Melt My Heart, Cowboy (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 1)
Page 18
She had to give credit to the guys from the Two Old Goats wine shop. The combination of flavors was terrific.
For the next course, Rosie took the initiative, bringing the dark chocolate dreams truffle to Brant’s lips. He opened his mouth slowly, his gaze dark with intent as he slowly cut through the creamy chocolate. She let the tips of her fingers linger by his mouth, and then slowly pulled away.
“Now the zinfandel.” She passed him the glass and watched as he swirled the wine in his mouth.
The evening evolved in a leisurely pace, with plenty of time between courses for making notes and visiting with the other guests in attendance. Rosie felt she ought to mingle, but she wanted only to be with Brant.
Slowly they progressed from the dried cherry and hazelnut dark chocolate bark, to the salted milk chocolate caramels and finally to the macadamia nut white chocolate truffles.
Sage and the guys from the Two Old Goats wine store had some parting words, then encouraged guests to stay and mingle—and possibly place orders for some of their favorites from the evening menu.
A handful of guests chose to leave at that point, but the majority lingered.
Brant and Rosie found themselves alone at their table.
“You haven’t talked much about L.A.,” Brant said.
“It was incredible. Daniel introduced me to his agent—who is now my agent by the way—and to the executives at the network. We sat in on some of the auditions and I actually met Rachel McAdams.”
“Was she glamorous?”
“She was actually really friendly. The parties were sure glamorous though. Glenda took me to her hair dresser and to her manicurist.” She held out her hands with their silver gel nail polish “We also went shopping and I bought two evening dresses and some very strappy sandals.”
“I bet you looked amazing.”
“Maybe you’ll come to a party with me sometime and find out.”
“An L.A. party? I don’t think so.”
“Why not? You might find them more fun than you expect. I sure did.”
“Good,” he said, though his eyes looked pained. “I’m glad to hear it. So the L.A. life is just as exciting as you expected?”
“It’s wild and crazy and I guess a few weeks a year will be more than enough for me.”
“Rosie… what are you saying?”
“Daniel and I have done a lot of talking. I finally convinced him I can write from anywhere. And I can Skype in on the meetings. So there’s really no need for me to actually live in L.A. if I don’t want to.”
She paused. Swallowed. “Assuming you want me here, that is.”
When she lifted her gaze, Brant was watching her. Without breaking eye contact he cupped her face between his hands. “I want you here. Very much.”
And then he touched his lips to hers. All the chocolate and wine tastings had been a mere prelude to this, what she had hungered for the most—his kisses and his arms around her.
“Let’s step outside for a minute,” Brant said, his mouth next to her ear.
Taking his hand, she led him out the back way. With his arm around her to keep her warm, he led her down Main Street to River Bend Park. It was late now—all the little trick-and-treaters were safely at home. Brant avoided a group of teenagers hanging out behind the courthouse, and led her to a bench by the library.
“I love you, Rosie, but I don’t want me—or my sister—to ever be a drag on your career.”
“I’ve been given a great opportunity but, after just ten days in L.A., I already know it’s not the right place for me. I love you, Brant, and Marietta will always feel like home. My career will probably have ups and downs, and involve travel from time to time. But I know I will always want to come home to you.”
To her amazement he pulled a ring from the breast pocket of his dinner jacket.
“You had this planned? All evening I’ve been so nervous, and you were intending to propose?”
“I couldn’t stop hoping, Rosie. I figured if you showed up, my chances would be good.”
“Since the first day you walked into the chocolate shop, your chances have been good.”
Brant slipped the ring on her finger. “Then I’ve sure wasted a hell of a lot of time.”
She laughed. When she’d planned this event with Portia all those weeks ago, she’d never guessed that she and Brant would be the best pairing of the evening. She could hardly wait to tell their family and friends the good news.
But tomorrow would be soon enough for that…
The End
Don’t miss the next book in…
The Love at the Chocolate Shop series
Book 1: Melt My Heart, Cowboy by C.J. Carmichael
Book 2: A Thankful Heart by Melissa McClone
Buy Now!
Book 3: Montana Secret Santa by Debra Salonen
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Book 4: The Chocolate Cure by Roxanne Snopek
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The rest of the Love at the Chocolate Shop is coming soon!
Find out about the rest of the series here
The Carrigans of Circle C
Hawksley Carrigan, owner of the Circle C Ranch south of Marietta, Montana, always wanted a son to carry on the family name. Unfortunately for him, he ended up with four daughters.
Book 1: Promise Me, Cowboy
Sage Carrigan’s story – Buy it now!
Book 2: Good Together
Mattie Carrigan’s story – Buy it now!
Book 3: Close to Her Heart
Dani Carrigan’s story – Buy it now!
Book 4: Snowbound in Montana
Eliza Bramble’s story – Buy it now!
Book 5: A Cowgirl’s Christmas
Callan Carrigan’s story – Buy it now!
Book 6: A Bramble House Christmas
Willa Fairchild’s story – Buy it now!
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author C. J. Carmichael has written over 45 novels in her favorite genres of romance and mystery. She has been nominated twice for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, as well as RT Bookclub’s Career Achievement in Romantic Suspense award, and the Bookseller’s Best honor.
She gave up the thrills of income tax forms and double entry book-keeping in 1998 when she sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance. Since then she has published over 35 novels with Harlequin and is currently working on a series of western romances with Tule Publishing. In addition C. J. Carmichael has published several cozy mystery series as an Indie author.
When not writing C. J. enjoys family time with her grown daughters and her husband. Family dinners are great. Even better are the times they spend hiking in the Rocky Mountains around their home in Calgary, and relaxing at their cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana.
Visit C.J.’s website at CJCarmichael.com
Join C.J.’s mailing list here
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