AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Eleven
Harper
WeekFour
“This morning, we’re playing a little game of ‘How well do you know our bachelor?’ You’ll all be competing for a chance for a one-on-one date with Flynn. The prize? A full day at the Luck o’ the Irish Celtic Festival.”
A quiet murmur spread through the kitchen, my own excitement kicking up a few notches. One-on-one dates were a big deal around here, an opportunity to get time with Flynn alone without having to compete for his attention.
Typically, I didn’t care too much about the dates, since we’d gotten into the habit of sneaking off to the café at night. But this one was nostalgic. Even though we’d done things like this growing up, we’d never dated, and I wasn’t willing to give up the opportunity to spend it with him. Besides, one of my rules had been for him to never pick me for one of these dates. And I needed him to break that rule. Eager to hear the challenge, I continued to lean on the wall, keeping my expression as neutral as possible.
“You may wonder what you’ll be doing.” Tom raised his eyebrows, dramatically spreading his arms. “Flynn is here to find his small-town soul mate, and an important quality of that person is paying attention to the little details. You had plenty of time to put your internet sleuthing skills to the test before you came to the inn. Just in case, there are some cheat sheets in the kitchen and different recipes available to you. You’ve got an hour to make a dish you think he’ll love, then present it to Flynn. He will have the honor of choosing who will escort him to the festival.”
I tuned out whatever Tom continued to say as I silently worked out a plan. There was one thing I had working for me in this challenge: I had an extensive library of all things related to Flynn Jackson in my head. For the first time in the whole competition, I wanted to win.
And I knew I could.
Move over, Monica Gellar. I’m going for the gold star.
“What are you going to make?” Danielle leaned over and whispered, her blonde-streaked brunette locks swept up into a bun on the top of her head.
“Depends on what I have to work with.” I grinned.
She groaned. “Cooking is not my forte. I don’t think Flynn wants to be served charcoal. I’m great at precooked meals and to-go food.”
“You’ll do fine. Grab the easiest recipe over there and run with it.”
“She’s got a plan.” Candace leaned around me to Danielle. “I like it!”
“Yeah, where’s this girl been hiding? I like her.” Dani bumped my hip affectionately.
“Flowers may be my thing, but I also really love to cook. I’m not good at any of this other stuff, but I can do flowers and food.”
“How are you single? Flynn is going to forget anyone else exists once you set his plate in front of him.”
“Flynn’s already forgotten about the rest of us,” Candace replied.
I turned to look at Dani, ignoring Candace. “You’ve never even tasted my food.”
“You’re right, he has,” she agreed with Candace. “And I don’t need to. You’re the most confident I’ve seen you since we’ve been here. You’re here to win.” She beamed and patted me on the shoulder. “Go, shoo. I don’t want to talk to you again until you’re done.”
Being on this show had unexpected benefits, like getting in touch with myself outside of my business. I’d been so consumed with growing and expanding that I’d lost touch with a huge part of my identity. Getting dirty, either in the dirt or in the kitchen, seemed to be what made my heart sing most, and lately, I’d struggled to be daring in either area.
I glanced around as the other women excitedly talked between each other, flipping through the sheets scattered across the inn’s giant island.
Thankfully, they’d fully stocked the pantry beyond the norm to prepare for the food challenge. There were certain things our area was known for, but there was one thing Flynn loved above all else. Cast iron french toast.
Quietly scanning the shelves, I plucked a loaf of fresh challah bread. Humming a song, I snagged small containers of cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh maple syrup. After setting my things on the small amount of counter space designated for me, I went over to the fridge and snagged all the dairy and eggs I’d need. Heavy cream or half and half were my favorite trade secrets.
Forgetting for a moment that I probably needed to play down my familiarity with the inn, I crossed to the oven and set it to two-hundred-and-fifty degrees to dry out my bread, then grabbed a cast iron pan from the cabinet.
Lexi rolled her eyes as I passed by. “I can’t believe she’s going to serve him something in one of those old pans. It’s notLittle Houseon the Prairie.”
The house had grown a little quieter since he’d sent Regina home at the last rose ceremony, though my money continued to be on Lexi being the culprit for my things disappearing. She couldn’t mess with my mood this morning, not when I was in the zone.
I chuckled and shoved my earbuds into my ears as I sliced a few pieces of challah bread, then spread them out on a pan and shoved them into the oven for a few minutes.
The food I made and served in the café was well known for being more on the crunchy side. I worked hard to create any dyes I needed from nature. I even used edible plants and florals with some of my recipes.
