Luring Levi (Tarnished Saints Series Book 2) by Elizabeth Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

it.
    “Being mayor, you can compete, as I hear you used to cook and even had your own restaurant at one time.”
    “What?” He looked out to the cheering crowd and shook his head.
    “The crowd likes the idea, Mr. Mayor,” she said. “So who else should compete?”
    “Well,” said Levi taking back the mic. “How about the queen of the culinary world herself, Ms. Candy Kane?”
    The crowd starte d getting louder, and so did Candace’s kids. She could barely hear Levi over all the commotion.
    Mrs. Durnsby grabbed the mic again and spoke into it.
    “And the top two winners in the fair’s food entries with ‘best of show’ ribbons will be the other two competitors on the TV show.”
    The crowd started cheering and shouting and whistling and Candace could no longer hear Levi and had no idea of what was going on.
    “All right then,” said Levi. “It’s settled. Do you know any reason why we couldn’t make this happen?”
    He stuck the mic in her face again, and although she couldn’t hear a word, she figured he wanted her to agree with doing the show, which she would never do. So she spoke directly into the mic and answered loudly. “No!”
    The crowd clapped then and smiled, and she didn’t understand why they’d be so happy. Not until she heard Levi’s next words and realized he’d tricked her into accepting.
    “Since Ms. Kane has no reason not to bring her network here for a live show, we will do it. So tell all your relatives and friends about it. And reporters get this in the paper and even on the internet, because during the fair, we will be filming Sliced , right here in little ol’ Sweet Water.”
    By the way the crowd reacted and the smiles on everyone’s faces, Candace realized that once again, she’ d been lured right into the web of the spider, the pompous man with too much power, Mayor Luring Levi Taylor.

    Chapter 6
     
     
    Levi was in such a good mood after what happened at the swearing-in ceremony, that he didn’t even mind the fact Mrs. Durnsby nominated him to compete on the cooking show that would be filmed there soon. He’d stayed away from coking for so long that he felt uncomfortable by her suggestion, but when the people all cheered at the idea, he realized maybe it was time he start doing it once again.
    Candace had insisted on driving home, so he’d given her a quick lesson in driving stick shift. At first they all about got whiplash, but she was a fast learner and he was impressed. But then when the car started rolling backwards atop a hill at a stoplight and she’d almost hit the car behind them, Levi made her pull over so he could drive.
    They’d pulled into the lot at Sweet Water Foods, the local grocery store, and Candace had decided she’d needed groceries. Levi was feeling generous and even offered to stay in the car and entertain her bratty kids while she shopped. To quiet them down he’d made up games with the overly large metal key to the town that was now in his possession.
    He saw her coming with two bags of groceries and jumped out of the car and grabbed them from her, placing them in the trunk.
    “Thank you,” she said, settling herself on the seat and closing the door. “I just didn’t want to keep imposing on Thomas and Angel so I figured I’d cook our own food at the cabin from now on.”
    He started up the engine, and she looked over her shoulder to her kids. “I hope they weren’t too much trouble for you,” she said.
    “Not at all,” he replied, checking his rear view mirror. Both kids sat still as statues and were as quiet as church mice. He’d told them that whichever one of them could be quiet all the way home and do whatever he told them to do for the rest of the day could keep the key over night.
    “Why are you two so quiet?” she asked, but they didn’t say a word. Levi started to back out of the parking spot. “Wait! They need to put on their seat belts first.” She reached over to do it, but he grabbed the back of her thigh