Southern Hearts (Southern Love Series) Read online

  "I'm back." She paused. "You can come in around six when I close. You can park in the back of the store. My staff knows you're a celebrity, so I think coming in late will give you peace of mind."

  "Thanks, Farrah. I'll see you later."

  "Yes. Have a wonderful day," she said and hung up the phone.

  ***

  A tap sounded on the back door of Southern Rose Eatery. Farrah got up from her office chair and went to the door. Tonight, her restaurant would be staying open late to service her VIP clients. Opening the door, she came face-to-face with grey eyes belonging to Austin McBride. He appeared angry when he walked through the door.

  "Hi," she said, moving back to allow him entry. She smelled his masculine scent as he passed.

  "Hello," he said, taking off his cowboy hat as he walked into the room.

  Farrah looked at him strangely when she realized he was alone. "You didn't bring the bride?" she asked.

  "She was feeling under the weather," he replied.

  "I hope she feels better." She smiled. "Well, let's get started," she said, walking into the main area of the restaurant, where she had menus on the table. She rubbed her sweaty hands on her blue jeans. Her nerves were getting the best of her. "Have a seat." She gestured for him to sit at the table.

  "Thank you," he said and sat down across the table from her.

  "I took the liberty of creating a few ideas, but overall it's your choice on what type of meal you want served at each event," Farrah said and handed him the menus.

  Austin took the menus that Farrah handed him. "The first event is a family gathering, so I want to do southern comfort foods like my momma used to cook," he said.

  Farrah could sense sadness in his voice when he mentioned his mother. "I'm sorry," she said.

  "Momma has been dead for a year now," he said.

  Reaching across the table, she squeezed his hand. She understood his pain. "The pain will slowly subside, but you will always remember her, especially on birthdays, holidays, and the anniversary of her death."

  "You speak like you can relate," he said.

  "My mom died ten years ago, when I was seventeen," she replied.

  "I'm sorry," he said.

  They sat there for a minute, holding one another's hand.

  Farrah cleared her throat and removed her hand from his. "Let's get back to work," she said cheerfully. "You can do baby back ribs, a brisket, and barbecue sliders. Corn slaw, roasted potato skins, and sweet and spicy bourbon baked beans."

  She heard his stomach growl when she mentioned the food.

  "Darling, you got my stomach rumbling," he said with a smile.

  "Are you hungry?" Motioning for him to follow her to the kitchen, she said, "I can prepare us a light meal. What's something you haven't had in a long time?"

  "I didn't finish my fried chicken the other day." He smiled.

  "Fried chicken, gravy, and mashed potatoes with homemade biscuits. And I have extra brownies."

  "You're going to spoil me, honey." He laughed and walked to the front of the restaurant.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Picking out my lifetime table here," he said as he sat down at a table in the back. Farrah couldn't help but laugh at Austin's antics.

  "Come help me cook," she said, motioning him back to the kitchen.

  "Ma'am, it would be a pleasure to help you cook, but—"

  "Can you boil water?" She laughed.

  "That I can do."

  He washed his hands. When he was done, Farrah threw an apron at him.

  Farrah set Austin up peeling potatoes while she seasoned the chicken and prepared the breading. Throughout the night, Austin would watch Farrah when he thought she wasn't paying attention, and she did the same.

  ***

  "Mmm, good!" Austin said as he licked his fingers.

  "You did a good job with the potatoes," Farrah said, as she ate another spoonful of potatoes and gravy. "Are you married?" Austin asked. "No," she coughed.

  "A woman who cooks like this should be married, and your husband should be pampering you," he said as he bit into his hot fried chicken.

  "When the time comes," Farrah said nonchalantly. "Sometimes people get married for the wrong reasons."

  "Have you been married before?" he asked.

  "No," she replied.

  Austin saw hurt in Farrah's eyes, and he wanted to meet the man who had hurt this beautiful creature before him.

  "Can you elaborate on 'the wrong reason' why people get married?" he asked, looking at her.

