. Chapter One

2. Chapter Two

3. Chapter Three

4. Chapter Four

5. Chapter Five

6. Chapter Six

7. Chapter Seven

8. Chapter Eight

9. Chapter Nine

10. Chapter Ten

11. Chapter Eleven

12. Chapter Twelve

13. Chapter Thirteen

14. Chapter Fourteen

Chapter 17

Chapter One

Baseball has been my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, if you couldn’t find me, I was most likely on a baseball diamond. Some people spend their whole life looking for that one thing that makes them come alive. I consider myself very lucky that I never had to wonder what that thing was for me. I’ve always found peace on that diamond.

I am the cliché story, coming from a family who didn’t have much to negotiating the largest deal in major league history. It still feels surreal to be sitting at a conference table talking about a $270 million contract for 6 years. It’s never been heard of for a third baseman and outfielder to be offered this much. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities that playing America’s favorite game has brought me, but I couldn’t care less about the numbers being bounced around by my agent.

For some players, it’s all about the money, but I honestly, couldn’t give two fucks about how many zeros are on my paycheck. At 28 years old, I already have more money than I will ever be able to spend in this lifetime. Hell, my great grandkids probably won’t even make a dent in my fortune. All I wanted to do was play the game and make enough money to buy my parents a house and support them like they’ve always supported me. The rest, well it’s just more money to give away.

A lot of players pride themselves on their womanizer reputation. They have a wife at home, and a side piece in every town we play in. It makes me sick because that’s not the way I was raised. My mother would kill me if I ever disrespected women that way. I spent my whole career being single, and it fueled gossip magazines more than I’d like, but I don’t believe that my private life should be everyone’s business. What I do want the world to know is the charities that I support, and sure, the media might make me out to be some good guardian angel that hands out million-dollar checks, but I don’t do it for the attention. I couldn’t care less about that. I have so much money, and I sure as hell don’t need 20 houses and fancy cars. I have a unique chance to make a difference in the lives of a lot of people, and I am not blind to my privilege.

Colton, I know you don’t give a fuck about the money, but you could pay attention here. This is the biggest deal ever made. Between your salary, bonuses, endorsements, you’re on track to make over $100 million this year. That’s almost unheard of even in professional sports. Jack has been my agent since I was drafted on the eve of my 20th birthday. Talent will only take you so far in this world, having someone you can trust to handle the business side is key to success. I might not care about the money, but I do care about not getting screwed over. Jack made sure to remind me that I needed an education, and somehow, I managed to get a law degree all while playing pro baseball.

There’s a common misconception that athletes all are brawn and no brains—and that’s something I strive to change because it couldn’t be further from the truth. Our bodies are what we used to do our jobs, so yeah, we put a lot of work into maintaining them, and being the best version of our physical self, but there’s a lot more to us than people see.

You’re right, I’m sorry. I know this is a big deal, and me sitting here not paying attention is disrespectful. You know that I just don’t like all of these conversations around the money, but I also understand how big of a deal this is. I take a sip of my coffee and focus my attention on the man in front of me. I know how hard he had to work to get that deal done, and I refuse to minimize that work by acting like a self-conceited asshole.

This is going to be on every major news outlet by the end of the day. Julie is coordinating with Nicki, from the head office, and next week will be busy. We’ll filter interview requests, but you can expect to have interviews on your schedule for the next two weeks. Aside from Jack, Julie is the person I trust with my life. When I signed with Jack, Julie came with the deal. She was a junior publicist back then, just trying to make a name for herself in a man’s world. She has been running my image, whatever that means, for 8 years, and now, she’s one of the biggest sports publicists in the world.

That’s fine. I can work my training schedule around any requests that come in. I’ll talk to the coach, make sure he knows what’s coming, but if it’s only for two weeks or so, we should be able to make it work. Interviews can be a pain in the ass for a lot of players because they come in between our training, but they’re also a part of our lives. The more we fight it, the more difficult our lives become.

I wish all my clients were as agreeable as you. I would have a lot fewer problem. Jack laughs but he damn right knows that he’s responsible for me being this way. Besides my dad, he thought me to be a man and everything that it means.

But then, I wouldn’t be your favorite anymore, and that would just break my heart, I put my hand over my heart to reinforce the dramatics, and he throws a pen my way, hitting me right in the chest.

I’m guessing, you are going to want to select some projects to give money to this year.

Yeah, I gave a list to Julie for vetting. It would be good if we could find something for me to do. I’m fine giving money away, but maybe it’s time I do a little bit more than just sign a check. If you could find me something, I would be all in.

Only you, man. Any of my other clients who just signed the biggest deal ever would be out buying a new house, yacht, plane, or car, but you want to give it away. I’m proud of you kid.

