TUNA TEMPTATION

Setting the Scene:

In JUDGEMENT BY FIRE, by Gleana Connell, a/k/a Glenys O’Connell,

Lauren Stephens is a woman who's learned to stand up for her rights – and that includes

leading a protest movement to prevent the closure of the artists' colony where she lives in

rural Ontario, Canada. There's a major problem, however – she's falling in love with the

head honcho of the company who wants to turn the artists' colony at Haverford Castle

into a health spa for the very wealthy. When Lauren becomes the target of a stalker and

her studio is savagely vandalized, she turns to companyCEO Jon Rush for protection –

and he's happy to volunteer. Lauren's grateful to her friends and neighbors who have

cleaned up her damaged home and stocked her refrigerator with her favourite

tuna'n'cheese casserole, because she and Jon have better things to do than cook……..

Excerpt from JUDGEMENT BY FIRE:

‘To Lauren, from your friends. Remember – home is where the heart is.” Lauren

read the words aloud, and tears started up afresh. “You know, none of this stuff is mine,

but I recognize most of it – seems like everyone in Haverford Castle – and a lot of people

in West River, too, have contributed to rebuilding my home.”

“You have a lot of friends here, Lauren, people who love you,” Jon said softly

from where he still leaned against the doorpost. “A few guys from a Rush Co. cleaning

crew came out to help clear everything up, and they told me that people were in and out

all morning with odds and ends of stuff, sending you their best wishes, too. The fridge, I

believe, is fully stocked with about a year’s supply of coffee beans and home-made

macaroni and tuna cheese casserole.”

“

Seems my tastes are well known,” Lauren laughed. But her gaze turned serious

as she met Jon’s look and realized that he still stood at the doorway. “Come in Jon, please

stay with me?”

–

The quiet question lit dark fires of desire in his eyes and, shutting the door behind

him, he crossed the room in moments to take her in his arms and cover her face with

gentle kisses. But he drew back then, fixing her eyes with a gaze which poured out his

feelings more surely than a thousand words – and which drank in the love that was

displayed on her face.

“I think, “ he said quietly, “That you should heat up some of that macaroni, and

make us some coffee. I’ll light a fire in that stove to air the house – and I think I’ll go out

and let that poor kid in the police car know I’m staying and he can maybe go home and

get some sleep himself.”

Cooking By The Book