  Farrah looked across the table at him. "I feel some people get married for all the wrong reasons, like to have kids, or so they can live together, or so they can make their relationship official."

  "For what reason should you get married?"

  "If and when I get married, it has to be for more than just love," Farrah said softly.

  "What is out there besides love?" Austin asked.

  "I can't tell you that, Mr. McBride," she said.

  "Why not?" he asked.

  "Because we're getting way off topic. We shouldn't be talking about this," she said.

  "We're just talking as friends. Now tell me the reason why you would get married," he replied.

  "Actually, I'm your employee, not your friend, seeing as how you hired my restaurant to cater your event," she said and took a sip of her tea.

  Farrah took a deep breath. Austin watched as she played with the necklace around her neck. Slowly, she answered.

  "I'll only marry someone who makes me feel whole, someone who would have the power to heal my heart and spirit. He would be the missing piece of the puzzle I've been searching my whole life for. Any other man would only be a companion; I don't want to settle anymore," she said softly.

  Austin was astounded. "You're a hopeless romantic." He laughed.

  "Maybe," she said with a shrug.

  Austin watched as she tucked a strand of curly hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear. He wanted to reach up and touch her. "I think I should be leaving. I'll have my assistant get to you regarding the menu for the party," he said.

  "Yeah," she said.

  "Thank you for dinner," he said as he stood at the back door of the restaurant.

  "No problem. Anytime," she said and held the door for him. "Just let me know which menu you decide on for the first event."

  "Okay," he said. He walked out into the warm Texas night to his pickup truck. He turned to look one more time at her as she closed the door. Chef Rue was definitely awakening something inside of him.

  ***

  It had been exactly three days since Austin sat at Southern Rose Eatery, having dinner with Farrah. Since then, his mind had been plagued by thoughts of the beautiful chef. After dinner that night, he'd made the decision to have his personal assistant Megan relay communication to Farrah. Austin didn't know what exactly was going on with his feelings about Farrah, but he knew when he touched her hand that he needed to put some distance between them. The last time he was around her, he had wanted to act on impulse and kiss her. He replayed the conversation they had over dinner regarding marriage and the reason to marry someone.

  "Earth to Austin." Megan snapped her fingers in front of him.

  "Sorry," he said as he looked at Megan, who was going through some papers.

  "Chef Rue wants to add some type of fish to the menu, maybe salmon. I told her I would discuss this with you."

  Just hearing Farrah's name made Austin smile. "Tell Farrah that we have two ponds on the ranch that are stocked with fish, not to mention all the fish in Lake Lewisville."

  Megan looked uneasy. "So, you want me to tell her to go catch the fish from the ponds on the ranch."

  "Yes," he replied.

  "I will email her and see what she says," Megan said, tapping away at her computer.

  Austin wished he could be a fly on the wall when Farrah read the email.

  ***

  Farrah sat in her office going over recipes she wanted to try for
Austin and Rebecca's wedding. For the past few weeks, Austin's personal assistant, Megan, had been the link between them. Megan was kind enough to explain that Austin's fiancée was a New York socialite and a former model who didn't approve of the southern cuisine that Austin wanted. Farrah knew her southern gourmet cuisine was top notch, but she wanted to please everyone, so her plan was to add dishes that would suit Rebecca's tastes.

  Looking at her watch, Farrah realized that Southern Rose had been closed for two hours and she was still burning the midnight oil. She wanted to make sure everything was in order when she catered the first event.

  Financially, she needed Austin's business, and she was happy for the attention Southern Rose was receiving since the last wedding she catered. With Austin's pending nuptials, her restaurant would gain even more attention.

  Her stomach grumbled. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, and it was long overdue that she put something in her stomach. Farrah started to put her binder full of recipes in her book bag when her computer chimed, notifying her that she had an email.

  Ms. Rue,

  Mr. McBride prefers that you use bass and catfish from the ponds on the McBride Ranch. He will provide the materials such as the fishing rods and bait.