Thanks. I appreciate that. Use your commission and get yourself a new car. I might not spend money like people expect me to, but Jack loves his cars, and his commission on this is large enough for him to buy more than one.

I’ll do that. I know you’re meeting your mom for lunch, so I’ll let you go. I’ll get this signed deal over to head office, and we’ll get ready for the circus.

I stand up at the same time as he does, and hug him, Thanks for all of your hard work.

You’re welcome. Try and enjoy it a little and say hi to your mom for me.

I will. As I leave the office, I make sure to say hi to every single person. Sure, Jack made the deal, but we both know nothing happens in this office without everyone working day in and day out. These people put in 18-hour days so that I can play baseball, and that doesn’t go unnoticed.

If there’s one thing my mother cannot stand is someone being late, and she has made sure to engrave that in me every chance she gets. It’s something that I have managed to transfer into every aspect of my life. It’s served me well, but today might just be the day I show up late for lunch. There’s more traffic than I expected today in downtown Chicago, and unfortunately, my Audi doesn’t fly. Not yet anyway.

I’m listening to the country station, a little something I kept growing up in Georgia, when Julie’s name flashes across the display in my car. I reach over, and press accept, Hey Julie, I’m just about to meet my mom for lunch, so I don’t have a lot of time.

That’s okay, Colt. I just wanted to say congratulations on the deal. We’ve got some interviews lined up already, but we can talk about that later. Is there any chance you can come into the office tomorrow so we can get everything squared away? her voice is full of excitement as she speaks.

Sure thing. I have to train first thing, but I could be there at 9 am. Does that work? I ask her.

That’s perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow. And Colt?

Yeah?

Congratulations again. I smile as she disconnects the call, leaving me laughing by myself in the car.

I pull up to the restaurant a few minutes later, and surprisingly, I am not late. My mom is waiting for me outside the main doors, Hi mom.

Hi, baby. Cutting it close today. She hugs me as she laughs. I should have known she would find a way to point it out.

But I still made it on time. Come on, I’m hungry. I grab her hand as we move inside. I have been called a mama’s boy in the press most of my career, and it might phase some people, but not me. The woman standing next to me, sacrificed everything so that I could play baseball, and that kind of love is something that I will always be looking to repay. I would be nothing if she didn’t love me as fiercely as she does.

Mr. Harris, it’s such a pleasure to see you again. The hostess says with a look in her eye that I have seen so many times I have lost count.

Playing for Chicago has perks, like never needing a reservation anywhere. But Chicago takes its baseball very seriously and is one of America’s most eligible bachelor’s doesn’t help to stay incognito. The hostess looking at me like I’m an ice cream cone is why I don’t date. This new contract is going to make things worse, but the last thing I want to be doing when I’m having lunch with my mother is getting hit on with no subtleness.

Mom, would you mind if we just went to the food truck a couple of blocks down? I promise you the food is to die for.

She looks at me, a little surprised by my question since we’re all but standing in the entranceway of the restaurant, but my mom is the greatest human on the planet, just smiles and nods. That sounds lovely, honey.

We walk out of the restaurant, and as silly as it sounds, I feel like I can finally take a breath, Are you sure this is alright?

I’m sure. Now, show me this food truck, I’m starving.

Thirty minutes later, and I know that coming here was the right choice. The owners are huge fans of mine, but they are always respectful. Not once have I felt uncomfortable coming here, and the food is just as good if not better than any five-star restaurant I have ever eaten at. I saw Jack this morning, and he wanted me to say hi. I think he misses you.

That man misses my cooking. How is he doing? Is he settling down yet? the thing about having a southern mother is that she wants everyone to settle down and have kids.

He’s still weighing his options, I try and keep it as classy as I can because I’m not sure she would appreciate me telling her that he’s fucking everything that moves. We got the contract finalized this morning.

This will be the first time I tell anybody outside of my team about the amount of money I am about to make, and it’s making me a little nervous. Are you happy with what they’re giving you?

You know that I don’t care about the money. It’s never been about that for me. They’re making good on a lot of things that I have asked for like increased community engagement and community giving. The contract is going to be all over the news by morning, if I had to guess.

She shrugs, That’s nothing new. All of your contracts have made headlines. Why does it feel like this one is making you uncomfortable?

Because it’s the highest payout in the league’s history… the contract Is $270 million for another six years, mom.

I hold my breath for what she’s going to say, but what I don’t expect is the tears falling down her cheeks, I am so proud of everything that you have achieved, but one of the things I am the proudest of is that you have never let money changed you. Aside from you being happy, that’s the only thing I can ask for. I love you; Colton and I am so proud of you.

I squeeze her hand, I love you too, mom.

