Recipes and Redemption by Karen Malley

 

Recipes and Redemption Blurb

After losing both her parents and her husband, Erin is determined to make a good life for herself and her young son. She starts a catering business with the help of her marketing wiz housemate, never dreaming she’ll ever find love again.

Everyone loves Rusty — as a friend. He’s quick with a joke and a helping hand. If only he could find his way out of the friend zone. The only thing he cares about more than Erin’s food is Erin herself.

When Erin finds herself in a dangerous situation, it’s Rusty who comes to her aid, on more than one occasion.

In this, the second book of the Chester County Couples series, follow Erin and Rusty through a near-death experience, a surprising secret from Erin’s parents’ past, a trip across the country, and more.

 

Buy links:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Recipes-Redemption-Chester-County-Couples-ebook/dp/B0CTJ3PC48

https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=1659

 

Excerpt:

 

Black smoke filled the kitchen and the fire alarm blared. Oliver’s cries rivaled the sound of the alarm. Erin strapped him in his highchair, still wailing, and opened the oven door. She thrust oven mitts on her hands, grabbed the pan, and ran outside with it, thick smoke trailing in her wake. She set the ruined dessert on the ground and rushed back inside to Oliver. A moment later, her housemate Beth hurried in.

            “What’s going on?” 

            Erin bit her lip, not trusting herself to answer without bursting into tears. She pulled Oliver from the highchair and held him tight with one arm while pulling out a chair to reach the smoke alarm.

            “Let me help.” Beth took the chair from Erin, climbed up, and disconnected the alarm. Oliver’s sobs turned into whimpers once the noise ended. Beth turned on the blower over the stove and opened the kitchen window. The chill February wind blew into the room, but it was a welcome alternative to the smoke. Beth turned back to Erin, who still stood clutching Oliver.

            “Are you OK?”

            Erin closed her eyes for a moment, then found her voice. “I can’t do this.” Hot tears filled her eyes. Oliver squirmed and she put him down. He toddled over to the cabinets and began pulling out pots and pans.

            Beth motioned for Erin to sit at the table. “I’m going to make a pot of tea, and we’re going to sit and talk.”
            “I can’t. I’m too busy.”

            “Then I’ll help you. You won’t get anything done in this state.”

            Erin complied, taking a seat at the large oak table where she could keep an eye on her son.

            Beth put the kettle on, grabbed two mugs and teabags, and was back at the table with the tea within minutes. Erin wrapped her hands around her mug and took a calming breath.

            “I had chocolate lava cakes in the oven, and Oliver woke up early from his nap. He started screaming, so I ran upstairs to check on him. His diaper was a mess and it took me forever to clean him up. I lost track of time until the smoke alarm went off.”

            “That’s understandable.”

            “Yes, but now I have to make the cakes again.”

            “Do you have a delivery tonight?”

            “No. I’m trying to see if it’s possible to make them ahead of time and warm them in the oven before delivery.” Erin took a sip of tea and a shaky breath. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me. Helping me start this catering business has been amazing. I don’t think I would’ve gotten through my first Christmas without David if I didn’t have the distraction of cooking for all those Christmas parties.”

            “But?”

            “But you’re a little too good at marketing. You wouldn’t believe how many people signed up for a Valentine’s Day dinner. I guess there are a lot of guys out there who want to impress their dates with a home-cooked meal.”

            “It makes sense. The restaurants will all be busy, and this way they can do something special at home.”

            “Yes, it does, but I have no idea how I’m going to get all these dinners made and delivered on time. That’s why I was trying to see if I could make the chocolate lava cakes ahead.”

            “What else are you making?”

            “White chicken and spinach lasagna roll ups. It’s much easier to make individual portions than traditional lasagna. Also a garden salad, homemade rolls with garlic butter, and the individual chocolate lava cakes.”

            “What you need is a delivery service. How many dinners will you deliver tomorrow?”
            “Twenty.”

            Beth’s mouth dropped open. “You’re making dinner for twenty different couples?”

            Erin nodded.

            “You didn’t have to say yes to everyone who asked.”

            “But that’s the point of the business.”

            Beth reached out and squeezed Erin’s hand. “Yes, it is, but you also need limits. I’ll take a step back with the marketing. I don’t want you to be overwhelmed by this. It’s supposed to be fun. Only a meal or two a week.”

            Erin’s heart warmed in appreciation for her friend. “I can’t believe you only moved in here four months ago. What would I do without you?”

            “Don’t worry about it. I’m not going anywhere.”

            “My brother might have something to say about that.”

            “Why would Jason want me to leave? Everything is going great between us.”

            “Yes, that’s the point. One of these days he’s going to marry you and steal you away from me.”

            Beth’s face glowed red. “We’re taking it slow. I don’t want to rush into an engagement like I did last year. You saw how that turned out.”

            “This is different. Jason will be a wonderful husband. You should’ve seen how well he took care of us after David died. Speaking of which…” Erin set down her tea and climbed back up to reconnect the smoke alarm. “I can imagine David looking down from heaven, scolding me for leaving the smoke alarm disconnected. The first thing he did when we moved in here was put a smoke detector in every room.” She returned to the table.

            “And then you lost him in a fire anyway,” Beth said.

            “Yes, but he knew the risks.”
            “Do you ever think about what life would be like if he hadn’t gone back into the fire to rescue that third person?”

            “Of course. I still think about him every day. It’s not as hard anymore, but I’ll always miss him.” Erin stared down at her mug. Sometimes I get mad he gave his life for that unknown stranger, but then I remember that’s what made him the man I loved. He always put others first. That’s the life of a firefighter. He was good at what he did. I lost track of how many people are alive today because of him. I wish he was one of them.”

            “He’d be so proud of you with your business.”

            Erin swallowed against the lump in her throat. “Do you think so? I’m not feeling especially proud today.”

            “It’s going to be fine. Give me a list of the delivery addresses and times. We’re going to work this out together.”