  Farrah screamed at the computer screen. He wanted her to go fishing? He would provide the fishing rod? She didn't even know how to bait, hook, or throw the damn thing in the water!

  Megan,

  I do not know how to fish. I will see if my staff knows how to fish; if not, I could hire a fisherman.

  Farrah Rue

  With that said, she turned off the computer and left her office. She was long overdue for something to eat and a big glass of wine.

  ***

  Austin chuckled as he kicked off his boots by his bed. Farrah didn't know how to fish. That was surprising since she grew up in the south.

  "Please don't sit on the bed after being out there with those animals!" Rebecca said shrilly. Austin stopped and looked at Rebecca, who sat at the vanity, putting on her facial cream.

  "Hi, baby, how your day was?" he asked, annoyed. After working all day on the ranch, the first thing she said to him was not to sit on the bed.

  "My day was wonderful. I did some shopping. I had to do it online, though, since there's nothing here."

  Rebecca rolled her eyes. "I can't wait until we move to New York."

  Austin was taking his clothes off when he froze after hearing Rebecca mention them moving to New York.

  "Becca, we talked about moving to the ranch and having a baby next year."

  Rebecca lifted her hands up in the air and looked at Austin in the mirror. "I thought you were kidding when you mentioned the ranch."

  "You thought I was kidding?" Austin stared at her in disbelief. "I think we should go to a marriage counselor. We're getting married in a few months and still don't have a clear idea about where we are going to live."

  "You want me to be lonely here on the ranch, while you're touring around in a big-ass bus headed from city to city. Meanwhile I'm stuck at home away from my family and friends, not to mention being barefoot and pregnant!"

  Austin sat down in the chair and looked at Rebecca. "I love you, Rebecca, and I wish you could see that. My family comes first no matter what city or country I'm in. We can live bicoastal. We'll spend six months in New York City and six months at the ranch."

  "I guess," she said in a tight voice and continued doing her nightly beauty routine.

  Austin took one last look at Rebecca before heading into the bathroom. Stripping his clothes off, Austin stepped under the hot water as Farrah's remark about love came to haunt him. Was this a sign telling him to leave Rebecca? Maybe Rebecca's attitude was just due to the wedding, he told himself; sometimes things had to get worse before they got better. Was marrying this woman a blessing or a curse?

  He pushed the thoughts about his relationship with Rebecca to the back of his mind. They were easily replaced with Farrah, whom he hadn't seen or heard from in a few days. Closing his eyes, he tried to concentrate on Rebecca. Maybe they should take a pre-wedding vacation, so they could get back to where they used to be.

  Drying off from his hot shower, he put on a pair of drawstring pants and walked into the bedroom where Rebecca lay in bed.

  "Rebecca, you know I'm throwing a party for the guys on the ranch. We're going to need fish. I was thinking we could go to Lake Lewisville and take the boat out like we used to do," he said as he cuddled next to Rebecca in bed.

  Rebecca moved out of Austin's arms and looked at him. "I hate fishing, Austin. I don't want to be near any of those stinky fish." She shuddered.

  "Come on, baby," he said, his voice singsong as he flipped Rebecca on her back. "I was going to take Farrah, but I think this getaway would be good for us."

  Rebecca leaned forward and kissed Austin. "I don't want to go," she said between kisses. "You should take the chef."

  Austin moved away from Rebecca and lay on his back with one arm across his face. "I'm convinced you don't want to spend time with me."

  "Austin, I'm leaving for New York for another dress fitting. How about going to the Bahamas instead?"

  "Rebecca, you know that I'm going to be in the studio," he said softly. "Don't worry about it," he said as he turned the lights off.

  Austin pulled Rebecca close to him to cuddle, but within twenty minutes, she moved away from him.

  "I can't sleep with you all over me."

