Hungry Heart: Konigsburg, Texas, Book 8 Read Online Free PDF Page A

time? Truffles?” The King’s dark eyes were laughing.
    Darcy refused to rise to the bait. “Just celery and capers, with a little red bell pepper. And a sour cream dressing. No mustard this time around.”
    The King shook his head. “Capers. Lord help us.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t suppose you’ve ever tasted one of my other salads.”
    “Don’t suppose I have.”
    “Capers aren’t poisonous. In small amounts. You could try a spoonful.” She picked up one of the plastic spoons they used for the cookouts to cut down on missing silver and scooped out a small amount of potato salad that she plopped onto a plate. Manuela sniffed but let it go.
    “I could try it.” He gave her a lazy grin, then took the spoon from her hand before scooping up a bite. He chewed contemplatively, eyebrows up. “Salty. Crunchy. Nice contrast with the potatoes, although they could use a little bite.”
    “Bite?”
    He shrugged. “Like vinegar. Or mustard.” The lazy grin was back. “Just not DayJohn. French’s, like I said. Or something else that’s bright yellow.”
    Darcy studied him for a moment. She’d had a few silent conversations with herself since the last time she’d talked to him, trying to figure out how to frame her request, but when push came to shove she was lousy at subtlety. “I want to learn to do what you do.”
    He stilled, his gaze turning watchful instead of amused. “You want to learn how to cook ’cue?”
    “Yeah.” She shrugged. “Maybe I could follow you around for a few days. Learn the basics.”
    His eyes narrowed. “LeBlanc put you up to this?”
    She grimaced, shaking her head. “Joe doesn’t know anything about it. I’m the one who wants to know how you cook barbecue.”
    “And why exactly would I want to teach somebody how to be my competitor?” The King tossed the plate and spoon in the trash, then rested his hands on his hips. “Doesn’t sound like a winning idea to me.”
    Darcy clenched her hands into fists, eyes flashing. “How exactly am I going to turn into your competitor? I’ve got a full-time job here as sous chef. I’m not looking to open up a barbecue business on the side.”
    His eyes stayed narrow. “You wouldn’t have to do it on the side. Maybe you’re planning on doing it here. The Rose is one of my best customers. Why should I train somebody to take over something that’s making me money?”
    She gave him a dry smile, ignoring the sudden pinch of guilt. “Gee, you think I can pick up enough information in a few days to take over as the Barbecue Queen? Your faith in me warms my heart, believe me.”
    His shoulders seemed to relax marginally as he gave her a guarded grin. “Still not seeing what I’m supposed to get out of this, sugar. Aside from the pleasure of your company, that is.” His grin widened as he gave her a slow once-over. “Not that I rate that pleasure lightly, believe me.”
    Normally, she would have taken a strip off his hide for that head-to-toe survey with a longer stop at her breasts, but she wanted the damn job. “You’ve got a food truck too, right?”
    He nodded. “Five days a week usually. Corner of Main and Spicewood.”
    “So I’m guessing you sell side dishes along with your meat, right?”
    He nodded again. “I do plates. One or two meats, sides of beans and potato salad or coleslaw.”
    “I can make your sides. They’ll be better than anything you’re serving now.” She had no idea how good his sides were at the moment, of course, but you might as well go big. And her sides were good. No matter what he might think currently.
    The King stared for a long moment, his grin widening, then shook his head. “You do realize I’ve been trash talking your potato salad for the past couple of weeks.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “You do realize I make my potato salad for the Rose’s customers and not you.”
    He nodded. “Okay, that’s a fair point. So let’s see what happens when you make it for me.”
    She frowned.