Christmas in Paris (A Master Chefs Series Standalone Novel) Read Free Page B

something like
this.”
    “That’s
what I was afraid you’d say.  Shit.”
    “Don’t
worry, Bobby. I’ll find her.  I’ll tear this town apart if I have to, but I’ll
find her.”
    “I
want to be there to help.”
    “You’ve
got things to take care of.  You just said so yourself.  Besides, there’s no
point…”
    “You’re
not going to talk me out of this, Errol.  I’m canceling everything here and
taking the first flight out.”
    “Bobby,
there’s not much you can do.”
    “Hey,
this is my sister we’re talking about.  You think I’m going to just sit tight
and wait for news.  Besides, you were there for me when everything went down
with Lilly.  I want to be there for you, too… and my mom.  I can’t believe this
is happening.”
    “Neither
can I.”  Numb and on the verge of tears, Errol ended the call and quickly
placed another one.  He suddenly felt an overwhelming need to surround himself
with people he trusted; people he could count on. His friend was an excellent
tracker with an uncanny sense for finding people, although you’d never expect
it from a good-looking billionaire heir and action star. He made a call to his
friend.
    “Leo.”

 
    Chapter 2
     
    Taryn Cummings
King
    Earlier that Day
     
    Taryn
smiled as Henri sat down beside her, a huge bag of popcorn in his hands.  “You
sure know how to treat a pregnant woman.  I can’t seem to get enough snack
foods; peanuts, chips, pretzels.  If it’s salty and crunchy, I’ll eat it, lots
of it.  She took a fistful of popcorn and tossed a few into her mouth.  “Mmm. 
Good.  Nothing like good snack food, a cold drink and a friendly game of
soccer.”
    “You
mean foot,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.  “A game of football.”
    She
nodded as she grabbed another fistful of popcorn.  “Right.  Your football is
our soccer.  So then what do you call regular football?”
    He
smiled while his eyes clearly mocked her.  “You mean American football?”
    “Yeah.”
    “We
call it American football.”
    “Oh.”
    The
game started and Taryn tried to follow the ball as it zigzagged across the
field with the help of a dozen or so pairs of feet.
    “I
don’t know how they can manage to run along with a ball like that. I’d be
tripping all over myself.”
    “They’ve
had years of practice.”  He glanced down at her swollen belly.  “And they don’t
have something like that in the way.”
    Taryn
grinned and rubbed her belly.  “I have to say, Henri, I’m really glad you took
time out from your hectic schedule to humor an old, married, pregnant lady by
taking her out on the town.  This is really great.”
    “Yeah,
you really are old, aren’t you?” Henri said with a teasing grin.  “You’re what,
four… five years older than me, tops. And still the most beautiful woman here.”
    “You
know what I mean.  I’m big and clunky and slow and…”
    “Don’t
forget moody.”
    “Yeah,
really moody.  Some days I can barely stand to be with myself.”
    “You
haven’t been too bad so far.”
    “Gee,
thanks.”  Taryn put her hand on his knee.  “And, really, thank you for bringing
me here.”
    “Well,
I have to admit.  My intention might not be as noble as it seems.”
    Taryn
gasped and feigned extreme surprise.  “You don’t say.”
    “You
knew?”
    “You
seemed a little too eager to see me when I called you.  Here I was thinking I’d
have to drag you out, but you jumped at the chance like a puppy on a bone. 
Like previously stated; I’m pregnant and married.  There’s really no reason for
a young and handsome guy like yourself to be so excited at the prospect of
going out with me.”
    He
laughed.  “You’re beautiful, Taryn, especially when you’re pregnant. Your hair
is shinier and fuller, your skin is glowing, and you seem so happy.”
    She
smiled.  “I wanted to bask in the illusion.  I mean it’s not everyday that a
young single man like yourself is actually interested in taking