Cooking Up Christmas

By Cynthia Woolf

Emily Williams is on the run, pursued by the man who took her father's life and hungry for the evidence she carries. Unable to trust the corrupted hands of law enforcement, she seeks refuge in the peaceful seclusion of The Mistletoe Inn, a haven far removed from the chaos of Bozeman, Montana.

 

Ben Campbell, a cowboy with a passion for cooking, never expected to cross paths with a fiery-haired chef in distress. Determined to assist her, he offers his aid, unaware of the danger that shadows her every step.

 

As old dangers resurface and new threats emerge, Emily and Ben find themselves entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. With danger closing in from all sides, they must navigate treacherous terrain together, discovering that in the face of adversity, their strength lies in their unity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Firehouse Publishing
• Release date: Feb 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9781957834047

Cynthia Woolf

Cynthia Woolf is the award winning and best-selling author of twelve historical western romance books and two short stories with more books on the way. She was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends. Their closest neighbor was about one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006. Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time. Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia’s father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy not a bounty hunter and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now) not the ranch owner.   Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.   TITLES AVAILABLE   NELLIE – The Brides of San Francisco 1 ANNIE – The Brides of San Francisco 2 CORA – The Brides of San Francisco 3 JAKE (Book 1, Destiny in Deadwood series) LIAM (Book 2, Destiny in Deadwood series) ZACH (Book 3, Destiny in Deadwood series)     CAPITAL BRIDE (Book 1, Matchmaker & Co. series) HEIRESS BRIDE (Book 2, Matchmaker & Co. series) FIERY BRIDE (Book 3, Matchmaker & Co. series) TAME A WILD HEART (Book 1, Tame series) TAME A WILD WIND (Book 2, Tame series) TAME A WILD BRIDE (Book 3, Tame series) TAME A SUMMER HEART (short story, Tame series)     WEBSITE – www.cynthiawoolf.com   NEWSLETTER - http://bit.ly/1qBWhFQ    

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Tuesday afternoon, December 5 th

The Mistletoe Inn and ranch near Bozeman, Montana

Emily Williams walked from the manager’s office toward the Mistletoe Inn’s kitchen. She hurried, eager to share her news with Joey. She’d become friends with him since she started working at the inn in April. And now she’d just talked to the inn’s owner and manager, Samantha Anderson, about her menu for the upcoming Vanderhausen-Everard wedding on the sixteenth. Her boss approved everything and if she had the coordination, Emily would dance a jig.

As she approached, she heard raised voices. Not just raised, but actually shouting. She ran as fast as she could. What the heck is going on in my kitchen? She pushed her way through the swinging door. Edward Anderson, Samantha’s brother, and Joey Baxter, Emily’s sous chef, were yelling so loud the whole inn probably heard them.

Emily waved her arms high above her head and then, getting no response, she placed her index fingers in her mouth and whistled. The shrill sound cut through the air.

Both men covered their ears.

"What is wrong with you two?" She slammed her hands on her hips.

Edward pointed at her. Keep out of this, Emily. It’s none of your business.

Joey looked over, his face flushed and his hands in fists. This, Joey shook his index finger toward Edward, "thing who has the audacity to call himself a man has just seen fit to fire me. Right before the Christmas season and the biggest wedding event this inn has ever seen. Joey turned his attention back to Edward. You can’t fire me, you worthless piece—"

Joey! Emily raised her voice. Of course, Joey being fired is my business. Everything that happens in this kitchen is my business. Don’t forget where you are and who you are in front of. Don’t give him any ammunition.

Joey removed his apron and threw it in a pile on the floor. I quit.

No, Joey, we can work this out, she pleaded, knowing she could not handle this kitchen alone. Then she turned to Edward, who thought of himself as her boss, but Samantha was the manager of the inn and the ranch. What do you think you’re doing? We have that huge wedding coming up and you think now is a good time to fire Joey? She pointed at Joey. What do you expect me to do without him?

Looking smug, Edward crossed his arms over his chest. I’ve already hired another chef. He’ll be here in two or three days.

Emily matched his stance. Is he a sous chef?

No. He’s a full chef. He’s from Arizona. Edward chuckled. I’m sure you’ll hit it off splendidly. Then he turned toward Joey.

Joey stared at him and if his anger had been a gun, Edward would be dead.

I want you to pack your stuff and be off the premises in an hour. That should give you enough time to gather your belongings and say your goodbyes. With those words, Edward turned and walked out of the kitchen through the swinging doors.

