Read Swinging on a Star for Free Online Page B

drop into bed at night, she’s on her feet. She doesn’t just love to cook, she lives to cook.”
    “That much is obvious. And she’s definitely the best.”
    “Oh yes. And nothing from a box. No way. She’d have a fit if someone in the family showed up with a package of store-bought pasta. I’m pretty sure it would give her nightmares. She creates pretty much everything from scratch.”
    “Since you brought up Rosa’s cooking, I should tell you something.”
    “Oh?” I responded to the sound of excitement in his voice. “What’s up?”
    “I didn’t mention this last night, but I have a friend at the Food Network. She owned the catering company we used while filming The Pirate’s Lady in Savannah years ago.”
    “Really? Wow. You’ve got friends in all sorts of places.”
    “Yes, I do.” He flashed a grin. “And sometimes I call in favors. This particular chef happens to owe me one.”
    “Yeah? How come?”
    “When I saw how good her cooking skills were, I made a couple of calls. Before she could say, ‘Butter makes it better, y’all,’ they were flying her to New York to audition for the Food Network. She started out as an unknown, but now she’s got her own show. More than one, actually. Her recipe books are sold all over the world. Maybe you’ve heard of her.” Brock whispered the name in my ear, and I almost choked on my gum.
    “Y-you’re kidding! She got her start because of you?”
    “Mm-hmm.” Brock leaned back, looking a little too content with himself. “She always said to call if I ever needed anything food related. And I thought maybe . . .”
    “Well, I really don’t know if that’s ethical,” I said. “See, Rosa is just one of many people being featured on this show. And it’s just a onetime deal. When they’re done, they’re done.”
    “Not if I have my way.” He gave me a pensive look. “That chicken parmesan was the best I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot of chicken, trust me.” Brock laughed and rolled his eyes. “Chicken Kiev, chicken cacciatore, chicken cordon bleu, chicken à la king . . .” On and on he went, naming the various chicken dishes he’d had to endure through the years.
    He lost me somewhere around chicken à la king. At that moment, something caught my eye. I glanced across the street to see Dakota, the neighbor kid, with binoculars in his hand. He appeared to be watching us.
    “Yikes!” I jumped to my feet and grabbed Brock’s hand, pulling him inside and closing the door behind us.
    “What’s happening?”
    Peering out of the window, I groaned. “That’s Dakota Burton from across the street. Great kid, but a little nosy. I’m pretty sure he had binoculars in his hand.”
    “Hmm. Guess we’ll have to be more careful.” He rested his hand on my shoulder—perhaps a bit longer than necessary. “Bella?”
    “Y-yes?” I turned to face him, finding myself within inches of his broad shoulders.
    “I’ve been thinking of asking you something but didn’t know if it would be an imposition.”
    “W-what?” My response was a little shaky now that I could feel the warmth of his breath in my hair.
    He looked into my eyes, then paused briefly, as if trying to think of something to say. “This is my first time to Galveston, and I’ve only seen a tiny portion of the island.
    I’m getting a little bored just sitting around, and I was wondering . . .”
    “If I’d take you on a tour?”
    “Yes.” He gave me a boyish grin, and butterflies started fluttering in my stomach. “I saw all of the reports on the news after the hurricane hit,” he said. “But I had no reference point because I’ve never been to any of those places.”
    “Do you think Rob would like to go with us?” I asked. I wasn’t sure how I’d respond if he said no. I only knew I could not, under any circumstances, get in the car alone with Brock. It wouldn’t be right, even if he wasn’t so shockingly handsome and didn’t have eyes the color of