Death of a Bacon Heiress Read Online Free PDF

assistant grabbed a fistful of Hayley’s silk robe and gave her a strong shove into the dressing room.
    Rhonda was in an orange pantsuit, her dark brown hair in curlers, and her face caked in makeup. Her frame was large and imposing and her piercing green eyes stared at the shaking production assistant with a laserlike focus. “Whose brilliant idea was it to put me in this orange pantsuit? I look like a mutated pumpkin!”
    â€œI’m sorry, Rhonda, I don’t know who—”
    â€œWell, find out, and when you do send him or her to my dressing room! Now!”
    The production assistant nodded vigorously and skedaddled, leaving Hayley to face the TV host’s wrath alone with no obvious means of defense.
    It took Rhonda a few seconds to realize there was someone still in the room. “Who the hell are you?”
    â€œI’m . . . I’m . . .” Hayley couldn’t remember her own name. “I’m on the show today . . . making bacon. . . .”
    What the hell was she making?
    Her mind was a blank.
    Rhonda was unamused.
    â€œBacon-wrapped Hayley . . . I mean jalapeño. . . .”
    Rhonda suddenly brightened. “Stuffed Chicken Thighs? Oh my God, is it you? Are you Hayley Powell?”
    Hayley managed a nod and a half smile.
    â€œI saw the show notes! That’s one of your best recipes ever! I can’t believe I’m finally meeting you! I’m a huge fan!” Rhonda squealed, her arms outstretched as she lumbered over and grabbed her in a tight hug.
    Hayley felt as if her bones were cracking and she couldn’t breathe.
    But the pain was nothing compared to just a few seconds earlier when she imagined Rhonda was going to physically pick her up and hurl her out of the dressing room.
    â€œI was so excited when I heard you had agreed to be on the show! I never miss your column! You crack me up with your stories! What a hoot! I have to say—”
    A man’s voice interrupted her.
    â€œExcuse me, Rhonda. I just wanted to drop by to say a quick hello before we go on the air. . . .”
    Rhonda’s megawatt smile dimmed slightly and she rolled her eyes, annoyed as she did a quick half turn toward the door. “Okay, Bradley, see you out there.”
    Hayley glanced at the gentleman standing in the door frame.
    Tall, gorgeous, with curly brown hair.
    His handsome face was very familiar.
    Bradley lingered a few seconds longer, but Rhonda had already turned back to Hayley. “Do you know I had never even heard of a Lemon Drop Martini before you wrote about it?”
    Bradley shrugged and walked away.
    And that’s when it dawned on Hayley. “Was that Bradley—?”
    â€œCooper. Yeah. He’s on the show today,” Rhonda said, before leaning in and winking at Hayley. “Between you and me, he’s a bit needy.”
    Hayley’s knees buckled.
    She had just been in the same room with Bradley Cooper.
    â€œLook, I want to show you,” Rhonda said, taking Hayley by the hand and leading her over to a small cupboard, which she opened to reveal a fully stocked bar. Prominently displayed in the front were the necessary ingredients for Hayley’s Lemon Drop Martini. “I figured we can have one after the taping!”
    Hayley was overwhelmed by Rhonda’s charm and effusive personality. She was so different from the angry, intimidating Rhonda who was bellowing when she’d first entered the room.
    Hayley caught the time on a Mickey Mouse clock hanging on the dressing room wall.
    9:50 AM .
    The taping was scheduled to begin in ten minutes.
    She had to tell someone she didn’t have the ingredients for her recipe.
    She took a deep breath and blurted out, “Rhonda, I forgot to bring the ingredients for my bacon recipe and I don’t know what to do.”
    She closed her eyes, expecting the first, less friendly Rhonda to come charging back.
    But she didn’t.
    Without missing a beat, Rhonda said softly,