***

Charlotte, I love you, but working yourself into an early grave has got to stop. What good are you going to be if you burn yourself down? Who’s going to run things then? Tammy tells me from the other side of the table where we’ve been working all day.

My life is complete chaos at the moment, and if I didn’t love cooking so much, I would be losing my head. When I was five, my mom made me help her in the kitchen, and that moment in time sealed my faith. I fell in love with cooking then, and I have worked my entire life to make something out of that passion. I never expected to land two hit TV shows back-to-back, a highly lucrative endorsement deal for my cooking line, a hit restaurant in downtown Chicago, and another one opening in less than a month.

I look up at Tammy, and I give her my best reassuring smile, I am fine. Everything is going to be alright, but right now, between everything we have going on, it’s just busier than normal. Tammy isn’t only my sous-chef, she’s also my best friend and my assistant. A lot of responsibility falls on her shoulder, probably more than on mine, but she never complains.

I know, but you also need to relax. This restaurant is going to be a success, and everyone knows that. Production for the new show starts in two weeks, and yes, the timing could be better, but we are going to make it work. We always do. I watch her stand up and walk over to the coffee maker to refill our cups.

The timing of things is what worries me. We have gotten used to juggling multiple things at once, but nothing of this magnitude. Opening a restaurant takes an incredible amount of time and a commitment that most people underestimate. There’s a menu to craft, hiring to do, marketing campaigns to design and approve, a guest experience to get just right… the do-list never ends. Adding a new TV show kicking off in two weeks, and you’ve got yourself a big mess.

That’s putting it mildly. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of these opportunities, and it gives great visibility to the work that we’re doing behind the scenes, but it’s a lot, you’re right. One of the things I am most passionate about is the work that we do to provide healthy lunch options to kids across the country and help people facing food insecurity. Growing up, we didn’t have much. We mostly shopped for groceries at food banks, but my mom always managed to make us feel like we weren’t poor. But I knew. When I started being successful, I promised myself that I would do everything I could to make sure that kids across the country never have to wonder where their next meal is coming from.

"Speaking of that, I got a call from Cassandra, and she asked for a meeting to discuss a potential new collaborative project to benefit the charity. It sounded big judging by how excited she was. I told her that your plate was full, even if she knows that already, but she insisted.

Cassandra has been my agent for 5 years, and she’s responsible for a lot of what I have. She’s worked hard to bring opportunities that excite me, and I know that if she’s insistent with this one, it has to be good. I sigh, and run my hand over my face, I know that we’re overextended as it is, but what she usually brings us is damn good. Tell her we can go see her in the morning.

Why did I know you would say that? She sits down and hands me back my coffee cup.

Because you know me better than anyone else. Now, let’s try and finalize these menus for the first two episodes of the show, and we can call it a night.

I never intended for my brand to become America’s Sweetheart chef, but over the years, that is what seems to have stuck. A lot of people say it’s because of my long blonde hair and green eyes, others say that it’s because I have a girl next door look to me—whatever it is, it’s something that has followed me. Not, that I mind. In this industry, there are worse things to be known for. I treat my staff extremely well; I make sure that they are well compensated and that they know that they are more than just a paycheck for me. I give their kids’ college scholarships; I help them pay off their mortgage… I do everything I can to make them feel like family.

I want this show to be all about a healthy take on America’s favorite food that your family will love. I think if we can focus on bringing that sense of family meals to these recipes, and the show, we’ll have something great. I want people who are watching to want to sit down and have dinner as a family. I look through the dozens of recipes on the table and pull a few that I think will be a hit.

I think that’s great. God knows we could all use a little more simplicity in our lives right now. The world is going crazy, and maybe reminding ourselves of where we came from is a way towards the light.

I’ve always believed that food is a powerful thing and that it can bring people together. That’s what my first show was all about, and it’s what I based my first restaurant on. I think that’s why people responded to it so well, because we could all use a little more time to connect with the people who mean the most to us.

I hand her the recipes I just picked, Here, I think these are going to be great. Let’s set up some time in the show kitchen tomorrow to test these. If they don’t work, better we know now, then a day before we’re due to shoot.

Sounds good. I’ll get that booked in for tomorrow morning. Do you want to go meet Cassandra first? Tammy is already on her phone, no doubt, already planning for us to use the kitchen tomorrow.

Let’s have breakfast with Cassandra, if she can, and then we can head to the kitchen. I’d like to give you the afternoon off tomorrow.

Sounds good. I’ll tell her to meet us at Blossoms at 7 am, that way it doesn’t interfere with whatever is on her schedule. I nod in appreciation.

Once we pack up, I spend the rest of the night at home watching baseball replay on the sports channel. Growing up, baseball was a religion in our house. Just like my mom made cooking a part of our family, my dad made sure that I knew everything there was to know about baseball. I