Julie nodded. “Gram always did love to cook. But these parties—at least, the way I remember them—they’re huge.”
Jessica grinned. “You’ve got half the town, if not more, invited.”
Gram was handling the invitations, so Julie had no idea who would come and who wouldn’t. Julie grimaced. “I believe it.”
“It’s so good that you’re doing these again. I haven’t gone to one, of course—that would be my parents and grandparents—but I’ve heard stories. It’s kind of a tradition in Pinecone Falls.”
“It’s just this one time. We’re—”selling the property.Maybe Julie shouldn’t air the family’s business. She cleared her throat and tried again. “We’re not doing them again after that.”
Jessica’s face fell. “That’s too bad. There hasn’t been anything in town really to replace it. I was hoping someday to come as a guest, not as the help.”
Julie didn’t know what to say to that, so she gestured to the kitchen and said, “We’re here. Is this a big enough space?”
One thing she would give Jessica, she was not without exuberance when it came to her job. Her face brightened again as she took in the space. “Two commercial ovens! Thank goodness. I was a bit worried. You got the email I sent with the proposed menu? I asked my aunt what Ida used to serve and built it off of that.”
Even though the caterer wasn’t looking her way, Julie nodded. “I did. But I’m not sure Gram will be able to help out with the cooking this year. We might want to add a little more food, just in case.”
“I can email you the options.”
Julie nodded. “That would be great. I can call my gram and have her choose something else to flesh out the offerings. We don’t want to run out of food!”
Jessica stroked the oven door almost lovingly. “With these, you won’t. I’ll be able to time the appetizers perfectly so there’s always something going around.”
Merrow!The cat made his complaint from in front of the door to his food, like usual. Though it sounded a lot like,What will you bring for me?to Julie’s ears.
Jessica turned with a smile. “Who’s this gorgeous fellow?”
When she reached out a hand to pet the cat, Julie tensed. “No, don’t…”
The cat shut his eyes and raised his head into the stroke. She could hear his purr even from feet away. He swished his tail and walked forward so Jessica’s hand stroked along the arch of his back.
“Don’t what?” Jessica asked, still petting him as she pulled her attention away.
Julie shrugged, dumbfounded. “He’s a little temperamental, but never mind. He clearly likes you.”
More, apparently, than he liked Julie. She felt a little offended but then realized this was good. Maybe it would solve all her problems.
“I don’t suppose you’re looking for a cat? He needs a good home, and I can’t give it to him.”
Jessica scratched under the cat’s chin. She sighed. “I wish. I love cats, but my apartment doesn’t allow pets.”
“Tell me about it,” Julie muttered.
They shared a moment of silent commiseration.
It was punctuated only by the faint dripping coming from under the sink. Jessica could clearly hear it over the cat’s purrs because she frowned. “What’s that sound?”
“The kitchen sink. I’m getting it fixed. Don’t worry about it.”
“I’ll need to use the sink while I’m cooking…”
Julie held up her hands. “I promise, it will be fixed before the party.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Jessica nodded. “Then I guess the only other thing I’ll need is to see your temporary event catering permit.”
“My… what?”
Julie’s stomach sank. Permit? No one had mentioned that before. She’d just assumed that because Cozy Holly Inn was a bed-and-breakfast that the party would be allowed. But of course, it wasn’t actually a working B&B anymore.