  Austin looked at Rebecca's back. Yeah, all the wedding planning was changing his Rebecca. Or was this what their marriage would be like? He remembered how his dad used to play the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love." But it was obvious that he needed more than love. Farrah's comment about marrying for more than love was beginning to make sense. He wanted the elements of a strong marriage that his parents had. Communication, trust, and respect.

  Closing his eyes, Austin tried to go to sleep.

  Chapter Four

  Austin waited until the last customer had left before he walked into Southern Rose. He wore sunglasses and his cowboy hat in an attempt to conceal himself from the people walking on the street. The door chimed as he walked into the restaurant. Austin wondered if Farrah knew how beautiful she was even when she just wore blue jeans and a black t-shirt with Southern Rose printed on it.

  "Welcome to Southern Rose." Farrah looked up at him and smiled.

  "I would like to order today's special, darling," he said as he stood at the counter and read the menu.

  "Austin?" Farrah asked. She was looking closely at the man standing before her and, when he smiled at her, she knew it was him.

  "Yes, sweetheart."

  "You didn't have to come here to make adjustments to the menu. You could just call or notify Megan."

  "Why couldn't I just show up here and order some of your delicious cooking?" Austin took off his hat and smiled.

  "Austin McBride, I'm pretty sure that you have a cook on that massive ranch of yours," she teased.

  Austin laughed. Farrah was absolutely right, he did have a cook on the ranch. He didn't come to Southern Rose for food, but to see her and just talk. He needed someone who was going to be open and honest and not just tell him what he wanted to hear.

  "I'm in the middle of closing," Farrah started to say when the restaurant door dinged, letting her know there was another customer. Looking back at Austin, she said, "You can go in my office and I'll bring you something after I get this customer situated."

  Austin nodded his head. When he looked back at Farrah, he noticed that the customer was a suspicious looking man who seemed jittery. He stood in the hallway, not wanting to leave Farrah alone with the customer.

  He wondered why she should be alone in the restaurant. His cellphone rang. Picking it up, he answered it but kept his eyes glued to Farrah.

  "McBride," he answered.

  "Hey, cousin, whatcha up to?"

  His cousin Texas Ranger Shane McBride couldn't call at a better time. "I'm at Southern Rose Ea
tery, I need you to get over here as soon as possible."

  "I know that place. They make the best liver and onions." Shane whistled.

  "There’s this strange guy who appeared to be casing the restaurant before I got here," Austin said as he continued to watch Farrah. He could tell by her body language that she was nervous.

  "I'll be there in five minutes," Shane said and hung up.

  "Sweetheart," Austin said as he walked back up front. Farrah looked up at him. "My cousin Ranger McBride wants to pick up a plate in five minutes. I told him the restaurant is closing, but he said he can't get enough of your liver and onions with bacon."

  "Goddamn! Let me count my lucky stars. You're Austin McBride." The man smiled, revealing missing teeth.

  "The one and only." Austin stepped behind Farrah."Were you going to order something?"

  The man ordered a chocolate chip cookie that cost only fifty cents and left.

  "Is your cousin still coming for that liver and onions?"

  "Yes," Austin said as he looked up from his Blackberry. "Why are you the only one in the restaurant?"

  Farrah could feel Austin's eyes reprimanding her as she went to lock the front doors. "You can keep an eye out for him."

  "You didn't answer my question."

  "To be honest, I can't really afford it, so I let my staff go thirty minutes before closing time." Farrah turned her attention to the beef. Austin watched Farrah attentively until someone knocked on the front door.

  "Well, if isn't the good old Texas Ranger Shane McBride," Austin said as he walked to the door and opened it for his cousin.

  Farrah turned around for a quick second to catch a glimpse of Shane McBride. Her first thought about Shane McBride was that he was a Casanova wearing a black cowboy hat. He was the same height as Austin and medium built. His body was defined.

  "I checked out the guy who just left and let's just say he has a very extensive criminal record." Shane had a southern accent that any woman would want to listen to all day and night.

  Austin turned and looked at Farrah. "Did you hear what Ranger Shane just said?" He nudged her shoulder.