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“Let’s start with the pantry.” Bella led him into the walk-in storage cupboard. “I used to make all the buns and bread, but thank goodness Yvonne does it for me now.” She pointed at the freezer space beyond. “The patties, steaks, and poultry start off in there, and depending on the health and safety requirements, either thaw in the refrigerators or come directly out of there.”
“Got it.” Billy was right at her shoulder.
Despite removing his cowboy gear, he still smelled of leather, horses, and the outdoors. A day in her hot, steamy kitchen dispatching orders would probably change that.... Sometimes she thought she’d never get the smell of fried food out of her pores.
“Where do you keep your eggs?” Billy asked.
“Some of the organic eggs are out on the counter and others, like the omelet mixes and egg-white-only ones, are in the refrigerator. I make them up earlier and put them in big plastic jugs so they are easier to pour.”
“Good thinking.” Billy leaned against the countertop and surveyed the huge metal grill plate and industrial-sized extractor fan over it. “I assume most of your food is grilled or fried?”
“Correct. What can I say? It’s a bar.” She shrugged. “We keep the menu quite simple because most people around here don’t like change. Jay made me get a bit more adventurous, and I’m enjoying supplying organic and locally produced meals. Apart from the thinking up new and seasonal recipe ideas, it’s kind of fun.”
“I worked in a great organic restaurant in San Francisco,” Billy said. “I’ll have to see if I can remember any of their recipes for you.”
“That would be awesome.” She closed the door into the pantry. “Let me show you the rest of the kitchen and how the orders come up and are sent out.”
* * *
“Mom?”
Jay Williams limped into the kitchen and pulled up short when he saw Billy washing pans in the sink. His sharp, wary gaze rapidly assessed the situation for any sign of a threat, reminding Billy of his son Blue, who was also retired military.
“Hi, Jay. Your mom was a bit shorthanded today, so I offered to help out.”
“That was good of you, Mr. Morgan.” Jay sat down at the table. “I didn’t know you could cook.”
“I get by.” Billy shrugged. “It wasn’t too busy so we managed just fine.”
Bella backed into the kitchen from the bar side of the property and Billy went around to take the tray from her.
“I’ve got it, Bella. Jay’s back, by the way.”
Her smile as she turned and saw her son was so glorious it made Billy blink. She loved Jay the same way he loved his boys, but without the complications. It was a pleasure to see.
“Jay! How did it go?”
He shrugged his wide shoulders. “Okay, I think. They don’t want to see me for six months, so that’s progress.”
He’d been invalided out of the Navy SEALs after being blown up by an incendiary device. From what Billy had been told, he’d endured a long and arduous return to fitness.
“That’s great!” Bella said. “Did you tell Erin?”
“Yeah, I called her on the way back. She’ll be here tomorrow. She had to go back and tell her parents the news.” Jay got to his feet. “If you’re okay with it, I’m going to take a nap before we open up for the evening.”
Bella nodded. “I was just clearing the last of the tables, so we’re almost good to go.” She paused and tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. “Billy offered to help out today, and he’s been awesome.”
“That’s great.” Jay turned to Billy. “Thanks. Let me know if you’d like to make the job permanent, okay?”
Bella laughed. “As if Billy doesn’t have enough to do, what with running that huge ranch up there.”
“No harm in asking.” Jay grinned at his mother and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be down as soon as I wake up. Nancy knows how to set up, so don’t go and do it all yourself.”
Jay left and Bella’s smile faded.
“Are you okay?” Billy asked.
She picked up a dish towel and started drying one of the bowls he’d washed. “I try not to be that mother, you know? But I wish he were a bit more forthcoming about how he’s doing. I hope he tells Erin these things.”