She spun toward her former sous chef, his golden brown hair shining under the kitchen lights. His amber eyes were still narrowed and his hands fisted. Oh, Joey, I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do.

His shoulders were down and went even lower as he shrugged. There’s nothing to be done. Edward is an ass, and I’m better off leaving. I’ve got a few things in the works, anyway. He just pushed me toward them sooner than I’d planned. He straightened, shoulders back and head up as he walked up and put his arms around her. Don’t cry Em. I’ll be fine. Really. He hugged her tight. I’ll stay with my brother in Boseman for a while until one of these things pans out. You know I won’t be out of a job for long.

She hugged him back and couldn’t help the tears that fell.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll like the new guy.

She shook her head and then raised it so she looked into his amber eyes. He’s not you.

Maybe that’s a good thing. He stepped back and put his hands on her shoulders. Just give him a chance. A real chance, Em. Promise me.

Nodding, she blinked away her tears. I promise. But I won’t say for how long. He’d better wow me right away.

Joey dropped his chin and smiled. Or what? You can’t get rid of him, so you need to learn how to work together. He lifted a shoulder. Maybe he’ll have expertise you don’t.

Okay. I’ll try.

Good. Now, I have to say goodbye to everyone and with fourteen people it will take more than the hour Edward has allotted, but that’s just tough. Take care, Em.

I will. You, too.

He nodded and walked out of the swinging doors.

She sniffled, smelled the fresh bread in the oven, which was about ready to come out. Emily let a couple more tears fall before she went to the stove and stirred the savory stew that would be part of lunch today. She waved her hand over the pot directing the aroma to her. The stew was done and just needed to simmer.

Anna Finlayson, the inn’s head maid, came in and hurried over to her. Her long blonde hair was on top of her head in a messy bun and her pale blue eyes filled with sympathy. Emily, I just heard. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what Edward was thinking when he fired Joey. There’s no way that you can handle this kitchen on your own, especially with the events coming up. Anna put her arm around her friend’s shoulder.

Emily set the spoon down on the spoon holder on the counter next to the stove and wiped her eyes with her apron. And then she quit crying. She was not letting Edward get the best of her. Edward told me he’s hired another chef. Not a sous chef, mind you. A fully trained chef! Does that mean I’m getting fired next?

Emily wanted to scream, but she couldn’t. She would not let Anna see her lose her cool. That would be completely unlike her. Fisting her hands, she stood straight. Emily couldn’t afford to lose this job, and she’d be damned if she let Edward push her out. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of having her quit. Damn that Edward. He was such an awful person.

As she patted Emily’s back, Anna said, Talk to Samantha. I’m sure she can give you some answers. Try not to worry, Emily.

I won’t. Edward would have to go through Samantha, since she’s the one who hired me and for some reason, I don’t think he wants to do that. He wants me to quit and I won’t. I promised Joey I’d give this new guy a fair trial and not make a snap judgement. But unless he knocks my socks off, I doubt how I can’t judge him.

You’ll figure it out. She gave Emily a hug. I better get back to work before Edward fires me, too.

Yes, go on. He’s on the warpath, and I don’t know why. But you’re right, I’m talking with Samantha. She turned off the burner under the stew before leaving for Samantha’s office.

Emily walked back to Samantha Anderson’s office. Since her father died, she and her brother, Edward, managed the ranch and the inn for her mother, Betty. A few months ago, they brought in their cousin Casey as the bookkeeper.

Samantha was one of the nicest people Emily knew. Beautiful inside and out, with gorgeous blonde hair and brown eyes, but mostly her sunny smile that always made Emily feel better.

Edward, on the other hand, had the same good blonde looks as Samantha, but he was lazy and slippery as an eel. It was unusual and disturbing that he suddenly showed an interest in how the kitchen was running.

She knocked on the open door. Hi, Samantha. Can I talk to you a minute?

Sure, come on in and have a seat. She pointed at the old overstuffed chair in front of the desk. It had come from the lobby when they remodeled in there.

Emily shut the door behind her. Edward fired Joey and said he hired another chef. Not a sous chef, mind you—a fully trained chef, like me. What is he doing? Right before Christmas! And I have two days where I have to manage the kitchen by myself. Trust me, the menu will be very simple.

Samantha’s brown eyes shot open, and her mouth gaped. Then,