Kiss The Cook: Holiday Hearts, #3

By AM Vivienne

Spring is blooming in Redford!

Lawyer Sasha Scott and her son Tyler enjoy every minute they have together until he returns to his father, Damon, and his stepmom, Natalie. When Damon asks to have Tyler on Mother's Day weekend, Sasha's first instinct is rage.

Wanting to be responsible and stick to their visitation schedule, Sasha agrees to his request. Those who love her encourage her to fight Damon, but Sasha doesn't want her anger to affect what's best for her son.

Meanwhile, she works a case for Phillip Harris, a bakery owner facing a lawsuit that could damage his reputation. Of course, he has his reservations about trusting lawyers. After the case, they continue to cross paths. In an attempt to open her heart, Sasha asks him to teach her to bake to create something special for her son.

Sasha can't admit that she wants to make time in her life for love. Phillip is too focused on his business to see anything outside of it. As emotions grow and secrets unfold, will Sasha let go of her fear? Will she get the Mother's Day she always wanted and find true balance in her life of single motherhood?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purple Peacock Press
• Release date: Nov 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736316351

Book preview

Kiss The Cook

A Holiday Hearts Mother's Day Romance

A.M. Vivienne

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Purple Peacock Press

First published by Purple Peacock Press 2021

Copyright © 2021 by A.M. Vivienne

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,

scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the

publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or

distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters

and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s

imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or

dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

ISBN: 978-1-7363163-4-4

Editing by Satia Renee

Cover Design by Tugboat Design

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. Sasha’s Frozen Sangria

10. My Perfect Match (Danielle’s Story)

Acknowledgments

Extra Stuff

Also By

Chapter One

Good night, Tyler. I switched the light off to my two-year-old son’s room. Heading to my own, I lay out on the bed. My television was on mute as I scrolled through the e-mails on my phone. After ten minutes, I heard thumping footsteps down the hallway.

Mommy? Tyler asked as he entered. The light from the television illuminated his face. He rubbed his eyes and sniffed, tears staining his face.

What are you doing up, baby? I turned off the television and flicked on the bedside lamp. I extended my arms, gesturing for him to come. Once I pulled him into my lap, he nestled into my chest. Why didn’t you call me? I would have come to you. I wiped tears from his face. Did you have a bad dream again?

He groaned and held his stomach.

Do you have a tummy ache?

No.

I kissed his forehead. That’s okay, baby. You can sit with me for a few minutes. Do you want a glass of water? I shifted to stand up, but he wrapped his arms around me. Okay, I won’t go anywhere. I’m here, baby.

His eyes glistened when he looked at me. Monsters.

You did have a bad dream, huh? You don’t have to be afraid to tell me. I know we talked about you being a good boy and sleeping in your own bed, but I’ll always be here for you. I have bad dreams too, you know.

Mommy is scared?

Sometimes. There’s lots of monsters in my dreams, but you and I work together to fight them off. You have a sword, and you fly on a big dragon.

Tyler’s eyes widened, and he grinned.

Do you know what his name is?

Peanut Butter!

I chuckled. You guessed it. The dragon’s name is Peanut Butter. He shoots peanut butter and chocolate chips from his mouth. When the monsters get hit, they turn into big cookies that you gobble up.

He chomped his teeth on his arm and made a soft squealing sound.

You’re not supposed to eat yourself. I tickled his sides. He laughed, flailing his arms and legs. When I let go, he settled into me again. I wrapped my arms tighter around him.

More, Mommy.

You want to know more about my dreams? I like to stay on the ground, so I ride my horse. His name is Chocolate. He’s a good partner for your dragon. Chocolate gallops so fast that my hair flies everywhere. I get bugs in it, but the bugs are my friends, helping me fight the monsters. They’re small, so they can sneak up and scare them.

Tyler raised his hands. Boo!

I gasped. That was so scary, Tyler. I think the monsters are running far away now. They won’t come to your dreams again. But do you know what happens if they do?

Tyler growled and chomped on his arm. He raised his hands and said, Boo!

Very good, Tyler. We make a great team. Do you want to sleep here with me? It’ll be smart to keep you close so that we’re battle ready. You can bring your stuffed animals with you too. Your teddy bear has superpowers, remember? And Mr. Giraffe makes all the magic spells and potions.

My bed. He yawned.

There’s my brave boy. I kissed his head. As I stood, I shifted him to rest on my hip. He hugged me.

After kissing my cheek, he placed his head on my shoulder. I love you, Mommy.

I love you too, baby. I walked down the hall, seeing his light on in the bedroom. You used your stool to turn on the light. Good job, baby. Placing him on the bed, I pulled the covers over and tucked him in. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I put Teddy and Mr. Giraffe on either side of him. Now, remember how strong these two are. They’re going to keep you safe, and Mommy is always close by, okay?

Story, Mommy.

You want me to read you a storybook? Can I pick one off the shelf?

He hugged his animals, kissing both of their heads. Story. Teddy and Giraffe.

Oh, you want their story. I tapped my chin. I’m not sure I can remember the whole thing. Will you help me tell the story, Tyler?

Tucking his animals under the blanket with him, he nodded.

I sat cross-legged and hugged a pillow into my lap to get comfortable. Once upon a time, there was a magical giraffe. His best friend was a bear. I think they lived in a cave, right?

A castle!

Yes, a castle. One day, a wise wizard cast a spell on the castle, filling it with, um, what was inside?

Mallows.

Mm, yes, good choice. The marshmallows filled the castle, squishing Teddy and Mr. Giraffe between sticky pillows. Their only choice was to eat their way out.

Tyler picked up his animals. Smacking his lips, he shoved their faces into the blanket as they ate. He burped, wiggling the bear in the air. Yawning, he dropped the bear in his lap.

Do you think you can try to sleep? I stroked his head and placed the animals back under the blankets.

He shook his head.

Teddy and Mr. Giraffe would like to nap after eating all those marshmallows. How many do you think they can fit in their stomachs?

One hundred, Tyler said, his eyes closed.

I kissed his forehead. I love you, baby. Good night. I slipped my legs off the bed. As I was about to get off, Tyler sat up and grabbed my arm.

Mommy. Stay.

You want me to sleep in here with you?

Like Daddy.

I know Daddy does it. I stretched out on the bed beside him, wrapping my arm over his chest. Do you feel safe with Daddy?

Yeah.

That’s good. He loves you very much. He’s so excited to see you tomorrow. Are you excited to play with Natalie and the girls?

Tyler snored.

I covered my mouth to muffle the laugh, and rested my chin on his head. I miss you when you’re gone, baby. Mommy doesn’t know what to do without you.

I stayed with Tyler for a few more minutes, making sure he was asleep. Standing by the door, I flicked off the light. It felt good to see him in his own bed for once, especially when he chose it himself. Good night, my sweet boy. Dream of marshmallows. Closing the door, I went to my room.

In the morning, we ate a pancake breakfast. Then, I dressed Tyler, brushed his teeth, and packed his suitcase for his time with his father. Tyler played in his room while I placed everything by the door. As I walked towards the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Turning back, I opened the door to see my ex, Damon. He stood with one hand pressed against the top of the doorframe. He wore sunglasses and a gold chain with a cross around his neck. I bit my lip to keep from laughing at the faux leather jacket and red t-shirt.

Where’s my baby boy? Damon asked with a pearly white smile, one that used to have my knees quaking.

What is with this getup? I fanned my hand down the length of him. I’ve never seen you wear sunglasses in the fifteen years I’ve known you. And I don’t think those jeans could get any tighter.

"This is my look now, Sasha. People change. Not everyone lives