Free A Sweet and Spicy Kind Of Love by Minx Charmer

height as Molly, with sandy hair and sky blue eyes in a handsome face. He was not nearly as handsome as a dark haired devil who lived at Templeton Manor, but he was handsome enough.
     
    Shaking her head to get the impression of Julian out of her mind, Molly focused on Ethan’s words. He spoke to her about his travels, the importance of organizing the competition, what the event truly meant and how much it could change the life of the winner. “Winning a competition is no small thing, especially if you compete against the best. It gives you a degree of confidence you can’t get from anything else. I think you should participate. Will you? Your cooking is the best I have ever tasted.”
     
    Molly smiled self consciously. She did not know what to make of his complement and the way it was given. It seemed to her he was talking about more than just a simple meal. When he left her home the impression became stronger. “Hey there Molly, it was really nice to meet you. I have to meet with Mr. Chambers about the competition, but perhaps we can get together tomorrow evening? How about I take you out for some dinner? I am sure you would love to enjoy a meal you didn’t have to prepare hmmm?” She agreed and they settled on a time. Eight o’ clock and the restaurant was the Bay View Inn.
     
    That night, Molly reflected on the evening as she prepared for bed. Perhaps it was time to broaden her horizons and enjoy herself for a change.  Julian certainly wouldn’t mind. Her mother had called from the manor and told her that Valeria and her family had enjoyed a fabulous picnic at the estate, just a few days before. “I think he’s really going to ask her to marry him Molly and you have to prepare yourself, just in case.”
     
    Feeling as though the floor had fallen out from under her feet, Molly felt woefully unprepared. That and the pain in her heart resulted in sleepless nights and gloomy days. She had been living on the clouds of happiness ever since Julian had requested that she cook for him, but realistically he had given her no other indication that he was interested in her in any other way. Perhaps it was time to wake up and smell the roses. Living on dreams was an empty way to exist and she was tired of living and dreaming about Julian. It was time to move on.
     
    ~~~
     
    Julian watched Belinda work with a degree of pride. He was amazed at how well the Templeton gardens were blossoming under her capable hands, in such a short time. Her working skills were exemplary, especially the way she organized the plants, shrubs and blooms in various shades and colors. At the moment she was working around the outermost wall of the house. Curious, Julian wandered in her direction to see exactly what she was up to “Morning Ma’am. How are you doing today?”
     
    Belinda smiled in response. She had grown to admire Julian’s way of dealing with others, but she still had some degree of reservation. “I am working with the creeping rose and I intend to plant them in such a way that they will run up the sides of the walls. It will be quite beautiful after it’s all done. Not to worry.”
     
    Julian held up his hands with a twinkle in his eyes “I am not worried. Even I can see you know exactly what you are doing, but what is a creeping rose?”
     
    Belinda laughed “Oh actually that is not the name. It’s the Alchymist rose. Nice solid scent and the blooms are a beautiful yellow, actually rather golden if you wish to be more fanciful. But it is a strong climber and will adorn the walls very nicely. And I intend to mix it with the Spanish Beauty, another lovely bloom in a vibrant, variation of pink. It grows strong and tall. Both of them will make a nice combination, don’t you agree?”
     
    Julian nodded with a surprised look. “Absolutely! I am glad that you are here with us. I am afraid that we neglected the gardens over the years. It was my Mother’s hobby and after she was gone, no one could do it quite the same